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Peregrine Travel Centre

The Icy Archipelagos of the Russian High Arctic

The Icy Archipelagos of the Russian High Arctic

From AUD $58,910

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Description

From Murmansk, the largest Arctic port, you will reach Novaya Zemlya, located in the shallow waters of the Barents Sea, where many cetaceans live. The arc-shaped archipelago, an extension of the Ural Mountains, is a shelter for Arctic wildlife. Moments of rare and intense emotions are made possible, at this time of the year, by the silent capacities of your ship.

A little further east, you will experience instants of pure wonder in the immense polar desert of Severnaya Zemlya, one of the last archipelagos discovered by man and Russia’s largest natural reserve. The huge expanses of stone broken up by the frost and sculpted by the wind, make way for infinite panoramas of ice with spectacular reliefs. The polar bear is king here. You will perhaps admire, roaming this white desert, a solitary male in search of the ideal hunting or fishing spot, or a mother teaching her cub the secrets of survival.

Franz Josef Land is of volcanic origin and will surprise you with its landscapes shaped by glacial erosion. This natural sanctuary covered in ice shelters rich biodiversity and is part of the Russian Arctic National Park. You will explore this unspoiled territory following in the traces of the early-20th-century American and Russian polar expeditions.

A journey of initiation during which you will also understand exploring as becoming aware of the ultimate privilege of arriving at the boundaries of the world as well as of the necessity of preserving them.

