![Cruise to the North Pole](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/North-Pole-©StudioPONANT-Ophelie-Bleunven-2-1024x683.jpg)
Transarctic, the Quest for the Two North Poles - 21 Days
Onboard Le Commandant Charcot – 245 passengers
Join the first voyage to undertake this route across the top of the planet! From the the ice-covered land of Svalbard to the legendary Bering Strait, a link between the East and the West, Le Commandant Charcot will carve out a path through the ice floes, exploring the ice of the Beaufort Sea, and use open water leads to attempt to reach the elusive Magnetic and Geographic North Poles.
Highlights:
- In partnership with The Explorers Club, the ship will host esteemed members of The Explorers Club, renowned for their trailblazing expeditions to the farthest reaches of the globe. Equipped with specialized laboratories onboard, Science Grantees will provide invaluable firsthand knowledge, delving into their ongoing research.
- Be among the few people in the world to go in search of the Geographic & Magnetic North Pole!
- Enjoy the unique experience of sailing through the heart of the ice floe.
- At this time of the year and depending on the opportunities provided by the weather conditions, the possibility of observing the phenomenon of the Northern Lights near the Bering Strait.
- Landscapes: ice floes as far as the eye can see. In Svalbard, jagged mountains, steep-sided valleys, fjords, sheer cliffs, glaciers.
- Wildlife: polar bears, walruses, arctic foxes, reindeer, whales and sea birds.
- Many brand-new activities*: kayaking, hiking or snowshoeing, polar plunge.
*Subject to weather and ice conditions and to sailing opportunities
Tour Dates
-
Sep 5 - Sep 25, 2025 (21 days)
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly from Paris to Longyearbyen for Embarkation
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. Guests should arrive into Paris at least one day prior to Day 1 (hotel nights in Paris not included).
Day 2: Isfjorden
The vast Isfjorden is one of the main fjords in Svalbard. These different branches reach the heart of the island of Spitsbergen. Located deep inside the Billejforden, the Nordenskiöld Glacier with its front of ice, nearly 5 km wide, is one of the most spectacular in the Svalbard Archipelago. You will perhaps have the opportunity to discover the ghost town of Pyramiden. Constructed at the foot of a mountain in the form of a pyramid, this former mining town, founded by Sweden at the beginning of the 20th century before being sold a few years later to the Soviet Union, and abandoned in 1998, has conserved all the buildings from its glory days, when it lived off coal mining.
Days 3: Hornsund
Nestling between millennial glaciers and carved mountains, and considered to be “the crown of Arctic Norway”, Spitsbergen is a place that never sees the night. Your ship will take you closer to this fascinating archipelago and, more particularly, the Hornsund fjord. Considered to be Svalbard’s southernmost fjord, it is especially reputed to be its most stunning: at the end of its vast bay, 8 great glaciers slowly make their way down to the sea before giving way to the many icebergs elegantly drifting along its cold and mysterious waters.
Day 4: Soraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve
The Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve is the second largest protected area in Norway. Established in 1973, this nature conservation area stretching over more than 21,000 km2 will offer you stunning panoramas including coastal landscapes, rocky islets, mountain plateaux, vast tundra plains, and ice floes. With a little luck, you will be able to observe a wide variety of seabirds, given the site is listed as an Important Bird Area, as well as cetaceans, Svalbard reindeer, or even Arctic foxes. Among other things, Edgeoya Island is renowned for providing shelter to a number of polar bears during the breeding season.
Day 5: Sailing the Hinlopen Strait
Sailing in the Hinlopen Strait, in the heart of the Arctic Ocean, between the Norwegian islands of Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet promises an unforgettable experience. This territory of the Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve offers breathtaking panoramas, with magnificent basalt formations and the ice cap stretching as far as the eye can see, diving into the sea. The shore line cut by the fjords moving inland composes a magical landscape in which icebergs float here and there, the result of the calving of the surrounding glaciers. This place, today a popular spot to observe the seabirds nesting in the enormous cliffs, polar bears and walruses, was once intrinsically linked to the history of the whalers who frequented the region from the 17th century. Indeed, it was one of them, Thijmen Jacobsz Hinlopen, then director of a Dutch whaling company, who gave the strait its name. Later on, Russian trappers, European explorers, scientists and even mountaineers roamed this region, as hostile as it is sublime.
