The Northwest Passage: In the Wake of Roald Amundsen

Make the most of the plethora of services and activities on board during this day at sea. Enjoy a workout class in the fitness center, or a treatment in the spa. Take in lectures or shows, do some shopping in the boutique or meet the ship’s photographers. Visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Discover Sisimiut, founded in 1756 and the second largest town in Greenland. This small town is typical of Greenland, boasting bewitching panoramas: here and there, colorful stilt houses dot the undulating landscape, and the small fishing port stands as the gateway to an icy realm. As for the town center, it is home to a number of historic buildings, a small church and a museum which retraces the history of the Inuit people, as well as many craft shops. When the ship drops anchor here, set out to meet the locals in a typically arctic atmosphere.

The Dutch were the first to come and hunt whales on this island they called Isle of Dogs—Kitissuarsuit in Greenlandic. Indeed, when they arrived there in the summertime, the inhabitants had left the island, leaving behind their dogs, and moved to the neighboring fjords for a season of fishing. Kitissuarsuit is considered to be the larder of the small town of Aasiaat, which is farther away from the fishing areas, and the villagers still live self-sufficiently thanks to the marine resources, while trying to keep their age-old traditions alive.

To the east of Baffin Bay, discover Disko Bay, scattered with countless icebergs produced by the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the ship, admire the majestic ballet of these ice giants as they slowly drift across the dark waters. 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.

On the southern coast of Disko Island lies Qeqertarsuaq, 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. This site is a natural marvel of Greenland, and is renowned as an observation point for the region’s many humpback whales. The possible encounters with wildlife and stunning landscapes in the heart of this spectacular and fragile natural environment will be moments of sheer wonder for you, particularly from the top of the Lyngmark Glacier, which offers breathtaking views of the stunning and varied landscapes of Disko Bay and Disko Island.

“The most beautiful place in the Arctic” is how Paul-Émile Victor described Greenland, a land of great icebergs and of towering ice formations calved by the giant glaciers of the polar ice cap. The Eqi Glacier is one of the region’s most impressive sights. Here, the silence is broken only by the roaring and cracking of the ice. It is impossible to know if one is shivering from cold or from the sheer thrill of being here… Imagine the vast outline of a glacier, its translucent crystals glowing with an ice-blue fire in the sunlight. Paul-Émile Victor’s shelter cannot be overlooked; it was from here that the French Polar Expeditions’ anthropological and geographic explorations set off in the 1950s.

The glacier that calves in the majestic Upernavik Fjord is extremely active. Sail between the gigantic icebergs drifting in this large bay, scattered with around 100 tiny islands, home to a number of marine mammals such as the beluga or the narwhal. The fjord, which has always been frequented by hunters, bears the name of a neighboring village, which means “the region of spring.” It is in this dynamic area that Ponant is working to preserve Inuit culture and contributes to the transmission of artisanal know-how through its participation in the Upernavik Fablab, an innovation that combines tradition and modernity, respecting the pioneer spirit and adaptive capacities of the Inuit populations.

Well beyond the Arctic Circle, in the majestic landscapes of Greenland’s Northwest, find the village of Kullorsuaq, the last bastion of Greenland’s traditional hunters. Here find Greenland’s true character… Vast mineral expanses, sumptuous mountains, impressive glaciers and, above all, the local population which still lives off fishing and seal or bear hunting. Hospitality and respect for nature are essential elements in the daily lives of these men and women, who live an austere life. Drop anchor in this remote part of the world and set off to discover these friendly people who are also talented craftsmen, deftly sewing the furs and skins of marine mammals. This will be a unique and authentic experience.

Some places in this world are so magical that their beauty cannot be described in words… Savissivik, a small Inuit village with less than a hundred inhabitants, is one such place. Rightly considered to be the biggest iceberg graveyard in Greenland, it is a stunning sight to behold. During a Zodiac outing, sail between these icy giants. Once on land, hike to a viewpoint from which to enjoy breathtaking views over these icebergs, which come in an incredibly diverse range of shapes and colors. Photographers will love it. Savissivik Bay attracts many bears and is also known for having been the home of one of the world’s biggest meteorites, but the latter has now been moved to a museum in New York.

