19 nights onboard L'Austral

In the heart of the Northwest Passage

With PONANT, set off to discover Baffin Bay all the way to the mythical Northwest Passage during a 20-day expedition cruise aboard L’Austral. Leaving from Kangerlussuaq, explore the heart of this historic maritime route and set off for an unforgettable stay among the Arctic’s most beautiful landscapes.

First of all, you will explore the western coast of Greenland which will welcome you with its majestic icebergs in Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its colourful villages encircled by mountains and basalt formations. This is the ideal opportunity for meeting the local population and learning about Greenland Inuit culture.

Then set sail for the Nunavut province in Northern Canada, to approach the entrance of the Northwest Passage. Amundsen was the first to pave the way on this northern route between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, which long remained just a theory for navigators and scientists. On Beechey Island, retrace the steps of the Franklin expedition, before marvelling at the sublime canyon at Fury Beach.

Throughout your trip, you will enter grandiose fjords and sail at the edge of the ice floes, in the hope of glimpsing the polar bear, the lord of the Far North. After Bellot Strait, the narrow passage of Coningham Bay will provide the perfect spot for an encounter with majestic belugas. In Artic Bay, you will meet the inhabitants of an Inuit village and will be able to build unique relationships.

The exploration of nature and wildlife and, above all, the polar history linked to this mythical route are the common theme of this journey, which will let you experience magic and unforgettable moments. The raw beauty of the Arctic offers an unforgettable backdrop, while the team of on-board naturalists sharpens your adventurer's soul. With a keen eye, you will scan the coastlines, fjords and glaciers in search of traces of life – a colony of walruses, a polar bear, beluga, northern fulmar, guillemot, Arctic tern, black-legged kittiwake… – and comprehend the historic places that bear witness to this iconic passage.

We are privileged guests in these remote lands where we are at the mercy of weather, ice, tidal and current conditions. Landings on certain sites and the observation of certain wildlife cannot be guaranteed. They vary from day to day, making each PONANT cruise a unique experience. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while complying with the safety rules and instructions imposed by the AECO. 
Leaving from: Kangerlussuaq Havn
Cruise ship: L'Austral
Visiting: Kangerlussuaq Havn Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg) Kitsissuarsuit Disko Bay
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Ponant

When searching for a luxury yacht expedition cruise, there’s one name above all else that you need to know – Ponant Cruises. Founded in 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers, Ponant combines succulent luxury with authentic adventures on all seven continents.

From classic Mediterranean itineraries and Caribbean sailings, to bucket-list expeditions around Greenland and Antarctica, Ponant cruises proudly counteract the banality of mainstream voyages with a unique take on the concept of small-ship cruising. It’s the absolute trip of a lifetime.

264
Passengers
145
Crew
2011
Launched
2018
Last refit
10944t
Tonnage
142m
Length
18m
Width
14kts
Speed
5
Decks
EUR
Currency
Cruise Itinerary
Day 1
Kangerlussuaq Havn, Greenland
Day 2
Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Greenland
Day 3
Kitsissuarsuit, Greenland
Day 4
Disko Bay, Greenland
Day 5
At Sea
Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.
Day 6
Pond Inlet, Nunavut, Canada
Day 7
Queen Harbour, Philpots Island, Nunavut, Canada
Day 8
Dundas Harbour, Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada
Day 8
Croker Bay, Nunavut, Canada
Days 9 - 9
Prince Leopold Island, Nunavut, Canada
Day 10
Fort Ross, Nunavut, Canada
Day 10
,
Day 11
Coningham Bay, Nunavut, Canada
Day 12
Prescott Island, Nunavut, Canada
Day 13
Beechey Island, Nunavut, Canada
Day 13
Radstock Bay, Devon Island, Canada
Day 14
Arctic Bay, Nunavut, Canada
Day 15
At Sea
Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.
Day 16
,
Day 17
Icy Arm Fjord, Canada
Day 18
At Sea
Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.
Day 19
Evighedsfjorden, Greenland
Day 20
Kangerlussuaq Havn, Greenland
Ship Details
Ponant
L'Austral

Innovative design, sleek shape and profile, refined interior decoration, friendly, intimate atmosphere: French designers and decorators have managed to give this ship a unique style and veritable signature of its own.

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