LONGYEARBYEN BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Back to the USSR: Two Days by Open Boat to the Frozen Ghost Town of Pyramiden
A 2-day open-boat journey from Longyearbyen that combines a guided tour of the preserved Soviet-era settlement in Pyramiden with a fjord cruise, glacier approach and options to kayak or hike.
Back to the USSR: Two Days by Open Boat to the Frozen Ghost Town of Pyramiden.
From Longyearbyen you’ll board an open boat and cross Arctic fjords framed by moraines and mountain peaks to reach Pyramiden, the preserved Soviet-era ghost town. Over two days the itinerary pairs the stark, machine-age architecture of Pyramiden with close views of the towering Nordenskiöld Glacier and a choice of active options—kayaking in Petunia Bay or a guided hike—against a backdrop of Arctic ice and rock.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Pyramiden: A Soviet Ghost Town Frozen in Time
The core of the trip is a guided, in-depth visit to Pyramiden: preserved Soviet-era buildings, communal spaces and industrial relics that tell the story of Arctic polar settlement and abandonment.
Nordenskiöld Glacier and the Arctic Fjord Approach
The return passage includes a close-up view of the majestic Nordenskiöld Glacier, and the route threads fjords bordered by moraines and mountain peaks, making the voyage as much about scenery as the settlement.
Active Options: Kayak or Hike
On the second day participants choose between kayaking in Petunia Bay or a guided hike, giving travelers the option of a water-based or land-based way to experience the bay and surrounding terrain.
What the day feels like
What the two days feel like
The trip unfolds as a compact expedition: an open-boat crossing from Longyearbyen into narrow fjords, a short hike at Skansbukta, lunch ashore and an immersive guided tour through Pyramiden’s Soviet-era streets on day one. Day two opens with your choice of kayaking in Petunia Bay or a guided hike, followed by lunch, free time and a return voyage that brings you up close to the Nordenskiöld Glacier.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a two-day program operating from Longyearbyen with fjord passages and glacier approaches; operators may change timing or route for weather and safety. Detailed seasonal windows were not provided in the verified data.
No formal gear list was included in the verified data. The tour involves open-boat travel, potential exposure to cold and uneven terrain, and optional kayaking or hiking.
The operator provides hotel pick-up in Longyearbyen and the itinerary includes onboard crossings, onshore lunches and guided activities in Pyramiden and Petunia Bay.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the trip?
The adventure is a 2-day program.
Where do we meet the group?
The operator provides hotel pick-up in Longyearbyen.
What activities are included?
The itinerary includes an open-boat passage to Pyramiden, a short hike in Skansbukta, lunch and an in-depth guided tour of Pyramiden on day one; on day two you choose between kayaking in Petunia Bay or a guided hike, followed by lunch, free time and a return past the Nordenskiöld Glacier.
Is there a minimum age?
The verified information lists the program as suitable from 12 years of age.
Who should avoid this trip?
The tour is not suitable for people with conditions that may be aggravated by boat motion, snowmobile vibrations, or long hours in cold and uneven terrain.