On Baffin Island, located in northern Canada at the mouth of the famous Northwest Passage, there is a small Inuit settlement at the very bounds of infinity. To get there, cross the Arctic Circle, the imaginary line that separates man and woman from lands of mystery and wonder. It’s not so much the way of life that sets Pond Inlet’s inhabitants apart, so much as the setting. Snow-capped mountains, fjords and glaciers combine in a dazzling natural environment that fills space and expands time. Some discoveries change one forever; this is one of them.

Beechey Island, at the eastern end of Resolute Bay, will call to mind some of the most important moments of Franklin’s expedition. Sir John set off in 1845 in search of the mythical Northwest Passage and was forced to take shelter in Erebus Harbor for two long years, while he waited for the ice floes to recede and allow him a way through. It is a spectacular location; seeing the three wooden grave markers, bleached by the sun (indicating the burial places of at least three of Captain Franklin’s men), and visiting the memorial that has been erected in memory of Franklin and his men can only reinforce the hushed sense of reverence. The surrounding wilderness impresses while the ochre and yellows of the rocky desert soften the landscape.

The ice floe gradually appears as the ship approaches Somerset Island, in the heart of the Northwest Passage. In a Zodiac dinghy, land on Fury Beach, a place with a rich history where the English explorer William Edward Parry ran aground in 1825. He left materials and supplies here in order to help the next expeditions that would pass by this site. During a hike around the majestic canyon of Fury Beach, be dazzled by the surprising landscape: the turquoise green water and sheer cliffs are reminiscent of the Grand Canyon or the High Atlas in Morocco. With luck, come across a family of polar bears roaming the enormous ice floes. A sublime hike; a sense of wonder is guaranteed.

Discover Fort Ross, the last trading post established by the Hudson’s Bay Company. Constructed in 1937, it was used as a fur and whaling trading post at the same time. Fort Ross, located on a small island at the entrance to the Bellot Strait, is still home to this former store as well as the house for the manager and staff. The interior of these two buildings has been damaged over time and by the presence of polar bears. After a short walk towards the summits of the island, enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view over the Bellot Strait and surrounding area.

A key stage in the Northwest Passage, the Bellot Strait, crossed by strong currents, promises an unforgettable sailing experience. The entrance to the strait is dominated by the Ross Cairn. The buildings of Fort Ross also stand not far from here. Separating Somerset Island from the Boothia Peninsula, this roughly one-mile-wide strait was discovered in 1852 by Captain William Kennedy of the Royal Navy, and the Frenchman Joseph-René Bellot, during an expedition in search of Sir John Franklin. Discover a magnificent décor covered in snow, fragmented by large ice floes; sail between them and perhaps be accompanied by a few polar bears.

Discovered by the Scottish explorer John Ross in 1830, King William Island was named in honor of the reigning British King. In September 1903, Captain Roald Amundsen was the first to drop anchor at Gjoa Haven, the only inhabited part of the island, where a few Inuit were the only sign of human life. The Norwegian sailor decided to overwinter here for two years, to attempt to find the location of the mysterious Magnetic North Pole. Roald Amundsen interacted with the local Inuit to learn how to survive in these extreme conditions and freezing temperatures. Discover this small hamlet in the Nunavut region, located just above the Arctic Circle. Do not miss this unique opportunity to discover these forgotten lands.

Make the most of the plethora of services and activities on board during this day at sea. Enjoy a workout class in the fitness center, or a treatment in the spa. Take in lectures or shows, do some shopping in the boutique or meet the ship’s photographers. Visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Fall under the charm of small and uninhabited Edinburgh Island, in Nunavut. Blueberries, crowberries, arctic willow, cranberries: vegetation rules the roost here, with no fewer than 19 types of dwarf shrubs, berries and flowers identified. In autumn, these species are adorned with shimmering colors that produce a magnificent picture. The tundra, dotted with red and yellow touches, competes in its beauty with the superb ochres of the sandy beaches and the dark tones of the surrounding cliffs. At the end of a walk towards the heights of the island, enjoy a superb panorama with a view over lakes, sea and basalt mountains. An enchanting place, frequented by caribous, peregrine falcons, reindeer, arctic foxes and hares.

