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Peregrine Travel Centre

The St. Lawrence River in the Heart of the Boreal Winter

The St. Lawrence River in the Heart of the Boreal Winter

From AUD $34,040

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Description

13/2/2027 departure is available in combination with the ocean voyage from Bergen to Montreal on February 2, 2027, aboard Le Commandant Charcot. The ocean voyage is offered free of charge as part of this booking. Discover the cruise here.
With featured guest Sue Flood, British Photo Ambassador. Le Commandant Charcot, a technological wonder capable of sailing in the most extreme environments, is opening up new horizons in unrivalled comfort and invites you to explore the Saint Lawrence. This river is not accessible to traditional ships in winter, so this exclusive and all-new PONANT journey lifts the veil on unique great open spaces, where the waters, once turbulent, freeze into ice, and where the forests are dressed in an immaculate white coat. You will sail among different states and forms of ice – from drifting and fragmented sea ice to solid ice – and will be able to admire the evolution of this spectacular natural scenery from the reassuring cocoon of Le Commandant Charcot. In these lands, only the murmur of broken ice, bearing mysteries and legends, disturbs the calmness. Aboard the ship or on shore, you will seize the opportunities to explore these places where nature reigns supreme and in never-ending variety: boreal forests of immaculate conifers, snow-covered valleys and a sea of ice. Set off to discover this enchanting environment, thanks to winter activities such as hiking or snowshoeing, dog sledding or ice fishing. You may be lucky enough to see typical animals like caribou, elk and black bears in their natural habitat, or watch whitecoats being born in the Magdalen Islands, if weather and ice conditions permit. In this region, where souls are filled with deep serenity, the colourful houses and fishing huts stand valiantly. Their sparkling facades, in bright and vibrant colours, defy the harshness of the winter landscape. Here, in one of the “few places where you can experience the cold with so much warmth” (Saguenay proverb), you will receive a hospitable welcome from Quebeckers and the Innu and Micmac peoples in unforgettable get-togethers. These indigenous communities, who include some of the First Nations, will tell you about their stories, legends and ancestral traditions. A journey suspended in time, where lives blend with the natural elements and where the wild beauty of nature is revealed in its full splendour.

Trip Name
The St. Lawrence River in the Heart of the Boreal Winter
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Polar Luxury Expedition Passenger Capacity: 135 cabins Length: 149.9 meters Built: 2018/2019 Le Commandant Charcot is a purpose-built polar exploration vessel engineered for extreme environments, operating with a hybrid electric–LNG system that reduces noise, vibration and emissions while pushing deeper into ice than conventional ships. Interior spaces follow a restrained, insulated design philosophy that supports comfort in high-latitude conditions: multiple lounges, refined dining rooms, theatre, boutique and extensive wellness areas arranged to maintain warmth, calm and controlled movement throughout the ship. Accommodation spans 123 staterooms and suites, all with balconies, with upper-tier suites extending up to 115 m². The vessel integrates dedicated scientific infrastructure into its core layout, including laboratories and working spaces that support ongoing polar research. Field operations and environmental systems are engineered from the ground up for low-impact navigation, aligning with the ship’s mandate to access remote polar areas responsibly. A full virtual deck plan and live bow-mounted webcam reinforce the ship’s emphasis on landscape immersion and transparency of experience. Read About Our Experience on Board Le Commandant Charcot It’s All About the Destination… And This Ship  

