North Pole Icebreaker Expedition

You will embark the icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot in Longyearbyen, in the late afternoon. Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. Once on board you will have some time to get settled and explore the ship and its many facilities. That same evening, your voyage will start as the ship heads north!

Being the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, Spitsbergen is the last piece of land before the Arctic ice floe. Aboard your ship, you will sail along the extremely spectacular coastline of this icy land. This unique setting of glaciers and mountains is home to many polar animals, offering you the possibility of taking fabulous photos from the deck of the ship.

Note: A flight from Paris to Longyearbyen is included in the cruise fare. For passengers in transit in Paris, we recommend staying one night in Paris before the flight to Longyearbyen. 

The first day(s) of your voyage you will spend at sea. Out here in the arctic ocean, there is always a good chance of spotting sea birds and different species of whales. So it’s worth being out on deck to see what wildlife you might be able to spot. At some point, the ship will reach the pack ice. Sailing through the vast, pristine expanse of ice is a thrilling experience. The landscape is constantly changing, from a smooth, flat expanse to a chaos of icebergs and open water leads. The icebreaker will use these leads, which are already naturally open, and areas of thinner ice to offer you magical moments of navigation amidst drifting patches of sea ice. It’s a priority is to preserve the multi-year fast ice, a vital habitat for marine wildlife, as much as possible.

Expect to spend a lot of time outside, standing at the bow or looking over the railing. The sensation of being on deck while the ship is moving forward feels surreal and is simply unforgettable. Even this far north, it is possible to spot polar bears and walruses on the pack ice.

The geographical North Pole is situated at 90° North latitude. At this point of our planet, the sun will not set for 6 months during summer, while in winter it will be dark for 24 hours per day. So far, only a few people have ever been lucky enough to visit this mythical location, as only a handful of voyages sail this far north each year.

When the icebreaker arrives at the North Pole, it will find a sturdy stretch of ice in order for all passengers to disembark onto the frozen sea. Reaching the very top of the planet earth is for many travelers a much-anticipated moment. You will have plenty of time to wander around and take pictures of this unique moment in your life. If there are any gaps in the ice, you might even get the change to take a polar plunge into the icy water!

After this incredible time at the North Pole, it is time for the ship to set course to the south, back to Svalbard. But that does not mean that your journey is over. As you explore the beautiful North Pole region, you can learn more about the research projects being carried out by the scientific mission on board. Accompanied by our naturalist experts, you will discover unique ecosystems, and gain a better understanding of the polar world and the issues involved in transforming it.

Back in the archipelago of Svalbard, you will explore more or Spitsbergen. Aboard your ship, you will sail along the spectacular coastline of this icy land. Between thousand-year-old glaciers and carved mountains, you will discover a jagged coastline carved out by fjords. It’s a unique setting, home to a particularly rich variety of birdlife. You might be able to observe arctic terns or seals on the rocky coastline.

This region will also fascinate you with its numerous historical sites, reminders of the whale hunters and those involved in the first expeditions to the North Pole in the 17th century.

After this great expedition cruise to the North Pole, it sadly is time to disembark your ship. Disembarkation will be in the early morning in Longyearbyen. You can look back to a marvelous trip tot he top of the world!

Note: A flight from Longyearbyen to Paris is included in the cruise fare. For passengers in transit in Paris, we recommend staying one night in Paris after the expedition.