Superior Stateroom Deck 3
20% Ponant Bonus
226 ft²
3
With featured guest Cindy Miller Hopkins, American Photo Ambassador.
PONANT invites you to set sail aboard L'Austral for a memorable 14-day expedition cruise to the discovery of Baffin Bay. You will embark in Kangerlussuaq for an unforgettable journey in the heart of the most magnificent Arctic landscapes.
The first destination is the west coast of Greenland which will welcome you with its majestic icebergs, colourful villages encircled by mountains and its basalt formations. This is the ideal opportunity for meeting the local population and learning about Greenland Inuit culture.
Further north, Baffin Bay will reveal its remote villages of peat houses where the last bear hunters and narwhal fishers live in accordance with their ancestral traditions in the middle of the Arctic tundra. You will also see the remains of ancient Inuit civilisations and will discover Savissivik, the largest ‘iceberg graveyard’ in Greenland.
During the last part of your cruise, you will be able to enjoy really exploring Baffin Bay; you will look for the ice floe and try to spot polar bears. You will head south to reach Evighedsfjorden, which means the “eternity fjord” in Danish, where the landscapes made up of glaciers, tundra and jagged cliffs will help you end this journey on a high.
We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. The itinerary, 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.
Ref : KK2245 - AU120723
With featured guest Cindy Miller Hopkins, American Photo Ambassador. The eye and the advice of our photo ambassadors, a privileged opportunity to immortalise your trip with, in the programme: workshops,...
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Included in your cruise
For more peace of mind, PONANT organizes your trip before or after the cruise. This package is included in the price of your cruise.
Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
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Cindy Miller Hopkins
PONANT Photo Ambassador and full-time professional travel and wildlife photographer with 25 years’ experience and over six thousand publications to her credit. Her images can be seen on the pages of thousands of textbooks, travel brochures, calendars, fine art prints, consumer products, U.S. and international magazines, and newspapers. Her freelance, assignment and workshop career has taken her to all seven continents and to over 150 countries. Her 2018 shot of 5-species of penguins in one frame is thought to be the only one like it in the world and is currently the lead image in a campaign to fully protect South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Along with her stock photography business, Cindy teaches digital photography classes, works as a professional photographer & guest lecturer on expedition ships and leads photo safaris around the world. She is past president of the NANPA (North American Photography Association) Foundation Board and is an active Foundation Board member for over 20 years. On average, Cindy is out of the country over 200 days a year. When not traveling, she lives at home with her husband in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.
Language spoken : English
Photo credit : Sue Flood
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Cindy Miller Hopkins
PONANT Photo Ambassador and full-time professional travel and wildlife photographer with 25 years’ experience and over six thousand publications to her credit. Her images can be seen on the pages of thousands of textbooks, travel brochures, calendars, fine art prints, consumer products, U.S. and international magazines, and newspapers. Her freelance, assignment and workshop career has taken her to all seven continents and to over 150 countries. Her 2018 shot of 5-species of penguins in one frame is thought to be the only one like it in the world and is currently the lead image in a campaign to fully protect South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Along with her stock photography business, Cindy teaches digital photography classes, works as a professional photographer & guest lecturer on expedition ships and leads photo safaris around the world. She is past president of the NANPA (North American Photography Association) Foundation Board and is an active Foundation Board member for over 20 years. On average, Cindy is out of the country over 200 days a year. When not traveling, she lives at home with her husband in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.
Language spoken : English
Photo credit : Sue Flood
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:
Accessories:
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
For men:
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
For men:
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
INSULATED BASE LAYER:
WATERPROOF OUTER LAYER:
HEALTH CARE:
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
ACCESSORIES:
PONANT activities
Embarkation 12/07/2023 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 12/07/2023 at 18:00
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.
Arrival 13/07/2023
Departure 13/07/2023
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.
Arrival 14/07/2023
Departure 14/07/2023
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.
Arrival 15/07/2023
Departure 15/07/2023
On the southern coast of Disko Island, Qeqertarsuaq is one of just two small villages on this island the size of Corsica. Its isolation makes it an observation post popular among naturalists since the beginning of polar exploration and the set-up, in 1906, of the Arctic Centre research facility. During a cruise exploring the natural wonders of Greenland, the potential encounters with wild fauna, such as the humpback whale, and the stunning basalt landscapes will be pure moments of wonder for you. In the heart of this spectacular and fragile nature, enjoy the breath-taking views of the grandiose and varied landscapes of Disko Island and Disko Bay.
