Svalbard on a Shoestring 🐋 Hiking, Dog Sledding, Wildlife boat tour, Abandoned town of Pyramiden.

Exploring Svalbard and proving you don't need to spend excessive amounts of money on a cruise to enjoy the islands and its wildlife. In this video we explore the town of Longyearbyen, climb the near by mountains of Sarkogafen and Trollsteinen. We also try dog sledding (on wheels) and take the boat trip to abandoned soviet mining town of Pyramiden where you also visit a glacier and hopefully spot wildlife such as whales, reindeer, dolphins and hopefully a polar bear!
Available activities and costs in the link below...
gjestehuset102.no/svalbard-ac...
Art of silence by uniq
/ uniqofficial
Music provided by www.plugnplaymusic.net

[@WestGoesEast]

If you enjoy watching TRAVEL VLOGS and finding new travel INSPIRATION, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to my channel. Thanks! 🙂

[@lemonfrume]

This was probably the best Svalbard video I’ve seen - great work.

[@WestGoesEast]

That's nice to hear! Thank you 🙂

[@TomJudson]

Absolutely amazing, Phil! The landscape and scenery totally blew me away. And the seed bank and the Russian ghost town and the hike to the summit... all simply incredible. I'm flabbergasted. This very much falls under the category of things I really enjoyed watching and would never want to do myself--I was freezing just sitting here watching it. Thanks for sparing me the trip! Great, great video. Really good music choices, too.

[@WestGoesEast]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'll happily go to many other cold places you don't want to go to as well. So stay tuned I guess.

[@spiff1003]

If you get blown away by watching this video, then try Longyearbyen yourself. I would recommend spring, late march to early may. Been there twice and I will go at least a couple of more times. It is magnificent. Longyearbyen itself is not a good looking town, but the scenery makes it all like the inside of a temple.

[@alanmcvicar8608]

Amazing landscape , never ever heard of this place. Would be really unsure about walking in that snow, as we are so not use to it in south England. Got to be prepared for rapid weather changes. Photographers paradise.

[@WestGoesEast]

I'm from South England and I can confirm it was cold! 🥶

[@ianhilditch8743]

Great insight Phil. Loved it!

[@WestGoesEast]

Cool! Thanks

[@tripityourself]

Incredible video! Thank you

[@WestGoesEast]

Thank you!

[@perpetualgrin5804]

I certainly did it on a shoestring working my passage on a cargo ship there, camping rough for 18 days near the airport . Walking of hitching into town then caught the same boat back yo Tromso. Greeting from Australia😅.

[@WestGoesEast]

Wow. That sounds like an experience!

[@_smirk_]

That's pretty crazy, can you elaborate more? how did you find a job to go there? what did you do for 18 days? how much gear you need to not freeze to death camping???

[@perpetualgrin5804]

@@_smirk_ I went to the ship man who said the ship arrives in a week. Captain was happy to take me, thought I was crazy, he leant me some clothes. It was around -2 to +2 c. When the girl at the camp ground left for lunch, i had a cold shower. The airport had a small room open 24 hrs. I would sit on the floor reading. Little strange but I managed.

[@myrabenson1603]

Wow just fantastic viewing loved it xx

[@WestGoesEast]

Thank you, glad you liked it :)

[@jpdemol6533]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@WestGoesEast]

Thanks for watching!

[@Kelseashell]

Love the adventurous free spirit of you both. Hope you keep making videos 💜 Best Svalbard video

[@WestGoesEast]

Thanks for kind comment. Hoping to make a video of Nepal soon 🇳🇵😊

[@NikkiEvernight]

What an incredibly stunning video! Amazing adventure. I hope to get up there myself soon.

[@WestGoesEast]

Thank you. It sure was an experience I'll never forget :)

[@TUKUMZ]

Great video! So interesting! You and Emma are awesome!

[@WestGoesEast]

Ah thanks so much! 😊

[@MatHall]

Ah amazing video phil and emma. Fascinating, i knew next to nothing of this place and annoyingly its now made my to-go list longer! Really enjoyed this. Some of those drone shots up on the hike... wow. Cheers!

[@WestGoesEast]

Thank you. Its actually a relatively accessible place considering how unique it is. I would defo recommend it but make sure you do activities to make the most of your time.

[@beautifulvillagelifestyles6668]

Wow amazing ❤❤

[@WestGoesEast]

Sure was :)

[@_smirk_]

Great video, now I want to visit!

