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Adelie penguins

Unexplored East Antarctica & French Southern Lands

Hobart, Tasmania - Cape Town - Example 29 Day Cruise aboard Le Commandant Charcot
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Embark on a 29-day half-circumnavigation of Antarctica aboard Le Commandant Charcot, from Tasmania to the southern tip of Africa, crossing the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Encounter icebergs and glaciers in Antarctic lands, following the paths of renowned explorers like Jules Dumont d’Urville and Erich von Drygalski. Depart from Hobart, a historic polar expedition hub, to explore Antarctica's natural wonders. Navigate through coastal ice floes and encounter Australian research stations Casey and Davis. Marvel at the landscapes and wildlife, from Adelie penguins to humpback whales, in the Southern Ocean. Explore the eastern side of Antarctica and transition from ice floes to open waters. Visit the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, witnessing sparkling ice floes and monumental ice shelves. 
Colorful boats in Hobart Harbor, TasmaniaSunset in Indian Ocean is beautiful!Orcas surfaceLook for Gentoo penguinsSnowshoeing!Adelie penguins
Highlights
  • Trace footsteps of explorers like Jules Dumont d’Urville and Erich von Drygalski
  • Set sail from Hobart to delve into the natural wonders of Antarctica
  • Navigate through coastal ice floes and get up close to research stations
  • Marvel at the diverse landscapes and wildlife of the Southern Ocean
  • Explore the eastern side of Antarctica and visit the French Southern
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Hobart, Tasmania | Embark

Known as the capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is often referred to as the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Dubbed "El fin del mundo" by locals, this city rests at the southernmost tip of the world, nestled amidst mountains and surrounded by fertile plains, making it a haven for wildlife. Situated at the unique meeting point where the Andes meet the sea, Ushuaia is renowned for its remarkable location, evoking a sense of adventure and exploration to remote and extraordinary destinations.




 

Day 2-5: At Sea

  • 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Experience extraordinary moments aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the pioneering luxury polar exploration vessel and the inaugural PC2-class polar cruise ship designed to navigate deep into icy realms inaccessible to conventional vessels. Equipped with advanced oceanographic and scientific instruments curated by a panel of experts, Le Commandant Charcot offers onboard lectures and discussions with specialists, providing invaluable insights into polar regions. Join PONANT in advancing scientific research and uncovering the mysteries of these captivating destinations together.

Day 6-7: Adelie Land

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Adelie Land covers around 400,000 km2 (around 250,000 square miles) of the White Continent between the 136th and 142nd meridians longitude East. These lands claimed by France in Antarctica are home, on Petrel Island, to Dumont-d’Urville station, which is named after the eponymous French explorer who investigated the region in 1840. Here, the few resident scientists share the Antarctic desert with Adelie penguins, seals and orcas, as well as emperor penguins during the winter. The extreme climate of this land at the edge of the world, characterised by its very low temperatures and its violent winds or blizzards, make it difficult to access its shores, which are protected by thick ice floe. Be among the rare people to discover this unique place where you will be captivated by the polar silence and the ice reflecting the rays of the sun as you experience the Southern Continent’s powerful fragility.

Day 8: Magnetic South Pole

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The convergence point for the field lines of the Earth's magnetic field, the Magnetic South Pole attracts the magnetic needle of the compass. While the Geographic South Pole is the Earth’s southernmost fixed point, marking the intersection of the Globe's rotation axis with the Earth’s surface, the Magnetic South 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. It was during the French Dumont d’Urville expedition to Antarctica, aboard the famous ships L’Astrolabe and La Zélée, that the hydrographer and engineer Vincendon-Dumoulin made the first calculation of the magnetic inclination that enabled him to localise this pole in 1838. Set off in search of the Magnetic South Pole, try to get closer to it and, if luck allows it, attempt to reach it!

