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Peregrine Travel Centre

The Northwest Passage with Ponant

The Northwest Passage with Ponant

From AUD $53,610

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Description

For the very first time, PONANT invites you to discover the most emblematic but also the remotest sites of the mythical North-West Passage.

Aboard the Commandant Charcot, the first hybrid electric polar exploration ship, relive the polar adventures of previous generations of explorers at the heart of this vast labyrinth of icy channels, exploring the three main routes that allow the North-West Passage to be crossed.

Leaving from Reykjavik, you will sail along the south coast of Greenland, before reaching the Hudson Strait, named after the English sailor Henry Hudson, who mapped it for the first time in the early 17th Century.

Then you will chart a course towards the Fury and Hecla Strait, named after the ships of the explorer William Parry. Constantly covered in ice, this seawater channel, some 1900 metres wide at its narrowest point, represents an impassable obstacle for most ships. When you enter the passage, you will have the privilege of visiting Igloolik, an Inuit village that was only discovered in 1822.

A little further on, the Bellot Strait will offer you a unique sailing experience, in the midst of countless icebergs. You will then sail along Banks Island, famous for the wreck of HMS Investigator lying off shore – the ship was tasked to search for Sir John Franklin’s lost expedition, but also for its national park, which is home to extremely rich fauna.

Trip Name
The Northwest Passage with Ponant
Days
25
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 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 2 - Day 2 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 3 - 4 SOUTHERN COAST OF GREENLAND
Set sail in the traces of the Norwegian explorer Erik Le Rouge by travelling along the south coast of Greenland. Your ship will head deep into the longest network of fjords in the region, the Prins Christian Sund. This sumptuous natural canal, surrounded by craggy mountains and impressive glaciers will offer you stunning landscapes.
Day 4 - Days 5 - 6 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 5 - Days 7 - 11 HUDSON STRAIT
Linking Hudson Bay, the second largest bay in the world, to the Atlantic Ocean, the Hudson Strait was identified for the first time by the Venetian explorer Sebastian Cabot in 1517. However, it wasn’t until 1660 that the English sailor Henry Hudson explored this maritime passage as far as the bay. Offering privileged access to the centre of Canada, in the 18th Century the Hudson Strait became a commercial route, notably used for fur trading. Some 800 km in length and congested with ice for most of the year, it will offer you a truly unique sailing experience.
Day 6 - Day 12 FURY AND HECLA STRAIT
At the heart of the Arctic Ocean, set sail in the footsteps of the British explorer W.E. Parris who in 1822, during his desperate quest to find the North West Passage, discovered the Fury and Hecla Strait. The expedition that he led with two Royal Navy vessels, HMS Fury and HMS Hecla, in the hope of crossing the mythical maritime passageway, ended in failure. Trapped in the ice, the two ships were blocked to the north of Foxe Basin, but this allowed them to identify the strait separating the Melville peninsula and Baffin Island. Covered by ice floe for the majority of the year, this narrow stretch of sea is very difficult to access. When you enter the passage, you will have the privilege of visiting the Inuit village of Igloolik.
Day 7 - Days 13 - 14 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 a few polar bears.
Day 8 - Days 15 - 18 SAILING ICE FLOES IN THE NORTH OF THE ARCTIC ARCHIPELAGO
At the far north of the American continent, you will sail in the most northerly part of the Arctic archipelago. Covering some 1.4 million km² and boasting more than 35,000 islands, this region offers spectacular landscapes made up of sheer reliefs and gigantic fjords. Notably characterised by the particularly impressive scale of its channels, sculpted by glacial erosion and trapped in a thick ice floe for most of the year, the region has been little mapped or explored.
Day 9 - Days 19 - 20 BANKS ISLAND
Located in the north of Canadian archipelago of the Northwest Territories, Banks Island, also known as Banks Land offers landscapes that are as sumptuous as they are spectacular. The island, covering some 70,000 km², offers a landscape of hills and valleys as well as sheer cliffs and canyons, a result of the glacial erosion. To the north of the island, the Aulavik National Park is home to a very rich wildlife mainly consisting of Arctic wolves, muskox, caribou, Arctic foxes, lemmings and many varieties of birds.
Day 10 - Days 21 - 24 SAILING ICE FLOES IN BEAUFORT SEA
Bordering the north coasts of Alaska and Canada, the Beaufort Sea was feared for centuries because of its extreme climatic conditions. Covered for most of the year with a thick layer of ice, and unexplored until 1914, this part of the Arctic Ocean, named in honour of the British Admiral Francis Beaufort, will reveal to you its sumptuous icy landscapes. Will a bit of luck, maybe you will cross the path of some Beluga, the region being renowned for hosting many colonies of these white whales.
Day 11 - Day 25 NOME, ALASKA
Located along the Bering Strait at the westernmost point of Alaska, Nome offers the rustic charm of a former gold-mining town, set in the middle of magnificent wilderness. As you weave in and out of the brightly coloured houses, you will discover the pioneering legacy that still marks local traditions. Fishing, reindeer rearing, sledge-racing... People here live from their manual labour. The surrounding plains provide stunning vantage points for observing Arctic fauna.
Day 12 - Please Note:
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
07-09-202201-10-2022AUD $53,610Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
07-09-202201-10-2022AUD $54,680Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
07-09-202201-10-2022AUD $145,000Suite Duplex
07-09-202201-10-2022AUD $166,510Owner's Suite
07-09-202201-10-2022AUD $55,750Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
07-09-202201-10-2022AUD $67,050Deluxe Suite Deck 6
07-09-202201-10-2022AUD $69,740Deluxe Suite Deck 7
07-09-202201-10-2022AUD $72,430Deluxe Suite Deck 8
07-09-202201-10-2022AUD $93,930Prestige Suite Deck 7
07-09-202201-10-2022AUD $96,620Prestige Suite Deck 8
07-09-202201-10-2022AUD $99,310Grand Prestige Suite
07-09-202201-10-2022AUD $101,990Privilege Suite Deck 8

Inclusions

    • Crossing the Northwest Passage to discover the most remote places and most emblematic waterways of this legendary maritime zone, accessible only thanks to Le Commandant Charcot.
    • Outings and shore visits in a Zodiac® dinghy or hovercraft with an reinforced team of naturalist-guides.
    • Visit of a traditional Inuit village at the entrance to the Fury and Hecla Strait.
    • Discovery of the Aulavik National Park, renowned for the largest concentration of musk oxen in the world.
    • Landscapes: vast expanses of ice floe, myriads of “jagged” islands, blue-toned glaciers, mountain chains, expanses of tundra, vertiginous walls.
    • Fauna: Arctic foxes, sea birds, narwhals, belugas, walruses and the possibility of seeing polar bears.
    • Many activities: kayaking, hiking or snowshoeing, ice fishing, polar plunge without suit, polar swim with drysuit, participative science. Discover all the activities in the “Ponant Activities” tab.

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