STYLE: Expedition Cruise
Trip Code: ACTSBBS
DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 Light Adventure)
SHIP: L'AUSTRAL
Canadian Arctic, Greenland
12/07/2023
Cabin on board ship
Discover the incredible beauty of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic on this 14-day Arctic adventure. Majestic icebergs, the vast Greenland ice sheet and the surreal beauty of Ilulissat Icefjord are all waiting to greet you as you set sail from Kangerlussuaq. Greenland is the land of immense table icebergs, towering ice formations and remote villages where the last bear hunters and narwhal fishers reside. Learn about the Inuit culture amongst the remains of ancient Inuit civilisations and marvel at the magical iceberg graveyard of Savussivik. Then on to the Canadian Arctic to explore Baffin Island and Ninginganiq Wildlife Area, home to bowhead whales, ringed seals, narwhals and polar bears. Stunning landscapes, enthralling wildlife and fascinating culture make this a trip of a lifetime.
Single Supplement waived on selected departures & cabins. Offer is only available until sold out on selected voyages and strictly limited availability. Not available on some premium suites and triple/quad share. Prices are subject to change until the time of booking and terms and conditions apply. Please contact us for more information and enquire for details of offers and available dates.
Flight from Paris to Kangerlussuaq is included in your cruise package and it is highly recommended to arrive in Paris the day before this flight.
On arrival at Kangerlussuaq, you will be met and transferred to the pier. Embarkation time is between 4.00pm and 5.00pm, at which time cabins and suites will be ready to check in to. The vessel will depart at 6.00pm.
From 1941 to 1992, the town of Kangerlussuaq in Greenland was home to an American military base. Nowadays, thanks to its international airport, it has become a transit point for travellers seeking adventure in the Far North. Located to the north of the Arctic Circle, this town is the starting point of magnificent discoveries surrounded by unspoiled nature. Indeed, just a few dozen kilometres from there it is possible to get close to the Greenland ice sheet, the largest body of ice in the Northern Hemisphere. From Kangerlussuaq, admire also the superb landscapes of tundra in autumnal colours, where Arctic hares, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, reindeer, falcons and eagles live.
During your cruise, we invite you to 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, colourful stilt houses dot the undulating landscape, and the small fishing port stands as the gateway to an icy realm. As for the town centre, 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 your ship drops anchor here, you will set out to meet the locals in a typically arctic atmosphere.
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.
To the east of Baffin Bay, discover Disko Bay, scattered with countless icebergs produced by the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From your 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.
During your cruise along the Greenland coast, we invite you to discover the Karrat Fjord. Located in the north of the famous Uummannaq Bay, it stretches out towards the ice sheet. As you sail in this exceptional setting, take the time to admire the beautiful icebergs that surround you, as well as the sheer cliffs that tower along the fjord.
Well beyond the Arctic Circle, in the majestic landscapes of Greenland’s Northwest, you will find the village of Kullorsuaq, the last bastion of Greenland’s traditional hunters. Here is where you will 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, who live an austere life. When we drop anchor in this remote part of the world, 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 your Zodiac® outing, you will sail between these icy giants. Once on land, you can hike to a viewpoint from which to enjoy breathtaking views over these icebergs, which come in an incredibly diverse range of shapes and colours. 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 the southern coast of Devon Island, Dundas Harbour, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police post in the early 20th century, keeps watch over the entrance to the Northwest Passage. This site has been frequented for centuries by the Inuit, who call it Talluruti - or “woman’s chin with tattoos on it” in Inuktitut - in reference to the lines of the landscape which are reminiscent of their traditional tattoos. Its hills, covered in taiga reflecting greens, browns and golds, are edged by the deep navy waters of a bay dotted with white and turquoise ice floe glistening in the sunlight.
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 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 you forever: this is one of them.
All around you is a raw landscape of spectacular beauty. Nothing seems to want to disturb the silence. You are in the Sam Ford Fjord, on the east coast of Baffin Island. Located only a few kilometres away from the Inuit community of Clyde River, this fjord has the kind of world’s end appearance that only the Arctic lands can offer. From your ship, allow yourself to be dazzled by the series of vertiginous cliffs plunging into the waters of the fjord. These impressively high walls of rock, known worldwide to climbing enthusiasts, are reflected in the waters of the fjord, as though to completely shift perspectives and blur the lines between land and sea.
