IN THE ICE OF THE ARCTIC, FROM GREENLAND TO SVALBARD
Reykjavík - Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
To
sail to the lands beyond the Arctic Circle is to push the boundaries of
exploration in the wake of those who made discovering the polar regions
their life’s mission. With humility, you will set a course
for the north-east of Greenland, inaccessible to traditional ships in
early summer, before cruising to Svalbard and its untouched landscapes.
Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, a marvel of technology, you will be
amazed by the opportunities for guided exploration in these remote
parts. You will progress through one of the hardest to reach areas in
the Far North.
On
your journey, the Ammassalik, Blosseville and Ittoqqortoormiit regions
reveal mythical places associated with the history of the discovery of
the Arctic – places where the names Paul-Emile Victor, Jules
de Blosseville and Jean-Baptiste Charcot still resound.
To
the north-east of Greenland, you will sail through the drifting ice
floes of the North Pole and continue your exploration in the heart of
immaculate scenery. The sea ice reveals itself in all its formsMarvel
at the subtle light changes on the ice.
Your
route then leads eastward, towards Svalbard. As you progress through
this polar landscape, Nordaustlandet (North East Land) will display
Europe’s largest ice cap and some of its most majestic
fjords. You will cross the frozen expanses of the Hinlopen Strait,
where the contours of the glaciers shape the horizon, and you will get
up close to monumental basalt cliffs. In the
Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve, classed as an Important
Bird Area, the ice-cloaked arid spaces are also home to cetaceans and
Svalbard reindeer.
Whether
from the exterior decks of your ship, during an outing in an inflatable
dinghy or a kayak, or during a hike near blue-tinged icebergs, you will
have multiples opportunities to get to know this wild and stunning
world a little better.
In
extreme conditions, at the end of spring when ice dots the barren
landscapes, these remote parts reveal themselves to travellers. Despite
the harsh climate and environment,
