Le Commandant Charcot, 12 Night Encounter with the Last Guardians of the North Pole ex Nuuk, Greenland Return

With featured guests Nicolas Dubreuil, French explorer and specialist in the polar regions,, founder of the polar consultancy and expert company SEDNA, which also helped to design this unique itinerary, and expedition leader.

And Sue Flood, British Photo Ambassador.

Spring is in full swing in western Greenland! Time seems to stand still in these high latitudes. The ice floe goes through all states: from ice desert to drifting patches, sometimes it slowly breaks up, creating channels of open water used by narwhals and belugas during their migration. The last guardians of the pole of this distant region, harnessed to their dog sleds, criss-cross the icy expanse against a backdrop of snow-covered summits of jagged mountains and monumental icebergs stuck in the ice floe.

Once again, Le Commandant Charcot opens the way to new horizons and invites you to experience a timeless odyssey. During this 13-day PONANT exclusive, explore the frozen shores of the western Greenlandic coast and live like one of the last hunters in this region, which is one of the wildest and most remote of the planet. The special moments spent with the community of Kullorsuaq, the hardest-to-access village in the region, will teach you about Inuit wisdom: powerful nature reigns supreme and encourages humility, as suggested by the Greenlandic word imaqa. Here, life thrives on the present moment and the notion of time and space is redefined.

As you sail along the frozen shores of western Greenland, there will be wonder everywhere! In Disko Bay, the show becomes dreamlike, the majestic icebergs float like cathedrals of ice slowly drifting on dark waters. Carried by the breath of this pristine nature, you will sail through this desert of ice to arrive in the village of Kullorsuaq, accessible in this season only with Le Commandant Charcot. At the entrance to the mythical Melville Bay, enjoy four unforgettable days. A rare moment in this typical Greenlandic village, where you will fall under the charm of its inhabitants’ generosity, sharing and hospitality. Listen to the tales and legends of these last guardians of the pole. Share and discuss the knowledge of these outstanding ice hunters and help them make items that are vital for their day-to-day life, like the sled, kayak and harpoons. Enjoy various dog sled rides – the only means of transport allowed during this season - a polar plunge, snorkelling with wetsuits in the middle of the ice, or a session of ice fishing on the ice floe.

You will then set sail south. In the heart of the ice floe, you will explore the icy vastness of Baffin Bay. You are privileged to arrive on this white desert where you will be able to discover this place like no other during a polar trek or a ski trip. Perhaps you will be luck enough to glimpse the silhouette of the legendary polar bear, the lord of the manor, roaming this environment in search of the perfect spot for hunting or fishing. Here, the Arctic unveils its poetic soul, a place where the grandeur of nature combines with the heritage of the exploration and wisdom of the indigenous peoples.

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.

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.

EXPERIENCE CRUISING ANOTHER WAY, DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF YACHT CRUISES.

Our mission is to transport you to mythical destinations and secret ports only accessible to small capacity ships.

To offer the delights of a French-inspired cuisine in an intimate environment - a discreet service where no attention to detail is spared - and unforgettable moments of relaxation on board elegant yachts of character.

To combine sophistication and conviviality, with priority given to authentic experiences, emotions and the ongoing quest for excellence.

Yacht cruises: more than a cruise, a privilege...

Attentive, professional, discreet and elegant, the fully bilingual service on board will meet your every desire. Our unique atmosphere is filled with a signature sentiment: a warm welcome from an experienced crew who are passionate about what they do, in the tradition of private yachting.

In the dining areas, our gourmet cuisine is worthy of top fine dining restaurants: exquisite wines are available, and menus are created with expertise by our skilled chefs with a French-inspired menu enhanced by specialties from our various ports of call.

Pleasure, enrichment, discovery: relax - we take care of everything...