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Peregrine Travel Centre

Disko Bay: Meeting the Inuit & Discovering the Unknown

Disko Bay: Meeting the Inuit & Discovering the Unknown

From AUD $33,510

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Description

It is spring in Greenland. The snow is everywhere and covers a landscape whose apparent monotony reveals unexpected reliefs. For the very first time for a ship, Le Commandant Charcot will humbly progress towards Baffin Bay and ice-covered villages, inaccessible to traditional ships during this early period. During a 16-day journey of exploration, you will sail to the magnificent icy Disko Bay, home to the largest icebergs in the northern hemisphere. From unforgettable experiences to warm encounters, in the cosy atmosphere of an exceptional ship, take the time to enjoy moments of intense emotion and unsuspected discoveries.  
Shaped for polar exploration, Le Commandant Charcot will make its way amongst fragments of drifting and broken-up ice floe, before approaching Inuit villages encircled by ice. During this spring season, following the long winter night, sailing the western Greenlandic coast holds the promise of moments of wonder, of fantastic surprises, provided by the uncertainty, which, always, gives the orders here. As we are taught by Inuit wisdom, only the present moment matters. As you progress towards Baffin Bay, the ice will unveil its countless nuances and give you a new vision of this place at the end of the world. In Disko Bay, the show becomes dreamlike, the icebergs that floated during the summer are now stuck in the frozen sea and make up cathedrals of ice that will leave you speechless.  
During this immersion in the Greenlandic spring, you will discover the local communities of the west whose villages are still encircled by the bordering ice floe. The harshness of winter gradually makes way for the spring and the activities that go with it. Thanks to its special connection with the inhabitants of this fascinating island, PONANT offers you an unforgettable experience. For two days, in Ilulissat and Qeqertarsuaq, you will enjoy a total immersion. Following the pace of the Inuit community, you will experience moments of sharing based around their spring traditions. Polar hikes, ice fishing and dog sledding will punctuate your days but the real treasure lies elsewhere. The Inuits’ way of life and philosophy will imbue you with age-old wisdom.

