Imagine a place where the vast, untouched wilderness stretches as far as the eye can see, where towering glaciers carve through rugged landscapes and the air is crisp and pure. Welcome to the Arctic—a land of breathtaking contrasts and raw, untamed beauty that beckons to the adventurous spirit within us all.
Picture yourself standing beneath the radiant light of the Midnight Sun, its golden glow illuminating the landscape in an endless twilight. Feel the wonder as you embark on a journey through ice-covered fjords, where the only sounds are the gentle lapping of the sea against ancient icebergs and the distant calls of Arctic wildlife.
In the Arctic, every moment is a reminder of the planet’s majesty. Watch as polar bears roam their icy domain, majestic and powerful, yet incredibly graceful. Witness the playful antics of seals and the awe-inspiring migration of caribou across the tundra. This is a place where nature reigns supreme, and the sense of wonder is boundless.
Whether you’re exploring the historic pathways of early explorers, marvelling at the stunning panoramas from the deck of an icebreaker, or simply breathing in the pristine air, the Arctic promises an experience unlike any other. It’s a journey that challenges, inspires, and transforms, leaving you with a profound connection to the natural world and a heart full of unforgettable memories.
PONANT takes you up close and personal with unspoiled nature and ancient cultures, far from the beaten path taken by other cruises. With almost 20 years of experience in extreme regions, PONANT is a true Polar Specialist.
From Summer 2026 Ponant are offering over 35 voyages to the Far North, with iconic itineraries for you to discover or rediscover.
Witness the largest icebergs in the Northern Hemisphere in Disko Bay, sail along the fjords of Spitsbergen, meet the local Inuit of Greenland, search for polar bears on the ice floe, set course for the Geographic North Pole aboard Le Commandant Charcot, hike at the heart of Canada’s vibrantly coloured natural environment… There are a host of unforgettable experiences to enjoy with PONANT.
Discover more about these incredible Arctic destinations and start planning your next adventure today!
Greenland – May to August 2026
Follow the magical route of the Vikings and discover Inuit culture on board Le Commandant Charcot from May onwards. Be embraced by mountains softened by glaciers to the Arctic Mountain range’s steep slopes and Thule’s high Arctic tundra, you will sail through the polar region’s most spectacular landscapes, and along the way keep your eyes open on the amazingly rich fauna populated by polar bears, musk ox and Arctic wolves.
Iceland – May to August 2026
Enjoy a combination of adventure and discovery in the company of an experienced team of naturalist guides, anthropologists, ornithologists and marine mammal specialists…
Fall under the spell of Iceland’s wild and romantic landscapes, with vast glaciers, dizzying fjords, massive volcanoes, and bubbling geysers. Iceland offers breathtaking views of the icebergs whose thousand blue glittering reflections dot the horizon, and during the cruise and zodiacoutings, there’s many opportunities to admire an abundant and varied fauna: seals, whales, orcas, not to mention the many species of seabirds.
Geographic North Pole – July & August 2026
Head towards 90° North! Aboard Le Commandant Charcot sail the waters at the edges of the Earth, towards landscapes that change constantly according to the ice and the plays of light. Nature reigns supreme, sheltering exceptional wildlife such as polar bears, seals or even whales! Explore this silent world, frozen by the cold, as these cruises attempt to reach the Grail of all polar explorers: the North Pole!
Spitsbergen – June and July 2026
Spitsbergen, meaning ‘pointed mountains’, awaits you with its abundance of wildlife such as whales, Svalbard reindeer, walrus, polar bears, and more. Embark on a journey in search of wildlife in a surreal setting including mountains streaked with white snow, endless fjords, and massive glaciers.
Canada Saint Pierre & Miquelon – From July to October 2026
Sailing between Iceland and Canada via the stunning landscapes of Greenland. Immerse yourself in the wide-open spaces of North America and visit some fascinating historic sites. It is also an opportunity to discover Montreal, Quebec, Boston, Toronto, and more.
Baffin Bay & Northwest Passage – August 2026
Discover Baffin Bay and the legendary Northwest Passage. Embarking in Kangerlussuaq for an unforgettable journey in the heart of the most magnificent Arctic landscapes.
Or… You could head South to Antarctica on two incredibly Special Expeditions.
Unexplored Antarctica between Two Continents – Ushuaia – Hobart with Jonathan Shackleton, descendant of Sir Ernest Shackleton and family historian. Departing 16th January 2026 – 31 days
Charcot, Bellingshausen, Dean, Fisher, Ross, Amundsen… Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the names of these legendary explorers resonate at every moment. Thanks to its unique capacity to sail into the very heart of the ice, Le Commandant Charcot invites you, with respect and humility, to set off in the footsteps of these great Antarctic figures during an all-new and unrivalled half-circumnavigation that will sail from the far south of the American continent to Australia. This journey to the boundaries of the known world will take you on a long adventure, where time stands still, where the horizon stretches into infinity to reveal dreamlike landscapes and abundant wildlife.
