Transarctic, the quest for the two North Poles

Join us on an incredible journey as we set sail from Longyearbyen, the capital of the Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard's main island. We'll depart at 18:00, starting our adventure into the Arctic wilderness. Longyearbyen, the northernmost territorial capital on the planet, welcomes us with its captivating landscapes. The town, often blanketed in winter temperatures below -40 °C, is surrounded by breathtaking glaciers, vast mountain ranges, and pristine natural beauty that makes you feel like you're exploring an undiscovered world.

The expansive Isfjorden stands as one of the primary fjords in Svalbard, its various branches extending into the heart of Spitsbergen. Nestled deep within the Billejforden, the Nordenskiöld Glacier boasts a majestic ice front nearly 5 km wide, rendering it one of the most spectacular glaciers in the Svalbard Archipelago.

Nestled amidst ancient glaciers and sculpted mountains, Spitsbergen, often hailed as the "crown of Arctic Norway," is a realm untouched by night. Your vessel will guide you into the heart of this captivating archipelago, focusing on the Hornsund fjord. It is recognized as Svalbard's southernmost fjord and boasts a distinguished reputation for its breathtaking scenery. At the culmination of its expansive bay, eight grand glaciers gracefully descend to the sea, yielding to a multitude of icebergs that elegantly drift along its frigid and enigmatic waters.

The Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve stands as the second-largest protected expanse in Norway, its establishment dating back to 1973. Spanning over 21,000 km2, this conservation area presents breathtaking landscapes, ranging from coastal scenes and rocky islets to mountain plateaux, expansive tundra plains, and drifting ice floes.

Endowed with the distinction of being recognized as an Important Bird Area, the reserve offers the opportunity, with a bit of fortune, to witness a diverse array of seabirds. Additionally, the site is conducive to spotting cetaceans, Svalbard reindeer, and possibly even Arctic foxes. Notably, Edgeoya Island is famed for providing a haven for numerous polar bears during the breeding season.

Embarking on a voyage through the Hinlopen Strait, nestled in the heart of the Arctic Ocean between the Norwegian islands of Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet, guarantees an unforgettable experience. Within the Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve domain, this region unveils awe-inspiring vistas featuring magnificent basalt formations and an ice cap extending to the horizon, plunging into the sea. The shoreline, sculpted by fjords cutting inland, creates a magical tapestry where icebergs gracefully float, born from the majestic calving of surrounding glaciers. While today it is a sought-after location for observing seabirds nesting in colossal cliffs and polar bears and walruses, this place holds historical ties to 17th-century whalers. Thijmen Jacobsz Hinlopen, a director of a Dutch whaling company, bestowed the strait with its name. Subsequently, Russian trappers, European explorers, scientists, and even brave mountaineers have traversed this region, marked by its sublime yet challenging nature.

Since 1973, the Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve has safeguarded the northernmost and chilliest region of the archipelago, Nordaustlandet (North East Land). This extensive polar desert, draped with two ice caps, is the second-largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. Shielded by the Gulf Stream, the fjords and cliffs in the west and north harbour thriving colonies of birds and walruses. In the colder east and south, the landscapes are dominated by imposing glaciers, releasing majestic icebergs into the expansive Hinlopen Strait. Sheer cliffs serve as the nesting grounds for substantial colonies of thick-billed murres. Depending on the nesting and migration period, you might even glimpse a bear or an Arctic fox roaming nearby.

Witness the unparalleled thrill of sailing into the heart of the ice floe, an expansive canvas of untouched, pristine ice. The landscapes unfold constantly, evolving from a serene and level wilderness to a dynamic array of ice formations, leading to open water passages. Your vessel will gracefully traverse these naturally occurring channels, navigating through areas where the frozen layer is at its thinnest. This promises you the opportunity to immerse yourself in magical maritime moments amidst drifting sea ice. Additionally, these ventures often unveil encounters with unique fauna intricately linked to the ice floe, adding an extra layer of fascination to your journey.

Serving as the point where the field lines of Earth's magnetic field converge, the Magnetic North Pole exerts a magnetic pull on the compass needle. Unlike the Geographic North Pole, which stands as the Earth's northernmost fixed point and signifies the intersection of the globe's rotation axis with the Earth's surface, the Magnetic North Pole is in constant motion. Its movement is intricately tied to the Earth's magnetic field, originating in its outer core molten metal, subject to convection movements. Initially pinpointed 1831 in the Canadian Arctic, it has shifted towards Siberia, progressively drawing closer to the Geographic North Pole.

Enjoy a day of sailing, watching the vast expanses of ice drift past as we approach the Geographic North Pole. Enjoy an outdoor hot pool or savour the view from the ship's relaxation area with an indoor pool or sauna.

Marked by a latitude of 90° North, the Geographic North Pole occupies a pivotal position on Earth's rotational axis, intersecting all meridians. Enveloped in darkness for half of the year and bathed in sunlight for six months, this legendary location, perpetually cloaked in ice and distanced from any landmass, has captivated generations of explorers. Historically, only a select few individuals have reached this elusive point—an achievement now within your grasp aboard Le Commandant Charcot.

Lying along the northern shores of Alaska and Canada, the Beaufort Sea has long been regarded with trepidation due to its harsh climatic conditions. Enveloped in a dense ice cover for most of the year and remaining uncharted until 1914, this sector of the Arctic Ocean, christened in tribute to the British Admiral Francis Beaufort, promises to unveil its stunning icy panoramas. With a touch of good fortune, you might encounter polar bears along the way, as this region is renowned as the habitat of the Arctic's majestic rulers.

Nestled beside the Bering Strait on the western edge of Alaska, Nome presents the enchanting allure of an ancient gold-mining community amidst breathtaking wilderness. Meandering through the vibrantly painted houses, you'll uncover the enduring influence of pioneering heritage embedded in local customs. The residents sustain their livelihood through hands-on work by engaging in activities such as fishing, reindeer husbandry, and sledge racing. The expansive plains surrounding the area offer captivating viewpoints for observing the diverse Arctic wildlife.

Disembarkation at 08:00