Set off to meet the inhabitants of Holman for an unforgettable moment in the midst of a welcoming community. With some 500 inhabitants, this hamlet located on the west of Victoria Island has learned how best to adapt to an at times harsh environment and a difficult climate. While visiting this village in the Canadian Far North, admire the prints and other objects created by the very rich local craftsmanship. Traditional singing and dancing are also part of the daily life of this commune, to the great delight of fans of Inuit culture. The village of Holman, also called Ulukhaktok, is one of those places in which one can share an authentic experience in a remote land.

In the far north of the Northwest Territories, nestled at the junction of the Amundsen Gulf, the Smoking Hills astonish, intrigue and captivate. Considered one of the most fascinating and mysterious phenomena on the planet, this geological paradise, where dozens of kilometers of smoke columns emanate from impressive cliffs colored in ochre and crimson, take visitors on a timeless journey. Spotted for the first time by the British navigator John Franklin during an exploration of the region in 1826, these smoking strata of hydrocarbons result from the chemical reaction between the oil shales and the lignite deposits, a mix of clay shale and pyrite that spontaneously ignites on contact with air, causing this unique natural phenomenon.

Enjoy a day of exploration in Jesse Harbor, which is home to herds of musk oxen. The expedition team will scout the area early in the day to offer options off the ship. Possibilities include Zodiac cruises to observe seals and other animals living among the ice floe, or various guided hikes ashore. It should be kept in mind that on expedition cruises, wildlife observations can vary according to different parameters such as weather and visibility.

This large bay, 30 miles long and 25 miles wide, is located in the Northwest Territories, in Canada. It was given its name in 1826 by the naturalist John Richardson, in honor of the British polar explorer Sir John Franklin. Franklin Bay always offers fine occasions to come across marine mammals. During a cruise here, also see the famous smoke column show at Smoking Hills, which are cliffs made of sulphur and lignite in beautiful yellow, ochre and brown colors.

The Canadian Arctic Archipelago is composed of a myriad of islands and reveals landscapes one can only see at this far end of the world. Come and discover the small Canadian island of Herschel, a frozen paradise located in the Beaufort Sea, within the Ivvavik National Park. During an expedition in 1826, Sir John Franklin was the first European to lay eyes on these unique places and their inhabitants, the Inuvialuit, the Nordic cousins of the Inuit. It was during this trip that he named the island after one of his friends, John Herschel, a brilliant British astronomer and scientist. Herschel Island is a landmark in the West Arctic and has since served alternately as a whaling station, a relay station and a refuge for travelers.

Delimited by the entrance to the Northwest Passage and the Amundsen Gulf to the east and by Canada’s Yukon and Northwest Territories to the west, the Beaufort Sea makes up part of the (almost) inaccessible Arctic Ocean. Due to its extreme weather conditions, it was not explored until 1914, by the Canadian explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson. However, it was named after Francis Beaufort, a British admiral and hydrographer. Sail on these remote waters strewn with a mosaic of ice resulting from sea-ice breakup. Surrounded by this stunning scenery, possibly spot a few belugas and bowhead whales, established in colonies in the region.

Situated in the Bering Sea, King Island was discovered in 1778. It is named after James King, a crew member of the expedition led by James Cook. King Island was inhabited by a group of Inupiat until the mid-20th century; their now-abandoned village was called Ukivok.  This island with steep cliffs which still bears traces of human passage, such as the hunting camps established centuries ago by the Inupiat, is home to several bird species (tufted and horned puffins, black-legged kittiwakes and thick-billed murres).

Located along the Bering Strait, Nome offers the rustic charm of a former gold-mining town, set in the middle of magnificent wilderness. Weave in and out of the brightly colored houses to discover the pioneering legacy that still marks local traditions. Fishing, reindeer rearing, sledge-racing… People here live from their manual labor. The surrounding plains provide stunning vantage points for observing arctic fauna.