Exploration from Greenland to Canada via Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Succumb to the charms of this 16-day cruise aboard Le Champlain, sailing between Iceland and Canada via the stunning landscapes of Greenland. You will embark in Reykjavik, the most northerly capital in the world, lying slightly above the 64th parallel.
You will first travel through the narrow Prins Christian Sund passage, which connects the south-east of Greenland to the south-west. Jagged mountains, rocky cliffs, waterfalls and floating ice form a wonderful wild landscape in which you might observe colonies of bearded seals. After passing in front of the impressive Kujalleq Glacier, you will call at Aappilattoq, a small Inuit village with some one hundred inhabitants, dotted with colourful houses typical of this faraway land. Le Champlain will head to Canada to call at l’Anse aux Meadows, a Viking archeological site from the 11th century listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located north of the Canadian province of Newfoundland. “The Rock” honours its nickname: the mountains here plunge into the clear sea while the fjords slip inland. Although it appears inhospitable, this territory was nonetheless one of the first sites in the New World to become known in Europe. Saint-John’s, the capital of the province is one of the oldest anglophone cities in North America. It is nestled in the heart of a stunning natural environment and strolling through its historic core or along its sloping streets lined with colourful houses is an enjoyable experience. A little piece of France located off the coast of Canada, the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago has many charms. Here you will discover the lively island of Saint Pierre, its small houses with coloured facades and its natural harbour which sheltered many fishing boats in the past. The second island in the archipelago, Miquelon, will delight lovers of the great outdoors with its vast rolling meadows and dwarf forests dotted with small lakes and lined with cliffs that disappear into the northern waters inhabited by common seals. You will also meet the people of Miquelon. At the mouth of Saguenay River, you will reach Tadoussac, where you may be able to observe a resident population of beluga whales. This National Park is also an unmissable site for whale watching as the mammals gather to feed before winter. After a port of call in the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Montreal, your ship will continue its journey on the Saint Lawrence River, a prodigious waterway home to exceptionally beautiful nature. To round off your cruise, you will sail along the shimmering waters of Lake Ontario before making your way to the cosmopolitan city of Toronto, where you will disembark. Itinerary is subject to change according to port authorizations and government regulations. 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.When searching for a luxury yacht expedition cruise, there’s one name above all else that you need to know – Ponant Cruises. Founded in 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers, Ponant combines succulent luxury with authentic adventures on all seven continents.
From classic Mediterranean itineraries and Caribbean sailings, to bucket-list expeditions around Greenland and Antarctica, Ponant cruises proudly counteract the banality of mainstream voyages with a unique take on the concept of small-ship cruising. It’s the absolute trip of a lifetime.
Like the rest of the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Champlain successfully manages to subtly combine the desire to explore the remotest regions of the planet with the comfort and privacy of a cosily intimate ship.