fbpx

Beyond the Inhabited World – Luxury Baffin Sea Cruise

Beyond the Inhabited World – Luxury Baffin Sea Cruise

From AUD $23,450

Description

In collaboration with The Explorers Club and SEDNA, this unique voyage will feature polar explorer Nicolas Dubreuil. 
Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, just as spring is beginning to clear a path through the pack ice, set sail to explore the High Arctic of Greenland, a frozen world where nature sets the pace and silence speaks more powerfully than words. In Kullorsuaq, and then in Siorapaluk, the last inhabited villages in these remote lands at the edge of the world, exchanges with the Inuit communities, guardians of ancestral traditions, are precious and deeply human, as though suspended beyond time. As you enter the Nares Strait, you will be immersed in an almost surreal and seemingly endless expanse of white, where the extreme isolation of the High Arctic becomes palpable. To the south of this world of ice lies the Pikialasorsuaq polynya, the place that never freezes’, a breathing space in the desert of ice and a refuge for exceptional wildlife. Narwhals, belugas, walruses and seabirds find shelter here, and sometimes the polar bear, the undisputed master of these extreme lands, makes an appearance. This adventure will take you beyond the inhabited world into an extreme polar environment, to offer you a deeper understanding of a little-known realm.
We are privileged guests in these extreme lands, where we are at the mercy of the weather and the ice conditions. Our commitment to respecting this environment imposes certain rules of conduct upon us. 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 program, shore visits, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. These 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 complying with applicable safety rules and AECO regulations.

