itinerary
Paris to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
We’ll fly from Paris to Longyearbyen in the morning. Upon arrival, enjoy a short excursion in Longyearbyen.
Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. The landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. If you visit in winter, you might also experience temperatures dropping below -40°C. 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.
AT SEA ALONG SPITSBERGEN
The largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, its name meaning “pointed mountains” in German, 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. Between millennial glaciers and rugged mountains, you will discover a jagged coastline, hollowed-out by fjords. A unique setting, the refuge of a particularly rich avifauna, offering you the possibility of taking fabulous photographs from the deck of your ship.
NAVIGATING THROUGH THE SEA ICE
Enjoy the absolutely unique experience of sailing to the heart of the ice floe, this vast expanse of virgin, immaculate 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 magic maritime moments in the midst of drifting sea ice. It will also often be an opportunity to see a particular kind of fauna, totally dependent on the ice floe.
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 covered in ice and remote from any land, has fascinated generations of explorers. So far, only a very few people have ever reached it: an exploit which is now accessible to you aboard Le Commandant Charcot.
NAVIGATING THROUGH THE SEA ICE
Enjoy the absolutely unique experience of sailing to the heart of the ice floe, this vast expanse of virgin, immaculate 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 magic maritime moments in the midst of drifting sea ice. It will also often be an opportunity to see a particular kind of fauna, totally dependent on the ice floe.
AT SEA ALONG SPITSBERGEN
The largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, its name meaning “pointed mountains” in German, 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. Between millennial glaciers and rugged mountains, you will discover a jagged coastline, hollowed-out by fjords. A unique setting, the refuge of a particularly rich avifauna, offering you the possibility of taking fabulous photographs from the deck of your ship.
LONGYEARBYEN, SPITSBERGEN
Disembarkation at 8:00 AM. We’ll transport you to the airport for the flight back to Paris.
Forum
The 2025 North Pole Forum is a world-class event that brings together adventure, sports, environmental and scientific research, global collaboration, and innovative initiatives. It is a groundbreaking gathering of visionaries, scientists, entrepreneurs, and leaders on an extraordinary journey. This transformative expedition aboard the icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot, traveling from Svalbard to the Geographic North Pole and back, serves as the perfect setting for this dynamic and intellectually stimulating summit.
running
Running across the top of the world, with an endless expanse of white in every direction, the Arctic air crisp and sharp, and the snow crunching beneath your feet. The sub-zero temperatures, unpredictable ice, and remote isolation push you to your physical and mental limits. It’s more than a race; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, where every step is a testament to human endurance and resilience.
KAYAKING
You will make the most of the sailing opportunities and weather and ice conditions to glide along on the clear waters or between the ice floes and get as close as possible to the immaculate nature of the poles. Supervised by licensed expert guides, you will try your hand in a kayak- a craft favored by the Inuits for at least 4,000 years. The kayak was initially used for hunting and fishing; for you, it will be a means of making the most of your adventure on the White Continent or in the Far North.
POLAR PLUNGE
Let yourself be seduced by the unrivaled sensations of being surrounded by cold water. Weather and ice conditions willing, you will have opportunities to undertake a unique experience during a polar plunge wearing just your swimming costume, in the middle of the ice. You will be be filled with intense emotions and will fully appreciate the energy boost when warming up after the swim!
HIKING OR SNOWSHOEING
During shore landings, depending on the ecological resilience of the biome, we will propose hikes at different levels, in the company of your experienced naturalist guides. From a simple stroll along the coast to walks lasting several hours to reach particular viewpoints or historical sites, you will make the most of the opportunities provided by the weather and ice conditions. When the itineraries allow, you’ll put on snowshoes* to set off like the explorers of old and discover areas that have barely known Man.
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