Unexplored East Antarctica & French Southern Lands
29 Days - Le Commandant Charcot
The theatre of mythical expeditions and a refuge for fascinating wildlife that is among the wildest on the planet, East Antarctica is still home to unexplored regions. Enjoy many moments of intense emotions on this 29-day half-circumnavigation of Antarctica, connecting Tasmania to the south of Africa, from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, aboard Le Commandant Charcot, an enveloping cocoon shaped for the highest polar latitudes.
from AUD $85400pp
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Home » 29 Day Le Commandant Charcot: Unexplored East Antarctica & French Southern Lands
Itinerary Highlights
- Enjoy the unique experience of sailing along the east coast of Antarctica and make the most of these moments to observe the endless variety of forms and states of the ice, in the silence and respect of the landscapes you travel through.
- The all-new half-circumnavigation of the eastern part of the Antarctic, an unforgettable trip into the heart of the ice and the protected zones of the White Continent, between the Pacific, Southern and Indian Oceans.
- Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, a polar exploration vessel opening to the exterior, take time with these unique moments of exploration and observation, in the silence and respect of fragile landscapes and encountered species.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Hobart, Tasmania
- Day 2 to 5: At Sea
- Day 6 and 7: Adelie Land
- Day 8: Magnetic South Pole
- Day 9 and 10: Adelie Land
- Day 11 and 12: Wilkes Land
- Day 13: Sailing along Shackleton Ice Shelf
- Day 14 to 16: Queen Mary Land
- Day 17 to 19: At Sea
- Day 20 and 21: French Southern and Antarctic Lands
- Day 22: At Sea
- Day 24 to 28: At Sea
- Day 29: Cape Town
Day 1: Hobart, Tasmania
Hobart occupies a wonderful location at the mouth of the Derwent River, overseen by majestic Mt Wellington and surrounded by natural bushland. The Tasmanian capital is Australia's second-oldest city, after Sydney, and the picturesque waterfront is bordered by 19th-century warehouses and colonial mansions. Salamanca Place is packed with shops, galleries and restaurants and the fascinating Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is a short ferry ride from the quay. Hobart is within easy reach of some of Tasmania's best-known destinations, from historic Port Arthur and the rugged Tasman Peninsula to Bruny Island, the Huon and Derwent Valleys and Mount Field National Park.
Day 2 to 5: At Sea
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with us and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.
Day 6 and 7: Adelie Land
Adelie Land covers around 400,000 km2 (around 250,000 square miles) of the White Continent between the 136th and 142nd meridians longitude East. These lands claimed by France in Antarctica are home, on Petrel Island, to Dumont-d’Urville station, which is named after the eponymous French explorer who investigated the region in 1840. Here, the few resident scientists share the Antarctic desert with Adelie penguins, seals and orcas, as well as emperor penguins during the winter. The extreme climate of this land at the edge of the world, characterised by its very low temperatures and its violent winds or blizzards, make it difficult to access its shores, which are protected by thick ice floe. Be among the rare people to discover this unique place where you will be captivated by the polar silence and the ice reflecting the rays of the sun as you experience the Southern Continent’s powerful fragility.
Day 8: Magnetic South Pole
The convergence point for the field lines of the Earth's magnetic field, the Magnetic South Pole attracts the magnetic needle of the compass. While the Geographic South Pole is the Earth’s southernmost fixed point, marking the intersection of the Globe's rotation axis with the Earth’s surface, the Magnetic South Pole moves over time. In fact, it is linked to the Earth's magnetic field which originates in the Earth's outer core, which is made up of molten metal and is subject to convection movements. It was during the French Dumont d’Urville expedition to Antarctica, aboard the famous ships L’Astrolabe and La Zélée, that the hydrographer and engineer Vincendon-Dumoulin made the first calculation of the magnetic inclination that enabled him to localise this pole in 1838. Set off in search of the Magnetic South Pole, try to get closer to it and, if luck allows it, attempt to reach it!
