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Greenland of Great Explorers | L'Austral

15 Days
From AUD 21,760

STYLE: Expedition Cruise

Trip Code: ACTSGGE

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 Light Adventure

SHIP: L'AUSTRAL

DestinationDestination

Canadian Arctic, Spitsbergen

DestinationDeparture Date

28/06/2023

TransportAccommodation

Cabin on board ship



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OVERVIEW

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON SELECTED DEPARTURES + DOUBLE WELCOME OFFER 

Discover the pristine and unexplored shores of Greenland’s east coast on this 15-day Arctic cruise as you follow in the footsteps of the early explorers. Spectacular scenery awaits, from vast icebergs to tundra, sheer cliffs, rugged mountains, glaciers, fjords and the polar ice cap. Then there is the wildlife - from polar bears to walruses, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, whales and a proliferation of birdlife. Setting sail from Longyearbyen, the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago you head to Jan Mayen Island, where tongues of ice descend from a volcanic summit. On to Greenland’s east coast to explore Scoresby Sund, the isolated town of Ittoqqortoormiit and the wild and remote Blosseville Coast, where the ice sheet meets the sea. Then to Greenland’s west coast, to marvel at the blue-tinged icebergs of Narsaq, before ending your adventure in Kangerlussuaq.

Single Supplement waived on selected departures & cabins. Offer is correct at the time of publishing and only available until sold out on selected voyages and strictly limited availability. Not available on some premium suites and triple/quad share. the Discount is only available on the cabin fare. 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. 

ITINERARY

Longyearbyen

Flight from Paris to Longyearbyen is included in your cruise package and it is highly recommended to arrive in Paris the day before this flight. On arrival at Longyearbyen, 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.

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 below 40°C, 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.

Nestling on the south-east point of the island of Spitsbergen, this small bay shelters an immense glacier, the Vasil’evbreen, whose front is more than 20 kilometres long. This is an opportunity for an unforgettable Zodiac outing. If the conditions allow it, you will be able to land directly at the foot of this majestic glacier, so as to discover the moraine and walk on the first section of the glacier. Depending on the ice conditions, you will also perhaps be lucky enough to approch Stellingfjellet, home to one of the largest guillemot colonies on the archipelago.

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to 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.

The island of Jan Mayen, belonging to Norway, lies hidden off Greenland’s coastlines, lost between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean. This small piece of land is inhabited by only a handful of Norwegian meteorologists. Tongues of ice descend from its volcanic summit, which culminates at 2,227 metres and is covered with a thick glacial coat. These tongues join the sea, between ranges of black volcanic rocks at times tinged with red. If the sky is clement, you will have the chance to glimpse the summit, decked out in magnificent light. The visit of a small fin whale will perhaps enable you to complete this memorable picture.

Take this time at sea to reflect on the journey so far. Enjoy some time with your fellow passengers and crew. Enjoy the ships various offerings.

This is a truly remote and unknown area. The Watkins Range is Greenland's highest mountain range and named after British Explorer, Gino Watkins. Enjoy the peaceful serenity of a land infused with volcanic rock, ice, rugged coastline and towering mountains.

Cruise along ice filled fjords of Tugtilik, also known as Lake Fjord. This uninhabited region is dotted with high mountains and chunks of ice floe. You may even be able to spot the odd seal as they dart below the ice.

Sermilik fjord literally means the 'place with glaciers'. Here you will find several icebergs floating in a channel fed by several glaciers. The unique backdrop snow capped peaks and crystal blue lakes are dotted with sights of colourful towns like Tasilaq.

Welcome to a small protected bay on the eastern coast of Greenland, around 200 km south of Tasiilaq. During this port of call, you will have the opportunity to visit the remains of old peat houses from the Thule civilisation. Then, after sailing through the ice, you will reach the starting point of the very first crossing of the Greenland ice cap, led in 1888 by Fridtjof Nansen, the great Norwegian polar explorer. A magical place where you can climb the gentle slopes of the ice cap’s first foothills to better appreciate its huge size.

