After the long winter, a thick coat of ice preserves the shores of the East coast of Greenland. These shores have long been coveted by the great explorers and approaching them means being in tune with powerful yet fragile nature; only the present matters here. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, designed for polar exploration, you will explore the hypnotic and icy landscapes of the Ammassalik and Blossevilleregions. You will respectfully access these exceptional lands, which are inaccessible to traditional ships during the spring. The uncertainty here offers surprises and immaqa (perhaps, in Inuktitut)...read more moments frozen in time. As is taught by Inuit wisdom, life thrives on the present moment.
The colourful traditional houses make the isolated villages stand out in the surrounding whiteness. The Inuit (men, in Inuktitut) follow the rhythm of the changing seasons and the ice, as they perpetuate their traditions, such as hunting on dog sleds. An outing alongside the last hunters of the polar region will have you intoxicated by various sensations aboard this ancient means of transport. Among the first outside visitors of the season, you will be warmly welcomed by the community. During privileged exchanges mixed with joyful and authentic moments, you will learn about the village customs on the ice floe. Inuit hospitality is no myth, it is given in the warmth of a look or an exchanged smile.
As the midnight sun illuminates the white desert and the calving glaciers, you will walk through different states and forms of ice, a constantly evolving spectacle. Aboard LeCommandant Charcot or on the ice floe, you will have opportunities for exploration among the fields of ice and the scenery of the hummocks that are as sublime as they are chaotic. You will enjoy an outing by kayak or zodiac in a polynya (area of open water surrounded by ice), or a polar hike to approach the icebergs caught in the ice floe. From the enveloping refuge of the ship, you will be able to admire a flock of eiders flying above the horizon, a majestic blue whale hugging the waves, or the great nanuk - the polar bear - and its impressive silhouette. On the East coast of Greenland, all notions of time and distance are forgotten.
The only thing that counts is the intensity of the moment spent in the heart of the ice. "Delight in what comes up", as Sylvain Tesson wrote in The Velvet Queen. Find out more about the world of Le Commandant Charcot here! We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions.?Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice?must?be?preserved, we will take this into account from day to day in our itineraries.?The sailing programme, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions.
The experiences are unique and vary from day to day and for each departure.?The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the AECO.
Cruise Itinerary
Arrive
Depart
Day 1: Reykjavík
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22:00
Day 2: Sailing Through The Denmark Strait
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Day 3: Exploration Of Ammassalik Region
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Day 4: Exploration Of Ammassalik Region
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Day 5: Exploration Of Ammassalik Region
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Day 6: Exploration Of Ammassalik Region
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Day 7: Exploration Of Ammassalik Region
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Day 8: Exploration Of Ammassalik Region
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Day 9:Blosseville Coast
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Day 10: Sailing Through The Denmark Strait
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Day 11: Reykjavík
07:00
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Note: Ship ports may not be located in the starting & ending cities listed. Transfers to and/or from the ship port may be required.
Life Onboard Le Commandant-Charcot
Brochure
Ponant Luxury Cruises (2023-24)
Discover our range of incredible luxury expeditions and yacht-style voyages in 2023, exploring Antarctica, the Norwegian Fjords, Caribbean & Latin America, The Indian Ocean & Persian Gulf and Oceania & Polynesia. Includes a range of trailblazing polar explorations aboard Le Commandant Charcot. If you are a travel agent, please email brochures.aus@ponant.com...more with your details and number of copies to be ordered.
Availability Click on prices below to view cabin upgrades and details
Note Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Ponant. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Ponant. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.