Kingly is proud to introduce the “Kingly Beyond the Arctic Circle” adventure series. Illustrator Boryana Ivanova, the creative force behind our books 101 Uses of a Kingly Sock and 101 Uses of Reclaimed Denim, embarked on a daring expedition to Svalbard, with Kingly sponsoring her journey by providing sustainable, multifunctional gear. In the depths of the Arctic Circle, where freezing temperatures and harsh environments test even the most prepared travelers, repurposed socks and eco-friendly textiles became essential survival tools.
Throughout her journey, Boryana found creative ways to repurpose Kingly products, using socks as thermos insulators, hand warmers, and protective storage for delicate photo equipment. Her Arctic adventure showcased how sustainability and functionality go hand in hand—even in the most extreme environments. This collaboration aligns seamlessly with Kingly’s mission to reduce waste, repurpose materials, and develop innovative, low-impact solutions. Let’s dive into her exciting adventure:
Day 1:
Spitsbergen, the largest island in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, sits deep in the Arctic Ocean. Traveling to such a remote destination was bound to be a challenge. We arrived around 3 PM on our first day, only to be greeted by pitch-black skies and howling winds. As we arrived at our accommodation, I reflected on this new reality and how we would adapt. With barely any light, we quickly realized our photography equipment wasn’t as prepared as we had hoped.
Despite the rough start, we managed to book an adventure for the following day before heading to bed, eager to embrace the Arctic experience.
Day 2:
The new day greeted us with the same endless darkness. The wind had calmed, but the temperature had dropped overnight. Bundled in our warmest clothes, we set off for the meeting point, where our guides arrived in a snowcat. If you’ve never heard of one before—neither had I until now! Fully equipped with top-quality winter gear and firearms, our guides were prepared for the Arctic’s greatest challenge: the ever-present risk of encountering a polar bear.
After a 30-minute ride, we arrived near an ice cave, eager for our next adventure. Stepping out of the snowcat, we suited up with spikes, helmets, and headlights before heading inside. The cave felt like a frozen wonder, its walls shimmering with glittering crystals that caught the soft, ethereal blue light. A true masterpiece sculpted by nature, it left us mesmerized. As we emerged, we witnessed a rare and magical sight—the first glow of Civil Twilight after the long Arctic night, painting the sky in shades of pink and casting a purple hue over the snowy hills.
After a quick picnic with tea and biscuits, we headed back to our pick-up point, still buzzing from the experience. We couldn’t wait to share the adventure with the rest of our group.
Day 3:
Svalbard offered unforgettable moments, with dog sledding being one of the most thrilling highlights. The dogs, full of energy and excitement, made it known they were ready to be part of the adventure. As we prepared the sleds, they playfully tried to trick us into releasing the brakes, eager to take off. During the ride, some of the older dogs would occasionally slow down, taking well-deserved breaks from the rush.
Our night in a cozy cabin was just as memorable, with the warmth of a crackling fireplace setting the perfect scene. We enjoyed surprisingly delicious dehydrated Arctic meals, a regional staple, while playing card games and sharing laughter. Every so often, we’d sprint outside, hoping to catch the mesmerizing Northern Lights.
Visiting the Global Seed Vault was another unforgettable experience—its significance as a safeguard for the world’s biodiversity left us in awe. Surrounded by breathtaking, almost extraterrestrial landscapes, the icy terrain and endless horizons made it feel like we had stepped onto another planet.
Day 4:
The next day, we returned to our Airbnb from the cabin, ready for a more relaxed pace after our Arctic adventures. We started with a visit to the Husky Café, where we enjoyed freshly brewed coffee in the delightful company of fluffy, friendly dogs—a perfect way to warm up and start the day. Later, we took a leisurely walk through the charming streets of Longyearbyen, taking in the unique atmosphere of the northernmost town in the world. After exploring, we settled into the warmth of our cozy Airbnb, grateful for the chance to unwind.
However, our minds were still focused on one thing—the Northern Lights. We constantly checked our tracking tools: a 360-degree camera feed of the area, an app with real-time notifications, and another app showing the aurora’s location across the globe. Suddenly, an alert came through, and excitement filled the room. We hurriedly put on our layers—thermal clothes, jackets, boots, gloves—racing against time to catch the moment. Bursting out the door, we ran to the nearest dark spot away from the city lights. Breathless and exhilarated, we looked up—and there it was. The shimmering green waves of the aurora danced across the Arctic sky, leaving us in awe.
Day 5:
On our fifth day, we decided to take on a new adventure—snowmobiling across Svalbard’s breathtaking landscape. Before setting off, we were provided with proper Arctic gear: insulated overalls, heavy-duty boots, gloves, balaclavas, helmets, and goggles to keep us warm and protected. The vastness around us was surreal as we rode out into the endless white fields, beautifully tinted pink by the soft Arctic light. About ten minutes into the ride, our guides stopped to check if we were comfortable handling the snowmobiles and to prepare their firearms, reminding us of the ever-present risk of polar bears in the wild. 
Our journey led us to a large tent where we camped, sipping hot tea and enjoying familiar Arctic meals. Along the way, we marveled at a stunning snow-covered canyon and a breathtaking frozen waterfall, both adding to the magic of the day. As we rode back, the thrill of the adventure and the beauty of the Arctic left us filled with excitement and unforgettable memories.
Day 6:
Our last day in Svalbard was a perfect blend of thrill and relaxation. We booked a slot at a local sauna, uniquely located right on the shore of the ocean. The idea of dipping into the freezing Arctic waters before retreating to the sauna’s warmth was both exciting and daunting. The crashing waves and the ice-covered ladder made us hesitate, but we gathered our courage and dipped our legs into the icy water—an unforgettable shock to the senses.
Later, we truly experienced the power of the Arctic wind, with gusts reaching about 27 km/h, giving us a final taste of the island’s raw beauty. We spent the rest of the day strolling through the charming streets, picking out souvenirs to bring a piece of Svalbard home with us, and carefully packing our luggage. As we prepared to leave, the memories of our Arctic adventure felt like a dream we never wanted to wake up from.
Day 7:
Day 7 marked our stay in Oslo. Unlike our first day here, we felt surprisingly warm and found ourselves unzipping our jackets. We enjoyed a peaceful boat tour, taking in the serene Arctic views one last time. Every spare moment was filled with excited conversations about how we must return to Svalbard again someday, already longing for our next adventure in this magical place.
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Story and photos by Boryana Ivanova.
Read “Kingly Beyond the Arctic Circle: A Journey of Adventure, Sustainability, and Creativity – Part 1″ here. Discover more insights from Boryana’s 7-day adventure on our social media channels: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.