As PONANT continues to lead innovation with meaningful guest experiences which align with its ‘Explore to Inspire’ philosophy, the leading luxury expedition brand has announced Polar Raid, a new opportunity set to be unveiled on board Le Commandant Charcot on select journeys in the Arctic in 2023 and 2024.
The immersive, exclusive experience was first trialled last May on a full-scale dry run, where PONANT’s teams set out for the still-frozen shores of the northeast coast of Greenland. Their mission: to test an entirely new concept take on the challenge of the unique adventure of a polar raid during three days and two nights, unassisted and far from everything, out on the sea ice.
Scouting for the Polar Raid: behind the scenes
Led by Operations Director at SEDNA and Polar expedition expert Nicolas Dubreuil as well as Greenlandic guide and ice expert Ole Eliassen, the try-out team for the experience comprised nine members including professional mountain guides, select media representatives, a medical doctor, those from PONANT’s R&D department. Scouting for the new polar experience, the group left the world’s only luxury icebreaker behind, crossing the expanse of sea ice to trek into the snowy mountains of Ittoqqortoormiit and camp for two nights in the pristine arctic nature of East Greenland.
Moving around on skis, each team member had to pull their own sled (pulk), carrying all the materials and food supplies, enough to cover each adventurers’ individual needs for several days. Once the camp was all set, everyone took turns to keep watch. “Let’s not forget that we’re in bear territory”, one of the guides emphasised. Such a mission will also be entrusted to the passengers who will choose to participate in the Polar Raid.
An extraordinary experience, available soon
Designed in line with PONANT’s philosophy, ‘Explore to inspire’, as well as its CSR roadmap, ‘Blue Horizon’, this new exclusive experience aims to build closer connections between its guests, nature and local communities. A voyage within a voyage, a unique and surreal human experience nourished by Inuit wisdom in the wonderful scenery offered by Greenland wild and powerful nature.
Open to bookings as an option for a very limited number of guests on very select polar expeditions being two in 2023 and three in 2024, the Polar Raid will create the opportunity to meet the Inuit communities established along Greenland’s Eastern coast.
Inuit Spring of Ammassalik
In this region, inaccessible to traditional ships at this time of the year, fine discoveries are to be made aboard this ship designed for polar exploration: set off to explore this wild land protected by the ice floe and share special moments with its inhabitants, the Greenlandic Inuit. The history of the French polar expeditions also takes on its full meaning and inflates this exceptional voyage. Set off in the footsteps of the illustrious Jules de Blosseville, Jean-Baptiste Charcot or Paul Émile Victor to discover a wild land.
From Reykjavik to Reykjavik – 10 nights onboard Le Commandant Charcot
2 departures from 5 May to 15 May 2023
From AUD 30,020 per person
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Reykjavik to Reykjavik – 10 nights onboard Le Commandant Charcot
3 departures from 16 April to 6 May 2024
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