The Arctic Highway

DAY 1 | Reykjavik-Hvalfjord-Alftanes (Iceland)

Embarkation in Reykjavik. Evening navigation to Hvalfjord, famous for its whales and its role during World War II, and then to the Alftanes region where the Pourquoi Pas? of Commander Charcot sank in 1936.

DAY 2 | Icelandic Cape Horn-North Coast

Navigation off the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve and its impressive bird cliffs.

DAYS 3 and 4 | In the Ice of Greenland

Heading towards Jan Mayen Island, through whale-rich waters. Sea ice and giant icebergs, the rugged coasts of East Greenland and Scoresby Sund.

DAY 5 | Jan Mayen Island (Norway)

The Beerenberg volcano (2277 m altitude) and its glaciers come into view. Remnants of old whalers who shaped the history of these places. Large bird colonies are renowned on this spectacular volcanic island. Visit the Norwegian station on this North Atlantic island.

DAY 6 | At Sea, North Atlantic

Crossing the North Atlantic in search of whales.

DAY 7-9 | Horsund, Storfjord (Spitsbergen)

Arrival in South Spitsbergen and navigation in Storfjord and towards the East Coast (ice floes, polar bear search). Hundreds of seals are present on the fragmented ice that clutters the fjord. Southern Spitsbergen is known for its polar bears. The spectacular landscapes of peaks and glaciers in Horsund. Numerous ice fronts extending into the sea for kilometers, fjord ice, trappers’ huts, a rich polar history, from whalers to scientific stations, polar bears (?), seals, reindeer, white whales (?), bird colonies.

DAY 10 | Bellsund, Spitsbergen

Research Glacier, its wildlife, and icebergs. It was named in honor of the French research vessel.

DAY 11 | Cross Bay (depending on our navigation south of Spitsbergen)

The July 14 Glacier, and its bay with reindeer, foxes, birds, and seals. The Lilliehook Glacier, a 7-kilometer-long ice front. Navigation along the coast of the 7 glaciers, in front of the fjords that cut into Prince Albert I Land.

DAY 12 | Longyearbyen-Paris

Disembarkation in the morning in the capital of Spitsbergen. Return flight to Paris. Arrival in Paris in the evening or the next day (hotel night in Oslo covered).

©Photos-Grands Espaces

THE OCEAN NOVA

The polar ship par excellence

✔ Only 70 to 75 passengers

✔ Unmatched polar experience in the Arctic and Antarctic

✔ 8 zodiacs on board and nine French-speaking lecturers for a true university of the Far North

✔ A panoramic lounge and conference room that adds to the boat’s reputation

Measuring 73 meters in length and 11 meters in width, with a draft of 4 meters, this robust ship boasts an ice class A1-B1 and is operated by a crew of 38 individuals. Providing exceptional comfort, it combines efficiency and elegance while benefiting from the outstanding expertise of Grands Espaces, making it the benchmark for exploration cruises serving 72 privileged passengers. It features a broad gangway for easy access to the zodiacs.

The ship is equipped with systems that exceed environmental regulations, reducing its ecological impact. This includes state-of-the-art smoke filters, waste treatment on board, propulsion using only light fuel for reduced pollution, and engines that offer the lowest consumption per passenger. This low consumption also enables full carbon offsetting, making the ship carbon-neutral.