Modern small ship Le Commandant Charcot with dark blue hull & white upper decks crushes through ice at sunset at the North Pole.
Zodiac boat with North Pole travelers in orange parkas & guide in neon green & black parka sits on an iceberg in the sun.
Charcot North Pole travelers in orange coats walk with long sticks over ice & snow, led by guide in neon & black coat at dusk.
Hearty Arctic homes of different bright colors sit on hillside of tundra in Greenland, seen on a Commandant Charcot cruise.
Group of kayakers in red boats paddle glassy water among icebergs on a Commandant Charcot North Pole & Scoresby Sound cruise.
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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 Le Commandant Charcot, with up to 200 guests aboard her Arctic cruises, 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.

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.



Itinerary

The Geographic North Pole & Scoresby Sound Itinerary

This North Pole expedition cruise begins with a charter flight from Paris, France, and ends by disembarking in Reykjavik, Iceland. Enjoy days at sea along Svalbard, east Greenland and the Arctic ice floe, and a day exploring the Geographic North Pole.

Route map of The Geographic North Pole & Scoresby Sound cruise on Le Commandant Charcot, starting with a flight from Paris, France to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, sailing north to the pole & south along Greenland before ending in Reykjavik, Iceland.
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Day 1
Fly Paris, France, to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen & Embark

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 -104°F, 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.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

dinner

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Day 2
At Sea Along Spitsbergen

The largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, its name meaning “pointed mountains” in German, Spitsbergen is the last piece of land before the Arctic ice floe. Sail along the extremely spectacular coastline of this icy land. Between millennial glaciers and rugged mountains, discover a jagged coastline, hollowed-out by fjords. A unique setting, the refuge of a particularly rich avifauna, offering you the possibility of taking fabulous photographs from the deck of your ship.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 3 - 7
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.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 8
Geographic North Pole

Defined by a 90° North latitude, the Geographic North Pole lies on the Earth’s rotational axis, at the intersection of all meridians. Plunged into darkness for six months of the year, then lit by the sun for the following six months, this mythical site, permanently covered in ice and remote from any land, has fascinated generations of explorers. So far, only a very few people have ever reached it: an exploit which is now accessible to you aboard Le Commandant Charcot.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 9 - 10
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.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 11
At Sea

Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, 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 and discover what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 12
Sailing Ice Floes Along Greenland

The north-east of Greenland is renowned for being home to one of the oldest and thickest layers of ice on the planet. Aboard the ship, have the unique opportunity of sailing to the heart of this icy wilderness, many thousands of years old, and travel along one of the world’s most isolated coasts, between drifting ice and blue icebergs.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 13
Scoresby Sound

Covering an area of 5,290 sq mi (13,700 sq km), Scoresby Sound is the largest and deepest fjord system in the world. Named after the explorer and whale hunter William Scoresby, who mapped the region in 1822, it opens onto the Greenland Sea to the north of the Blosseville Coast. This wild and desert region offers untouched panoramas of infinite beauty, with high snow-capped peaks rising tall alongside icebergs immersed in clear, blue-tinged waters. Rode Fjord and its cliffs colored red by iron ore provide a fascinating setting you will not want to miss. Discovering these stunning places in the wake of great explorers like Captain Charcot, who was deeply attached to the land of the Inuit, inspires a profound reverence.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 14
Ittoqqortoormiit Region

On the East coast of Greenland, in the Ittoqqortoormiit region, 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 colorful 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.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 15
At Sea

Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, 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 and discover what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.

Accommodations

Le Commandant Charcot

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 16
Sailing Through the 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 theatre of a battle between the Kriegsmarine and the Royal Navy, on May 24, 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 17
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, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Charter flight from Paris, France, to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; 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

This Geographic North Pole & Scoresby Sound cruise begins in Paris, France (CDG), 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.

Internal Flights

An Economy class group charter flight between Paris, France, and Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, is included with this trip’s itinerary. The charter flight is unique per departure and details will be confirmed in advance. There is a luggage limit of 50 lbs (23 kg) checked luggage and 18 lbs (8 kg) cabin baggage for Economy class. Additional Economy class baggage allotment can be requested and purchased and is based on availability. Business Class seating is available upon request and may incur an additional charge. The luggage limit for business class is two 50 lbs (23 kg) checked luggage and 22 lbs (10 kg) cabin baggage.

Activities

Various optional, included activities may be available on this Geographic North Pole & Scoresby Sound cruise: kayaking, citizen science, polar plunge, walking, hiking 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

This cruise does not currently have any future departures. View similar North Pole cruises and contact us for details.

Expert Reviews

Reviews from Our Experts So You Know What to Expect

Taylor Cranney • December 2nd, 2022
Expert Review: Going to the North Pole

Hear from Adventure Specialist Taylor Cranney about what it’s really like at the North Pole in this review of her trip. See her impressions from 16 days at sea and who might be cut out for an expedition of this caliber.

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.

Testimonial

Hear It From Travelers Who Have Explored With Us

"Ultimate Polar Bear Viewing"

Once in a lifetime experience! I feel so fortunate to live in an era of travel where the most remote and hard to reach corners of the planet are now accessible to the layperson. I felt like an explorer from the 1900's, but instead I was able to do the trip in an ultra luxurious icebreaker!

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Le Commandant Charcot: The Geographic North Pole & Scoresby Sound