Trip Name
Disko Bay: Meeting the Inuit & Discovering the Unknown
Days
16
Overview
Vessel Type: Polar Luxury Expedition Passenger Capacity: 135 cabins Length: 149.9 meters Built: 2018/2019 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. PUBLIC AREAS Le Commandant-Charcot has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 177 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An expeditions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Hospitality & Travel Manager officer, Our boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, The image & photo desk. The different lounges: A 302 m² main lounge including a 28 m² cigar lounge, a tea corner and a bar, with live music on selected evenings, A 400 m² panoramic bar and lounge, An open-air Bar. The recreation spaces  Fitness & Beauty Corner: Fitness room: Elliptic, running machines, bicycles...  Beauty Corner: Hairdresser, Massage rooms, Sauna, Snow Room, Nail Shop. Pool area: Indoor Pool and winter garden - Outdoor Pool Theatre: Capacity: 270-276 - Main show room for conferences and live entertainment on selected evenings - State-of-the-art audio and video technology. Leisure area: Public areas - Library - Medical centre. 16 Zodiac®.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 REYKJAVÍK
 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.
Day 2 - Day 2 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.
Day 3 - Day 3 KING FREDERICK VI COAST
 As you sail along the shores of the King Frederick VI Coast, icebergs in various sculpted shapes will appear. The northern waters here are dotted with pieces of floating ice and form a dreamlike landscape. The snowy mountains, ice-covered fjords and small islands that edge the Greenlandic coastline magnify this setting that you will sail along during an exceptional cruise.
Day 4 - Day 4 PRINS CHRISTIAN SUND & AAPPILATTOQ (AUGPILATOK)
 Your ship glides silently towards the Greenland coast, in a setting punctuated by pointed peaks and majestic glaciers… You are on the verge of crossing the Prins Christian Sund, a narrow channel that stretches out and zigzags over some one hundred kilometres between Greenland’s south-east and south-west. Fall under the spell of the primitive beauty of these unique landscapes, including rocky cliffs and waterfalls that are fed by the ice sheet and plunge into the icy waters. Here, bearded seals love to lie on the floating ice to soak up the sunshine. Aappilattoq (Augpilatok), is a small Inuit village of around one hundred inhabitants, whose name means “sea anemone” in Greenlandic. Located in a mountainous region inaccessible by road, its picturesque, colourful houses stretch out to the southern tip of Greenland, on the banks of the spectacular Prince Christian Sound. Some one hundred kilometres long, the sound connects the Labrador Sea to the Irminger Sea, meandering through stunning landscapes such as majestic glaciers, craggy peaks, and rocky cliffs with waterfalls fed by the ice sheet. This region was uninhabited in the 19th century. The village was created in the 1920s and the main activities revolve around hunting, fishing and livestock farming.
Day 5 - Day 5 NANORTALIK
 In the Greenlandic municipality of Kujalleq, you will explore the Inuit village of Nanortalik. A few hundred kilometres from the southern tip of Greenland, it is one of the island’s southernmost locations. Fishing is the main economic resource for its inhabitants, with whom you will be able to share an unforgettable moment. While a coat of snow still covers the landscapes, enjoy winter activities and discover Inuit traditions.
Day 6 - Day 6 NARSAQ FJORD
 At winter’s end, venture to the ice-covered shores of the Inuit village of Narsaq. The pioneering spirit and a taste for exploration will posses you as you progress towards this small, typically Greenlander commune. Nestling in the heart of majestic scenery, it will welcome you in a setting dominated by snowy mountains. The multicoloured façades of the houses offer a magical decor and will fill you with wonderment. You will visit the village, partake in polar treks and enjoy local performances, all of which will enable you to discover how these inhabitants live at the end of winter and help you absorb the Greenlandic philosophy.
Day 7 - Days 7 - 9 BAFFIN BAY EXPLORATION
 In the icy waters of Baffin Bay, you will sail into the heart of the scattered sea floe. You will be captivated by icebergs in dreamlike shapes as your ship takes you into the ice of the Far North. Everything comes in shades of white here and, if you watch closely, you may get a glimpse of the lord of this kingdom, the polar bear, wandering this environment in search of food.. The polar light gives a shine to the water and the ice floe that you sail along as you explore Baffin Bay, leaving you with memories of unforgettable moments.
Day 8 - Days 10 - 11 DISKO BAY
 To the east of Baffin Bay, discover Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the icebergs produced by the Ilulissat Icefjord are caught in the ice of the northern winter at this time of year. From your ship, admire the majestic ballet of these ice giants, frozen into dreamlike and extraordinary forms. This site is a natural marvel of Greenland  and is also renowned as an observation point for the region’s many humpback whales. The encounters with wild fauna and stunning landscapes in the heart of this spectacular and fragile nature will be pure moments of wonder for you.
Day 9 - Days 12 - 13 QEQERTARSUAQ
 On the southern coast of Disko Island, Qeqertarsuaq is one of just two small villages on this island the size of Corsica. Its isolation makes it an observation post popular among naturalists since the beginning of polar exploration and the set-up, in 1906, of the Arctic Centre research facility. You will have the chance to explore the natural wonders of Greenland, meet its wildlife such as the humpback whale and contemplate the basaltic organ landscapes that offer pure moments of wonder for you. In the heart of this spectacular and fragile nature, enjoy the breath-taking views of the grandiose and varied landscapes of Disko Island and Disko Bay.
Day 10 - Day 14 BAFFIN BAY EXPLORATION
 In the icy waters of Baffin Bay, you will sail into the heart of the scattered sea floe. You will be captivated by icebergs in dreamlike shapes as your ship takes you into the ice of the Far North. Everything comes in shades of white here and, if you watch closely, you may get a glimpse of the lord of this kingdom, the polar bear, wandering this environment in search of food.. The polar light gives a shine to the water and the ice floe that you sail along as you explore Baffin Bay, leaving you with memories of unforgettable moments.
Day 11 - Day 15 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.
Day 12 - Day 16 NUUK
 When Erik Le Rouge, the exiled Norse chief, landed on the coast of Nuuk, he found a fertile and welcoming land dotted with fjords. He settled there with a group of his former countrymen, and the Norse remained the principal inhabitants until, over a period of 500 years, their population declined and gave way to the Inuit. Nuuk is situated at the mouth of one of the largest networks of fjords in the world, where the waters never freeze. The town spreads gently out towards the Davis Strait and enjoys an historic center that is particularly rich in national heritage. The vivid reds, blues, greens and yellows of the houses are a lively contrast to the somber waters of Greenland and serve to lift the spirits of the locals during the Winter months.
Day 13 - Please Note:
We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice must be preserved, we will take this into account from day to day in our itineraries. The sailing programme, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. The 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 respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the AECO.  