Day 9-10: Adelie Land

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Adelie Land covers around 400,000 km2 (around 250,000 square miles) of the White Continent between the 136th and 142nd meridians longitude East. These lands claimed by France in Antarctica are home, on Petrel Island, to Dumont-d’Urville station, which is named after the eponymous French explorer who investigated the region in 1840. Here, the few resident scientists share the Antarctic desert with Adelie penguins, seals and orcas, as well as emperor penguins during the winter. The extreme climate of this land at the edge of the world, characterised by its very low temperatures and its violent winds or blizzards, make it difficult to access its shores, which are protected by thick ice floe. Be among the rare people to discover this unique place where you will be captivated by the polar silence and the ice reflecting the rays of the sun as you experience the Southern Continent’s powerful fragility.

Day 11-12: Wilkes Land

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, follow in the footsteps of the American explorer Charles Wilkes, during his USS Vincennes expedition undertaken between 1838 and 1842. A veritable mine of information for scientists, this isolated land - where only moss and lichen have managed to adapt and to take hold, forming the tundra -, promises a unique moment. Under an immaculate white coat, a secret world comes to life: from the icy mountains defying the sky to the vast glaciers, some of which stretch all the way to the Southern Ocean, and the icebergs drifting silently through frozen waters. These landscapes, unlike any other, are sure to captivate you. 

Day 13: Sailing along Shackleton Ice Shelf

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
During this unique navigation, suspended in time, admire the fantastic spectacle of the Shackleton Ice Shelf. In the luxurious comfort of Le Commandant Charcot, specially designed for polar exploration, the vast icy expanses of the Antarctic will unfold before your astonished eyes. The air here is imbued with solemn serenity, only broken by the distant cracking of icebergs drifting along the shelf. You will perhaps have the chance to observe the many mammals, such as the whales, seals, and penguins, which prosper in these icy waters.

Day 14-16: Queen Mary Land

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
On the eastern shores of Antarctica, between Cape Filchner and Cape Hordern, admire the captivating landscapes of Queen Mary Land, recounting stories of legendary explorations. In the heart of this region, discovered in 1912, during Douglas Mawson’s Antarctic expedition, mountains of ice rise like giant sculptures, sparkling beneath the rays of the southern sun. The glaciers wind their way like rivers of glass, shaping sumptuous scenery.  In this frozen kingdom, colonies of emperor penguins gather on the shores and leopard seals bask on the ice floe while whales slip graciously through its waters.

Day 17-19: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.

Day 20-21: French Southern and Antarctic Lands

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
In the icy immensity of the Antarctic, between the 37th and 50th parallels south, the French Southern and Antarctic Lands encompass the largest emerged lands in the southern Indian Ocean, from the Crozet archipelago to the Kerguelen Islands. In the wake of the greatest European explorers, like Julien Crozet, Marc Marion Dufresne or James Cook, who sought out Terra Australis Incognita, you will explore these volcanic lands, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In these sanctuaries of biodiversity which represent unique terrain for scientific research, majestic icebergs stand like ephemeral sculptures, silent witnesses of the passing of time, while king penguins or elephant seals, the lords of these inhospitable lands, populate the beaches with their gigantic colonies.

Day 22: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.

Day 23: French Southern and Antarctic Lands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Long celebrated as one of the wonder spots of the world, Macquarie Island is an island of great beauty and outstanding natural diversity, a breeding place for more than 3.5 million seabirds, most of which are penguins. There are four species breeding on Macquarie Island: Royals, Kings, Gentoos and Rock Hoppers. There are also three types of fur seals and one seventh of the world's population of elephant seals breeding on the Island. In 1948 The Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) established its expedition headquarters on Macquarie Island. If time and weather permit, guests will have the opportunity to land ashore and view the prolific wildlife that resides here.

Day 24-28: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.

Day 29: Hobart, Tasmania | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Hobart occupies a wonderful location at the mouth of the Derwent River, overseen by majestic Mt Wellington and surrounded by natural bushland. The Tasmanian capital is Australia's second-oldest city, after Sydney, and the picturesque waterfront is bordered by 19th-century warehouses and colonial mansions. Salamanca Place is packed with shops, galleries and restaurants and the fascinating Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is a short ferry ride from the quay. Hobart is within easy reach of some of Tasmania's best-known destinations, from historic Port Arthur and the rugged Tasman Peninsula to Bruny Island, the Huon and Derwent Valleys and Mount Field National Park.

