fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Total Solar Eclipse in The Far North – Luxury Small Ship Cruise

Total Solar Eclipse in The Far North – Luxury Small Ship Cruise

From AUD $23,816

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

Beyond the Arctic Circle, facing landscapes frozen in time by the ice, set off on a fascinating journey to discover the islands of the Far North. For 14 days, from Spitsbergen to Iceland, via Jan Mayen Island and the eastern coast of Greenland, between fjords and glaciers, observe wild and mischievous nature as it wakes itself up, and set off to encounter the communities who live in these parts of the world, guardians of these untamed spaces. In this hushed world, facing completely unobstructed skies, you will seek out a rare phenomenon: the total solar eclipse, and discover its secrets thanks to the exceptional presence of astronauts Claudie and Jean-Pierre Haigneré.
From Longyearbyen, one of the world’s northernmost towns, you will weigh anchor, leaving behind the small colourful wooden homes that dot the landscape.
You will set sail to the north-west of Spitsbergen, keeping an eye out for the appearance of the first glaciers and the huge snow-covered peaks that gave the region its name. In this white kingdom, you will sail soothed by the romantic play of the midnight sun upon the icy waters of the fjords. You will observe the slow dance of the colonies of Arctic fulmars, Arctic terns, black-legged kittiwakes and guillemots nesting on the vertiginous cliffs. On your left, in the distance, bearded seals laze on a piece of ice floe while, on the neighbouring peninsula, mossy tundra offers Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes an ideal playground. You will scan the horizon in the hushed silence of the fjord, hoping to spot the lord of the manor: the polar bear.
Next, your ship will make its way to Jan Mayen Island, which was very dear to Captain?Jean-Baptiste Charcot. Located on the threshold of the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans, this isolated and uninhabited volcanic island was a whale hunting centre and is home to large bird colonies.
As you sail along, you will perhaps see whales, before reaching the region of Ittoqqortoormiit on the east coast of Greenland. In the eponymous village, you will receive a warm welcome from the Inuit community and discover their traditions during special and authentic moments, before entering Scoresby Sound, the world’s largest fjord network. This unique setting, made up of gigantic icebergs, golden brown moorland and sheer walls reddened by the minerals, is home to exceptional fauna: musk oxen, Arctic wolves and foxes, seagulls, barnacle geese and other migratory birds. Aboard Le Lyrial or a Zodiac dinghy, you will admire the power of nature while becoming aware of its fragility. On board, the team of naturalists will scan the horizon so they can provide you with marvellous sightings of wildlife and, in particular, the polar bear. The region’s elusive fauna upholds its mysteries while the uncertain nature of the encounter bestows an indescribable magic upon it.
Finally, your ship will set sail towards Iceland. From the village of Isafjörður to Westfjords, between lost valleys and sheer cliffs, discover a land of legends, of wild and enchanting beauty. In the total darkness of night and weather conditions permitting*, the Captain will take you along coasts full of mystery, in search of the best place to observe this total eclipse, the 16th to occur in the 21st century. You will be captivated by the unique spectacle, during which the Moon will obscure the Sun.
*As we cannot control the weather conditions, we cannot guarantee the observation of this total solar eclipse. Nevertheless, the Captain will have room for manoeuvre and will be able to sail towards the most suitable places on the eclipse’s trajectory.
Itinerary is?subject to change according to port authorizations and government regulations. 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 Name
Total Solar Eclipse in The Far North - Luxury Small Ship Cruise
Days
14
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 224 Launched: 2015 A sleek silhouette, a welcoming intimate atmosphere, discover aboard this new ship the philosophy that has made our sisterships such a success: the spirit of Yacht Cruises. Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 122 staterooms and Suites, with balconies, will join our fleet in April 2015. You will be enchanted by the contemporary decor inspired by the our destinations and the blue light of the Vega star in the Lyra constellation. The result is a subtle variation around a palette of blues, ranging from the  luminous delicate grey-blue of the Polar ice to splashes of the vivid turquoise blue found in  Mediterranean coves A refined ambiance is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat’s hull, while the central sculpture of enamelled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea. In the loungebar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonymous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.
Day 2 - Day 2 - 14th July Glacier, Spitsbergen
At the entrance to Cross Bay, between tundra, plutonic rocks and mountains covered with a surprising endemic flora, set off to discover the 14th July Glacier. It was thus named by Prince Albert I of Monaco, following an expedition that he led there at the beginning of the 20th century. The glacier’s surroundings are frequented by numerous birds (Tridactyl gulls, thick-billed murres, barnacle geese, common eiders, Atlantic puffins…), as well as Arctic foxes and reindeer. As you arrive in front of the glacier, admire the impressive wall of ice and the reflection of the cliffs in the water. It is quite common to see a section of ice come loose, or a bearded seal lounging on an iceberg. 
Day 3 - Day 2 - Lilliehöök Glacier