Day 6: Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve
The Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve has been protecting the northernmost and coldest part of the archipelago, Nordaustlandet (North East Land), since 1973. This vast polar desert covered by two ice caps is the second largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. Protected by the Gulf Stream, the fjords and cliffs in the west and north are home to large colonies of birds and walruses. The landscapes in the colder east and south are dominated by imposing glaciers that calve majestic icebergs in the vast Hinlopen Strait. Large colonies of thick-billed murres have taken up residence on the sheer cliffs*. You may even get the chance to see a bear or an Arctic fox roaming in the vicinity. *depending on nesting and migration period
Days 7-9: 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.
Day 10: Magnetic North Pole
The convergence point for the field lines of the Earth’s magnetic field, the Magnetic North Pole attracts the magnetic needle of the compass. While the Geographic North Pole is the Earth’s northernmost fixed point, marking the intersection of the Globe’s rotation axis with the Earth’s surface, the Magnetic North Pole moves over time. In fact, it is linked to the Earth’s magnetic field which originates in the Earth’s outer core, which is made up of molten metal and is subject to convection movements. Localised for the first time in 1831, in the Canadian Arctic, it has since moved towards Siberia and thus become closer to the Geographic North Pole. Set off in search of the Magnetic North Pole, try to get closer to it and, if luck allows it, attempt to reach it!
Day 11: Exploring sea ice in the Beaufort Sea
Bordering the north coasts of Alaska and Canada, the Beaufort Sea was feared for centuries because of its extreme climatic conditions. Covered for most of the year with a thick layer of ice, and unexplored until 1914, this part of the Arctic Ocean, named in honour of the British Admiral Francis Beaufort, will reveal its magnificent icy landscapes to you. With a bit of luck, maybe you will cross the path of some polar bears, since the region is renowned for sheltering the Lord of the Arctic.
Day 12: 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.
Days 13-20: Exploring sea ice in the Beufort Sea
Bordering the north coasts of Alaska and Canada, the Beaufort Sea was feared for centuries because of its extreme climatic conditions. Covered for most of the year with a thick layer of ice, and unexplored until 1914, this part of the Arctic Ocean, named in honour of the British Admiral Francis Beaufort, will reveal its magnificent icy landscapes to you. With a bit of luck, maybe you will cross the path of some polar bears, since the region is renowned for sheltering the Lord of the Arctic.
Day 21: Disembarkation in Nome, Alaska & Flight to Seattle
Located along the Bering Strait at the westernmost point of Alaska, Nome offers the rustic charm of a former gold-mining town, set in the middle of magnificent wilderness. As you weave in and out of the brightly coloured houses, you will discover the pioneering legacy that still marks local traditions. Fishing, reindeer rearing, sledge-racing… People here live from their manual labour. The surrounding plains provide stunning vantage points for observing Arctic fauna.
Guests will disembark the ship and take the included flight to Seattle. Guests should stay at least one night in Seattle after this flight (hotel nights in Seattle not included).
We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the coastal ice must be preserved, we will take this into account from day to day in our itineraries. The sailing programme, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. The experiences are unique and vary from day to day and for each departure. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the AECO.
Route Map
![Transarctic, Quest for Two North Poles route map](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Transarctic-Quest-for-Two-North-Poles-route-map-768x633.jpg)
Trips and Rates
Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.
Cabin Descriptions
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/197CHARCOT-TRI21-100251©PONANT-Gilles-Trillardclair.jpg)
Owners Suite
The breathtaking owners suite is at the aft of deck 8 and can accommodate up to 6 guests. Features a bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), a living room with armchairs, two sofa beds, steam fireplace, and second TV, a desk and bookcase, a Samsung tablet connected to Wifi, a dining room with a 6-seater table, two panoramic sliding bay windows, a minibar with RIEDEL crystal glasses, a bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub and a private 2002 sq. ft. (186 m²) terrace with deckchairs, hot tub, two sofas, dining table and a Swarovski Optik ST VISTA telescope. Includes priority boarding, champagne and fruit basket upon arrival, butler service, an assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day, a one-hour spa treatments per person (for 2 people) in the well-being space chosen from the facial and body treatments on offer and two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars. 1237 sq. ft. (115 m²)
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/187CHARCOT-TRI21-100040-1.jpg)
Duplex Suite
There are four two-level Duplex Suite at the aft of deck 6 & 7 accommodating up to 4 guests. Features a bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV, a bathroom with shower and balneo bathtub, a lounge with armchairs, sofa bed, steam fireplace and TV, a dining room with a 6-seater table, five panoramic windows and a glazed panoramic swing door, a minibar with RIEDEL crystal glasses, a Samsung tablet connected to Wi-Fi, and a private 280 sq. ft. (26 m²) terrace with sofa and armchairs and a jacuzzi. Includes priority boarding, champagne and fruit basket upon arrival, butler service, an assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and a basket of fruit every day and two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars.