Ship/Hotel

Le Commandant Charcot

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$45,960 2-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Le Commandant Charcot cabin
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
20m² and a 5m² private balcony, king-sized bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with shower, dressing table with hairdryer, flat-screen tv, wifi, minibar and safe
Le Commandant Charcot cabin
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
20m² and a 5m² private balcony, king-sized bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with shower, dressing table with hairdryer, flat screen tv, wifi, minibar and safe
Le Commandant Charcot cabin
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
20m² and a 5m² private balcony, king-sized bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with shower, dressing table with hairdryer, flat screen tv, wifi, minibar and safe
Deluxe suite
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Deluxe Suite Deck 6
28m² and a 5m² private balcony, king-sized bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with shower, dressing table with hairdryer, flat-screen tv, wifi, minibar, and safe
Deluxe suite
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Deluxe Suite Deck 7
28m² and a 5m² private balcony, king-sized bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with shower, dressing table with hairdryer, flat-screen tv, wifi, minibar and safe.
Deluxe suite
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Deluxe Suite Deck 8
28m² and a 5m² private balcony, king-sized bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with shower, dressing table with hairdryer, flat-screen tv, wifi, minibar and safe.
Le Commandant Charcot cabin
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Prestige Suite Deck 7
40m² and a 10m² private balcony, king-sized bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with two showers, dressing table with hairdryer, flat screen tv, wifi, minibar and safe
Le Commandant Charcot cabin
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Prestige Suite Deck 8
40m² and a 10m² private balcony, king-sized bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with two showers, dressing table with hairdryer, flat screen tv, wifi, minibar and safe
Le Commandant Charcot cabin
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Grand Prestige Suite
42m² and a 12.5m² private balcony, king-sized bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub, dressing table with hairdryer, butler service, flat screen tv, wifi, minibar and safe
Le Commandant Charcot cabin
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Privilege Suite
48m² and a 12.5m² private balcony, king-sized bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub, dressing table with hairdryer, butler service, flat screen tv, wifi, minibar and safe
suite duplex
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Suite Duplex
48m² and a 26m² private balcony with jacuzzi, king-sized bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub, dressing table with hairdryer, butler service, flat screen tv, wifi, minibar and safe
owners suite
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Owner's Suite
114m² and a 186m² private balcony with jacuzzi, king-sized bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub, dressing table with hairdryer, butler service, flat screen tv, wifi, minibar and safe

Notes

Please note:
Fares are based on double occupancy and are capacity controlled. Rates may increase at any time as the ship sells out and are subject to change without notice.
Included
  • 28 Breakfasts, 27 Lunches, 28 Dinners
  • 24 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Ponant Activities: A variety of excursions and activities will be offered during your cruise, weather dependent, and can be reserved on board
  • Port Fees
  • Unlimited Wifi
  • Onboard Entertainment 
  • Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • Gratuities to Onboard Crew
  • “Open Bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands...list available upon request)
  • 24h Room Service (special selection)
  • English-Speaking Lecturer 
  • Highly experienced and bilingual (French-English) expedition staff
  • Park Entry Fees into Protected Areas
  • Water sports activities (except scuba diving) using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by ship Master according to safety and sea conditions onsite. 
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Visa Fees
  • Optional Excursions - Ponant allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately six to two months prior to the cruise* departure. Please note that this is subject to change. Please contact us for more details.
  • Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned
  • Luggage Handling 
  • Laundry Services, Hair Salon, and à La Carte Spa Treatments
  • Pre or post cruise programs, overland programs or shore excursions 
  • Beverages other than the ones mentioned in inclusions
  • CDP recommends that every Traveler has full and adequate travel insurance covering the risks of cancellation, assistance being required, repatriation, damages to and loss of baggage, and medical expenses

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
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