Trip Name
The Icy Archipelagos of the Russian High Arctic
Days
19
Overview
Vessel Type: Polar Luxury Expedition Passenger Capacity: 135 cabins Built: 2018/2019 Be the first aboard Le Commandant-Charcot, the world's luxury polar exploration vessel, and enjoy a unique sailing experience in the Arctic or Antarctic! With its hybrid propulsion combining liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electric generators, Le Commandant-Charcot has been designed to minimise the environmental impact of travel to the furthest latitudes.  The decoration of the ship, imagined by two internationally renowned design and architecture firms - the studio of Jean-Philippe Nuel and Wilmotte & Associés - is designed to be in harmony with the environment. The approach is contemporary with the desire to create a warm and elegant setting; stone, wood and leather recall the natural environment in which the ship is sailing. Equipped with just 135 staterooms including 31 suites with balconies and outside views, Le Commandant-Charcot welcomes you in an intimate and refined atmosphere. Outstanding gastronomy in the two restaurants, relaxation in the indoor pool surrounded by its winter garden, relaxation in the well-being area with sauna and Snow Room... Like on a private yacht, each of our guests is unique. PUBLIC AREAS Le Commandant-Charcot has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 177 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An expeditions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Hospitality & Travel Manager officer, Our boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, The image & photo desk. The different lounges: A 302 m² main lounge including a 28 m² cigar lounge, a tea corner and a bar, with live music on selected evenings, A 400 m² panoramic bar and lounge, An open-air Bar. The recreation spaces  Fitness & Beauty Corner: Fitness room: Elliptic, running machines, bicycles...  Beauty Corner: Hairdresser, Massage rooms, Sauna, Snow Room, Nail Shop. Pool area: Indoor Pool and winter garden - Outdoor Pool Theatre: Capacity: 270-276 - Main show room for conferences and live entertainment on selected evenings - State-of-the-art audio and video technology. Leisure area: Public areas - Library - Medical centre. 16 Zodiac®.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Paris to Murmansk
Embarkation day - Paris/MurmanskFlight Paris/Murmansk selected by PONANT.Approximate flight duration: 4 hWe suggest you to be at the check-in counter 2 hours before departure.We highly recommend you arrive in Paris the day before this flight.Meet & greet at the airport by our local English-speaking representative.Transfer to the pier for embarkation.Along the coastline of Kola Bay, in the Barents Sea, discover Murmansk, the world’s largest city located above the Arctic Circle. Time seems to stand still in these parts, which are subjected to extreme cold and plunged into darkness for several weeks. Between its former warehouses, the vestiges of the port’s significant commercial and military activity during the past century, and its Stalinist architecture, the city presents an austere silhouette at first sight: this characteristic is in total contrast with the majestic beauty of the surrounding landscapes made up of the hills overlooking the Murmansk fjord.
Day 2 - Day 2-3 At Sea
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us
Day 3 - Day 4 Exploration of Novaya Zemlya
North of Siberia, discover Novaya Zemlya, whose name means “new land” in Russian. Bordered by the Barents and Kara Seas, this mountainous archipelago located in the extension of the Urals, is home to very rich polar fauna in spite of its particularly harsh climatic conditions. Maybe you will be lucky enough to spot fin whales, Beluga whales or bowhead whales, all of which live in these waters. Moreover, the far north of the region is part of the Russian Arctic National Park, a veritable Arctic sanctuary with many polar bears and walruses. In these parts, you’ll also be able to admire majestic glaciers, including the impressive Severny Island ice cap, which covers almost 40% of this spit of land. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, in the precious and protective setting of this ship designed to sail in the polar environment, you will explore Novaya Zemlya during a particularly precocious and hostile season. You will be able to fully appreciate the rarity of the moment and the primacy of the experience.
Day 4 - Day 5 - 6 At Sea
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us
Day 5 - Day 7- 9 Exploration of Northern Land Archipelago
Identified and mapped only at the beginning of the 20th century, Severnaya Zemlya (Northern Land) is the last archipelago to be discovered in the world, at this time. Located near the northern coast of Russia, but protected by a thick ice floe, the site is particularly difficult to reach and relatively unexplored. The Cape Baranova hydro-meteorological station on site observes the impact of climate change on the natural environment of the High Arctic. An immense polar desert made up of many glaciers and huge rocky expanses, this group of islands offers exceptional landscapes and possesses the largest glacial expanse in the country. As you approach the coastline, admire the silent ballet of the icebergs. Le Commandant Charcot offers new possibilities. Aboard this ship designed for polar exploration, you will humbly reach the remote landscapes of Severnaya Zemlya, inaccessible to traditional cruise ships during this precocious and hostile season.
Day 6 - Day 10 At Sea
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.
Day 7 - Day 11 - 14 Exploration of Franz Josef Land
Lost in the heart of the Russian Arctic, Franz Josef Land rises up, imposing and majestic, out of the icy waters of the Barents Sea. The volcanic archipelago was named in honour of the Austrian-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria and offers up sumptuous landscapes sculpted by glacial erosion. Particularly difficult to reach because of the ice floe and still completely unknown until 150 years ago, this group of islands remains relatively unexplored today. Home to extremely rich wild life, it was declared a natural sanctuary and is today part of the Russian Arctic National Park. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, designed to sail in extreme environments, your exploration of Franz Josef Land will take the form of slow and silent movement into the heart of the ice at a time of year that is inaccessible to traditional ships. There is a very specific appeal in being the only ones in the archipelago in this season and you will be able to appreciate the rarity of the moment. The ballet of the seabirds, come to nest in the archipelago, will accompany you, and perhaps you will be lucky enough to observe a polar bear, the ruler of the keep, criss-crossing its territory.
Day 8 - Day 15 - 18 At Sea
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.
Day 9 - Day 19 Tromso to Paris
In the north of the Arctic circle you’ll discover Tromsø, a secluded town located in the county of Troms. Norwegians call it the “Paris of the north”. You’ll soon see why when you discover its extensive neoclassical architectural heritage. A stunning example is the Arctic cathedral, a major monument whose stylistic purity echoes the outline of the mountains surrounding the town.DisembarkationMeet and greet at the port by our local English-speaking representative.Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of flight Tromso/Paris selected by PONANT.Flight Tromso/Paris selected by PONANT.Approximate flight duration: 4 hWe highly recommend you stay one night in Paris after this flight.
Day 10 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change.We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the coastal ice must be preserved, we will take this factor into account from day to day in our itineraries. The sailing programme, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. The experiences are unique and vary from day to day and for 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 AECO.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
22-06-202310-07-2023AUD $58,910Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
22-06-202310-07-2023AUD $60,060Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
22-06-202310-07-2023AUD $136,880Suite Duplex
22-06-202310-07-2023AUD $162,860Owner's Suite
22-06-202310-07-2023AUD $61,210Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
22-06-202310-07-2023AUD $62,940Deluxe Suite Deck 6
22-06-202310-07-2023AUD $65,840Deluxe Suite Deck 7
22-06-202310-07-2023AUD $68,140Deluxe Suite Deck 8
22-06-202310-07-2023AUD $87,770Prestige Suite Deck 7
22-06-202310-07-2023AUD $90,670Prestige Suite Deck 8
22-06-202310-07-2023AUD $93,550Grand Prestige Suite
22-06-202310-07-2023AUD $99,330Privilege Suite Deck 8

Inclusions

    • Retrace the history of American and Russian polar exploration at the beginning of the 20th century.
    • Explore the Northern Territories, a polar desert discovered at the end of the 19th century.
    • Discovering the Russian Arctic National Park, a refuge for biodiversity, in particular home to the largest colony of birds in the northern hemisphere.
    • Landscapes: expanses of stone split by the frost, volcanic rocks, basalt formations, ice floe, glaciers, icebergs, alpine landscapes, fjords.
    • Wildlife: polar bears, walruses, seals, seabirds, arctic foxes, whales, belugas, rorquals.

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