Baffin Island Adventure
* Subject to availability.
Highlights
- Outings and shore visits in Zodiac® inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
- Hiking opportunity.
- Discovering Baffin, Canada’s largest island, and the stunning landscapes of Nunavut.
- Visit traditional villages and encounter the Inuit people of Groenland and Nunavut.
- Disko Bay, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the Northern Hemisphere’s largest icebergs.
- Landscapes: ice floes, jagged mountains, icebergs, ice caps, steep-sided valleys, sheer cliffs, huge glaciers.
- Wildlife: polar bears, whales, seals, walruses, orcas, Arctic terns, thick-billed murres, and many other species of seabirds.
- Staterooms & Suites
- L'AUSTRAL
- Port of call & excursions
- Formalities
- Theme
- Important information
- Pre/Post & Overlands
Staterooms & Suites
Superior Stateroom €13,420 Not Available Deluxe Stateroom €14,500 Not Available Prestige Deck 4 €12,350 Available Prestige Deck 5 €12,960 Available Prestige Deck 6 €13,600 Available Deluxe Suite €18,970 Available Prestige Deck 5 Suite €25,750 Available Prestige Deck 6 Suite €27,030 Available Owner's Suite €41,180 Not Available
L'AUSTRAL
L'AUSTRAL
In May 2011, l'Austral joined PONANT's fleet. This superb mega-yacht with 132 staterooms is the result of the expertise of the Italian Fincantieri shipyard and French sophistication, as interpreted by designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. L'Austral remains faithful to our philosophy - to create a unique atmosphere, a subtle blend of luxury, intimacy and well-being.
A sleek silhouette softened by elegantly smooth contours and large, arched windows opening up to the sea and the light: so many features come together to give L’Austral her distinctive shape. Precious materials, discreet elegance and a perfect balance between chic and casual, combine to make you feel as if you are on your own private yacht. A design blending tradition and innovation, where a nautical mood has been subtly recreated. A welcoming atmosphere of relaxed sophistication revolves around shades of grey, taupe, white and ivory enlivened by touches of cinnamon, caramel and tan.. So many personal touches create the spirit of a “private yacht.”
You will encounter unique itineraries, calls inaccessible to large ships, chic and elegant yacht-like ambiance, refined and personalized service as well as gastronomic cuisine.
Port of call & excursions
Kangerlussuaq
Embarkation 14/08/2020 from 16H00 to 17H00 . Departure 14/08/2020 at 18H00 .From 1941 to 1992, the town of Kangerlussuaq in Greenland was home to an American military base. Nowadays, thanks to its international airport, it has become a transit point for travellers seeking adventure in the Far North. Located to the north of the Arctic Circle, this town is the starting point of magnificent discoveries surrounded by unspoiled nature. Indeed, just a few dozen kilometres from there it is possible to get close to the Greenland ice sheet, the largest body of ice in the Northern Hemisphere. From Kangerlussuaq, admire also the superb landscapes of tundra in autumnal colours, where Arctic hares, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, reindeer, falcons and eagles live.
15 August 2020 – Sisimiut
Arrival 15/08/2020. Departure 15/08/2020.During your cruise, we invite you to discover Sisimiut, founded in 1756 and the second largest town in Greenland. This small town is typical of Greenland, boasting bewitching panoramas: here and there, colourful stilt houses dot the undulating landscape, and the small fishing port stands as the gateway to an icy realm. As for the town centre, it is home to a number of historic buildings, a small church and a museum which retraces the history of the Inuit people, as well as many craft shops. When your ship drops anchor here, you will set out to meet the locals in a typically arctic atmosphere.
16 August 2020 – Disko Bay
Arrival 16/08/2020. Departure 16/08/2020.To the east of Baffin Bay, discover Disko Bay, scattered with countless icebergs produced by the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From your ship, admire the majestic ballet of these ice giants as they slowly drift across the dark waters. This site is a natural marvel of Greenland, and is also renowned as an observation point for the region’s many humpback whales. The encounters with wild fauna and stunning landscapes in the heart of this spectacular and fragile nature will be pure moments of wonder for you.
17 August 2020 – At sea
Arrival 17/08/2020. Departure 17/08/2020.During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to 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. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
18 August 2020 – Pond Inlet, Nunavut
Arrival 18/08/2020. Departure 18/08/2020.On Baffin Island, located in northern Canada at the mouth of the famous NorthWest Passage, there is a small Inuit settlement at the very bounds of infinity. To get there, cross the Arctic Circle, the imaginary line that separates man from lands of mystery and wonder. It’s not so much the way of life that sets Pond Inlet’s inhabitants apart, so much as the setting. Snow-capped mountains, fjords and glaciers combine in a dazzling natural environment that fills space and expands time. Some discoveries change you forever: this is one of them.
19 August 2020 – Bellot Strait
Arrival 19/08/2020. Departure 19/08/2020.A key stage in the North West Passage, the Bellot Strait, crossed by strong currents, promises you an unforgettable sailing experience. The entrance to the strait is dominated by the Ross Cairn. The buildings of Fort Ross also stand not far from here. Separating Somerset Island from the Boothia Peninsula, this 2-km-wide strait was discovered in 1852 by Captain William Kennedy of the Royal Navy, and the Frenchman Joseph-René Bellot, during an expedition in search of Sir John Franklin. Discover a magnificent décor covered in snow, fragmented by large ice floes. As you sail between them, your ship will perhaps be accompanied by a few polar bears.