Travelling to Nansen Harbor is the guarantee of a voyage back in time and will enable you to discover a superb bay, into which the ice cap plunges directly. Arriving in these parts, you will immediately understand why Fridtjof Nansen chose this place for his ice cap crossing in August 1888. Indeed, it is particularly easy to access the cap from here and you will certainly be able to follow in some of this great Norwegian explorer’s footsteps. A unique experience, one that will definitely delight the most adventurous among you.

Discover Skjoldungen Island on the south-east coast of Greenland. This uninhabited land boasts magnificent landscapes that are sure to dazzle you. The island is surrounded by a stunning fjord, a distinctive feature of which is its double entrance: it forms a bend before joining the sea on the other side. Mountains, glacial valleys, rocky outcrops, tundra and willow forests make up the beautiful scenery which you will be able to admire more closely when you land here. At this port of call, surrounded by wild and pristine nature, it is quite common to see bearded seals, orcas, but also birds such as the common redpoll, the northern wheatear, or the common raven.

Your ship glides silently towards the Greenland coast, in a setting punctuated by pointed peaks and majestic glaciers… You are on the verge of crossing the Prins Christian Sund, a narrow channel that stretches out and zigzags over some one hundred kilometres between Greenland’s south-east and south-west. Fall under the spell of the primitive beauty of these unique landscapes, including rocky cliffs and waterfalls that are fed by the ice sheet and plunge into the icy waters. Here, bearded seals love to lie on the floating ice to soak up the sunshine. If you are lucky, you may get to witness an aurora borealis, a stunning light show put on by the polar night.

From your ship, discover the town of Narsaq. You will be dazzled by the beauty of the surrounding icebergs − large masses of ice in different shapes and shifting colours. Dominated by lush mountains, this small town is typical of Greenland and is located in the heart of a wonderful natural landscape. The multicoloured house facades and the glaciers with their myriad shades of blue offer a magical setting, conducive to wonderment.

Take this time at sea to reflect on your incredible journey so far. Share in the memories you have made with your crew and fellow passengers.

Your ship glides slowly along the water towards the west coast of Greenland, to enter Evighedsfjorden, just a few kilometres south of Kangerlussuaq. Evighedsfjorden means “the fjord of Eternity”, and for good reason: just when you think you’ve reached the end of this stretch of sea measuring over 100 kilometres in length, it seems to go on forever, as though to bring even more pleasure to those sailing in it. The spectacular scenery ranges from glaciers to tundra with an abundant flora, and jagged cliffs where numerous bird species have taken up residence. Take the time to observe the white-tailed eagles and the colonies of seagulls and black-legged kittiwakes flying overhead in the area.

Disembarkation is scheduled for 7 am

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.

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WHY CHOOSE THIS CRUISE?

  • 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 the unique wildlife of the Arctic including musk oxen, Arctic foxes and hares, whales, seals and orcas.

  • You will have the opportunity to delve into the Inuit heritage and traditions of the region as you encounter traditional fishing villages and have the opportunity to speak local residents. 

  • Bare witness to an incredibly diverse array of scenery from rugged mountains deep fjords filled with icebergs and glaciers.

L'AUSTRAL

L'AUSTRAL

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

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Accommodation

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.

Standard

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Superior

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Deluxe

Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Optional Activities vary for each itinerary. Limited spaces available. Contact your Destination Specialist for pricing & availability.

Kayaking

Experience the unforgettable thrill and serenity of kayaking in Antarctica as part of a small, expertly guided paddling group.

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Pricing per person & date

Greenland of Great Explorers | L'Austral from AUD 21,760
Departing Ending Duration
28 Jun 2023 12 Jul 2023 15

Important Information

  • 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 longyearbyen 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.

  • 2 Light Adventure
  • Available upon request, contact us for more details. 

  • Return charter flights from Paris are included in cruise cost. Highly recommended 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.