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In The Footsteps of Shackleton and The Endurance

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 Cruise Length
19 Days
 Cruise Starts
Santiago
 Cruise Finishes
Montevideo
Cruise Line
Ponant
Ship
Ship Class
Icebreaker
Passengers
245
Crew
215
Launched
2020
Cruise Code
USHMVD17.2

Overview

In the wake of the legendary Endurance Odyssey led by the famous Sir Ernest Shackleton, embark on a polar exploration to the Weddell Sea, between the archipelagos composing the Scotia Arc. In the comfort of Le Commandant Charcot, an exceptional ship designed to sail through ice-covered waters, set off on a timeless journey to the heart of wild and pristine nature; a territory of the seals, whales and king penguins. After crossing the often-rough waters of the Drake Passage, you will sail on to the remote waters of the Weddell Sea. The ice floe that stretches to the horizon and the tabular icebergs...read more - among the largest ever observed - drift around you.

They come from the calving of this famous ice shelf, real walls of ice along the eastern coast of the Antarctic Peninsula that extend the ice sheet into the sea. It is right near here that Endurance sank, only to be found in 2022, almost a century after this mythical expedition. History takes shape before your very eyes. Set a course northward through the frozen Southern Ocean, to reach the shores of the Antarctic Peninsula. There, with ice and shades of white all around you, an intense feeling of serenity and freedom will envelope you.

Icebergs, glaciers, mountains and frozen sea compose a landscape with an unparalleled power of attraction. The South Shetland Islands soon reveal themselves. There, you will explore from the sea another place made famous by Shackleton's expedition: Elephant Island. After getting shipwrecked in the middle of the arid desert of the White Continent, it is here that the crew arrived from the Weddell Sea to await help. Next you will sail to the South Orkney archipelago, islands with an alpine relief where impressive glaciers overlook a pristine, almost inaccessible landscape. A rare privilege few will experience.

Your ship will take to the seas once again to follow the extraordinary adventure of Shackleton, who set out in a rowing boat in an attempt to save his crew stranded on Elephant Island. On the horizon, the mountainous relief of South Georgia slowly comes into view. This is where the legendary explorer miraculously ran aground, in the middle of the black-sand beaches dominated by snow-covered mountains. The emotion is palpable as the feat becomes imaginable. You will almost feel like you've travelled back in time to (re)discover both this fabulous saga and life at this little-known time in history.

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice must be preserved, we will take this factor into account from day to day in our itineraries. The sailing schedule and any landings, activities and wildlife encounters are subject to weather and ice conditions. These experiences are unique and vary with 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 IAATO.

Cruise Itinerary

 
Arrive
Depart

Day 1: Santiago - Flight to Ushuaia
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Day 2: Ushuaia
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18:00
Day 3: Crossing The Drake Passage
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Day 4: Crossing The Drake Passage
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--
Day 5: The Weddell Sea Exploration
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Day 6: The Weddell Sea Exploration
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Day 7: North Antarctic Peninsula
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--
Day 8: South Shetland Islands
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--
Day 9: South Orkney Islands
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--
Day 10: At Sea Aboard Le Commandant Charcot
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--
Day 11: At Sea Aboard Le Commandant Charcot
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--
Day 12: South Georgia
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--
Day 13: South Georgia
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--
Day 14: South Georgia
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--
Day 15: At Sea Aboard Le Commandant Charcot
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--
Day 16: At Sea Aboard Le Commandant Charcot
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Day 17: At Sea Aboard Le Commandant Charcot
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--
Day 18: At Sea Aboard Le Commandant Charcot
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--
Day 19: Montevideo
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

Le Commandant Charcot
Le Commandant Charcot

Le Commandant Charcot offers guests small ship luxury expeditions with unique hybrid powered clean technology. Read more

Ocean Facing Staterooms and Suites
Ocean Facing Staterooms and Suites

Choose your home away from home from 135 elegantly appointed outward facing staterooms and suites. Read more

Ponant Wellness and Fitness
Ponant Wellness and Fitness

From the indoor heated pool to the Snow Room and Fitness Centre, relax and rejuvenate as you cruise. Read more

The Lounge Life
The Lounge Life

Combining space for events and cosy corners you will enjoy the social ambience in the luxury lounge. Read more

Built for Polar Expeditions
Built for Polar Expeditions

Built for the environment, you will leave no trace when you break the ice on a polar expedition. Read more

Renowned French Service
Renowned French Service

The French crew will welcome you aboard and ensure your comfort and wellbeing is paramount throughout your voyage. Read more

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Brochure

Luxury Cruises

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.

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