Polar Odyssey Between Northeast Greenland And Spitsbergen

HIGHLIGHTS

• A cruise between the territories of Greenland and the island of Spitsbergen, to discover the history of the great explorers and Norwegian trappers, in landscapes that are as majestic as they are unexplored.
• Hiking opportunity.
• An encounter with the Inuit people to share their springtime traditions while the ice is still ubiquitous.
• Scoresby Sound, the world’s largest fjord system, and land of exploration for Captain Charcot; there is still a stela in remembrance of him, as well as his old dwelling.
• The Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest national park in the world, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, at the magical moment when nature awakens.
• Landscapes: mountains striped with multi-coloured strata, fjords, jagged mountains, ice floes, glaciers, icebergs, wild tundra, sheer cliffs, polar ice cap.
• Wildlife: polar bears, narwhals, seals, musk oxen, Arctic foxes and hares, walruses, orcas, Svalbard reindeer, sea birds.
• Many activities: kayaking, hiking or snowshoeing, polar plunge without suit, polar swim with drysuit. Discover all the activities in the “Ponant Activities” tab.

ITINERARY

28 September 2026 - Reykjavík
Embarkation 28/09/2026 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 28/09/2026 at 18:00

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.

29 September 2026 - 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.

30 September 2026 - Exploration of Ittoqqortoormiit Region

On the East coast of Greenland, in the 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. You will discover Inuit traditions through privileged and festive moments on the ice floe and in the village.

1 October 2026 - Bjorneoer

2 October 2026 - Ittoqqortoormiit Region

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. The region is home to the longest fjord system in the world, Scoresby Sound. 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.

3 October 2026 - Bjorneoer

4 October 2026 - Navigating through the sea ice

Enjoy the absolutely unique experience of sailing to the heart of the ice floe, this vast expanse of virgin, immaculate ice. The landscapes are constantly changing, shifting from a smooth, flat wilderness to a chaos of ice, then to channels of open water. Your ship will sail along these naturally open channels and through the areas where the frozen layer is thinnest, offering you the chance to experience magic maritime moments in the midst of drifting sea ice. It will also often be an opportunity to see a particular kind of fauna, totally dependent on the ice floe.

5 October 2026 - Northeast Greenland National Park

With a craggy coastline formed by gigantic fjords, magnificent alpine mountains looming over them, the shores of north-east Greenland offer breathtaking landscapes and are home to the largest national park in the world. Covering an area of around one million square kilometres, almost half the island, the North-East Greenland National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is a particularly isolated region. Cut off for many months of the year by the ice floe, it is renowned for its pristine nature and rich wildlife.

6 October 2026 - Nord Fjord, Kejser Franz Joseph

7 October 2026 - Foster Jugt

8 October 2026 - Godthab Golf

9 October 2026  10 October 2026 - Navigating through the sea ice

Enjoy the absolutely unique experience of sailing to the heart of the ice floe, this vast expanse of virgin, immaculate ice. The landscapes are constantly changing, shifting from a smooth, flat wilderness to a chaos of ice, then to channels of open water. Your ship will sail along these naturally open channels and through the areas where the frozen layer is thinnest, offering you the chance to experience magic maritime moments in the midst of drifting sea ice. It will also often be an opportunity to see a particular kind of fauna, totally dependent on the ice floe.

11 October 2026 - St Jonsfjorden

12 October 2026 - Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen

Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.

13 October 2026 - 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.

14 October 2026 - Tromso
Arrival 14/10/2026 early morning
Disembarkation 14/10/2026 at 08:00

In the north of the Arctic circle you’ll discover Tromsø, a secluded town located in the county of Troms. Norwegians call it the “Paris of the north”. You’ll soon see why when you discover its extensive neoclassical architectural heritage. A stunning example is the Arctic cathedral, a major monument whose stylistic purity echoes the outline of the mountains surrounding the town.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

For your serenity, PONANT selects a flight and organises the transfer between the port and the airport. This package is included in your cruise fare.

Disembarkation Day - Lakselv/Paris

• Disembarkation.
• Meet and greet at the port by our local English-speaking representative.
• Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of flight Lakselv/Paris selected by PONANT.
• Flight Lakselv/Paris selected by PONANT.
• Approximate flight duration: 5 h 30.
• We highly recommend you stay one night in Paris after this flight

This programme includes

• Flight Lakselv/Paris selected by PONANT in economy class.
• Transfer as mentioned in the programme.
• English-speaking assistance.

This programme does not include

• Personal expenses.
• Any other service not mentioned in the programme.

Please note

• Due to limited local transportation resources, waiting might be generated.
• Flight included in the programme is as of today, operated in economy class.
• For passengers in transit in Paris, we recommend staying one night in Paris after this flight.
• Programme and flight schedule are subject to change without prior notice.
• PONANT will adapte the content of the transfer offer from airport according to your flight schedule.