[@WestGoesEast]

Thanks Smirk. Well I highly recommend it! 😊

[@corinamihailiuc]

Amazing video!

[@WestGoesEast]

Thanks!

[@patriciahenderson4480]

We can't wait ....next Sunday we are traveling there ❤

[@WestGoesEast]

You'll have a 🐳 of a time!

[@Flipperwi715]

I couldn't help to think 1998, really isn't long ago. Makes me want to learn more. Thank you.

[@WestGoesEast]

Yeah it's not that long ago is it. Certainly an interesting place to walk around. Bit of a time capsule.

[@sandrabagayas3377]

Amazing 😍

[@WestGoesEast]

Thanks :)

[@Fredsausage886]

Really well done video ,thanks , you deserve many more subscribers .

[@WestGoesEast]

Thank you! Appreciated. I agree with you.... Go tell everyone 😂

[@Gez-C]

The place looks absolutely amazing and incredible!

[@WestGoesEast]

Certainly is. I wanna go back!

[@wildlifewarrior2670]

@@WestGoesEast I'm here in the United States pick me up and take me there

[@WestGoesEast]

@@wildlifewarrior2670 OK, I'll warm up the jet...

[@wildlifewarrior2670]

@@WestGoesEast ok

[@TravellingTorunn]

Amazing video, Phil 🤩 Though I have never been there and seen it myself, I believe you captured this remote part of my home land Norway really well. It looks almost surreal and like from another planet. I admire you both for climbing that high mountain 👐😊 Such an adventurous trip. Thank you for sharing! 😊

[@philrwesty]

Thanks Torunn. You live in the best country!

[@TravellingTorunn]

@@philrwesty Thank you, yes, I think it is great, but so is your country too 🤩

[@sandrarawn2147]

🇨🇦❤️ Hello from Ontario Canada. Omg I'm so happy I came across your channel! Love your videos and sooo looking forward to following along! From a very happy new subscriber!

[@WestGoesEast]

Ah thank you so much! What a nice message. 😊 Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy watching my future videos too. 🇬🇧

[@infinitelove3221]

Interesting how the sky looks so blue, in comparison to other parts of our world.

[@WestGoesEast]

Perhaps it's because there's less pollution?

[@steinarhaugen7617]

Extraordinary! I am Norwegian but have not been to Svalbard so far. I want to take a trip there when I retire and that will happen soon. 🙂

[@WestGoesEast]

Enjoy it when you go. I'm sure you'll have an extraordinary time!

[@MaryQueennn]

I can't wait to visit here from indonesia .5 time transit 😂

[@WestGoesEast]

That sounds like quite the mission....worth it though!

[@ivanivan5511]

WHAT a place

[@WestGoesEast]

Sure is!

[@MadisonEran]

Who was the guide you used? The hike at the beginning of your video seemed like a truly amazing experience! Also super lovely video, thank you so much for sharing!

[@WestGoesEast]

Thank you :) Luckily for us we knew a local guy who knew this walk. We definitely lucked out on the weather that day too. I would imagine it can be pretty grim on a bad day!

[@MadisonEran]

Ahh gotcha, well thank you for responding! I appreciate it!

[@jonathanbarone4708]

❤❤❤

[@WestGoesEast]

☺️

[@lassehaug3348]

Hello from Svalbard. It is alowed to go past the signs without a gun, there are not more polarbears than ppl. Cheers

[@WestGoesEast]

Hello from currently in Petra, Jordan. Well that doesn't surprise me as we didn't see a single one and we saw loads of people! That's not what Google says though.

[@susannechakan4939]

The landscape is absolutely stunning! Takes my breath away. The dogs...on the other hand.....why are they all chained up and on a short chain at that. AND in dog house with apparently NO heat? I have a hard time with that. Prayers for the little Arctic Fox 🙏

[@WestGoesEast]

It sure is a beautiful place. Yes I know what you mean about the dogs. They do have 2 layers of fur unlike other dogs so at least they have that.

[@spiff1003]

During this crhistmas, polar bear tracks were observed within hundreds of meters of that 5:25 sign you approached. The polar bear was never found and probably just wandered off never to be seen again. 100-200 meters behind the first polar bear sign, there was a fatal mauling of a camper in a tent by a polar bear. So while it is not that common to have bears around the town, it does happen from time to time. If you want to seek out a polar bear, then remember that you should probably be more worried about the Governor's response than the polar bear. They do not appreciate that at all.

[@rbphilip]

Looks very much as I anticipated. You posted the video in September, but when was it you were there?