Arrival 16/07/2023
Departure 16/07/2023
"The most beautiful place in the Arctic" is how Paul-Émile Victor described Greenland, a land of great icebergs and of towering ice formations calved by the giant glaciers of the polar ice cap. The Eqi Glacier is one of the region’s most impressive sights. Here, the silence is broken only by the roaring and cracking of the ice. It is impossible to know if one is shivering from cold or from the sheer thrill of being here... Imagine the vast outline of a glacier, its translucent crystals glowing with an ice-blue fire in the sunlight. Paul-Émile Victor’s shelter cannot be overlooked; it was from here that the French Polar Expeditions’ anthropological and geographic explorations set off in the 1950s.
Arrival 17/07/2023
Departure 17/07/2023
In the curve of Uummannaq Bay, opposite a narrow passage between two islands, you will discover the moonscape of the small desert island of Akulleq. The ochre yellow and orange of this mineral site look ablaze under the sunshine of the polar summer. From the island’s summit you will be able to contemplate a panoramic view of the bay’s magical landscape and its huge icebergs with surprising shapes.
Arrival 18/07/2023
Departure 18/07/2023
To the north-west of Greenland, on the shores of Baffin Bay, Orpit will reveal itself in an exceptional environment. A jumble of fjords and islets, the rolling topography of this territory offers hiking possibilities for discovering the tundra, this unique ecosystem in the high latitudes. If conditions allow it, an outing in a zodiac dinghy will also let you explore this faraway land via the sea, getting as close as possible to the wildlife.
Arrival 19/07/2023
Departure 19/07/2023
Well beyond the Arctic Circle, in the majestic landscapes of Greenland’s Northwest, you will find the village of Kullorsuaq, the last bastion of Greenland’s traditional hunters. Here is where you will find Greenland’s true character… Vast mineral expanses, sumptuous mountains, impressive glaciers and, above all, the local population which still lives off fishing and seal or bear hunting. Hospitality and respect for nature are essential elements in the daily lives of these men, who live an austere life. When we drop anchor in this remote part of the world, set off to discover these friendly people who are also talented craftsmen, deftly sewing the furs and skins of marine mammals. This will be a unique and authentic experience.
Arrival 20/07/2023
Departure 20/07/2023
Some places in this world are so magical that their beauty cannot be described in words… Savissivik, a small Inuit village with less than a hundred inhabitants, is one such place. Rightly considered to be the biggest iceberg graveyard in Greenland, it is a stunning sight to behold. During your zodiac outing, you will sail between these icy giants. Once on land, you can hike to a viewpoint from which to enjoy breathtaking views over these icebergs, which come in an incredibly diverse range of shapes and colours. Photographers will love it. Savissivik Bay attracts many bears and is also known for having been the home of one of the world’s biggest meteorites, but the latter has now been moved to a museum in New York.
Arrival 21/07/2023
Departure 21/07/2023
A few kilometres to the west of Savissivik, in Greenland, your ship will pass Cape York, a place that is brimming with history and marked by the conquest of the North Pole. Indeed, it is here, at the end of the 19th century, that the American explorer Robert Peary discovered fragments of one of the biggest meteorites ever found to this day. He had them sent back to the United States and later sold them to a New York museum, where they are still on display. Despite Robert Peary’s disputed achievements and his sometimes controversial attitude towards the Inuit populations, a memorial was erected in his honour at Cape York. Constructed in the 1930s, the memorial still stands today.
Arrival 22/07/2023
Departure 23/07/2023
In the icy waters of Baffin Bay, you will sail into the heart of the scattered sea floe. You will be captivated by icebergs in dreamlike shapes as your ship takes you into the ice of the Far North. Everything comes in shades of white here and, if you watch closely, you may get a glimpse of the lord of this kingdom, the polar bear. This fascinating animal finds its food in the heart of the ice, so this is where you have more chances of spotting it. The polar light gives a shine to the ice floe that you sail along as you explore Baffin Bay, leaving you with memories of unforgettable moments.
