Luxury Ponant Antarctica Expedition Cruise – Charcot & Peter I Islands (15 Days)

Introduction

Expedition Ship Le Commandant-Charcot

Totally Latin America specialize in offering luxury Ponant Antarctica expedition cruise experiences beyond the ordinary. This expedition retraces the voyage of French Antarctic Explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot. Destined to sail since he boarded his soapbox, as a child, to cross a lake at Neuilly Sur Seine France. That box was called Pourquoi Pas? (Why not?).  Later, he sailed his full size Pourquoi Pas? vessel on his pioneering voyage to Antarctica. Today’s ship Le Commandant-Charcot is the very first hybrid-electric Polar Class (PC) certified exploration ship powered by liquefied natural gas. This ship allows access to journey to destinations rarely if ever visited. A maximum of 270 passengers occupy 135 cabins aboard this luxurious vessel. There are 68 suites with private balconies, four impressive split-level suites equipped with Jacuzzi and private balconies. The crème de la crème is the panoramic Shipowner’s Suite with a vast private open terrace. Le Commandant-Charcot holds amenities such as a 275-passenger cinema, indoor and outdoor heated swimming pool, two restaurants, bars & panoramic lounge, hair salon, spa treatments, beauty care, library and gym.

A Le Commandant-Charcot cruise is the ultimate luxury Ponant Antarctica expedition cruise. All luxurious expectations are met, but expedition means activity, and these forays to nature are immense. They include 16 Zodiac boats for landings and sea excursions, participative science with on-board research scientists, hiking, hot air balloon, Hovercraft, kayaking, snowmobiles and polar diving (special conditions apply to diving). All excursions are delivered with gusto by the finest naturalist guides.

Itinerary Map - Expedition Cruise to Charcot & Peter I Islands

Arrival and Departure Airports

Santiago, Chile or Buenos Aires, Argentina are the usual international route to access and return from this cruise. Other destinations can be arranged as required. Speak to your Totally Latin America Antarctic expert adviser to take care of your individual requirements.

Port Charcot

Marguerite Bay

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale

Charcot Harbour

Adélie Penguin

Seal Pup

Le Commandant Charcot - Stateroom Cabin

Le Commandant Charcot Vessel

Port Charcot

Marguerite Bay

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale

Charcot Harbour

Adélie Penguin

Seal Pup

Le Commandant Charcot - Stateroom Cabin

Le Commandant Charcot Vessel

• 1

  Day 1

  Ushuaia Departure 18.00 hrs

  Ushuaia City is located at the southern extremities of the Lands of Fire or Tierra del Fuego Argentina. It is an ideal pre-cruise destination to explore Patagonian Chile and Argentina. Your travel adviser will be happy to assist you in planning excursions in the region. This evening at Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica, we begin embarkation from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. and set sail at 6 p.m.

• 2

  Day 2

  Crossing The Drake Passage

  We spend two days crossing the famous Drake Passage. Named after the 16th Century explorer Sir Francis Drake. The navigation of this body of water was the discovery of the confluence of Pacific and Antarctic Oceans on his circumnavigation of the globe 1577- 1580. On this crossing you will have time to familiarize yourself with the features and amenities of your ship. In this regard, the Expedition Leader will first present the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators rules of conduct that must be observed during landings This is an open stretch of often rough waters, but your polar class vessel is well equipped to deal with the weathers of the crossing.

• 3

  Day 3

  Crossing The Drake Passage

  Today while crossing The Drake you will be instructed on the Zodiac boat trips that will be conducted throughout your cruise. These outings are typically divided to French speakers and English speakers with separate boats. This ensures you have just one guide speaking to travellers in their native language. Typically, the numbers in the Zodiacs are from 8 – 16 maximum. Visit the theatre for insightful lectures about the history and wildlife of the region. Also just step outside to the observation deck and the guides can point you to see Cape Petrels, Albatrosses and other avian visitors overhead or whales etc. in the waters around your ship.

• 4

  Day 4

  Antarctic Circle & Detaille Island

  One of the landmark moments of any luxury Ponant Antarctica expedition cruise is crossing the latitude of 66°33’ South, The Antarctic Circle. The home of mother earth’s midnight sun and polar night phenomena. You will be among a select cohort of humans that have managed to venture this far south on our planet. Today we come sailing by the snow-clad mountains along the Loubet coastline and Detaille Island. In 1956, a research station called Base W was constructed here by the British Antarctic Survey contingent but only lasted until 1959 when it was officially abandoned. The island is subject to strong winds and inclement weather and was hastily vacated after ice flows surrounding the island cut the scientists off from their supply ships. A pretty much intact camp can be seen today and is an every step back in time. There is a guestbook, and the camp remains open but is expected to be respected as an official historic landmark.

