Le Commandant Charcot, Geographic North Pole ex Reykjavik to Longyearbyen
Cruise Line Ponant
Ship Le Commandant Charcot
Destination Arctic North Atlantic
Nights 15
Departure Date 08 Aug 2021
Description 15 Night cruise departing from Reykjavik to Longyearbyen onboard Le Commandant Charcot.

Push the limits of sailing with this exceptional new 16-day expedition cruise to the Geographic North Pole.

To reach this mythical point covered by ice floe all year round, 700 km away from any emerged land, you will board Le Commandant-Charcot, the first hybrid electric polar exploration vessel.

Leaving from Reykjavik, you will sail along the east coast of Greenland until reaching the pack ice. Then you will slowly progress to the heart of this silent world, frozen by the extreme cold, in the direction of the Grail of all polar explorers: the North Pole!

Beware though, as the ice floe is constantly drifting, driven together by currents and winds, you too must keep moving if you want to remain on our planet’s most northernmost point…

To reach Longyearbyen, where you will disembark, you will follow an itinerary that lends itself perfectly to the observation of the wildlife, particularly rich at this time of the year, and will enjoy an unforgettable sailing experience at the heart of sumptuous landscapes that are constantly evolving according to changes in the ice and the light.

Highlights of the cruise:

Reykjavik
Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, a museum located on ’Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical centre where one can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.

Sailing Ice Floes Along Greenland
The north-east of Greenland is renowned for being home to one of the oldest and thickest layers of ice on the planet. Aboard your ship, you will have the unique opportunity of sailing to the heart of this icy wilderness, many thousands of years old, and will notably travel along the coast of the North-East Greenland National Park, recognised as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. From your ship you will also discover Scoresby Sund, the largest fjord in the world. In this pure and preserved world, you will see abundant wildlife in a landscape of tundra and ice, a real delight for the eyes and for photographers.

Geographic North Pole
Defined by a 90° North latitude, the Geographic North Pole lies on the Earth’s rotational axis, at the intersection of all meridians. Plunged into darkness for six months of the year, then lit by the sun for the following six months, this mythical site, permanently covered in ice and remote from any land, has fascinated generations of explorers. So far, only a very few people have ever reached it: an exploit which is now accessible to you aboard the Commandant-Charcot.

At Sea Along Spitsbergen
The largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, its name meaning “pointed mountains” in German, Spitsbergen is the last piece of land before the Arctic ice floe. Aboard your ship, you will sail along the extremely spectacular coastline of this icy land. Between millennial glaciers and rugged mountains, you will discover a jagged coastline, hollowed-out by fjords. A unique setting, the refuge of a particularly rich avifauna, offering you the possibility of taking fabulous photographs from the deck of your ship.

Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
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.
Sailing Dates
  • 08 Aug 2021
Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

DayDateActivityArriveDepart
1 08/08 Reykjavik, Iceland 06:00 PM
2 09/08 At sea    
3 10/08 At sea    
4 11/08 Greenland
5 12/08 Greenland
6 13/08 Greenland
7 14/08 Greenland
8 15/08 Greenland
9 16/08 At sea    
10 17/08 At sea    
11 18/08 At sea    
12 19/08 At sea    
13 20/08 At sea    
14 21/08 At sea    
15 22/08 Spitsbergen, Norway
16 23/08 Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen 07:00 AM
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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