Polar Raid: Ponant unveils a new experience designed for “Le Commandant Charcot” guests
Discover the making-of a new experience that will soon be available on a selection of journeys on board “Le Commandant Charcot”.
Last May, during an expedition towards the East coast of Greenland, a full-scale dry run was held for the first Polar Raid. In line with its philosophy, ‘Explore to inspire’, PONANT innovates and creates ever more immersive, exclusive, and meaningful experiences.
At the end of last spring, PONANT’s teams set out for the shores of the northeast coast of Greenland, which are still frozen over at that time of year. Their mission: to test a new concept, and take on the challenge of the unique adventure of a polar raid during three days and two nights, unassisted, far from everything, out on the sea ice.
Scouting for the Polar Raid: behind the scenes
This unique expedition was led by Nicolas Dubreuil, Operations Director at SEDNA and Polar expedition expert, as well as Greenlandic guide and ice expert Ole Eliassen.
The try-out team made up of nine members included professional mountain guides, some media representatives, a medical doctor, and of course people from PONANT’s R&D department. Scouting for this 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 it in 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.
The Polar Raid will be open to bookings as an option for a very limited number of guests, on the occasion of several polar expeditions aboard Le Commandant Charcot, to meet the Inuit communities established along Greenland’s Eastern coast: two in 2023, and three in 2024.
Inuit spring of Ammassalik
Reykjavik – Reykjavik aboard Le Commandant Charcot. 2 departures from 5 to 15 May 2023. 11 days – 10 nights.
From €15,140
And also:
Reykjavik – Reykjavik aboard Le Commandant Charcot. 3 departures, from 16 April to 6 May 2024. 11 days – 10 nights. From €15,190
(Ponant)