[@WestGoesEast]

It was also September :)

[@melodysagelife6444]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video. My husband and I are planning a trip October 2023. Was it the beginning or end of September that you were there? Year 2022? What was the name of the boat tour you took? Thank you so much! 29:25

[@WestGoesEast]

Thanks for watching :) I think it was the 18th Sep when we flew there? And the boat we went on was called Polar girl. Was a really cool trip!

[@WestGoesEast]

And yes 2022

[@christinel1530]

@melodysagelife6444 my husband and I are going in October 2023 as well!! 🙂

[@SuperChicken666]

Another great video! How do the bears know not to go past the sign? Is there a memorandum of agreement? Just kidding. Thanks!

[@WestGoesEast]

Thank you 😎 apparently the bears are just good at reading road signs. I know this because I saw one driving at the right speed in a 30 zone.

[@patbarker6333]

Great video. I leave for Svalbard April 1st so this was a great intro to the area. Can you kindly tell me the name of the area in your first hike? And the name of your guide? Thank you.

[@WestGoesEast]

Thank you. The first hike was Sarkofagen and the second was Trollsteinen. Both of which are accessed from the top end of Longyearbyen. Our guide was a friend of ours but there are plenty others to choose from no doubt. Have a great trip!

[@patbarker6333]

@@WestGoesEast thanks very much!

[@Janom66]

👍👍👍💖💖💖

[@WestGoesEast]

🙂

[@spiff1003]

They do not recommend shotguns. Rifles in at least caliber .308 but preferably 30-06 is recommended. (Pump or semi auto) Shotguns with slugs are also considered appropriate, but revolvers are not recommended. You need to be quite skilled to use a .44 magnum when a bear charges. So rifles are what they want you to have.

[@WestGoesEast]

Good gun knowledge

[@kayesurman]

What month of the year did you make this trip to Svalbard? My family are planning on a June trip.

[@WestGoesEast]

September 🙂

[@bushwakka007]

Hi Phil. Can you help me with understanding on any regulations involved with bringing a drone there and flying as you have done?

[@WestGoesEast]

I think just don't fly it over the town or near the airport. Apart from that everything else is ok I recon.

[@austguitar]

Great video. What time of the year was this?

[@WestGoesEast]

Thanks. It was September ☃️

[@RRC6490]

25:28 sounds like the start of a great movie! 😈

[@WestGoesEast]

Haha, it does a bit.

[@jerroortega7083]

Meet cecelia there

[@WestGoesEast]

Who's Cecelia?

[@jerroortega7083]

Vlogger also. Im watching her youtube channel

[@WestGoesEast]

@@jerroortega7083 ah yes, I know who you mean now. We passed her home.

[@javierramirez4722]

The land of the hiperborean race

[@WestGoesEast]

I had to Google this word. Yes it is :)

[@Yotrek]

Did I miss how much each item cost, or did they not include the prices?

[@WestGoesEast]

There is a link in the description to all available activities and costs :)

[@NorseManV]

Is it legal to build a house in that area? Or how much are the houses on average?

[@WestGoesEast]

I'm not entirely sure tbh. I know places to rent or buy can be very expensive though. I think you might be able to buy a plot on private land but generally I don't think the Norwegian state allows it as they own most it. It looked like there were some privately owned cabins along the seafront.

[@andywash]

Wold have been useful to know when in the year you were there?

[@WestGoesEast]

September

[@user-ov8nj5yt2g]

Hello from Ecuador! 😃 Amazing video! Thanks! What month did you go? 🙌🏽

[@WestGoesEast]

Thanks! We went in September

[@user-ov8nj5yt2g]

@@WestGoesEastdo you think it’s better in May?:) or when? 🙌🏽

[@WestGoesEast]

@@user-ov8nj5yt2g I think May is meant to have bluer skies and more chance of icebergs but can't say for sure as I have not been to Svalbard then.

[@user-ov8nj5yt2g]

Thank you! Hopefully coming in May and hope see Polar Bears 😃🤝🏽

[@WestGoesEast]

@@user-ov8nj5yt2g fingers crossed you see them 🤞

[@hliostalakth1]

Which period did you go? Was it in September? Thank you 😁

[@WestGoesEast]

Correct :)

[@augustineapoore8502]

What is the name of the guest house, you are lounging and how much is a night?

[@WestGoesEast]

www.gjestehuset102.no is the website of the guesthouse. Prices vary throughout the year.