• 5

  Day 5

  The Gullet & Pourquoi Pas Island

  We navigate the slender sound between Adelaide Island and Graham Land toward Marguerite Bay. The rugged walls of ice are an unforgettable landscape as the gelid backdrop and icebergs reflect in the waters of the straits below. Your vessel Le Commandant Charcot has special significance here as in 1909 Jean-Baptiste Charcot surveyed these very lands. This oft ice- laden body of water can be a favorite haunt of Humpback Whales and a wonderful setting for kayaking or Zodiac excursions, dependent on weather conditions. Next on our peregrination we make land at Pourquoi Pas Island (Why Not? Island) dissecting the Bigourdan and Bourgeois Fjords. Here a large colony of Adélie Penguins reside and we will venture ashore by Zodiac and enjoy some time in their company. Australian surveyor John Rymill arrived in 1935 aboard his ship Penola. The islands name was retrospectively applied and celebrated Charcot’s ship the Pourquoi Pas? Charcot having first navigated these uncharted waters in 1910.

• 6

  Day 6

  Marguerite Bay

  Brooding mountains, blue seas, glaciers and icebergs comprise the exalted status of Marguerite Bay. It is one of the most profound and memorable natural destinations in the Antarctic. The bay was named after Charcot’s second wife Marguerite who had accompanied him on this, his second Antarctic voyage. Wildlife here includes Leopard Seals, Adelie Penguins, Emperor penguins, Dominican Gulls, Blue-Eyed Shag, Skuas and Storm Petrels.

• 7

  Day 7

  Expedition to Charcot Island

  The key element of this luxury Ponant Antarctica expedition cruise is the ability to explore remote places seldom seen. Charcot Island is a rare landfall for human visitors. It was discovered on January 11, 1910 by Jean-Baptiste Charcot and named after his father Jean Martin Charcot. The first land survey was conducted by a Chilean party as late as 1982, adding credence to its inaccessibility. On this largely untouched island, you can observe numerous seabirds, including petrels, Antarctic Terns and skuas.

• 8

  Day 8

  Expedition to Charcot Island

  We continue our expedition at Charcot Island. This region experiences frequent low-pressure weather and mist which lend an enigmatic aura to any visit. It is entirely covered in ice and sheer cliffs, except for the rocky outcrops extending over eight miles to the north-west. The ice in the narrowest part of Wilkins Sound has been cracking in recent times, and in 2009 served to detach this island from Alexander Island.

• 9

  Day 9

  Expedition to Peter I Island

  Peter I Island was discovered by German Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1821. This remote island remained elusive and was next seen by Jean-Baptiste Charcot on January 14, 1910. In 1929, a Norwegian expedition led by Nils Larsen and Ola Olstad made the first landing. Your luxury Ponant Antarctica expedition cruise affords you the chance to explore this remote and rare land. It lies 275 miles from the Antarctic shelf and has been described as akin to landing on the moon. It is reported that less people have visited this remote place than have walked on the lunar landscape.

• 10

  Day 10

  Expedition to Peter I Island

  We continue our exploration of Peter I Island with a focus upon accessing the rare beaches potentially suitable for landings hidden among the lofty cliffsides. These cliffs also hold seabird colonies of Antarctic Fulmars and Wilson Storm Petrels that struggle to eke out survival in this unforgiving and windswept land. Penguins, Elephant Seals and Weddell Seals can also be found at our beach landing Zodiac visits.

• 11

  Day 11

  Ocean Voyage Le Commandant-Charcot

  Enjoy a day upon the open ocean and on-board Antarctic lectures with our resident scientists and naturalist guides.

• 12

  Day 12

  The Gullet

  The immense landscapes of this narrow channel between Adelaide Island and Graham Land is like a regal ice palace. Lofty white walls echo in the mirrored waters of the Southern Ocean. This picture postcard setting is decorated by mother nature with her dotted icebergs and glistening blocks of ice. Keep a watch for Humpback, Minke and Fin Whales in these icy waters. It is also a wonderful opportunity for kayaking or Zodiac excursions, dependent on weather conditions.

• 13

  Day 13

  Crossing The Drake Passage

  The Drake Passage is your final challenge on your luxury Ponant Antarctica expedition cruise. You are by now a reasoned Antarctic traveler and have done this before. Rest assured that your polar class ship Le Commandant Charcot is the very best vessel to navigate these choppy waters in the most comfortable manner possible.

• 14

  Day 14

  Crossing The Drake Passage

  The Drake Passage lies at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands. This is the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents rising up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses. The Drake Passage is home to a broad palette of diverse marine fauna to enjoy en route.

• 15

  Day 15

  Ushuaia 08.00 hrs

  Disembarkation at 08h00 at Ushuaia. You will now have the very best memories from your unforgettable luxury Ponant Antarctica expedition cruise. At Ushuaia, you can connect to your flight home, or why not extend your stay to discover Latin America at Chile or Argentina. Contact your Totally Latin America travel expert to discuss your best options.

  Important Note: All Antarctic itineraries are subject to change without prior notice. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain of the cruise ship.

  Jean-Baptiste Charcot was called “The gentleman of the Pole “by Robert Falcon Scott.