Female in red parka paddles red kayak through calm Arctic ocean surrounded by snow covered jagged mountains in Greenland.
Icy arctic water with turquoise ice below seen on a sunny day during cruises to Iceland and Greenland.
White sea bird takes off from deep blue water during Le Commandant Charcot Northeast Greenland Voyages.
Expedition ship with dark blue hull & white upper decks sits in ice during Le Commandant Charcot Northeast Greenland Voyages.
Large white polar bear stands atop blue ice & white snow during Le Commandant Charcot Northeast Greenland Voyages.
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Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

Le Commandant Charcot Northeast Greenland’s Unexplored Sea Ice

Embark a luxury hybrid electric ship to explore northeast Greenland on this 15-day voyage. Cruising from Reykjavik, Iceland, discover the northeast coast of Greenland, one of the most difficult regions to access in the Far North, in a particularly precocious and hostile season, spring, when the ice and snow are still ubiquitous. This particularly remote region is protected by thick pack ice, brought directly from the North Pole by the transpolar current, and the day stretches into infinity. 

In the spring, the solid and powerful sea ice remains in charge of the visitors who venture out to it. It is the perfect time to observe the exceptional Arctic wildlife that it shelters. The polar bear is king here. Perhaps admire, roaming this white desert, a solitary male in search of the ideal hunting or fishing spot, or a mother teaching her cub the secrets of survival. Venture into an extremely remote part of the world, the source of fascination to generations of explorers.

Reach the region of Ittoqqortoormiit, home to a small community of Greenlanders: this will be the occasion to find out about the life of the last hunters in the polar regions. Then head for the Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest national park in the world and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: here, there is no trace of human life, just powerful glaciers and alpine magically colored landscapes as far as the eye can see.

Cruise aboard the sophisticated and sustainability-minded Le Commandant Charcot. This spacious hybrid electric ship, with up to 200 guests aboard her Arctic cruises, features French-inspired luxury and a focus on food, wellness, onboard engagement and active programming. Participate in citizen science with Le Commandant Charcot’s onboard research laboratory.

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Arctic cruisesArctic trips and Iceland cruises.



Itinerary

Northeast Greenland's Unexplored Sea Ice Itinerary

Cruise round-trip from Reykjavik, Iceland, to explore Greenland’s Ittoqqortoormiit and Blosseville regions, plus Northeast Greenland National Park—the largest national park in the world and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Route map of Le Commandant Charcot's Northeast Greenland's Unexplored Sea Ice cruise, operating round-trip from Reykjavik, Iceland.
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Day 1
Embark Reykjavik, Iceland

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 center 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, consider the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal baths of the Blue Lagoon.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

dinner

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Day 2
At Sea (Denmark Strait)

Lying between Greenland and Iceland, the Denmark Strait was crossed for the first time by the Vikings in the late 10th century, during Erik the Red’s expeditions. In the Second World War, its waters were the theater 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. Numerous cetacean species thrive in this rich ecosystem.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 3
Blosseville Coast, Greenland

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, your silent ship will offer exceptional moments observing Arctic wildlife, through many possible encounters.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 4 - 7
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, enjoy the rare opportunity of immersing 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, the village of Ittoqqortoormiit is 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. Discover Inuit traditions through privileged and festive moments on the ice floe and in the village.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 8 - 10
Northeast Greenland

Set sail for Northeast Greenland to immerse yourself further and higher in the Arctic region, and 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, 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, your ship is a reassuring cocoon built for polar exploration and offers wonderful opportunities to observe these lords of the ice when you happen upon them. Possibly even get the chance to admire the moving sight of a mother and her cub travelling across the immaculate icy expanse.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 11 - 13
Blosseville Coast

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, your silent ship will offer exceptional moments observing Arctic wildlife, through many possible encounters.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 14
At Sea (Denmark Strait)

Lying between Greenland and Iceland, the Denmark Strait was crossed for the first time by the Vikings in the late 10th century, during Erik the Red’s expeditions. In the Second World War, its waters were the theater 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. Numerous cetacean species thrive in this rich ecosystem.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 15
Disembark Reykjavik, Iceland

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 center 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, consider the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal baths of the Blue Lagoon.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

All meals while on board the ship; captain’s welcome cocktail and gala dinner; “open bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands); evening entertainment and events; room service; highly qualified bilingual French/English expedition team; lectures presented by the expedition team; Zodiac and shore excursions; park entry fees into protected areas; complimentary unlimited Wifi on board; port fees and taxes (except for child passengers–see Families & Children); gratuities; activities indicated in cruise documents.

