Total Solar Eclipse in The Far North

Embark your ship in Longyearbyen, 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 unexplored territory.

Northwest Spitsbergen offers a striking mix of rugged landscapes and untouched wilderness, with islands and peninsulas shaping its unique terrain. Towering glaciers, sharp mountain peaks, and deep fjords carved by ice dominate the scenery. The silence is broken only by the sound of ice shifting and cracking, revealing the ever-changing nature of this remote region. Board a Zodiac with expert naturalist guides to explore the area up close. Watch for whales gliding through the icy waters, while seals, walruses, and Arctic foxes bring energy to the frozen landscape. Svalbard reindeer roam the open tundra, Arctic terns soar above, and polar bears patrol the shores.

During the cruise, visit Ny-Ålesund, once a mining town and now a research station. Established in 1916, it served as a departure point for key Arctic expeditions, including those led by Roald Amundsen. Stop by the museum and the world’s northernmost post office.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to relaxation in the spa or stay in shape at the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, shop in the boutique, or meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. It is an enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

The island of Jan Mayen, belonging to Norway, lies hidden off Greenland’s coastlines, lost between the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. Only a handful of Norwegian meteorologists inhabit this small piece of land. Tongues of ice descend from its volcanic summit, which culminates at 2,227 meters and is covered with a thick glacial coat. These tongues join the sea between ranges of black volcanic rocks, sometimes tinged with red. If the sky is clear, you can have the chance to glimpse the summit, decked out in magnificent light. The visit of a small fin whale will perhaps enable you to complete this memorable picture. 

On the East coast of Greenland, in the Ittoqqortoormiit region, you can have the rare opportunity of immersing yourself in the heart of isolated scenery and exploring the beauty of its landscapes. The high alpine mountains stand out in the sky, revealing dark rock edges. The region is home to the longest fjord system in the world, Scoresby Sound. On the edge of the fjord, the eponymous village is considered one of the most remote inhabited places in the world. The colorful houses, typical of Greenland, dot the landscape with small red, yellow, and blue patches that stand out against the surrounding arid landscape. Immersing yourself in this region will allow you to discover the ancestral way of life of the last hunters of the polar region. This will be a veritable deep dive into the lives of the Arctic's inhabitants.

Covering an area of 13,700 km2 (5,290 mi2), Scoresby Sound is the world's largest and deepest fjord system. Named after the explorer and whale hunter William Scoresby, who mapped the region in 1822, it opens onto the Greenland Sea north of the Blosseville Coast. This wild and desert region offers untouched panoramas of infinite beauty, with high snow-capped peaks rising tall alongside icebergs immersed in clear, blue-tinged waters. Discovering these stunning places in the wake of great explorers like Captain Charcot, who was deeply attached to the land of the Inuit, inspires a profound reverence.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to relaxation in the spa or stay in shape at the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, shop in the boutique, or meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. It is an enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Your ship will take you to the heart of the fjords of North-West Iceland, a wild land of lost valleys and cliffs where man struggles to survive. In this very isolated region, you can find the Isafjörður fjord, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country, mainly for its relief, forged by many ancient basaltic flows. Isafjörður, which nestles at the back of its fjord between imposing mountains, is a delightful little town that lives exclusively from fishing. The capital of the Western fjords, its old wooden houses bear witness to its past as a major fishing port.

Included Excursions:
Flowers & Fjords - 3 hours
From the pier, board your local coach for a short drive through a mountain tunnel and across the Westfjords mountains to the fjords of Dyrafjordur and Onundarfjordur. Breathtaking views of spectacular landscape carved out by glaciers ages ago.

First, stop at the botanical garden of Skrudur, a jewel of cultured plants contrasted by the raw sub-arctic landscape. This botanical garden was the first of its type in Iceland, founded by a cultivation pioneer in 1909. Enjoy a guided exploration of the garden.
 
Then, continue to Flateyri village and find out about local history and culture. The village is nestled in the magnificent fjord of Onundarfjordur. Enjoy a live music performance at the charming village church, followed by a short stroll down the main street and along the harbor. Stop for a coffee break with refreshments made locally. Next door to the café you can visit the old bookstore or enjoy the view of the harbor. Finally, get back to your coach for the transfer back to the pier.

This tour involves walking approximately 2 km on uneven grounds, gravel, and grass. It is recommended you wear comfortable walking shoes and a windproof jacket.

Maritime Culture & Traditions - 3 hours
Begin your excursion by driving through the center and taking the narrow coastal road to the tiny town of Bolungarvik, here there will be a chance to visit the church. Your next stop will be at Osvor, a former fisherman's home that was restored in 1988 and once harbored boats. Osvor is a stunning example of nature's grandeur and perfectly illustrates just how difficult life was for Icelandic fishermen up until the 20th century.

The village of Bolungarvik nestles into the heart of a spectacular bay surrounded by neighboring mountains and bathed by the Isafjardardjup or "Djup" fjord, the biggest on Iceland's east coast. You will drive alongside these impenetrably deep waters to return to Isafjordur via the valley of Tungudalur. You will enjoy here a short stop to contemplate the valley’s landscapes.

On your return, pass through the historic old town and its 18th-century buildings before visiting the Maritime Museum. This is one of Iceland's oldest houses, a monument in itself, next to three other buildings that have also been renovated and date back to 1780. A typically Icelandic tasting will be served at the end of your visit giving you an opportunity to savor local specialties such as Schnapps, dried fish and locally canned fish cooked the Icelandic way.

• For this excursion, it is advised you wear comfortable shoes, to protect yourself from the sun, and to bring a warm and waterproof jacket. Please note the order of the visits may be reversed.

Iceland's capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the country's west. Perlan, the "Pearl of Reykjavík" museum on' Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church and to the historical center, where one can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. Visitors can visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon for some relaxation just outside the city.