1001 sq. ft. (93 m²)
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/140CHARCOT-TRI21-109914_Shooting-Deco_CDT-Charcot_Suite-Privilege-825©PONANT-Gilles-Trillard.jpg)
Privilege Suite
There are seven Privilege Suites on Deck 8 accommodating up to 4 guests. Features a bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV, a bathroom with shower and balneo bathtub, a lounge with sofa bed, armchair, and a sliding courtesy door, two panoramic sliding doors and rectangular porthole, a Samsung tablet connected to Wi-Fi and a 135 sq. ft. (12.5 m²) glazed private balcony. Includes priority boarding, champagne and fruit basket upon arrival, butler service, an assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and a basket of fruit every day and two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars.
516 sq. ft. (48 m²)
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/86CHARCOT-TRI21-100169_Shooting-Deco_CDT-Charcot_Suite-Grand-Prestige-632©PONANT-Gilles-Trillard.jpg)
Grand Prestige Suite
There are two Grand Prestige Suites on Deck 6 accommodating up to 2 guests. Features a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), a bathroom with shower and balneo bathtub, a lounge area with chaise longue and second TV, a Samsung tablet connected to Wi-Fi, a panoramic sliding bay window and a 54 sq. ft. (5 m²) glazed private balcony. Includes priority boarding, champagne and fruit basket upon arrival, butler service, an assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and a basket of fruit every day and two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars.
452 sq. ft. (42 m²)
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/111C-TRI21-100317_Shooting-Deco_CDT-Charcot_Suite-Prestige-Connectee_711-709©PONANT-Gilles-Trillard.jpg)
Prestige Suite
Located on decks 7 & 8 and can accomodate up to 4 guests. Features a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), two bathrooms with shower, a lounge with sofa, armchair, TV and sliding courtesy door, two panoramic sliding bay windows and a 108 sq. ft. (10 m²) glazed private balcony.
430 sq. ft. (40 m²)
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/77CHARCOT-TRI21-100233_Shooting-Deco_CDT-Charcot_Suite-Deluxe-742©PONANT-Gilles-Trillard.jpg)
Deluxe Suite
Located on decks 6, 7 & 8 and can accommodate up to 2 guests. Features a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), a bathroom with shower, a lounge area with chaise longue and two armchairs, a panoramic sliding bay window and a 54 sq. ft. (5 m²) glazed private balcony. Accommodates up to 2 guests.
301 sq. ft. (28 m²)
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/116CHARCOT-TRI21-100127_Shooting-Deco_CDT-Charcot_Cabine-Prestige-741©PONANT-Gilles-Trillard.jpg)
Prestige Stateroom
Located on decks 6, 7 & 8 and can accommodate up to 2 guests. Features a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), a bathroom with shower, a panoramic sliding bay window and a 54 sq. ft. (5 m²) glazed private balcony.
215 sq. ft. (20 m²)
Deck Plan
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Charcot-deck-plan.jpg)
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions:
- One-way flight between Paris and Longyearbyen on Day 1 in economy class.
- One-way transfer between the Longyearbyen airport and the pier.
- Accommodation in stateroom.
- Full meal plan.
- Open Bar: beginning with boarding, and during the duration of the cruise, a wide selection of drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, wine, beer, Charles Heidsieck champagne, spirits, coffee, tea) is served on request and at any time of the day. Certain premium alcoholic beverages on the menu are not included in the Open Bar.
- Room service.
- Gratuities.
- Free Wi-Fi internet *traveling in such remote locations internet connections cannot be guaranteed at all times.
- Outings and disembarkations by Zodiac inflatable boat.
- Polar parka.
- Use of rental boots.
- Port fees & taxes.
- One-way transfer from pier to Nome airport.
- One-way flight between Nome and Seattle on Day 21 in economy class.
Exclusions:
- Flights to Paris and from Seattle.
- Pre hotel nights in Paris
- Post hotel nights in Seattle
- Personal expenses such as spa treatments, premium beverages and gift shop purchases.
- Kayaking.
- Any other service not mentioned in the program.
- Trip insurance.
- Passport & visa expenses.
- Government arrival & departure taxes.