Journey to the Geographical North Pole - Le Commandant Charcot

16 days
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Small Group Tour
Head for 90 degrees North! Since the 16th century, the greatest expeditions have repeatedly attempted to reach the North Pole. This mythical geographic point inspires and attracts as much as it fascinates dreamers and conquerors, seeking out the other side of the world. Following in the wake of Frederick Cook, Robert Edwin Peary or Roald Amundsen, who were am...
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$54,870
From$44,610
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

What's this trip about?

    Head for 90 degrees North! Since the 16th century, the greatest expeditions have repeatedly attempted to reach the North Pole. This mythical geographic point inspires and attracts as much as it fascinates dreamers and conquerors, seeking out the other side of the world. Following in the wake of Frederick Cook, Robert Edwin Peary or Roald Amundsen, who were among the many who sought to achieve this elusive goal, you will be part of the chosen few who will attempt to reach this near-unattainable point, some 700 km from the nearest land. Swept by the winds and the currents, the ice floe is constantly drifting and your ship's Captain will manoeuvre carefully in an attempt to reach the northernmost point of our planet. From Spitsbergen, you will set sail north to the waters at the edge of the Earth, towards landscapes that continually change according to the ice, and the light at play in the skies above. Nature reigns supreme here, sheltering exceptional wildlife; polar bears, seals and a variety of whales call these glacial waters home and you will have a chance to spot them as you journey towards the North Pole - the Holy Grail of all polar explorers. Be among the few people in the world - to go in search of the Geographic North Pole. Perfect your photographic skills - learn from the eye and sound advice of British photo ambassador Ian Dawson Enjoy the rugged and varied landscapes of Spitsbergen - jagged mountain peaks, gigantic glaciers and steep-sided cliffs that reach down to the sea Incredible wildlife - polar bears, seals, whales and a prolific array of Arctic birdlife

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityParis
End CityParis

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Norway
  • France

Attractions

  • Longyearbyen
  • Paris
  • Spitsbergen
  • Svalbard

Activities

  • Hiking

Itinerary

Day 1 Fly from Paris to Longyearbyen. Embark Le Commandant Charcot.

Fly from Paris to Longyearbyen, ready for embarkation aboard the luxurious Commandant Charcot. Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard's main island and is the northernmost territorial capital on Earth. With winter temper...

Day 2 At sea along Spitsbergen

Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, its name meaning pointed mountains, 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. Between millennial glac...

Day 3 Navigating through the sea ice

Enjoy the unique experience of sailing to the heart of the ice floe, a vast expanse of pure, immaculate ice.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 Navigating through the sea 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 magical maritime moments in the midst of drifting sea ice.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 Navigating through the sea ice

You will also have the opportunity to spot some of the Arctic wildlife, dependent on the ice and sea conditions.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 Navigating through the sea ice

Perfect your photographic skills in the on-board workshops with photo ambassador Ian Dawson.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 Navigating through the sea ice

Enjoy engaging lectures delivered by the expedition crew, who will impart their knowledge of the local wildlife, geological features and the exploration history of this region.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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 co...

Day 9 Navigating through the sea ice

We travel through the pack ice and make our way back to the shores of Spitsbergen.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10 Navigating through the sea ice

Enjoy further on-board lectures from your naturalist guides and expedition crew.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 Navigating through the sea ice

Use the time at sea to organise your photographs from your remarkable adventure to the Northern tip of the Earth.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12 Navigating through the sea ice

Spend time sampling the ship's facilities, enjoy a dip in the indoor pool or a massage or sauna session.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 13 Navigating through the sea ice

Position yourself out on deck, with a warm hot chocolate and enjoy the passing scenery and wildlife.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14 At sea along Spitsbergen

Look out for more Arctic wildlife as you reach the rugged shores of Spitsbergen; walrus, seal and perhaps even polar bear can be spotted from the deck of the ship.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15 At sea along Spitsbergen

We will sail past steep rock faces, bursting with birldlife; see and hear the countless kittiwakes as they nest high on the cliffs above. Enjoy the calls of fulmars and ivory gulls, as they circle in the skies around you. Your expedition crew will delight you with fur...

Day 16 Arrive Longyearbyen. Fly to Paris.

We arrive back to Longyearbyen in the early morning and disembark at 8 a.m, shortly after breakfast on board. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Paris, where the trip comes to a close.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $44,610
Price per day$2,788
Last Updated: 4/25/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

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Explore!

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About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


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Logistics

Transportation & Flights

Le Commandant Charcot, Zodiac,

Transportation & flights

Le Commandant Charcot, Zodiac
Guides
Expedition Crew, Naturalist(s)
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 15
  • Dinner : 15
  • Lunch : 14
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
explore-CCNP

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