Start Location: Longyearbyen, Svalbard; End Location: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Duration: 13 Days
Travel Season: July to September (Best: July)
Ship: PONANT - Le Commandant Charcot
Rising from the heart of the frozen sea, the Geographic North Pole stands at ninety degrees north as the ultimate frontier of human exploration. Aboard the revolutionary icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot, this voyage charts a path through towering pack ice to the very top of the world - a legendary realm where every direction points south.
Highlights at a Glance
• The ice itself: At 90°N the gangway comes down and you walk out on the sea ice, with four thousand metres of ocean beneath you.
• Mammals: Polar bear on multi-year pack ice - walrus - bearded, ringed and harp seal - beluga, narwhal and bowhead whale in the marginal ice zone.
• Birds: Ivory gull - the true high-Arctic species, rarely seen from any other vessel - Ross's gull, little auk, kittiwake, fulmar.
Itinerary
80°N85°N105°W90°W75°W60°W45°W30°W15°W0°E15°E30°E45°E60°E75°E90°E105°E120°EGeographic North PoleThe pack iceNorth-West SpitsbergenSpitsbergen coastLongyearbyen1·72·5346500 km
1·7 Longyearbyen · 2 Spitsbergen coast · 3 The pack ice · 4 Geographic North Pole · 5 Ny-Alesund · 6 North-West Spitsbergen
Day 1Paris to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen - Embarkation
Fly by PONANT charter from Paris to Longyearbyen, the northernmost territorial capital on the planet, set among the glaciers and untamed wilderness of Norway's Svalbard archipelago. Transfer to the pier and embark Le Commandant Charcot, the world's only luxury polar exploration icebreaker, before she sails north.
Day 2Sailing along Spitsbergen
A day at sea along the coast of Spitsbergen, whose name means 'pointed mountains' and whose jagged shoreline is hollowed out by deep fjords. The open decks are ideal for seabird and wildlife photography as the ship makes her way towards the pack ice.
Days 3-5Sailing in the ice floe
Le Commandant Charcot pushes into the heart of the ice floe, crossing vast expanses of pristine sea ice. The landscape alternates between smooth white wilderness and chaotic pressure ridges cut by leads of open water, with constant watch kept for ice-dependent wildlife including polar bears and seals.
Days 6-7The Geographic North Pole
The ship reaches 90 degrees North, the point where every meridian converges and there is no direction but south. Conditions permitting, guests step out onto the permanently frozen Arctic Ocean for a celebration on the ice at the top of the world.
Days 8-10Sailing in the ice floe
The return south through the drifting pack ice brings further opportunities for ice landings, Zodiac outings and kayaking as conditions allow. Naturalist guides and the onboard scientists continue their lecture programme and fieldwork as the ship works her way back towards Svalbard.
Day 11Ny-Alesund, Spitsbergen
Call at Ny-Alesund, a former mining town reborn as one of the world's northernmost scientific research stations. It was the departure point for many historic Arctic expeditions, including those of the explorer Roald Amundsen.
Day 12North-West Spitsbergen
A final day among the fjords, jagged peaks and glaciers of north-west Spitsbergen, a region of contrasts and natural marvels. Wildlife here can include whales, seals, walrus, Arctic fox and, with luck, polar bears.
Day 13Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen - Disembarkation and flight to Paris
Disembark in Longyearbyen after breakfast and transfer to the airport for the PONANT charter flight back to Paris. Onward connections home are arranged independently.
Ship
PONANT - Le Commandant Charcot. Prestige Stateroom with balcony; Privilege Stateroom with balcony; Two-Room Prestige Suite with balcony; Two-Room Privilege Suite with balcony; Duplex Suite with terrace jacuzzi; Owner's Suite (Suite de l'Armateur) with terrace jacuzzi; Nuna gastronomic restaurant; Sila grill and buffet restaurant; Inneq terrace bar; Main Lounge; Observation Lounge; the Conservatory; Blue Lagoon heated outdoor pool; Imaq indoor pool.
All-Inclusive Benefits
• Gathering and dismissal in Paris
• Round-trip PONANT charter flights Paris-Longyearbyen in economy class
• Airport-to-pier transfers in Longyearbyen in both directions
• Full board throughout, with all meals in the ship's restaurants
• Open bar: champagne, wines, spirits, beers, cocktails, mineral water, soft drinks and hot beverages
• All gratuities on board
• Wi-Fi access throughout the voyage
• Polar parka to keep and expedition boots on loan
• All Zodiac outings, landings and ice excursions led by the expedition team
• Kayaking as part of the expedition programme
• Naturalist guides, expedition leaders and the onboard lecture and science programme
• Port, security and expedition charges
Not Included
• International flights to and from Paris
• Pre- and post-cruise hotel nights in Paris
• Travel insurance, which is mandatory for this voyage
• Passport, visa and government arrival or departure taxes
• Personal expenses including spa treatments, boutique purchases and premium wine list selections
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