ARRIVE REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND (EMBARKATION)
Arrival and Free time at leisureExplore 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.
SAILING THROUGH THE DENMARK STRAIT
Lying between Greenland and Iceland, the Denmark Strait was crossed for the first time by theVikings in the late 10th century, during Erik the Red’s expeditions. In the Second World War, its waters were the theatre of a battle between the Kriegsmarine and the Royal Navy, on 24 May 1941.In the wintertime, extremely dense pack ice forms along the Greenlandic coasts and, while the Transpolar Drift sweeps icebergs along throughout the year, the strait is generally clear of ice during the summer.In the depths of the strait lies the world’s largest waterfall, an undersea cataract formed by the difference in temperature between the cold waters of the Greenland Sea and the warmer waters of the Irminger Sea.
EXPLORING THE BLOSSEVILLE COAST
Aboard your ship, follow in the footsteps of Jules Poret de Blosseville, a French explorer and sailor. In 1833, he set off to discover this isolated and unexplored part of eastern Greenland aboard La Lilloise, an adventure with a fatal outcome.The uninhabited territory that bears his name lies to the south of Scoresby Sound. Surrounded by ice, icebergs and pack ice – thin or thick, flat or pronounced – as far as the eye can see, Blosseville Coast is a wild and distant place to which very few people have access.Exploring it means a slow immersion into the heart of a frozen, almost unreal desert, where the variations in light transform one’s perception of the landscape. In the kingdom of the polar bears, Le Commandant Charcot, a silent ship open to the exterior, will offer exceptional moments observing Arctic wildlife, through a series of encounters.
ITTOQQORTOORMIIT REGION
Most remote settlement in Greenland,Ittoqqortoormiit region that is covered with snow and ice for nine months of the year, you will have the rare opportunity of immersing yourself in the heart of an isolated territory and exploring the beauty of its infinite polar whiteness. The high alpine mountains punctuate the sky and gradually reveal their dark rock edges beneath a coat of snow. Located at the entrance to the longest system of fjords in the world, sits the village of Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the northernmost inhabited places on the East coast. Its name means ‘great house’ in Greenlandic and it is home to the last hunters of the polar region, whose ancestral way of life you will encounter. As soon as the thickness of the ice floe allows it, the hunters set out on the trail of walruses, seals, narwhals, musk oxen and polar bears, travelling by traditional dog sleds. On these expanses of immaculate snow, the silence is broken only by the sounds of the dogs, the grating of a sled coming back from a run or of footsteps on the ice.
ITTOQQORTOORMIIT REGION
Today, continue cruising Ittoqqortoormiit region. You will discover Inuit traditions through privileged and festive moments on the ice floe and in the village.
ITTOQQORTOORMIIT REGION
3rd day exploring in Ittoqqortoormiit region.
ITTOQQORTOORMIIT REGION
4th day exploring in Ittoqqortoormiit region
EXPLORATION OF NORTH-EAST GREENLAND
Set sail for North-East Greenland to immerse yourself further and up higher in the Arctic region to explore the unexpected riches of the sea ice, where traditional ships cannot travel at this time of the year. As the light shifts and the moods of the sky change, the different states of the ice and the infinite diversity of its textures create an exceptionally stunning tableau. With patience and humility, you will sail amid the pearl-white floating cathedrals and the ice carried by the Transpolar Drift. En route, icebergs have their journey halted by ice and pressure ridges reveal their sharp edges. In the midst of this icy vastness, beauty is found in the detail and the magic of the moment. In the realm of polar bears, Le Commandant Charcot is a reassuring cocoon built for polar exploration and offers you wonderful opportunities to observe these lords of the ice when you happen upon them. You may even get the chance to admire the moving sight of a mother and her cub travelling across the immaculate icy expanse.
EXPLORATION OF NORTH-EAST GREENLAND
2nd day exploring North East Greenland En route, icebergs have their journey halted by ice and pressure ridges reveal their sharp edges. In the midst of this icy vastness, beauty is found in the detail and the magic of the moment. In the realm of polar bears, Le Commandant Charcot is a reassuring cocoon built for polar exploration and offers you wonderful opportunities to observe these lords of the ice when you happen upon them. You may even get the chance to admire the moving sight of a mother and her cub travelling across the immaculate icy expanse.
EXPLORATION OF NORTHEAST GREENLAND
3rd day exploring North East Greenland Expedition team will prepare for landing and zodiac outinng
EXPLORING THE BLOSSEVILLE COAST
Aboard your ship, follow in the footsteps of Jules Poret de Blosseville, a French explorer and sailor. In 1833, he set off to discover this isolated and unexplored part of eastern Greenland aboard La Lilloise, an adventure with a fatal outcome. The uninhabited territory that bears his name lies to the south of Scoresby Sound. Surrounded by ice, icebergs and pack ice – thin or thick, flat or pronounced – as far as the eye can see, Blosseville Coast is a wild and distant place to which very few people have access. Exploring it means a slow immersion into the heart of a frozen, almost unreal desert, where the variations in light transform one’s perception of the landscape. In the kingdom of the polar bears, Le Commandant Charcot, a silent ship open to the exterior, will offer exceptional moments observing Arctic wildlife, through a series of encounters.
EXPLORING THE BLOSSEVILLE COAST
2nd day exploring the remaining Blosseville Coast.
EXPLORING THE BLOSSEVILLE COAST
3rd day exploring the remaining Blosseville Coast.
SAILING THROUGH THE DENMARK STRAIT
Sea Day. Enjoy the remaining sea day on board Le Commandant Charcot, Indulge in the exquisite world of French-style luxury gastronomy curated by the renowned Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse Let yourself be tempted by a dip in the Blue Lagoon while you enjoy the light over the sea. Or spend time in our indoor pool, the gym and the fitness classes, Or visit the Biologique Recherche spa, with its treatment rooms, massages Or go for a sauna, snow room and the hair salon will also allow you to unwind without a care in the world.
REYKJAVÍK (DISEMBARKATION)
Return to Reykjavik. Arrival early morning Disembarkation at 8:00 am after breakfast Spend remaining day at Reykjavik, Iceland at own leisure