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
21-03-202505-04-2025AUD $35,710Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
21-03-202505-04-2025AUD $36,380Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
21-03-202505-04-2025AUD $80,660Suite Duplex
21-03-202505-04-2025AUD $125,320Owner's Suite
21-03-202505-04-2025AUD $37,040Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
21-03-202505-04-2025AUD $38,030Deluxe Suite Deck 6
21-03-202505-04-2025AUD $39,700Deluxe Suite Deck 7
21-03-202505-04-2025AUD $41,030Deluxe Suite Deck 8
21-03-202505-04-2025AUD $52,360Prestige Suite Deck 7
21-03-202505-04-2025AUD $54,020Prestige Suite Deck 8
21-03-202505-04-2025AUD $55,690Grand Prestige Suite
21-03-202505-04-2025AUD $59,020Privilege Suite Deck 8
17-04-202502-05-2025AUD $33,510Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
17-04-202502-05-2025AUD $34,180Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
17-04-202502-05-2025AUD $34,840Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
17-04-202502-05-2025AUD $35,830Deluxe Suite Deck 6
17-04-202502-05-2025AUD $37,500Deluxe Suite Deck 7
17-04-202502-05-2025AUD $38,830Deluxe Suite Deck 8
17-04-202502-05-2025AUD $50,160Prestige Suite Deck 7
17-04-202502-05-2025AUD $51,820Prestige Suite Deck 8
17-04-202502-05-2025AUD $53,490Grand Prestige Suite
17-04-202502-05-2025AUD $56,820Privilege Suite Deck 8
17-04-202502-05-2025AUD $78,460Suite Duplex
17-04-202502-05-2025AUD $125,320Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • An all-new journey of exploration on the south-western coast of Greenland and in Baffin Bay, a PONANT exclusive thanks to Le Commandant Charcot, the only ship capable of sailing in this region at this time of year.
    • Take the time to discover the extraordinary landscapes of these lands and to share unique moments with the local Inuit communities.
    • The eye and the advice of our photo ambassador, a privileged opportunity to immortalise your trip with, in the programme: workshops, conferences and personalized advice to improve your photographic skills.
    • Outings and shore visits with a reinforced team of naturalist-guides.
    • The exploration of the broken-up ice floe in Baffin Bay, the discovery of Inuit villages caught in the ice, and the incredible Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its immense frozen and ice-covered icebergs.
    • The immersive and authentic encounter with two local Greenlandic communities for two timeless days, in villages that are only accessible to Le Commandant Charcot at this period of the year.
    • The possibility of seeing the wildlife of the Far North, in particular, polar bears, Arctic foxes, Ivory gulls, ringed seals and many cetaceans (belugas, narwhals, bowhead whales).
    • The possibility of witnessing the fabulous spectacle of the Northern Lights in Disko Bay.
    • Many activities: dog sledding, kayaking, hiking or snowshoeing, ice fishing.

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