Antarctic exploration cannot be separated from the pioneers who travelled in these territories at the edges of the Earth. They left their names everywhere. Inaccessible and elusive are certainly the adjectives that best describe these lands that are among our planets most little known and remote. Like a real explorer, you will cross the legendary southern seas of Bellingshausen and Amundsen, approach Marie Byrd Land, one of the last Terra nullius of our planet, and, if conditions allow it, attempt to reach the Charcot Island, enveloped in its blanket of ice. Incredibly significant in the history of South Pole exploration, Ross Sea is also the world’s largest marine protected area, the kingdom of immense wildlife. As a privileged witness, keep a watchful eye and take the time to observe the Antarctic petrels, whales, orcas, seals, and penguins that are found here.
The power of the polar world will conquer you, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the impressive Drygalski glacier scattered with blue, the endless and constant Ross Ice Shelf, the majestic Witkins and Getz ice shelves, and the ice floe taking over the Amundsen Sea. Here and there, you will notice clues to the past presence of Shackleton and Scott who have forever marked this continent of extremes with their historic exploits. At the foot of Mount Erebus, the highest volcano in Antarctica, their memory becomes tangible: the former base camp has remained intact.
On the way back, in the latitudes of the Howling Fifties, Macquarie Island will emerge, with its cliffs battered by the wind, its lush vegetation and its impressive colony of Royal penguins. You will slip out of the polar world, welcomed by this spectacle of abundant nature.
Your cruise will end in Hobart, the Tasmanian capital, which has a captivating history. For those wishing to extend their exploration of the White Continent, the Tasmanian city will also be the departure point for a second half-circumnavigation aboard Le Commandant Charcot that you can discover here, to continue exploring the Antarctic and its mythical regions, heading towards the Cape.
Unexplored East Antarctica & French Southern Lands – Hobart – Cape Town Departing 17th February 2026 – 29 days.
The theatre of mythical expeditions and a refuge for fascinating wildlife that is among the wildest on the planet, East Antarctica is still home to unexplored regions. Enjoy many moments of intense emotions on this 29-day half-circumnavigation of Antarctica, connecting Tasmania to the south of Africa, from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, aboard Le Commandant Charcot, an enveloping cocoon shaped for the highest polar latitudes.
In these preserved lands, the icebergs drift majestically in sparkling waters, while the glaciers slowly flow, revealing the millennia-old secrets they have long kept. An ultimate quest and the promise of unforgettable and novel encounters in the footsteps of the greatest explorers, like Jules Dumont d’Urville, Erich von Drygalski or Douglas Mawson, the Australian legend of polar expedition who wintered at Cape Denison. Throughout your journey, our team of passionate experts will go over all the details of these historic exploits with you while sharing their knowledge of the wildlife and landscapes.
From Hobart, the departure points of many an emblematic polar expedition, set off on a unique polar odyssey, at the boundaries of the world, to admire all this singular territory’s natural treasures. During this unforgettable exploration, paced by the ice conditions between coastal ice floe, drifting icebergs, and the largest polar icecap in the world – the Inlandsis in East Antarctica -, you will journey into this isolated region and make your way past the Australian research stations, Casey, and Davis. Fascinating, bewitching, dizzying… there is no shortage of superlatives to describe Antarctica! In the icy depths of the Southern Ocean, mountains of ice rise like eternal sentinels, and Adelie penguins watch over the ice floe while humpback whales and orcas guide the spirits towards unexplored horizons.
As you sail on to explore the eastern side of the White Continent, the ice floe and the ice disappear to make way for open-water navigation. Le Commandant Charcot will leave the Southern Ocean behind and you will have the chance to reach the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, in the wake of the great explorers who came from Europe in search of Terra Australis Incognita, such as Julien Crozet, Marc Marion Dufresne, Yves de Kerguelen or James Cook. During this all-new cruise in Antarctica, your senses will sharpen, and you will be magnetised by the spectacle of the sparkling ice floe, the majestic tabular icebergs, the monumental ice shelves, and the spectacular polar icecap. A unique moment, suspended in time, where the beauty of the White Continent is revealed in its full splendour.
North or south – your choice!
PONANT offers a unique blend of luxury, adventure, and environmental stewardship with their expedition cruises to the Arctic and Antarctic. Whether you’re drawn by the pristine landscapes, the diverse wildlife, or the allure of the unknown, Ponant’s expert-led journeys provide an unparalleled way to experience the ends of the Earth. Every detail, from the elegant accommodations to the immersive excursions, is designed to create lasting memories.
Next steps
Are you ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime? Discover the untouched beauty of the polar regions with PONANT. For more information or to book your expedition, get in touch with our expert team today. Let us help you plan your perfect polar adventure! Call 0800 412 5678 to start planning your unforgettable journey.