Trip Name
Beyond the Inhabited World - Luxury Baffin Sea Cruise
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 - Day 1 - Nuuk
When Erik Le Rouge, the exiled Norse chief, landed on the coast of Nuuk, he found a fertile and welcoming land dotted with fjords. He settled there with a group of his former countrymen, and the Norse remained the principal inhabitants until, over a period of 500 years, their population declined and gave way to the Inuit. Nuuk is situated at the mouth of one of the largest networks of fjords in the world, where the waters never freeze. The town spreads gently out towards the Davis Strait and enjoys an historic center that is particularly rich in national heritage. The vivid reds, blues, greens and yellows of the houses are a lively contrast to the somber waters of Greenland and serve to lift the spirits of the locals during the Winter months.
Day 2 - Days 2 - 3 At sea aboard Le Commandant Charcot
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 - Days 4 - 5 Kullorsuaq
Well beyond the Arctic Circle, in the majestic landscapes of Greenland’s Northwest, you will find the village of Kullorsuaq, the last bastion of Greenland’s traditional hunters. Here is where you will find Greenland’s true character… Vast mineral expanses, sumptuous mountains, impressive glaciers and, above all, the local population which still lives off fishing and seal or bear hunting. Hospitality and respect for nature are essential elements in the daily lives of these men, who live an austere life. When we drop anchor in this remote part of the world, set off to discover these friendly people who are also talented craftsmen, deftly sewing the furs and skins of marine mammals. This will be a unique and authentic experience.
Day 4 - Day 6 - Baffin Bay exploration
In the icy waters of Baffin Bay, you will sail into the heart of the scattered sea floe. You will be captivated by icebergs in dreamlike shapes as your ship takes you into the ice of the Far North. Everything comes in shades of white here and, if you watch closely, you may get a glimpse of the lord of this kingdom, the polar bear. This fascinating animal finds its food in the heart of the ice, so this is where you have more chances of spotting it. The polar light gives a shine to the ice floe that you sail along as you explore Baffin Bay, leaving you with memories of unforgettable moments.
Day 5 - Day 7 - Siorapaluk Region
In the heart of the Arctic, nestling at the entrance to the Robertson fjord, this region shelters Siorapaluk, the world’s northernmost hamlet, home to a few dozen souls, where you will be immersed in secular Inuit traditions. In this extreme location, located above 77° N, hunting and community life set the pace of the polar year. You will set off to encounter this ancestral community and enjoy a cultural experience focused on daily life: discovering traditional hunting and fishing techniques, taking dog sled rides and going on polar hikes. 
Day 6 - Day 8 - Nares Strait Exploration
A natural waterway separating northwestern Greenland from Canada, the Nares Strait runs for several hundred kilometres between the Arctic ocean and Baffin Bay. Sailing at the entrance to this endless white environment, rarely used by ships in this season, you will discover little-known panoramas and fully experience the extreme isolation of the Far North. In this icy desert where absolute silence reigns, only disturbed by the mysterious cracking of the ice floe, keep your eyes peeled! You may get a glimpse of the Lord of the Arctic, the polar bear.  
Day 7 - Day 9 - North Water Polynya exploration
Nestling between northwestern Greenland and Ellesmere Island (Canada), Pikialasorsuaq - ‘the place that never freezes’ - is the largest polynya in the Arctic. This area of open water remains free of ice even in the depths of winter, playing a veritable role as an oasis in the heart of the ice floe. A source of life and a strategic hunting ground for Inuit societies for thousands of years, the polynya shelters an exceptional ecosystem in which life develops quickly, nourished by the light. In the heart of this rich yet fragile Arctic sanctuary, you will perhaps be lucky enough to observe some of the emblematic polar fauna: narwhals and belugas, seals, walruses and seabirds...and, maybe, a polar bear!
Day 8 - Days 10 - 13 Baffin Bay exploration
In the icy waters of Baffin Bay, you will sail into the heart of the scattered sea floe. You will be captivated by icebergs in dreamlike shapes as your ship takes you into the ice of the Far North. Everything comes in shades of white here and, if you watch closely, you may get a glimpse of the lord of this kingdom, the polar bear. This fascinating animal finds its food in the heart of the ice, so this is where you have more chances of spotting it. The polar light gives a shine to the ice floe that you sail along as you explore Baffin Bay, leaving you with memories of unforgettable moments.
Day 9 - Day 13 - Nuuk
When Erik Le Rouge, the exiled Norse chief, landed on the coast of Nuuk, he found a fertile and welcoming land dotted with fjords. He settled there with a group of his former countrymen, and the Norse remained the principal inhabitants until, over a period of 500 years, their population declined and gave way to the Inuit. Nuuk is situated at the mouth of one of the largest networks of fjords in the world, where the waters never freeze. The town spreads gently out towards the Davis Strait and enjoys an historic center that is particularly rich in national heritage. The vivid reds, blues, greens and yellows of the houses are a lively contrast to the somber waters of Greenland and serve to lift the spirits of the locals during the Winter months.
Day 10 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
16-04-202728-04-2027AUD $0Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
16-04-202728-04-2027AUD $0Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
16-04-202728-04-2027AUD $0Duplex Suite
16-04-202728-04-2027AUD $0Owner's Suite
16-04-202728-04-2027AUD $0Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
16-04-202728-04-2027AUD $0Deluxe Suite Deck 6
16-04-202728-04-2027AUD $0Deluxe Suite Deck 7
16-04-202728-04-2027AUD $0Deluxe Suite Deck 8
16-04-202728-04-2027AUD $0Prestige Suite Deck 7
16-04-202728-04-2027AUD $0Prestige Suite Deck 8
16-04-202728-04-2027AUD $0Grand Prestige Suite
16-04-202728-04-2027AUD $0Privilege Suite Deck 8

Inclusions

    • Through PONANT's alliance with The Explorers Club, this voyage will feature an exciting onboard lecture series hosted by esteemed member of The Explorers Club, Nicolas Dubreuil. Enjoy tales of exploration and attend insightful talks, all providing deeper context for your surroundings and journey.
    • Itinerary co-designed with the polar explorer Nicolas Dubreuil, founder of SEDNA, the consultancy developing this cruise’s unique activity programme.
    • Explore the High Arctic of Greenland, including encounters with the Inuit communities of Kullorsuaq and Siorapaluk, considered the world’s northernmost village; sail through the white desert at the entrance to the Nares Strait; and discover the vast Pikialasorsuaq polynya, an exceptional Arctic ecosystem.
    • Activities: dog-sledding excursions, glacier hikes, sea kayaking possible (weather permitting), polar plunge, snorkelling among the ice in a dry suit, possible shore visits in an inflatable dinghy, etc.
    • Optional overnight activity packages available at additional cost.

Map