20 August 2020 – Pouncet Island, Nunavut
Arrival 20/08/2020. Departure 20/08/2020.The atmosphere of the Far North is tangible on Pouncet Island, located in the beautiful and wild Kitikmeot Region. It is the least populated part of Nunavut, with more than 88% Inuit and 1% Native Americans. It is here that Canada’s largest protected area can be found: the Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary, a nesting ground for more than 90% of the population of Ross’s geese. The spectacular, majestic scenery of the Far North is yours to admire, as a privileged guest in these remote lands with breathtaking icy landscapes.
21 August 2020 – Fury and Hecla Strait
Arrival 21/08/2020. Departure 21/08/2020.At the heart of the Arctic Ocean, set sail in the footsteps of the British explorer W.E. Parris who in 1822, during his desperate quest to find the North West Passage, discovered the Fury and Hecla Strait. The expedition that he led with two Royal Navy vessels, HMS Fury and HMS Hecla, in the hope of crossing the mythical maritime passageway, ended in failure. Trapped in the ice, the two ships were blocked to the north of Foxe Basin, but this allowed them to identify the strait separating the Melville peninsula and Baffin Island. Covered by ice floe for the majority of the year, this narrow stretch of sea is very difficult to access. When you enter the passage, you will have the privilege of visiting the Inuit village of Igloolik.
21 August 2020 – Igloolik, Nunavut
Arrival 21/08/2020. Departure 21/08/2020.Located to the north of the Arctic Circle, between the Canadian continent and Baffin Island, Igloolik is on a small island of Foxe Basin, off the coast of the northeast corner of the Melville Peninsula. A cultural epicentre with 1,200 inhabitants, the town was the setting for Atanarjuat, an award-winning feature-film released in 2002, the first film to be entirely written, shot and acted in the Inuktitut language and directed by Inuit filmmakers. Although part of the Qikiqtaaluk region in Nunavut, the community actually mixes cultural traditions from three regions (Qikiqtaaluk, Kitikmeot and Kivalliq). Igloolik embodies an intense concentration of the Arctic experience.
22 August 2020 – Prince Charles Island, Nunavut
Arrival 22/08/2020. Departure 22/08/2020.Located to the east of Baffin Island, the largest of the islands of Foxe Basin, Prince Charles Island (named in honour of Prince Charles, who was born in the year it was discovered) is 130 km long and 100 km wide. It was only discovered and mapped in 1948 during a Royal Canadian Air Force aerial survey. You’ll perhaps have the chance to glimpse a polar bear along the shallow, uniformly straight-lined and flat coastal zone of this outcrop, which was formed by post-glacial marine deposits. The tundra that covers the interior is home to a rich ecosystem that enables certain species to adapt to extreme winter temperatures.
23 August 2020 – Cape Dorset, Nunavut
Arrival 23/08/2020. Departure 23/08/2020.In the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, surrounded by the hilly tundra of the Kinngait Mountains, Cape Dorset lies on Dorset Island south east of Foxe Peninsula on Baffin Island. Likely to have been inhabited for several millennia by the Inuits, its oldest signs of occupation date back to around 2400 BC and were found in Cape Dorset. What makes it unique is its large community of craftspeople and artists.
24 August 2020 – Kimmirut, Nunavut
Arrival 24/08/2020. Departure 24/08/2020.Located on the southernmost peninsula of Baffin Island, Kimmirut is a traditional Inuit hamlet facing the Hudson Strait. Sat on the mouth of the river, it overlooks the waters of Glasgow Inlet. With picturesque beauty that will surely charm you, this hamlet is on the site of Hudson Bay’s first trading post, founded in 1911. Populated for centuries by Inuits, the region is home to over 400 inhabitants who maintain a traditional way of life. Adjoining Kimmirut is the Katannilik Territorial Park Reserve, (the Inuktitut word Katannilik means “the place of waterfalls”), whose remarkable natural and cultural heritage mean it has been part of the Canadian Heritage River System since 1992.
25 August 2020 – Akpatok Island, Nunavut
Arrival 25/08/2020. Departure 25/08/2020.Akpatok Island lies in the north-western part of Ungava Bay. Uninhabited, it is famous for its steep coastal cliffs that can tower over 200 metres, its large limestone platform eroded by waves and its many beaches. It has International Biological Program status and is known for its large bird population, especially the thick-billed murre, also known as Brünnich's guillemot. You’ll perhaps have the chance to glimpse polar bears as they move along the limestone cliffs in search of food.
