At the head of the valley where Longyearbyen lies, there are two glaciers: Larsbreen and Longyearbreen. 

Over thousands and thousands of years, Longyearbreen has eroded the mountain beds and pushed out rocks and gravel to create a large moraine. In the surrounding mountains, you can find 40 - 60 million year-old plant and animal fossils. 

The mountains, filled with old sediments from rivers and swamps, can be read like ancient books - if you know where to look. On Svalbard, scientists have found signs of life from a billion years ago. Of course, in that era we are talking about microfossils and algal sediments. Most of the major fossils that have been unearthed on Svalbard over the last few decades have been marine reptiles from the Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago. On the Longyear glacier you are most likely find fossils up to 60 million years old. 

You will be collected from your hotel and driven to Nybyen where you will set out on foot for the Longyear Glacier. There is no obvious path to follow as you make your way up towards the glacier, over the moraine area which changes from year to year. It is quite stony and uneven terrain, but the pace will be kept at an easy level, so that you have plenty of time to look for fossils. You will also have the company of a good-natured husky, and you will learn a little about the role that these dogs have had on Svalbard.
 
The tour is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking as the terrain can be quite uneven and you must cross some streams. participants are requested to dress warmly, wear hiking boots and a hat and mittens.