Greenland of Great Explorers

Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.

Nestling on the south-east point of the island of Spitsbergen, Isbukta is a small bay that shelters an immense glacier, the Vasil’evbreen, whose front is more than 20 kilometres long.

Here, guests will have the opportunity to join an unforgettable Zodiac outing and depending on the conditions, there will also be the chance to land directly at the foot of this majestic glacier.

Depending on the ice conditions, guests may also be able to approach Stellingfjellet, a large bird cliff and home to one of the biggest guillemot colonies on the archipelago.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing.

This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Humpback and Minke whales play and feed in the waters around the impressive island of Jan Mayen with its towering ebony peaks and broad black lava beaches. The landscape is dominated to the north by Mt. Beerenberg, an active volcano covered in glacial ice that last erupted in 1985.

With permission from the Norwegian authorities, a landing is possible at this rarely visited outpost. Visitors may walk to the research and weather station, or beyond, for birds-eye views of the meteorological station and the long black sandy eastern shore of the island.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing.

This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

In the Ammassalik region, the small island of Storo welcomed the famous French explorer Paul-Emile Victor during his first stay in Greenland in 1932.

Bones, stones, a tomb and a few vestiges of huts and wooden cabins are evidence that people have been coming to the island for a very long time.

Its location facing the Denmark Strait, at the entrance of a small fjord, is indeed ideal for hunting or for observing the whales, narwhals or belugas that live in the fish-rich waters of the Greenland Sea.

Situated on Ammassalik Island and facing the beautiful King Oscar Fjord, Tasiilaq is East Greenland’s main town and one of the most isolated inhabited places in the world. Its brightly coloured buildings lie beautifully by a bay, surrounded by pointed mountains that reach towards the sky.

In summer, the green meadows are an amazing contrast to the millions of icebergs you find in the Sermilik Fjord just a few miles away. It is a hiker's paradise where you will find green valleys, icebergs in many shades, whales, beautiful views, and high mountain peaks.

Qingminguartalik is a small protected bay on the eastern coast of Greenland, around 200 km south of Tasiilaq.

During this port of call, you will have the opportunity to visit the remains of old peat houses from the Thule civilisation.

Then, after sailing through the ice, you will reach the starting point of the very first crossing of the Greenland ice cap, led in 1888 by Fridtjof Nansen, the great Norwegian polar explorer. A magical place where you can climb the gentle slopes of the ice cap’s first foothills to better appreciate its huge size.

Located on the south-east coast of Greenland, Skjoldungen Island is an uninhabited land boasting magnificent landscapes. The island is surrounded by a stunning fjord which, due to its double entrance, forms a bend before joining the sea on the other side.

Mountains, glacial valleys, rocky outcrops, tundra and willow forests make up the beautiful scenery of this island. At this port of call, surrounded by wild and pristine nature, it is quite common to see bearded seals, orcas, but also birds such as the common redpoll, the northern wheatear, or the common raven.

Prince Christian Sound or Prins Christian Sund is a dramatically picturesque fjord in the south of Greenland with gorgeous glaciers, steep mountains reaching over 2,200 metres, crystal-clear waterfalls fed by the ice sheet and untouched wildlife.

Here, whales swim along the iceberg-dotted shores and bearded seals love to lie on the floating ice to soak up the sunshine.

Bright blue and purple flowers come out during the summer and visitors may get to witness an aurora borealis, a stunning light show put on by the polar night.

Igaliku is a versatile, family-oriented, open-air destination with Norse ruins, modern agriculture, sheep farms, and many hiking opportunities.

It is the oldest sheep farming settlement in Greenland and boasts tall mountains with peaks covered by snow, rolling valleys lush with flowers, tall grass and sheep.

The town has a collection of sandstone houses, so different from the very distinctive wooden houses in Greenland, which hint at the settlements norse history.

Narsaq, located in southern Greenland, is a picturesque town known for its stunning natural surroundings and rich Norse history. Nestled between towering mountains and the Tunulliarfik Fjord, Narsaq offers breathtaking views of icebergs and lush landscapes. The town's colourful houses create a striking contrast against the dramatic backdrop.

Visitors can explore the nearby Norse ruins at Dyrnæs and Sandhavn, which provide a glimpse into Greenland's Viking past. Narsaq is also a great base for outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and fishing. The local museum showcases artefacts from the town's history and offers insights into traditional Greenlandic culture. With its combination of natural beauty and historical significance, Narsaq is a fascinating destination in Greenland.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing.

This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Your ship glides slowly along the water towards the west coast of Greenland, to enter Evighedsfjorden, just a few kilometres south of Kangerlussuaq. Evighedsfjorden means “the fjord of Eternity”, and for good reason: just when you think you’ve reached the end of this stretch of sea measuring over 100 kilometres in length, it seems to go on forever, as though to bring even more pleasure to those sailing in it. The spectacular scenery ranges from glaciers to tundra with an abundant flora, and jagged cliffs where numerous bird species have taken up residence. Take the time to observe the white-tailed eagles and the colonies of seagulls and black-legged kittiwakes flying overhead in the area.

From 1941 to 1992, the town of Kangerlussuaq in Greenland was home to an American military base. Nowadays, thanks to its international airport, it has become a transit point for travellers seeking adventure in the Far North. Located to the north of the Arctic Circle, this town is the starting point of magnificent discoveries surrounded by unspoiled nature. Indeed, just a few dozen kilometres from there it is possible to get close to the Greenland ice sheet, the largest body of ice in the Northern Hemisphere.

From Kangerlussuaq, admire also the superb landscapes of tundra in autumnal colours, where Arctic hares, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, reindeer, falcons and eagles live.