Arrival 24/07/2023
Departure 24/07/2023
Your ship glides slowly along the water towards the west coast of Greenland, to enter Evighedsfjorden, just a few kilometres south of Kangerlussuaq. Evighedsfjorden means “the fjord of Eternity”, and for good reason: just when you think you’ve reached the end of this stretch of sea measuring over 100 kilometres in length, it seems to go on forever, as though to bring even more pleasure to those sailing in it. The spectacular scenery ranges from glaciers to tundra with an abundant flora, and jagged cliffs where numerous bird species have taken up residence. Take the time to observe the white-tailed eagles and the colonies of seagulls and black-legged kittiwakes flying overhead in the area.
Arrival 25/07/2023 at night
Disembarkation 25/07/2023 at 08:00
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.
From the wharf, your coach will drive you through Ilulissat to the south. Upon arrival, a guided walk of about 45 minutes will lead you to the idyllic Sermermiut valley that lies out towards the ice fjord.
In 1727, the place was Greenland’s biggest settlement and home to more than 250 people. Excavations have subsequently revealed that, for thousands of years, the beautiful valley has at various times been home to all of the cultures that have lived along the west coast of Greenland. This abandoned settlement is nowadays a very important archaeology centre for scientists, even if there aren’t any spectacular relics of these civilisations, as the Inuits did not build huge constructions.
Here, the main highlights are the beautiful landscapes of this sober, pure and fascinating nature: white and bluish masses, rising like mysterious mountains… Icebergs everywhere! Indeed, the Sermermiut Glacier is the most ice-productive in the northern hemisphere.
You will then walk back to your coach so as to return to Ilulissat, the old city and the port. You may wish to saunter in the city, and perhaps pay homage to Knud Rasmussen, the famous Danish explorer born in Ilulissat, whose childhood home is now a museum.
Included
For your serenity, PONANT selects flights and organises transfers between the airport and the port (and vice-versa). This package is included in your cruise fare.
Embarkation day - Paris/Kangerlussuaq
Flight Paris/Kangerlussuaq selected by PONANT.
Approximate flight duration: 5 h
We suggest you to be at the check-in counter 2 hours before departure.
We highly recommend you arrive in Paris the day before this flight.
Meet & greet at the airport by our local English-speaking representative.
Transfer to the pier for embarkation.
- Cruise aboard your ship -
Disembarkation Day - Kangerlussuaq/Paris
Disembarkation
Meet and greet at the port by our local English-speaking representative.
Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of flight Kangerlussuaq/Paris selected by PONANT.
Flight Kangerlussuaq/Paris selected by PONANT.
Approximate flight duration: 5 h
We highly recommend you stay one night in Paris after this flight.
This programme includes:
This programme does not include:
Please note:
Polar Expedition
Realise your dream of adventure in the polar regions ! Discover the icy vastness and the fauna of Antarctica (humpback whales, seals, penguins and more) or the Arctic's fjords, glaciers and icebergs in shifting colours, not to mention the polar bears, the variety of wildlife and the special moments shared with the locals. Our team of naturalist guides share their knowledge with you during varied lectures about the fauna, the flora, the history of great explorations, geology and climatology. Thanks to its conscientiousness and to the responsible approach that is its hallmark, PONANT has been a leader and expert in cruises to these destinations for more than 20 years.
No single supplement
FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT *
*The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.
Photo ambassadors
Sharpen your eye and capture the ephemeral! Head out to sea and develop your visual senses alongside our photo ambassadors. The on-board photo ambassadors are committed and renowned professionals who will share their passion and expertise during workshops offered on board or on shore, photography-based discussions and conferences. A recurring theme of PONANT cruises is the sharing of knowledge and culture: this serves to support and highlight our openness to the world. With the help of the photo ambassadors, you will truly participate in your exploration. Take the time to feel and to observe the world around you and keep a lasting imprint of the fleeting moments and intense emotions experienced during this cruise.
35-year offer
35 years ago, Le Ponant, the company’s iconic flag-ship vessel, welcomed her very first guests on a journey to discover exclusive destinations. To celebrate 35 years of sailing, exploration and discoveries at sea, we are offering you an additional 10% savings for 35 days on more than 200 departures when you book by 5 July 2023!
To take advantage of the 35th-anniversary offer and all your benefits, we invite you to contact your cruise advisors or your travel agency by phone or email, and mention the offer code PONANT35.
Offer available from 01/06/23 until 05/07/2023 with code « PONANT35 » - Discount of 10% for the thirty-fifth anniversary of PONANT.