Exclusions

Other meals and services not mentioned in the program; optional add-on excursions or packages; ground services before or after the cruise; visa expenses; possible immigration reciprocity taxes; gratuities for the local guide; luggage handling; beverages beyond those in Inclusions; laundry, hair salon, spa treatments, onboard medical consultations and other personal charges; cancellation, luggage, assistance, repatriation, medical and insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations beyond 14 days after booking confirmation are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
365 days or more – $250
364 to 211 days – 10% of total trip cost
210 to 91 days – 100% of deposit
90 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Northeast Greenland’s Unexplored Sea Ice cruise begins and ends in Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Recommended flight arrival and departure times are specific to each voyage; consult your Adventure Specialist for guidelines relating to your departure. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Activities

Various optional, included activities may be available on your Northeast Greenland’s Unexplored Sea Ice cruise: dog sledding, citizen science, polar plunge, walking, hiking, kayaking, ice fishing and snowshoeing. Additional activities include practicing photography, Zodiac cruising and shore-based excursions. In addition to these off-ship excursions, a multitude of onboard activities keep guests engaged, including live music, dance and theater; spa treatments; exercise and stretching classes; specialty food, wine and cocktail tastings; organized games; and lectures by guides and possible special guests.

Room Configuration

Select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. This supplement may vary depending on cabin category and remaining availability per departure. A willing-to-share program is not available. Triple and quadruple rates may be available in select cabin categories; contact AdventureSmith for details.

Families & Children

Children 8 years and older at time of travel are welcomed on this expedition. Children under 18 years old at time of travel may receive special discounts when sharing a cabin with two full-fare adults. A child sharing a cabin with a single adult is considered to be a paying adult. Contact AdventureSmith for details.

Travel Insurance

On Commandant Charcot, an EKG (electrocardiogram) is required from the doctor of any guest who wishes to participate in the polar plunge (where available). A medical form for all travelers is required for every departure. Travelers are also highly encouraged to have full and adequate travel insurance covering the risks of cancellation, assistance being required, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, damages to and loss of baggage, and medical expenses. In addition, we highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Rates are variable per remaining availability and are subject to change.

May 24 - Jun 07, 2025
Le Commandant Charcot • 15 days
From $29590USD
Per Person
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Jun 07 - Jun 21, 2025
Le Commandant Charcot • 15 days
From $26030USD
Per Person
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May 14 - May 28, 2026
Le Commandant Charcot • 15 days
From $28080USD
Per Person
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Accommodation

Learn About the Luxury Hybrid Electric Ship on Your Itinerary

Expedition Ship
Le Commandant Charcot

Le Commandant Charcot, carrying 200-245 guests, is a sophisticated, luxury expedition ship cruising the Arctic & Antarctic. Her hybrid electric engine, powered by liquefied natural gas, is the first of its kind. And her activity options, including ice fishing, offer a unique polar experience, rounded out by a French-inspired onboard atmosphere.

Expert Reviews

Reviews From Our Experts so You Know What to Expect

Lauren Pilholski • October 25th, 2022
Expert Aboard: Le Commandant Charcot Ship Review

Get expert insight on the record-breaking ship Le Commandant Charcot. Our specialist was aboard for more than two weeks and reviews everything from the cabins to the crew and programming.

Arielle Lightcap • January 7th, 2020
Expert Review: What to Expect on a Polar Bear Cruise

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Testimonials

Hear It From Travelers Who Have Explored With Us Before

"Fascinating Trip"

Fascinating trip to a rarely visited part of the world on an exceptional vessel.

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"Memorable"

A great trip, made more memorable by the whale feast of polar bears.

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