Lake Superior - a life-sized expedition

Set off with PONANT aboard Le Champlain, on a brand-new 11-day expedition cruise to discover Lake Superior and enjoy an exceptional exploration of flamboyant nature in the Indian summer, and of the cultural riches of the Indigenous communities and colonies that have lived in the region.

Setting sail from Milwaukee on Lake Michigan, a veritable inland sea, you will navigate toward Kewaunee County and the small town of Algoma. Its bewitching landscapes, its protruding mountains keeping an eye on this wild nature, its rivers and its endless pine forests all make up a picture postcard like no other.

You will then head to Mackinac Island, an insular haven with an old-world charm, before setting a course for Lake Superior to explore the world’s largest freshwater lake. Designated as a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve, it is split between the United States, in the south, and Canada, in the north. Its rocky shoreline covered in boreal forest rises from the shimmering waters and reveals stunning panoramas.

You will head toward the southern end of the lake and, after sailing along the Keweenaw Waterway, discover the Apostle Islands. This archipelago of 21 islands is a biodiversity sanctuary home to some 800 botanical species and invaluable treasures including its sea caves, remarkable geological formations carved out of red sandstone over time.

Upon arriving in the charming city of Bayfield, you will be greeted with a performance by members of the Ojibwe (Chippewa) tribe. Next, you will continue your exploration of Lake Superior and set a course for the community of Silver Islet, established on an old silver mine, in an enchanting setting. Delight in the splendour of this lacustrine environment surrounded by blue, and meet the people who live there.

You will then continue your journey, cruising toward the lake’s North Shore Inside Passage taking time to explore this mineral and wooded region from the water or on land. From lighthouses dotting the shorelines decked in autumnal colours to an ecosystem with exceptional riches in Terrace Bay, Rossport and Red Rock, this larger-than-life corner of the world offers its enchanted visitors, precious moments filled with warm encounters with the local communities and historical sites discovery.

Next, you will sail to the Slate Islands, known for their Provincial Park and abundant nature, before reaching Thunder Bay, your disembarkation port, where your wonderful cruise will draw to an end.