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Baffin Island Adventure (L’Austral)

Baffin Island Adventure (L’Austral)

From AUD $22,710

Description

Set sail aboard L’Austral to circumnavigate Baffin Island and discover the fascinating lands of the Canadian High Arctic. With PONANT, enjoy an unforgettable experience on this all new 15-day expedition cruise, during which you will likely get the chance to observe polar bears, whales and seals.

Your first port of call will be Ilulissat, on the west coast of Greenland. In the heart of a stunning fjord listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, succumb to the magic of the spectacular icebergs that reign supreme here.

L’Austral will then cross Davis Strait to reach Pond Inlet, in northern Baffin Island. Located at the entrance to the mythical Northwest Passage, this hamlet surrounded by mountains and glaciers sometimes has the privilege of witnessing narwhals passing through.

Your Nunavut cruise will continue along the west coast of Baffin Island. You will have various opportunities to meet the local communities, including at Cape Dorset, a village that is highly reputed for the pieces of Inuit art that can be admired there.

Before disembarking in Kangerlussuaq, don’t miss the chance to visit Akpatok, a mysterious and uninhabited island where it is not uncommon in the summertime to cross paths with bears drawn by the impressive colony of thick-billed murres that have taken up residence there.

Please Note: your voyage rates include Flight Paris / Kangerlussuaq + transfers + flight Kangerlussuaq / Paris

Trip Name
Baffin Island Adventure (L'Austral)
Days
15
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 264 (200 in Antarctica) Built: 2011 This superb mega-yacht with 132 cabins is the result of the expertise of the Italian Fincantieri shipyard and French sophistication, as interpreted by designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. L'Austral has a unique atmosphere, a subtle blend of luxury, intimacy and well-being. A sleek silhouette softened by elegantly smooth contours and large, arched windows opening up to the sea and the light: so many features come together to give L’Austral her distinctive shape. Precious materials, discreet elegance and a perfect balance between chic and casual, combine to make you feel as if you are on your own private yacht. A design blending tradition and innovation, where a nautical mood has been subtly recreated. Precious materials in smoothing neutral tones are brought to life with splashes of cheerful reds. So many personal touches create the spirit of a “private yacht”. Cuisine Loyal to the great French tradition, the haute cuisine on board is worthy of the finest restaurants, where discreet, attentive service is the hallmark. Our two restaurants welcome you for breakfasts, lunch and dinner. The Gastronomic Restaurant, with a capacity of 268 persons, is situated on Le Liberté Deck and serves you French and international cuisine accompagnied by fine wine. On the Grill Restaurant, you will have the opportuniny to eat outside and enjoy buffet lunch and themed dinner. Life On Board Whether you want to join other guests in the theatre or games area (Wii™ consoles, etc), or relax on your own in a quiet corner of the library, L'Austral has been designed to meet the needs of every guest. Everything has been done to preserve the independence of each guest to suit their personal tastes: lounges for lectures and shows, a spa in partnership with Sothys™, but also more intimate spaces such as the library and internet corner. Comfortable cabins, nearly all with private balcony, are available for families either as triples or as communicating cabins. There is also a games area with Wii™ consoles, children’s menus, and a baby-sitting service. Just as if you were on a private yacht, your time is your own to do as you please. Fitted with the latest equipment (Kinesis Wall, running machine) and in partnership with the famous Sothys™ brand, the Beauty Centre on L'Austral welcomes you for some unforgettable moments of relaxation and pampering (beauty treatments, hairdresser).

