INUIT SPRING OF AMMASSALIK
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11 DAYS
After the long winter, a thick coat of ice preserves the shores of the East coast of Greenland. These shores have long been coveted by the great explorers and approaching them means being in tune with powerful yet fragile nature; only the present matters here. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, designed for polar exploration, you will explore the hypnotic and icy landscapes of the AmmassalikandBlosseville regions. Respectfully access these exceptional lands, which are inaccessible to traditional ships during the spring. The uncertainty here offers surprises and immaqa (perhaps, in Inuktitut) moments frozen in time. As is taught by Inuit wisdom, life thrives on the present moment.
The colourful traditional houses make the isolated villages stand out in the surrounding whiteness. The Inuit men perpetuate their traditions, such as hunting on dog sleds. An outing alongside the last hunters of the polar region will have you intoxicated by various sensations aboard this ancient means of transport. Among the first outside visitors of the season, you will be warmly welcomed by the community. During privileged exchanges mixed with joyful and authentic moments, you will learn about the village customs on the ice floe. Inuit hospitality is no myth, it is given in the warmth of a look or an exchanged smile.
Walk through different states and forms of ice, a constantly evolving spectacle. You’ll have opportunities for exploration among the fields of ice and the scenery of the hummocks that are as sublime as they are chaotic. Enjoy an outing by kayak or zodiac in a open water surrounded by ice, or a polar hike to approach the icebergs caught in the ice floe. Look out for flock of eiders flying above the horizon, a majestic blue whale hugging the waves, or a polar bear.
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Reykjavik, Iceland | Embark in the evening, settle in and relax onboard starting your voyage |
| Day 2 | Denmark Strait | Sailing through the Denmark Strait |
| Days 3 - 8 | Ammassalik Region | Be in awe of the Alphine Mountains merging from the sea, deep fjords, drifting icebergs and discovering Inuit culture from the communities |
| Day 9 | Blosseville Coast | Experience this wild and hard-to-reach place that few are lucky enough to explore |
| Day 10 | Denmark Strait | Sailing through the Denmark Strait, world’s largest waterfall, numerous cetacean species thriving in this rich ecosystem. |
| Day 11 | Reykjavik | Disembark early morning Reykjavik |
Ship Offering This Itinerary
Le Commandant Charcot
Hailing as the world’s first hybrid luxury polar exploration vessel, the Le Commandant Charcot combines the top tier of luxury with sustainable development at the heart of the design. Equipped with 135 luxury staterooms featuring elegant and warm stone, wood and leather detailing’s to reflect the natural environment that the ship will be sailing in, the Le Commandant Charcot is setting a new level for opulence in the polar regions. Guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to places to relax and unwind on-board with an abundance of social areas to choose from ranging from two pools (indoor and outdoor), a beauty corner, theater, three different lounges, multiple reception areas and different restaurants to choose from.
Day 1 Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. A museum located on ’Oskjuhlið hill, offers views of lush, green landscapes. A little further on 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.
Just outside of the city there’s opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.
Embark in the evening, settle in and relax onboard starting your voyage.
Day 2 Denmark Strait
Lying between Greenland and Iceland, the Denmark Strait was crossed for the first time by theVikings 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 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.
Day 3 Ammassalik Region
Still relatively unknown just a century ago, the east coast of Greenland remains the most authentic and majestic region in the Arctic. Explore this part of the world where the alpine mountains merge intimately with the sea and the fjords are adorned with high, snow-capped peaks and icebergs drifting or trapped in the pack ice. You will slowly immerse yourself in the heart of frozen landscapes of surreal beauty. The infinite variety of textures in the different types of ice creates an ever-changing scenery. Follow in the wake of the famous Pourquoi Pas?, the ship of Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot who set off with his crew in 1934 to land Paul-Émile Victorin Ammassalik. A small island of primitive and wild beauty, for his first ethnographic mission, during which he would study the Ammassalimiut, a little-known Inuit community. In this deceptively frozen landscape, the silence is broken only by the sounds of dogs and the grating of sled runners against the ice. You will receive a warm welcome in villages still protected by the fast ice. You will have the opportunity to discover the Inuit culture’s ancestral traditions during joyous and authentic moments shared with the communities.
Day 9 Blosseville Coast
Aboard your ship, follow in the footsteps of Jules Poret de Blosseville, a French explorer and sailor. In 1833, aboard La Lilloise, he set off to discover this isolated and unexplored part of eastern Greenland and gave French names to various sites on the coast. The adventure probably has an unfortunate outcome, since the crew was never found. This uninhabited territory, which now bears his name, lies to the south of Scoresby Sund. Surrounded by ice, icebergs and pieces of pack ice, Blosseville Coast is one of these wild and hard-to-reach places that very few people are lucky enough to explore.
Day 10 Denmark Strait
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.
During your day at sea, make the most of the services and activities on board. Relax in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board.
Day 11 Reykjavik
Disembark early morning in the beautiful vibrant city of Reykjavik. Farewell fellow passengers and crew.