Itinerary



Day 1 - Days 1 - 2 QUÉBEC
At the confluence of the Saint Charles River and the Saint Lawrence estuary, in the South-East of Canada, the capital of the Beautiful Province puts on its best finery in the winter season. During its long winter months, the historic streets of the city - whose name means “where the river narrows” in the Mi'kmaq language - are decked out in a cloak of snow. Let yourself be swept away by the unique atmosphere of the old town, including in the Petit Champlain district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the aromas of spices and hot chocolate emanating from the surrounding cafés will warm up hearts and souls alike. An oasis in the heart of urban life, the Plains of Abraham will provide you with the opportunity to try out the most popular winter activities, like cross-country skiing or ice skating, while making the most of sumptuous panoramas over the city that hosts the world’s largest winter carnival every year.
Day 2 - Days 3 - 4 LA BAIE (SAGUENAY)
During the long winter months, in the majestic Saguenay Valley, the borough of La Baie is cloaked in an aura of mystery. Here, the striking contrasts of its pristine lands, where nature displays its full splendour, invite you to experience a unique moment alongside the Saguenayens, a people amongst the most welcoming and hospitable in the world. During a snowshoe walk or a dog sled outing, as a passenger or a musher, take the time to observe immaculate nature bordered by a thick ice floe, where Le Commandant Charcot will remain for several days, and you will be able to disembark. Each winter, hundreds of colourful huts set up on these frozen waters to practice traditional ice fishing. You will be initiated into these ancestral techniques and have the pleasure of tasting freshly caught rockfish.
Day 3 - Day 5 SAILING SAGUENAY RIVER
In the heart of winter, the Saguenay River becomes an enchanting setting. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, set sail on a captivating cruise. The once turbulent waters of the Saguenay are now calm and silent, covered in a thick layer of ice. The trees lining its shores are wrapped in a glistening coat of snow, forming a majestic alley. At twilight, when the sun is setting behind the mountains, pink and gold reflections light up the horizon, turning the landscape into a bewitching tableau.
Day 4 - Days 6 - 7 SEPT-ÎLES
On the edge of the Canadian landscape, between the icy waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Sept-Îles invites you on a unique journey. Surrounded by a captivating sea of ice and an immaculate boreal forest, the seven islands, eternal guardians of the coastline, seem to murmur timeless stories. In particular, you will have the privilege of meeting the Innu people, the indigenous civilisation of the Côte-Nord, during a unique moment when you will learn more about their ancestral customs and traditions. The area is famous for its winter festivities; like its emblematic Hivernants (hunters and trappers who would spend the winter), fall under the charm of its unique environment. During Nordic hikes on skis or snowshoes, you will be enchanted by its captivated landscapes.
Day 5 - Days 8 - 9 GASPÉ
In the glacial darkness of the Canadian winter, Gaspé stands proud like a preserved and authentic jewel at the edge of the dark waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Nature seems to be holding its breath. The captivating Mount Jacques-Cartier, the highest point of the Chic-Choc Mountains range and the South, is dressed with an immaculate coat of snow, while the frozen rivers slowly wind their way, fixing time in their icy embrace. During a snowshoe walk, fall in love with the captivating landscapes of the L’Anse-au-Griffon Valley, right in the heart of the Forillon National Park. Then, in Percé, opposite the famous eponymous Rock, dive into the natural beauty of the “magic forest”, where thousands of conifers decked out in an immaculate white cloak are like silent guardians watching over this isolated piece of land. You may also fall in love with this charming town, where the exciting history and the conviviality of the locals come together in a delightful blend.
Day 6 - Days 10 - 11 CAP-AUX-MEULES, MAGDALEN ISLANDS
Scattered through the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the Magdalen Islands offer a variety of extraordinary landscapes, between captivating drifting ice floe, tall red sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches covered with an immaculate coat and snow-covered valleys. Here, winter really is a special season, a time of contrasts and mysteries. The icy winds intertwine with the softness of the salty air, and the colourful houses, dressed in their finest attire, stand bravely in this enchanting scenery. In these distant lands, you will be plunged into Acadian culture, you will discover ancestral traditions here and will have the chance to explore the unique landscapes on hikes or snowshoe walks along the icy shores.