26 August 2020 – Iqaluit, Nunavut
Arrival 26/08/2020. Departure 26/08/2020.Known as Frobisher Bay in the past, before being named Iqaluit in 1987, the capital of Nunavut is the smallest Canadian capital, with 7,000 inhabitants. It is a gateway to the secret, mysterious and wild Arctic, expressing this world of silence, a majestic territory. Strongly rooted in its unique Inuit culture, it holds memories of a millennia-old presence of pre-Dorset, Dorset and Thule cultures. Discoveries indicate that it was a fishing and camping site, called qaluit (“place of fish”) at the time. You’ll appreciate its large ice-covered and isolated spaces steeped in Inuit culture and imbued with a unique “Far North” atmosphere.
27 August 2020 – At sea
Arrival 27/08/2020. Departure 27/08/2020.During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to 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. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Kangerlussuaq
Disembarkation 28/08/2020 at 07H30 .From 1941 to 1992, the town of Kangerlussuaq in Greenland was home to an American military base. Nowadays, thanks to its international airport, it has become a transit point for travellers seeking adventure in the Far North. Located to the north of the Arctic Circle, this town is the starting point of magnificent discoveries surrounded by unspoiled nature. Indeed, just a few dozen kilometres from there it is possible to get close to the Greenland ice sheet, the largest body of ice in the Northern Hemisphere. From Kangerlussuaq, admire also the superb landscapes of tundra in autumnal colours, where Arctic hares, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, reindeer, falcons and eagles live.
Formalities
The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.
Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, Ponant will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.
Warning about the use of drones: the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.
Canada: travel by sea - The eTA is not required for US, Australian and British citizens. Other nationalities: a Visa may be required, please contact Canada consulate website for details. http://www.canada.ca/en/index.html
Theme
Polar Expedition
Discover the unique concept of PONANT polar expedition cruises: explore the world’s extreme regions while enjoying luxurious comfort and service.
A luxury expedition voyage
Choosing a PONANT expedition cruise means choosing a state of mind: the alliance of elegance and authenticity, of exploration and comfort, of adventure and refinement… The comfort of your ship and your stateroom, personalised and attentive service, refined gastronomy: a very special atmosphere that we take great care to maintain. In the heart of the ice floes of the Arctic and the Antarctic, our luxurious services will ensure that your expedition cruise is an unforgettable experience.
PONANT, polar specialists
With almost 20 years of experience in the extreme regions, PONANT, the world’s number 1 polar cruise company, is a real polar specialist. PONANT will take you to the most remote regions in total safety: our Captains and crew are professionals, specially trained to sail in icy waters. Our latest-generation fleet has the most modern technology to guarantee both your safety and respect for the regions visited. The size of our ships means we can get as close as possible to areas that are difficult to reach, offering a privileged access to preserved sites. Our flexibility enables us to adapt to the surprises inherent to these expedition itineraries.
Professional expedition teams, varied activities
After scouting missions in the field, our Expedition Leaders and their teams of naturalist guides design exceptional itineraries in the polar regions. During the cruise, they organise daily outings and shore visits in Zodiac® dinghies and hikes on land so as to get as close as possible to nature and wild fauna. In the Arctic and in Alaska, the close relationships that our teams have been able to build with the local communities will enable you to understand the life of these peoples of the Far North, and to share it for a few hours. On board, the naturalist guides will share their knowledge during various conferences on fauna, the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology…
Important information
Expedition programmes include activities such as Zodiac® outings and landings (sometimes with "wet landing"), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.
Ports of call, visited sites, outings and landings will depend on weather conditions, position of ice, winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.
Travelling to polar/isolated regions is an exhilarating experience in remote areas: please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe to full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card. PONANT offers an insurance contract with extensive guarantees, please contact us for more information.
Clothing tips:
- A PONANT polar water-resistant parka is offered on board for all departures with the logo “Free Parka” (no children sizes, in case of consecutive cruises, only one complimentary parka).
- Half calf rubber boots with non-slip soles, which will allow you to go ashore in 20 cm of cold water, keeping your feet dry for walks and visits on steep paths. Boot rental will be offered onboard (for adults only) on Expedition cruises where the logo “Free Boot Rental” appears
- Comfortable trousers: classic Winter trousers, warm cotton tracksuit, wool leggings
- Waterproof and windproof over-trousers – MANDATORY
- Winter trousers with waterproof over trousers are the ideal combination: water-resistance and comfort of trousers are essential
- Pullover, sweat-shirt or fleece jacket
- Woollen or thermolactyl Thermal underwear
- A warm hat, woollen ear muffs or fleece ear muffs, fleece or woollen neck warmer (avoid scarves that do not stay in place)- MANDATORY
- Wool or silk glove liners, water-resistant and supple gloves
- Thick warm socks (ideally woollen)
Accessories:
- Small waterproof backpack (to protect your camera from water).
- Binoculars (strongly recommended for wildlife viewing).
- Highly protective sunglasses.
- Walking poles (highly recommended).
Do not hesitate to visit the online PONANT store which offers a selection of equipment and accessories adapted to our destinations, at the following address: https://boutique.ponant.com
Benefits of the PONANT store:
- Advice on equipment from our experts to help you prepare for your polar expedition
- A wide range of technical equipment for polar expeditions, approved by our experts
- Two delivery options: delivery to your home or directly to your cabin on board the ship
- Duty Free shopping for cabin delivered items
Pre/Post & Overlands
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During your cruise
** Prices per person, based on double occupancy
