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Inuit spring of Ammassalik | Le Commandant

11 Days
From £ 12,353

STYLE: Small Ship Expedition Cruise 

Trip Code: ACPOAIS

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)

Start: Reykjavík, Iceland

Finish: Reykjavík, Iceland

DestinationDestination

Iceland & Greenland

DestinationDeparture Date

15.05/2023, 16/04/2024, 26/04/2024, 06/05/2024 

TransportAccommodation

Cabin on board ship



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OVERVIEW

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 Blosseville regions. 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) moments frozen in time. As is taught by Inuit wisdom, life thrives on the present moment.

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

Signature experience
Nordic skiing polar trek

For those who dream of an adventure like no other, who dream of exploring Greenland and its Inuit culture as closely as possible, PONANT has designed a unique experience in collaboration with its Greenlandic hosts. In the heart of the Far North, leave the cocoon of Le Commandant Charcot for two days and one night for a journey within the journey. In a small group and autonomously, explore the ice floe with your local guides and camp in the very heart of the vastness.
A total immersion taking you further in your exploration of the polar lands, of yourself, going beyond the known world…

*please note additional cost applies and activity must be pre-booked. 

ITINERARY

Embark from 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.

Embarkation from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm and departure at 10:00 pm.

Sailing through the Denmark Strait

Lying between Greenland and Iceland, the Denmark Strait was crossed for the first time by theVikings in the late 10th century, during Erik the Red’s expeditions. In the Second World War, its waters were the theatre of a battle between the Kriegsmarine and the Royal Navy, on 24 May 1941. In the wintertime, extremely dense pack ice forms along the Greenlandic coasts and, while the Transpolar Drift sweeps icebergs along throughout the year, the strait is generally clear of ice during the summer. In the depths of the strait lies the world’s largest waterfall, an undersea cataract formed by the difference in temperature between the cold waters of the Greenland Sea and the warmer waters of the Irminger Sea. Numerous cetacean species thrive in this rich ecosystem.

Exploration of Ammassalik Region - Day 3-8

Still relatively unknown just a century ago, the east coast of Greenland remains the most authentic and majestic region in the Arctic. Explore this part of the world where the alpine mountains merge intimately with the sea and the fjords are adorned with high, snow-capped peaks and icebergs drifting or trapped in the pack ice. You will slowly immerse yourself in the heart of frozen landscapes of surreal beauty. The infinite variety of textures in the different types of ice creates an ever-changing scenery. Follow in the wake of the famous Pourquoi Pas?, the ship of Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot who set off with his crew in 1934 to land Paul-Émile Victor in Ammassalik. A small island of primitive and wild beauty, for his first ethnographic mission, during which he would study the Ammassalimiut, a little-known Inuit community. In this deceptively frozen landscape, the silence is broken only by the sounds of dogs and the grating of sled runners against the ice. You will receive a warm welcome in villages still protected by the fast ice. You will have the opportunity to discover the Inuit culture’s ancestral traditions during joyous and authentic moments shared with the communities.

Blosseville Coast

Aboard your ship, follow in the footsteps of Jules Poret de Blosseville, a French explorer and sailor. In 1833, aboard La Lilloise, he set off to discover this isolated and unexplored part of eastern Greenland and gave French names to various sites on the coast. The adventure probably has an unfortunate outcome, since the crew was never found. This uninhabited territory, which now bears his name, lies to the south of Scoresby Sund. Surrounded by ice, icebergs and pieces of pack ice, Blosseville Coast is one of these wild and hard-to-reach places that very few people are lucky enough to explore.

Sailing through the Denmark Strait

Lying between Greenland and Iceland, the Denmark Strait was crossed for the first time by theVikings in the late 10th century, during Erik the Red’s expeditions. In the Second World War, its waters were the theatre of a battle between the Kriegsmarine and the Royal Navy, on 24 May 1941. In the wintertime, extremely dense pack ice forms along the Greenlandic coasts and, while the Transpolar Drift sweeps icebergs along throughout the year, the strait is generally clear of ice during the summer. In the depths of the strait lies the world’s largest waterfall, an undersea cataract formed by the difference in temperature between the cold waters of the Greenland Sea and the warmer waters of the Irminger Sea. Numerous cetacean species thrive in this rich ecosystem.

Disembark in Reykjavik

Disembark early in the morning in 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.

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WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS ITINERARY

  • Exclusive: the possibility of taking part in a 2-day/1-night Nordic skiing polar trek, a unique and all-new experience. See the information available in "PONANT Activity" tab.

  • Set off on the trail of the great explorers who attempted to navigate the eastern coast of Greenland, a region that long remained isolated due to being hard to reach and only accessible at this time of year thanks to Le Commandant Charcot.

  • Experience the dog sled, at the heart of Inuit culture, an activity designed with our hosts.

  • The landscapes: alpine landscapes, polar ice cap, winding fjords, icebergs caught in the ice, calving glaciers, patches of ice floe drifting from the North Pole, compression ridges, broken-up ice floe. 

Accommodation

We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.

Standard

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Superior

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Deluxe

Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.

Pricing per person & date


Standard

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service

11 Days FROM £ 12,353 Enquire Now

Important Information

  • Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions. 

  • All accommodation on board Le Commondant
    All meals whilst on board including snacks
    All scheduled landings and excursions
    Guiding and lectures by English-speaking expedition leader and team
    Expedition jacket provided (yours to keep) 
    A pair of expedition boots for use during your voyage 
    Group transfer to/from pier
    Open Bar (excluding premium brands)
    Room Service (excluding champagne) 
    All port taxes

    Exclusions 

    Airfares 
    Visa fees (if applicable)
    Travel Insurance
    Personal expenses such as laundry, on-board communication (telephone calls, faxes)
    Gratuities for the crew (recommend US$15 per person per day)
    Optional Activities whilst on-board

  • 2 (light adventure)
  • Available upon request, contact us for more details. 

  • Departure date, season, availability & currency fluctuations.