In the heart of the Northwest Passage

Cruise overview

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.