Welcome to Cross Bay’s décor of plutonic rocks and tundra. Admire the immense expanses of flowers that cover the mountain slopes, amidst 14 alpine glaciers plunging majestically into the sea. In this setting of wild beauty, which endemic wildlife has chosen to call home, set off to discover the sublime Lilliehöök Glacier. Located in the fjord of the same name, it forms a kind of circle and its front is 7 km wide. As you approach it, you will fall under the spell of the icebergs floating around it, like jewels bedecking the magical waters of the Arctic. Walruses, sea birds, seals and Svalbard reindeer will perhaps accompany as you explore these unique places. 
Day 4 - Day 2 - Ny-Alesund, Spitsbergen
During your cruise, discover Ny-Ålesund, a former mining town that has been transformed into a scientific base. Founded in 1916, this small town was the departure point for many Arctic expeditions, including those of the famous explorer Roald Amundsen. Don't miss a visit to the museum and its famous post office, considered to be the most northerly in the world!
Day 5 - Day 3 - Monaco Glacier, Spitsbergen
Located to the North-West of the Svalbard archipelago, the Monaco Glacier is probably one of Spitsbergen’s most beautiful and majestic. Named in honour of Prince Albert I of Monaco, a sailor, it stands as an impenetrable, blue-tinged jagged wall, the last glacier before reaching a latitude of 80° North. Imagine the sound of the ice cracking as it breaks free and crashes into the transparent water. And to make the magical landscape even more perfect, you might be lucky enough to spot bears and whales, as these two animals have a special fondness for this area.  
Day 6 - Day 3 - Texas Bar, Liefdefjorden
Despite the name given to the place, we are neither in Texas nor in a bar; it is actually an unusual place in the High Arctic. Texas Bar is a former trapper’s hut that was used by Arctic fox and polar bear hunters in the past. The hut, still in place, has a rudimentary interior with bunkbeds and kitchen utensils. Located at the entrance to Liefdefjorden (the “fjord of love”), it stands peacefully in a landscape of hills covered with moss, lichen and flowers. The cliffs with their changing colours, very frequented by birds, complete the beauty of the panorama. Take a little hike up the slopes and admire the superb view over the Monaco Glacier, which is further south.
Day 7 - Day 4 - Magdalenefjorden (Magdalena Bay), Spitsbergen
Nestling in north western Spitsbergen, Magdalena Bay is one of Svalbard’s unmissable sites. In a spectacular landscape of snow-topped Alpine mountains, deep fjords, beaches and majestic glaciers, it offers multiple opportunities for wonderment. We will not be surprised to observe whales, walruses, seals, common eiders, terns, polar bears and Arctic foxes there. The site of Gravneset, located in Magdalenafjorden, is home to the remnants of a former whaling station used during the 17th century, as well as the graves of many sailors buried here up until the end of the 18th century. Not far from here, the Gully Glacier offers a magnificent view, a delight for photographers.
Day 8 - Day 5 - Wahlbergoya
a:0:{}
Day 9 - Days 6 - 7 At sea
During your journey 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 journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or 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 observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 10 - Day 8 - Jan Mayen Island, Svalbard
The island of Jan Mayen, belonging to Norway, lies hidden off Greenland’s coastlines, lost between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean. This small piece of land is inhabited by only a handful of Norwegian meteorologists. Tongues of ice descend from its volcanic summit, which culminates at 2,227 metres and is covered with a thick glacial coat. These tongues join the sea, between ranges of black volcanic rocks at times tinged with red. If the sky is clement, you will have the chance to glimpse the summit, decked out in magnificent light. The visit of a small fin whale will perhaps enable you to complete this memorable picture. 
Day 11 - Days 9 - 11 At sea
During your journey 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 journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or 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 observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 12 - Day 12 - Isafjördur
Your ship will take you to the heart of the fjords of North-West Iceland, a wild land of lost valleys and steep cliffs, where man struggles to survive. In this very isolated region we find the Isafjörður fjord, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country, mainly for its relief, forged by many very ancient basaltic flows. The town of Isafjörður, which nestles at the back of its fjord, between imposing mountains, is a delightful little town that lives exclusively from fishing. The capital of the Western fjords, its old wooden houses bear witness to its past as a major fishing port.
Day 13 - Day 13 - Hafnarfjördur
a:0:{}
Day 14 - Day 14 - Reykjavík
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.
Day 15 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
01-08-202614-08-2026AUD $23,816Superior Stateroom
01-08-202614-08-2026AUD $25,696Deluxe Stateroom
01-08-202614-08-2026AUD $88,666Owner's Suite
01-08-202614-08-2026AUD $28,366Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
01-08-202614-08-2026AUD $29,696Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
01-08-202614-08-2026AUD $31,296Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
01-08-202614-08-2026AUD $43,036Deluxe Suite
01-08-202614-08-2026AUD $57,706Prestige Suite
01-08-202614-08-2026AUD $60,656Privilege Suite
01-08-202614-08-2026AUD $69,456Grand Deluxe Suite
01-08-202614-08-2026AUD $81,996Grand Privilege Suite

Inclusions

    • Follow the 16th total solar eclipse of the 21st century between Spitsbergen and Iceland with astronauts Claudie and Jean-Pierre Haigneré.
    • Discover the landscapes (Scoresby Sund, Jan Mayen Island, the mountains of Spitsbergen, etc.) and take advantage of opportunities to observe the wildlife (polar bears, Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, cetaceans, seabirds, etc.).
    • Activities: opportunities for outings and shore visits in a rubber dinghy with naturalist guides, kayaking, scenic glacier cruises, etc.

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Norway
More of activity:
Arctic Cruises