Thank you for probably the most informative video on the subject :) I take it that you didn't go on an expedition cruise around the Svalbard archipelago? Did you go all the way there just to hang out in Longyearbyen?
I'd say "use Longyearbyen as a base for day trips." I did 1-2 excursions per day. True, that limits your range for sure, but I found it to be absolutely worth it!
@@Travelog I'm going on an expedition ship cruise for 10 days which is 10 more days of a similar thing or maybe even better :) and I'm sure there'll be plenty more of amazing landscapes and wildlife...am tossing up whether to spend 1 extra night in Oslo on the way in or 1 in Longyearbyen...just can't decide...but I do need some downtime after a long flight
I stayed at Svalbard Hotel - The Vault. There were cheaper options, but further out in the new town. It was 270-300 a night. I did eat out each meal, and many trips also included lunch or dinner. My favorite spots were the sushi place and Svalbar gastropub. You could easily get food from the supermarket to save money and make your own pack lunch.
Visit sure. It’s one of the safest towns on earth. As long as you stay in town and go on guided trips. If you want to go hike/camp in the wilderness you need to notify the government, have a firearm etc. I didn’t do that so can’t comment, but plenty of the guides did that on their off days/off season.
I visited Pyramiden and it was really cool. Would highly recommend it. Also, I saw a polar bear on one of those glacier trips so I'll count myself lucky :P
for a hardcore wildlife photographer can you suggest some non expensive itinerary? will be travelling from india. can't afford expensive tour operators / vessels. something non expensive / budget one is fine. focus will be all possible wildlife including polar bear, walrus, fox, whales, birds etc. say for around 8-10 days.
For accommodations I think the miner's cabins on the edge of town are the most affordable. A bit of a walk to town, but still in the safe zone. As for excursions your choices are limited because you can't leave the town without a guide with a gun. Even if you want to hike on your own there's paperwork to fill out with the Governor. I think some of the least expensive boat excursions started at about $100, the ones I did were about $200. It's just that your options are limited.
It was, but they exhumed the bodies in 1998 for research. Still, the fact that the disease could be preserved is the reason that burials are no longer allowed.
I think it was about right. More time of course means more trips and more chances to see wildlife. With more time I would have done another kayaking/hiking trip, but I felt I had enough time to do it justice. I definitely do want to come back in the winter though.