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 KANGERLUSSUAQ
From 1941 to 1992, the town of Kangerlussuaq in Greenland was home to an American military base. Nowadays, thanks to its international airport, it has become a transit point for travellers seeking adventure in the Far North. Located to the north of the Arctic Circle, this town is the starting point of magnificent discoveries surrounded by unspoiled nature. Indeed, just a few dozen kilometres from there it is possible to get close to the Greenland ice sheet, the largest body of ice in the Northern Hemisphere. From Kangerlussuaq, admire also the superb landscapes of tundra in autumnal colours, where Arctic hares, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, reindeer, falcons and eagles live.
Day 2 - Days 2 - 3 ILULISSAT
At the heart of Disko Bay - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Ilulissat Icefjord provides an extraordinary spectacle of almost surreal beauty, with the largest icebergs of the northern hemisphere. The sculptural icebergs continue their timeless journey, shimmering with their eternal light. Vast pieces of ice break off from the bergs and rejoin the inexorable movement of the sea. Close by lies the town of Ilulissat, the region’s principal destination. Encircled by icebergs, it has retained a unique mix of traditional Arctic life, with multicoloured wooden houses, huskies and the leather tanners who still work today using the ancient methods of their ancestors.
Day 3 - Day 4 AT SEA
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observer marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 4 - Day 5 POND INLET, NUNAVUT
On Baffin Island, located in northern Canada at the mouth of the famous NorthWest Passage, there is a small Inuit settlement at the very bounds of infinity. To get there, cross the Arctic Circle, the imaginary line that separates man from lands of mystery and wonder. It’s not so much the way of life that sets Pond Inlet’s inhabitants apart, so much as the setting. Snow-capped mountains, fjords and glaciers combine in a dazzling natural environment that fills space and expands time. Some discoveries change you forever: this is one of them.
Day 5 - Day 6 SAILING IN THE BELLOT STRAIT
A key stage in the North West Passage, the Bellot Strait, crossed by strong currents, promises you an unforgettable sailing experience. The entrance to the strait is dominated by the Ross Cairn. The buildings of Fort Ross also stand not far from here. Separating Somerset Island from the Boothia Peninsula, this 2-km-wide strait was discovered in 1852 by Captain William Kennedy of the Royal Navy, and the Frenchman Joseph-René Bellot, during an expedition in search of Sir John Franklin. Discover a magnificent décor covered in snow, fragmented by large ice floes. As you sail between them, your ship will perhaps be accompanied by an icebreaker… and a few polar bears.
Day 6 - Day 7 POUNCET ISLAND, NUNAVUT
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Day 7 - Day 8 CROSSING LABRADOR NARROWS (FURY AND HECLA STRAIT & IGLOOLIK, NUNAVUT
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Day 8 - Day 9 PRINCE CHARLES ISLAND, NUNAVUT
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Day 9 - Day 10 CAPE DORSET, NUNAVUT
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Day 10 - Day 11 KIMMIRUT, NUNAVUT
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Day 11 - Day 12 AKPATOK ISLAND, NUNAVUT
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Day 12 - Day 13 IQALUIT, NUNAVUT
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Day 13 - Day 14 AT SEA
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Day 14 - Day 15 KANGERLUSSUAQ
Disembarkation.
Day 15 - Please Note:
We are privileged guests in these remote lands where we are at the mercy of weather, ice, tidal and current conditions. Landings on certain sites and the observation of certain wildlife cannot be guaranteed. They vary from day to day, making each PONANT cruise a unique experience. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while complying with the safety rules and instructions imposed by the AECO.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
14-08-202028-08-2020AUD $22,710Superior Stateroom
14-08-202028-08-2020AUD $24,410DeLuxe Stateroom
14-08-202028-08-2020AUD $27,140Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
14-08-202028-08-2020AUD $28,410Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
14-08-202028-08-2020AUD $29,740Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
14-08-202028-08-2020AUD $40,990Deluxe Suite
14-08-202028-08-2020AUD $55,180Prestige Suite - Deck 5
14-08-202028-08-2020AUD $57,860Prestige Suite - Deck 6
14-08-202028-08-2020AUD $66,290Owners Suite

Inclusions

    • Outings and shore visits in Zodiac® inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
    • Hiking opportunity.
    • Discovering Baffin, Canada’s largest island, and the stunning landscapes of Nunavut.
    • Visit traditional villages and encounter the Inuit people of Groenland and Nunavut.
    • Disko Bay, listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, to see the Northern Hemisphere’s largest icebergs.
    • Landscapes: ice floes, jagged mountains, icebergs, ice caps, steep-sided valleys, sheer cliffs, huge glaciers.
    • Wildlife: polar bears, whales, seals, walruses, orcas, Arctic terns, thick-billed murres, and many other species of seabirds.

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