Welcome to the kingdom of the cetaceans! Here, those who love the giants of the Arctic won’t know where to look. Isabella Bay is in fact part of the Ninginganiq National Wildlife Area, one of the finest places to observe bowhead whales. From your ship, watch the sumptuous ballet performed by these impressive mammals. With undersea faults over 300 metres deep, Isabella Bay, located on the north-east coast of Baffin Island, attracts cetaceans which come here to feed. In addition to the bowhead whales, the uncontested stars of these parts, the Ninginganiq Wildlife Area is also home to ringed seals, narwhals, polar bears, king eiders, little auks and northern fulmars.
Located on the east coast of Baffin Island, in Nunavut, Kivitoo is a simultaneously calm and unsettling place that you will explore with your naturalist-guides. This former Inuit camp lying in the heart of a heathland landscape was abandoned in 1923. Here you will pass before a broken-down cabin surrounded by metal tanks that stored whale oil at the time when cetacean hunting was in full swing. You will see walrus skulls and the graves of Inuits, revealing their past presence. Kivitoo had its days of technological glory in the 1950s, with the installation of an American radar station on top of the mountain overlooking the area.
Itilleq is a tiny island lying within the Arctic Circle, 45 km south of Sisimiut. Home to barely 100 people, they mainly earn a living from fishing and hunting in their typical Greenlandic village, whose bright colours evoke those of their traditional clothing. During your visit, you will maybe have the pleasure of playing a game of football with them, enjoying a “kaffemik” (a coffee break) or a moment of contemplation when the gentle light of the midnight sun dapples the horizon.
Disembarkation is scheduled for 7.00am. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Paris which is included in your cruise package. It is highly recommended that you schedule your departure from Paris for the next day.
Undertake this incredible voyage on board the L'Austral, a luxury mega-yacht, combining the latest technology to offer an elegant and luxurious sailing experience.
Encounter unique wildlife of the region including ringed seals, narwhal, whales and polar bears.
Experience the dynamic landscapes of the Greenland Coast, as you sail through massive ice bergs, glaciers and unique colorful fishing villages set in the backdrop of amazing mountains.
You will sail through Disko Bay, a UNESCO world heritage site, home to some of the largest icebergs in the Northern hemisphere.
The French ship L’Austral is a sleek mega-yacht that blends luxury with intimacy and well-being. It offers an elegant ambiance and refined personalized service combined with gastronomic cuisine. Chic yet casual, L’Austral can accommodate up to 264 passengers in 132 outside cabins ranging from suites to staterooms. The ship has 7 decks with elevators connecting all decks. Features of the ship include an open air bar, sundeck, pool, library, internet station, panoramic lounge and terrace, fitness centre, beauty corner and medical centre in addition to the main lounge and lecture theatre. There are 2 restaurants, the Gastronomic Restaurant serving French and International cuisine, with the Grill Restaurant serving buffet lunches and themed dinners outside.
Ice Class:
Length: 142 m (466 ft)
Breadth: 18m (59 ft)Max
Draft: Cruising
Speed:
Electricity: Passenger
Capacity:264
View Ship Details
We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
Optional Activities vary for each itinerary. Limited spaces available. Contact your Destination Specialist for pricing & availability.
Experience the unforgettable thrill and serenity of kayaking in Antarctica as part of a small, expertly guided paddling group.
Learn MoreBaffin Bay Secrets | L'Austral from AUD 26,460 | ||
Departing | Ending | Duration |
---|---|---|
12 Jul 2023 | 25 Jul 2023 | 14 |
Cabin accommodation on board L'Austral
All meals whilst on board including snacks
All scheduled landings and excursions
Expedition jacket provided (yours to keep)
Pair of expedition boots for use during your voyage
Group transfer to/from pier
Guiding by experienced expedition leader and team
All port fees
All landing fees
Open bar (excluding premium brands)
Flight from Paris to Kangerlussuaq on embarkation day
Flight from Kangerlussuaq to Paris on disembarkation day
Exclusions
Airfares from disembarkation city
Visa fees (if applicable)
Travel insurance
Personal expenses, such as laundry, onboard communication (telephone calls, faxes and email service)
Gratuities for the crew
Pre or post cruise travel expenses
Optional activities, refer to optional activities section for details.
Available upon request, contact us for more details.
Return charter flights from Paris are included in cruise cost. Highly recommend to arrive in Paris on day prior to commencement of itinerary.
Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions.
Departure date, season and availability.