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Dive into the Arctic’s icy allure on the Pyramiden & Nordenskiöld Glacier tour. Discover a ghost town, towering glaciers, and rugged cliffs—all from the comfort of a covered boat in Svalbard’s stunning wilderness.
Dive into the Arctic’s icy allure on the Pyramiden & Nordenskiöld Glacier tour. Discover a ghost town, towering glaciers, and rugged cliffs—all from the comfort of a covered boat in Svalbard’s stunning wilderness.
Book with Grumant Arctic Travel Company
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Grumant Arctic Travel Company · Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Set against the stark beauty of Svalbard, the journey with Grumant Arctic Travel Company offers an immersive Arctic adventure. Departing from Longyearbyen, the full-day tour aboard the MS Princess Lea takes visitors through icy fjords to the ghost town of Pyramiden, a relic of Soviet industrial history. With its dilapidated buildings and abandoned infrastructure, Pyramiden tells stories of a bygone era, while the surrounding landscape—marked by towering cliffs and the shimmering Nordenskiöld Glacier—creates a jaw-dropping backdrop.
The vessel's covered design ensures comfort and warmth as you traverse challenging Arctic waters, making this a standout choice for travelers seeking a rich combination of natural wonder and historical intrigue. The Nordenskiöld Glacier, with its dramatic ice formations, provides excellent photographic opportunities, especially during the calming hours of dawn and dusk. Along the way, guests can enjoy a hearty onboard lunch, fueling the day’s exploration.
This tour is exceptionally suited for those interested in glacial landscapes and Arctic history. It is perfect for adventure seekers comfortable on open water, but the vessel’s covered features make it accessible even in unpredictable weather. The trip offers a mix of scenic sailing, wildlife sightings—possible for seals and seabirds—and the unique opportunity to walk through one of the world’s most remote ghost towns.
As a key part of Svalbard’s tourism, Grumant Arctic Travel Company stands out by combining safety, environmental mindfulness, and deep knowledge of the Arctic environment, ensuring an enriching experience. This excursion not only fuels wanderlust but also educates about the fragile polar wilderness that faces ongoing climate shifts.
Prepare your camera for unforgettable sights during the golden hours, and don’t forget to bring warm layers and binoculars for wildlife spotting. The Arctic landscape—with its massive glaciers, rugged cliffs, and haunting history—offers an experience that’s as surreal as it is awe-inspiring.
easy.
8 hours.
Suitable for most travelers; moderate walking involved during optional disembarkation.
Yes, but the vessel is covered and heated, ensuring comfort during the cruise.
Wildlife sightings like seals and seabirds are common, especially during favorable weather.
Yes, children over 8 are typically allowed, but parental discretion is advised due to water exposure.
Warm clothing, camera gear, binoculars, and personal essentials.
The tour is accessible but involves some walking on uneven ground if disembarked.
The tour may be canceled or rescheduled; safety is the priority.
Pyramiden was founded as a mining settlement in 1910 by Sweden and later taken over by the Soviet Union, now a haunting ghost town frozen in time.
The tour emphasizes minimal environmental impact, respecting fragile Arctic ecosystems and wildlife.
Grumant Arctic Travel Company operates guided Arctic tours and seasonal hotel stays focused on Svalbard’s western coast, including Pyramiden, Barentsburg and the Nordenskiöld Glacier. The company offers a variety of boat-based excursions — open boats, covered boats (including excursions by MS Princess Lea) and RIBs — alongside overnight hotel options in Pyramiden and Barentsburg. Trip formats include full-day journeys, two-day expeditions, guided town tours, glacier viewing and optional activities such as kayaking or hiking. Several itineraries include lunch and on-land visits like husky farms and local guided town tours. Accommodations comprise Hotel Pyramiden (seasonal, newly refurbished rooms) and Hotel Barentsburg, which features sea views, a bar, restaurant and sauna. Hotel Barentsburg also provides equipment storage for multi-season gear and a conference room that can be used for recreational purposes. Signature itineraries highlight Soviet-era history in Pyramiden, coal-mining heritage in Barentsburg, the Nordenskiöld and Esmark glaciers, and coastal bird cliffs. Wildlife sightings noted in trip summaries include reindeer and polar foxes. Published trip offerings include specific products such as “2-Day Barentsburg Expedition by open boat,” “2-Day Back to USSR in Pyramiden by open boat,” full-day Pyramiden & Nordenskiöld Glacier trips by both covered and open boat, and combined glacier and town visits like Barentsburg & Esmark Glacier by covered boat. The company lists clear activity choices (kayaking or hiking) on select expeditions and provides transport formats and hotel stays as part of its seasonal program. Information presented here is based on the company’s provided trip summaries and accommodation descriptions.
Book with Grumant Arctic Travel Company