[@augustineapoore8502]

Which month in the year is the weather conducive for travellers to come over!

[@WestGoesEast]

Well depends what you are after. Summer months have warmer weather and longer days. Winter is very cold and is always dark. Also it depends on what activities you want to do.

[@wildlifewarrior2670]

All year I'm assuming

[@yves07pl]

How did you get to Pyramiden? I’m flying to Svalbard in October and it’s my desire to see Pyramiden. However as I read all tours to Pyramiden are currently not offered because of connection to Russian state owned companies

[@WestGoesEast]

We got the polar girl boat there from Longyearbyen. This is the first I've heard that Pyramiden is closed. Its a ghost town so surprised to hear they're not letting people visit?

[@Aliquis.frigus]

Maybe the tours that have shut down are to Barentsburg? The still operating Russian Town.. And then Pyramiden is still accessible? Not sure though.

[@WestGoesEast]

September

[@canadianguy1232]

How much did the trip cost roughly, always wanted to visit

[@WestGoesEast]

I can't remember exactly but it was probably about £1200. That's for flights from England, accommodation, activites and food.

[@kataisimon]

@@WestGoesEast where did you book activities?

[@WestGoesEast]

@@kataisimon we booked through out guesthouse called Gjestehuset 102. We got a bit of a discount because we stayed there.

[@AmateurTravelOutdoor]

At which month were you there? It looks like Jul/Aug or Sept?

[@WestGoesEast]

It was September :)

[@AmateurTravelOutdoor]

@@WestGoesEast Thnx. I finally managed to get my wife onboard. She always want to travel to Asia and other warm exotic areas whereas I want some more "adventure" places and also do stuff besides eat, sunbath and some "sightseeing". I travel a lot to those places in my work so..... The tipping point now was whwn I said that I will go to Svalbard with or without her and she understood that I was serious. Then I went halway - she wanted to go in july/aug or sept. The tickets were sold out for the 2 first month so Sept it is. Personally I would like to go twice - once in late nov and once in may but but. I saw that you have been in Faroe - that is also on my bucketlist aswell as Siberia in the winter, Tjernobyl, Greenland, Alaska and Cooks Islands.

[@philrwesty]

@@AmateurTravelOutdoor Well tell your wife it's one hell of an experience. My gf loved and would like to go back. I would also like to go twice as would like to see the Walruses which are only there certain times of year. Plus I would like to be there when you can skidoo and see the northern lights. The Faroes are incredible and quite magical....you should watch my film if you haven't already to get a sense of what it's like. I've been to Chernobyl but not those other places you mentioned but I would defo like to visit those places too!

[@WillKMB]

What time of year did you go?

[@WestGoesEast]

September 🐻‍❄

[@WillKMB]

@@WestGoesEast thanks! We’re going in may, really looking forward to it

[@WestGoesEast]

@@WillKMB it's epic! You'll love it.

[@robbiehallie]

What time of the year is this?

[@WestGoesEast]

September

[@robbiehallie]

@@WestGoesEast Thanks. Great video! Hopefully one day!

[@WestGoesEast]

@@robbiehallie thanks for watching. Hope you get to go!

[@OldFArt-gx9fh]

What month was this filmed?

[@WestGoesEast]

September

[@OldFArt-gx9fh]

@@WestGoesEast I’ll be there this September so your piece gave me a good idea on what to expect. Cheers.

[@isurangaekanayaka2270]

Are there jobs in Svalbard?

[@WestGoesEast]

Yes and you don't need a visa I believe

[@isurangaekanayaka2270]

Yes...do you know any details about this?

[@WestGoesEast]

Not really, sorry

[@laurencebeyter5139]

Is English enough to live there?

[@WestGoesEast]

Yes, most people speak English. We had no troubles. In fact, none at all.

[@laurencebeyter5139]

@@WestGoesEast How are the job opportunities? do you know?

[@WestGoesEast]

@@laurencebeyter5139 I think there are opportunites. The good thing is that you don't need a visa to work there.

[@wildSpiritboy857]

When you was going through the abandoned building No respect you just pulled the paper leave it in place for the next people who go there don’t just pull it like it’s nothing

[@WestGoesEast]

You're telling me the only thing you thought worthy of commenting on this video is because I moved a paper a few inches. If you watched all the video you would see the guide moving lots of items and it didn't seem to matter to her.

[@elizabethnilsson1815]

24.51 the statue of the ONLY PERSON who served the people, and the homo sapience life

[@WestGoesEast]

Interesting