Offer non combinable with Flight credit offers, Free Single supplement, Webinar, Onboard sale or Ponant event discounts.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
11/07/2023 - COMFORT PACKAGE: NIGHT IN PARIS CDG AIRPORT + TRANSFER HOTEL/AIRPORT
£160
Find out more25/07/2023 - COMFORT PACKAGE: TRANSFER AIRPORT/HOTEL + NIGHT IN PARIS CDG AIRPORT
£160
Find out more
For your serenity, PONANT selects for you an ideally located hotel and organises your transfer to the airport.
Day 1 - Roissy CDG
Meet-and-greet and check-in in Pullman Roissy CDG hotel, from 4:00 pm.
The rest of the day and the evening are at leisure.
Dinner is on your own.
Day 2 - PONANT selected flight for embarkation
Breakfast is on your own.
Group transfer from the hotel to the airport terminal, in time for check-in of flight selected by PONANT.
Your hotel:
The Pullman Roissy CDG hotel is a four stars property located in Roissy. Located at 2 minutes walking from Roissypole, RER and CDGVal station, you will easily be able to join it.
This programme includes:
This programme does not include:
Please note:
Total : £160
This overland must be prebooked and prepaid at least 60 days prior to your cruise. Any reservation made after this deadline will be confirmed on-board based on availability. A minimum of participants must be booked in order to operate this tour. 100 % of total cost will be billed for cancellations made less than 60 days before departure.
From the quay, you will get to the airport by coach. The helicopters used are generally Bell 212 with 10 seats each or S-61 Sikorsky with 18 seats.
A helicopter trip in Greenland is an unforgettable experience! On board these helicopters, you will be able to experience the spectacular scenery of Disko Bay and the chance to see the ice fjord and ice cap in the most exclusive way. The ice fjord and the glacier make up a world-class area of outstanding natural beauty, as a result the fjord was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2004. The figures speak for themselves: the glacier is more than 1,160 sq. miles ( 3,000 km2 ) in area and calves about 40 cubic kilometres of ice every year. The ice from the glaciers thus totally dominates the sea in large parts of Disko Bay and in the sea west of Greenland.
From the air, the big floating icebergs become tiny, white cotton wads on a blue surface. When the helicopter flies above the ice sheet there is an exceptional view of the head of the glacier, where the icebergs are created, and of the enormous expanse of ice. The flight back takes place at low altitude through the ice fjord, which is densely populated with enormous icebergs.
Duration of excursions are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed.
Total : £490
From the wharf, your coach will drive you through Ilulissat to the south. Upon arrival, a guided walk of about 45 minutes will lead you to the idyllic Sermermiut valley that lies out towards the ice fjord.
In 1727, the place was Greenland’s biggest settlement and home to more than 250 people. Excavations have subsequently revealed that, for thousands of years, the beautiful valley has at various times been home to all of the cultures that have lived along the west coast of Greenland. This abandoned settlement is nowadays a very important archaeology centre for scientists, even if there aren’t any spectacular relics of these civilisations, as the Inuits did not build huge constructions.
Here, the main highlights are the beautiful landscapes of this sober, pure and fascinating nature: white and bluish masses, rising like mysterious mountains… Icebergs everywhere! Indeed, the Sermermiut Glacier is the most ice-productive in the northern hemisphere.
You will then walk back to your coach so as to return to Ilulissat, the old city and the port. You may wish to saunter in the city, and perhaps pay homage to Knud Rasmussen, the famous Danish explorer born in Ilulissat, whose childhood home is now a museum.
Included
For your serenity, PONANT organises your transfer and select for you an ideally located hotel.
Day 1 - Disembarkation Day
After landing of your flight selected by PONANT in Paris, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to the Pullman Roissy CDG hotel.
Check-in in your room.
Evening and dinner at leisure.
Day 2 – Roissy CDG
Breakfast on your own followed by check-out.
Your hotel:
The Pullman Roissy CDG hotel is a four stars property located in Roissy. Located at 2 minutes walking from Roissypole, RER and CDGVal station, you will easily be able to join it.
This programme includes:
This programme does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotel:
Pullman Roissy CDG Airport
3 Bis Rue de la Haye
93290
Roissy-en-France
Phone: +33 01 70 03 11 63
Total : £160