Day 7 - Day 12 SYDNEY
Anchored on the eastern shores of the province of Nova Scotia, Sydney, the largest town on the Cape Breton Island, stands proudly opposite the icy breezes of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Fall under the charms of an immaculate and preserved nature in this winter setting. Here, the snow-capped mountains plunge into the waters dotted with drifting ice floe, the rays of winter sun caress the captivating conifer forests with their golden hue, creating enchanting plays on light. On these lands steeped in history, the place where the Mi’kmaq indigenous people encountered the British and French explorers, discover a rich heritage shaped by these different visits, as evidenced by the emblematic Big Fiddle, the largest violin in the world standing over 18 metres (60 feet) tall.
Day 8 - Day 13 SAINT PIERRE ISLAND, SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON
Off the Canadian coast, discover Saint Pierre Island, one of the two main islands of the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago, the only French territory in North America. Endowed with a natural harbour, the island, whose name is a reference to the patron saint of fishermen, developed around the fishing industry and still has many traces of its past today. Whale hunting, cod fishing, alcohol smuggling during the Prohibition: all of these memories are still very much alive in the capital, Saint-Pierre.
Day 9 - Please Note:
The itinerary is subject to modifications. On board, the sailing programme, outings and activities cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
13-02-202727-02-2027AUD $37,850Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
13-02-202727-02-2027AUD $38,600Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
13-02-202727-02-2027AUD $88,680Duplex Suite
13-02-202727-02-2027AUD $140,500Owner's Suite
13-02-202727-02-2027AUD $39,350Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
13-02-202727-02-2027AUD $40,480Deluxe Suite Deck 6
13-02-202727-02-2027AUD $42,360Deluxe Suite Deck 7
13-02-202727-02-2027AUD $43,880Deluxe Suite Deck 8
13-02-202727-02-2027AUD $56,680Prestige Suite Deck 7
13-02-202727-02-2027AUD $58,550Prestige Suite Deck 8
13-02-202727-02-2027AUD $60,440Grand Prestige Suite
13-02-202727-02-2027AUD $64,200Privilege Suite Deck 8
27-02-202713-03-2027AUD $34,040Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
27-02-202713-03-2027AUD $34,710Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
27-02-202713-03-2027AUD $35,400Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
27-02-202713-03-2027AUD $36,410Deluxe Suite Deck 6
27-02-202713-03-2027AUD $38,090Deluxe Suite Deck 7
27-02-202713-03-2027AUD $39,450Deluxe Suite Deck 8
27-02-202713-03-2027AUD $50,950Prestige Suite Deck 7
27-02-202713-03-2027AUD $52,630Prestige Suite Deck 8
27-02-202713-03-2027AUD $54,310Grand Prestige Suite
27-02-202713-03-2027AUD $57,690Privilege Suite Deck 8
27-02-202713-03-2027AUD $79,660Duplex Suite
27-02-202713-03-2027AUD $135,090Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • With featured guest Sue Flood, British Phot Ambassador.
    • Take a trip through the heart of nature as you explore the St. Lawrence in winter – a PONANT exclusive that is only possible on board Le Commandant Charcot – and enjoy a warm welcome from the people of Canada.
    • The eye and the advice of our photo ambassador, a privileged opportunity to immortalise your trip with, in the programme: workshops, conferences and personalized advice to improve your photographic skills.
    • Outings and shore visits with a team of naturalist-guides.
    • Visit traditional villages and get to meet indigenous Innu and Micmac communities.
    • The possibility of admiring the unique colours of the Northern Lights rippling across the sky.
    • Activities during the unique winter season: kayaking, ice fishing and tasting raw rockfish, dog sledding, tastings of local produce, and optional activities such as ice climbing, canoeing on ice and skijoring.
    • The chance to see newborn whitecoats* in the Magdalen Islands: the only place in the world where you can observe this unique scene. (Subject to weather and ice conditions).
    • Make the most of Quebecois hospitality and conviviality.
    • Unforgettable overnight stays to take the time to contemplate the spectacle on offer.
    • Landscapes: great open spaces, fjords, immaculate boreal forests, sea ice, snow-covered valleys.

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