Embark on a transformative 18-day Arctic adventure from Oslo to the North Pole. Begin in Oslo, then fly to Longyearbyen to board the eco-friendly Le Commandant Charcot. Cruise through the remote Svalbard Archipelago, navigating the marginal ice zone (MIZ) and encountering polar bears. Enjoy enriching lectures, wellness classes, and scientific projects on board. Stand at the geographic North Pole, celebrating with a Champagne toast and a potential polar plunge. Cruise through the Arctic Ocean, reflecting on your journey. The expedition concludes in Longyearbyen with a festive farewell. Experience the extraordinary with fellow explorers on this once-in-a-lifetime voyage.
Highlights
Navigate through the Marginal Ice Zone, spotting seals, walrus and seabirds
Explore Longyearbyen and its Arctic Museum
Cruise through Sjuøyane Islands and Arctic frontier.
Opportunities for hiking on ice and kayaking through open leads
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in the Norwegian capital of Oslo, the staging point for your epic adventure to the geographic North Pole. Upon arrival, you are met and escorted a few steps to the conveniently located Radisson Blu Airport Hotel. This evening, gather for a welcome briefing and dinner.
Board a charter flight to Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard, also known as Spitsbergen, the sovereign Arctic Archipelago of Norway. It is one of the most remote groups of islands on the planet, with nearly two-thirds of its surface covered in luminous glaciers. Time permitting, visit the tiny town and its Arctic Museum. Then, board ‘Le Commandant Charcot,’ your cutting-edge, eco-friendly luxury expedition vessel and embark on your voyage into the Arctic frontier.
Awake to your first morning aboard as your vessel cruises past the Sjuøyane Islands, the northernmost islands of the remote Svalbard Archipelago. Today, your A&K Expedition Team presents a series of enriching onboard lectures discussing the vast Arctic frontier of sea and pack ice you will venture into over the coming days. As you settle into the rhythm of life on board, take in the scenery from the ship’s deck as the last piece of land south of the Arctic pack ice slowly slips beyond the horizon. Continue north toward the marginal ice zone (MIZ), a far-flung Arctic realm of elusive blue, rorqual and beluga whale. Later tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by the Captain.
Over the next five days, navigates through the MIZ into the heart of the Arctic. Slowly cruising amid this vast expanse of virgin sea ice, the Captain uses the ship’s advanced navigation systems to thread through naturally open channels and transit areas where the frozen layer is thinnest. As this stunning Arctic scene drifts past, keep your eyes peeled for polar bear and high arctic gulls. Throughout your voyage, your ship’s luxurious amenities afford ample opportunities to unwind with daily wellness classes, dips in the indoor and outdoor pools, relaxing sauna sessions or visits to the full-service salon and spa. There is also a wide variety of onboard enrichment opportunities on offer, such as hands-on scientific research projects, visits to the ship’s lab and bridge, stargazing sessions, seamanship and polar survival workshops, cooking demonstrations, photo contests and more. The anticipation builds with each passing day as your Captain charts the clearest path to your expedition’s objective: the seldom-visited geographic North Pole.
Day 9-10: Geographic North Pole | Standing at 90° North
Conditions permitting, continue the quests of Matthew Henson, Robert Peary, Frederick Cook, Roald Amundsen, and other elite Arctic explorers as you seek out the geographic North Pole over the coming days. Upon finding the most favorable path through the pack ice, the Captain endeavors to position the GPS antennae of ‘Le Commandant Charcot’ directly on 90° North latitude, the coordinate marking the geographic North Pole. The culmination of your intrepid expedition is marked by a Champagne toast and celebration on the ship’s helideck. The following day, the Captain seeks out a nearby floe suitable for a gangway landing onto the ice’s surface. Then, your Expedition Team leads the way across the ice for a once-in-a-lifetime photo op and perhaps, if you are willing, a polar plunge.
The next days at sea are filled with enrichment programs and, conditions permitting, opportunities to venture to the ice. Along the way, you may even have the
chance to hike on the ice or kayak through open leads. There is also time to reflect on your spectacular voyage and share your experiences with the newfound
friends you’ve made along the way. During the transition through the MIZ back into more open waters, keep watch for harbor and bearded seal, walrus and a
multitude of seabirds. As the ship draws closer to Longyearbyen, your Captain hosts a festive farewell cocktail reception, gala dinner and celebration — a fittingly
spectacular conclusion to your once-in-a-lifetime voyage.
This morning, disembark your vessel in Longyearbyen and transfer to the airport for your charter flight to Oslo. Upon arrival, you are escorted through an indoor corridor leading from the terminal to the Radisson Blu Airport hotel. Enjoy the last dinner of your North Pole adventure with your fellow explorers.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$51,9952-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Initial deposit is $2500, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
