North Pole & Scoresby Sund

Join your included flight from Paris to Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of Svalbard, where you will transfer to the port to board your luxury expedition vessel. You can settle into your supremely comfortable cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship as we sail out of Longyearbyen surrounded by wonderful scenery and head into the Isfjord as your Arctic adventure begins.

Today will be spent onboard sailing along Spitsbergen’s dramatic west coast surrounded by enchanting scenery and a constant chance of observing wildlife. The largest island in Svalbard, between millennial glaciers and rugged mountains, you will discover a jagged coastline, hollowed-out by fjords. Photo opportunities abound, and as we sail, some time on deck should hopefully reward in wildlife sightings. We may even be lucky enough to spot a Polar bear!

As we make our way towards the Geographical North Pole, we can enjoy the unique experience of sailing through the vast expanse of virgin, immaculate ice that makes up the ice floe between Spitsbergen and the farthest northern reaches of the globe. Wildlife sightings are likely as we sail through the constantly changing landscapes that are covered by a frozen layer of ice. Combined with a fantastic programme of lectures and presentations, and the wonderful amenities on board your ship, these days at sea are likely to be truly memorable.

Defined by a 90° North latitude, the Geographic North Pole lies on the Earth’s rotational axis, at the intersection of all meridians. Plunged into darkness for six months of the year, then lit by the sun for the following six months, this mythical site, permanently covered in ice and remote from any land, has fascinated generations of explorers. So far, only a very few people have ever reached it: an exploit which is now accessible to you aboard Le Commandant Charcot.

After our unforgettable discovery of the northernmost point on the planet, it’s time to head back into the ice floes for some more exciting ice navigation. We will then make our way towards Greenland and enjoy some further ice floe exploration as we reach this remarkable land’s remote eastern coast. The north-east of Greenland is renowned for being home to one of the oldest and thickest layers of ice on the planet. Aboard your ship, you will have the unique opportunity of sailing to the heart of this icy wilderness, many thousands of years old, and will notably travel along the coast of the North-East Greenland National Park, recognised as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

On the East coast of Greenland, in the Ittoqqortoormiit region, you will have the rare opportunity of immersing yourself in the heart of isolated scenery and exploring the beauty of its landscapes. The high alpine mountains stand out in the sky, revealing dark rock edges. On the edge of the fjord, the eponymous village is considered one of the most remote inhabited places in the world. The colourful houses, so typical of Greenland, dot the landscape with small red, yellow and blue patches that stand out against the surrounding arid landscape. Immersing yourself in this region will allow you to discover the ancestral way of life of the last hunters of the polar region. This will be a veritable deep-dive into the lives of the Arctic’s inhabitants.

Welcome to the largest and deepest fjord system in the world…the enchanting Scoresby Sund. Covering an area of 13,700 km2 (5,290 mi2), this wild and remote area offers untouched panoramas of infinite beauty, with high snow-capped peaks rising tall alongside icebergs immersed in clear, blue-tinged waters. We will spend the day here attempting to visit iconic spots such as Rode Fjord to see its distinctive and fascinating red cliffs contrast with the startling icy white landscape that lies all around.

As our unforgettable journey nears its conclusion, we now head back into the sea to make our way through the Denmark Strait and head towards Reykjavik. Along the way we will sail along some of East Greenland’s spectacular Blosseville coast before heading into the Denmark Strait. Take time to relax and reflect on the countless adventures you will have had, join a photo workshop to collate and perfect the many pictures you will have no doubt taken on your journey, participate in the final lectures and presentations, or simply put your feet up and take a well earned rest.

As your Greenland, Svalbard and North Pole expedition comes to an end, you will disembark in Reykjavik and bid a fond farewell to your crew and new-found friends. Please enquire for tips and help should you wish to extend your stay here.