Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

Le Commandant Charcot: The Geographic North Pole & Scoresby Sound

Push the boundaries of navigation and set sail for 90 degrees North! During this exceptional polar exploration, go in search of the mythical Geographic North Pole. Head slowly up through the desert landscapes of the constantly changing ice floe. Your odyssey will continue as you travel down along Greenland, amidst the ice of the Transpolar Drift. Between majestic fjords and encounters with the Inuit culture, the region of Ittoqqortoormiit is rich in rare treasures holding inestimable value.

Aboard 245-guest Le Commandant Charcot, a slow and humble journey awaits you in the heart of a silent world frozen by the extreme cold. Sail among different states and forms of ice and admire, from the reassuring cocoon of the ship, the endless show of the light as it reflects on the opalescent landscapes. Following in the wake of Frederick Cook, Robert Edwin Peary or Roald Amundsen, who were among the many to fight to achieve this elusive goal, you will be part of the few chosen ones to dare the adventure, 435 miles (700 km) from any land.

Sailing back down from the Pole, follow the ice floes along Greenland and reach the region of Ittoqqortoormiit, on the East coast. The eponymous village is located at the entrance to Scoresby Sound, the world’s largest network of fjords. Discover the village customs during privileged exchanges mixed with joyful and authentic moments. Inuit hospitality is no myth, it is given in the warmth of a look or an exchanged smile.

Along the way, benefit from the latest expedition ship technology aboard Le Commandant Charcot, with her onboard safety equipment exceeding both tourism and military criteria and her sustainable features attaining a Clean Ship label. She is the first cruise ship with dedicated wet and dry labs for a team of scientists, and has been specially fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the onboard lectures and opportunities for discussion and citizen science research with these specialists to learn more about the poles. And opt to kayak, snowshoe and even go ice fishing on this incredible journey.

The expedition concludes in Reykjavik, Iceland, where you can explore an entirely new Arctic landscape and city on your own. A similar journey aboard Charcot sails to the North Pole from Longyearbyen and Paris, ending in Reykjavik and sailing along Greenland without stopping there; see Le Commandant Charcot North Pole to Iceland Expedition for details.

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s North Pole cruises, Arctic cruises, Svalbard cruises, Greenland cruises and Arctic expedition trips.