Spend A Magical Night On A Glacier With Polar Bears In This Charming Cottage

If you’ve ever fantasised about getting up close and personal with a polar bear, this magical travel experience is your dream come true. You can now spend the night at the foot of a blue glacier on an island in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago – the perfect place to spot these rarely seen majestic creatures.

Step away from the beach this summer and head north for the experience of a lifetime. You can spend the night on a glacier in the far north of Norway, a wildlife hotspot, where you’ll be able to see whales, walruses and polar bears in their natural habitat.

Off the Map Travel’s Night on a Glacier program lets guests stay at Nordenskiöld Lodge, an exclusive spot for those who are called to the far north. You’ll be able to enjoy the quiet, contemplative atmosphere, stunningly beautiful natural sights and, of course, the abundant wildlife.

“This is a spectacular opportunity for adventure lovers,” says adventure-travel expert Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel. “Svalbard is one of the world’s best spots for seeing wildlife, with May to September the optimal months as the snow has melted. And at the expedition lodge, you’ll enjoy all manner of amenities and comforts with the chance to see polar bears.”

The glacier forms part of Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago

As well as polar-bear spotting, guests can enjoy dog-sledding, kayaking and a boat cruise along the coast leading to the lodge. You’ll be climbing the glacier and enjoying its majestic beauty, which will be documented on a photo walk of the area.

The accommodation also offers delicious food including local specialities, a sauna and plenty of cosy places to escape from the cold.

The program is available from May to September 2019. Costs vary as each itinerary is customised to your interests and needs, but trips start from $1,500.

About the author

Alice Johnston

Food Editor

Alice is always planning her next meal. She studied English at the University of Bristol before getting her Master’s in newspaper journalism from City University London. She worked on Femail at Mail Online for 18 months writing about lifestyle and food and has also worked at Metro.co.uk, The Guardian, Mumsnet and The Sun. After starting at Culture Trip as a Social Content Producer writing travel and lifestyle stories, she was promoted to the role of Food Editor and now specialises in culinary culture, trends and social issues around food. When she’s not writing, eating or travelling, she can be found cooking overly elaborate dinners, reading cookbooks in bed or playing with her cat, Orlando. Her favourite foods include fishfinger sandwiches, burnt caramel panna cotta, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and oysters.