Caving · Svalbard

Caving · Svalbard

2 offers 170.43€ – 310.85€ Verified March 2026
Compare offers

How to choose

Two ice cave tours leave from Longyearbyen, separated by 140 € and a fundamentally different experience. Backyard Svalbard offers a 6-hour hike at 170 € rated "Sporty": you reach the cave on foot, which means real physical effort across Arctic terrain. Arctic Footsteps prices at 310 € for a 4-hour snowmobile-accessed version rated "Occasionally sporty", cutting the exertion but adding machine-powered speed across the tundra. The price gap reflects the snowmobile rental cost built into Tour 1. Pick the hike if sustained effort and longer immersion are the goal. Pick the snowmobile if you want the cave experience with less physical demand and a faster ride through Svalbard's frozen landscape.

Compare · 2 offers

Best value Ice Cave Hiking from Longyearbyen in Svalbard

Ice Cave Hiking from Longyearbyen in Svalbard

170.43€ See offer
Ice Cave Experience by Snowmobile from Longyearbyen in Svalbard

Ice Cave Experience by Snowmobile from Longyearbyen in Svalbard

310.85€ See offer

Our picks

Best full immersion

Ice Cave Hiking from Longyearbyen in Svalbard

6 hours on foot through Arctic terrain with Backyard Svalbard at 170 € delivers maximum time on the ground and the most physically committed route to the ice.

170.43 €See offer

Best rush for less effort

Ice Cave Experience by Snowmobile from Longyearbyen in Svalbard

Arctic Footsteps adds snowmobile speed to the approach, reaching the ice cave in 4 hours total with minimal physical demand at 310 €.

310.85 €See offer

Frequently asked questions

What is the most intense moment inside the ice cave?
The tightest passages require crawling or squeezing through narrow ice corridors, where the cave walls press close and temperatures stay well below freezing. That claustrophobic cold is the peak sensation most participants describe.
Do you need prior caving experience?
No prior caving experience is required for either tour. The hiking option is rated Sporty, so reasonable fitness matters more than technical skills. The snowmobile option is rated Occasionally sporty and is accessible to most adults.
What is the difference between a 6-hour and a 4-hour tour underground?
The 6-hour tour with Backyard Svalbard includes the hike to the cave as part of the experience, extending total time on the ground. The 4-hour Arctic Footsteps tour uses a snowmobile to reach the cave faster, compressing the itinerary.
Is caving in Svalbard possible year-round?
Both tours run from Longyearbyen and seasonal availability depends on glacier and ice conditions. Contact the operators directly to confirm available dates before booking.
How cold does it get inside the ice cave?
Temperatures inside glacial caves in Svalbard stay below freezing, typically well under 0°C. Layering is non-negotiable, especially for the 6-hour hiking tour where you also spend extended time moving across exposed Arctic terrain.

Practical info

Season

All year

Equipment

Both tours are conducted in sub-zero Arctic conditions, so thermal base layers, insulated mid-layers and a windproof outer shell are mandatory. For the 6-hour "Sporty" hike with Backyard Svalbard, add waterproof boots with ankle support and trekking poles if you have them.

Getting there

Both tours depart from Longyearbyen, reachable by direct flight from Oslo or Tromsø. Backyard Svalbard meets participants at Vei 6062-1E in Longyearbyen, while Arctic Footsteps picks you up directly from your accommodation.

See also

Caving elsewhere

AriegeArdècheReykjavikJökulsárlón Glacier LagoonPorto Cristo, MallorcaGorges du TarnPyrénées OrientalesParque Natural da Arrábida

Other activities in Svalbard

Quad Biking

Updated on 3 March 2026