Day 9 and 10: Adelie Land
Adelie Land covers around 400,000 km2 (around 250,000 square miles) of the White Continent between the 136th and 142nd meridians longitude East. These lands claimed by France in Antarctica are home, on Petrel Island, to Dumont-d’Urville station, which is named after the eponymous French explorer who investigated the region in 1840. Here, the few resident scientists share the Antarctic desert with Adelie penguins, seals and orcas, as well as emperor penguins during the winter. The extreme climate of this land at the edge of the world, characterised by its very low temperatures and its violent winds or blizzards, make it difficult to access its shores, which are protected by thick ice floe. Be among the rare people to discover this unique place where you will be captivated by the polar silence and the ice reflecting the rays of the sun as you experience the Southern Continent’s powerful fragility.
Day 11 and 12: Wilkes Land
Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, follow in the footsteps of the American explorer Charles Wilkes, during his USS Vincennes expedition undertaken between 1838 and 1842. A veritable mine of information for scientists, this isolated land - where only moss and lichen have managed to adapt and to take hold, forming the tundra -, promises a unique moment. Under an immaculate white coat, a secret world comes to life: from the icy mountains defying the sky to the vast glaciers, some of which stretch all the way to the Southern Ocean, and the icebergs drifting silently through frozen waters. These landscapes, unlike any other, are sure to captivate you.
Day 13: Sailing along Shackleton Ice Shelf
During this unique navigation, suspended in time, admire the fantastic spectacle of the Shackleton Ice Shelf. In the luxurious comfort of Le Commandant Charcot, specially designed for polar exploration, the vast icy expanses of the Antarctic will unfold before your astonished eyes. The air here is imbued with solemn serenity, only broken by the distant cracking of icebergs drifting along the shelf. You will perhaps have the chance to observe the many mammals, such as the whales, seals and penguins, which prosper in these icy waters.
Day 14 to 16: Queen Mary Land
On the eastern shores of Antarctica, between Cape Filchner and Cape Hordern, admire the captivating landscapes of Queen Mary Land, recounting stories of legendary explorations. In the heart of this region, discovered in 1912, during Douglas Mawson’s Antarctic expedition, mountains of ice rise like giant sculptures, sparkling beneath the rays of the southern sun. The glaciers wind their way like rivers of glass, shaping sumptuous scenery. In this frozen kingdom, colonies of emperor penguins gather on the shores and leopard seals bask on the ice floe while whales slip graciously through its waters.
Day 17 to 19: At Sea
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with us and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.
Day 20 and 21: French Southern and Antarctic Lands
In the icy immensity of the Antarctic, between the 37th and 50th parallels south, the French Southern and Antarctic Lands encompass the largest emerged lands in the southern Indian Ocean, from the Crozet archipelago to the Kerguelen Islands. In the wake of the greatest European explorers, like Julien Crozet, Marc Marion Dufresne or James Cook, who sought out Terra Australis Incognita, you will explore these volcanic lands, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In these sanctuaries of biodiversity which represent unique terrain for scientific research, majestic icebergs stand like ephemeral sculptures, silent witnesses of the passing of time, while king penguins or elephant seals, the lords of these inhospitable lands, populate the beaches with their gigantic colonies.
Day 22: At Sea
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with us and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.
Day 23: French Southern and Antarctic Lands
In the icy immensity of the Antarctic, between the 37th and 50th parallels south, the French Southern and Antarctic Lands encompass the largest emerged lands in the southern Indian Ocean, from the Crozet archipelago to the Kerguelen Islands. In the wake of the greatest European explorers, like Julien Crozet, Marc Marion Dufresne or James Cook, who sought out Terra Australis Incognita, you will explore these volcanic lands, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In these sanctuaries of biodiversity which represent unique terrain for scientific research, majestic icebergs stand like ephemeral sculptures, silent witnesses of the passing of time, while king penguins or elephant seals, the lords of these inhospitable lands, populate the beaches with their gigantic colonies.
Day 24 to 28: At Sea
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with us and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.
Day 29: Cape Town
Dynamic and peaceful, cosmopolitan and hip, Cape Town offers its visitors a most unique mix. Here, the locals like to say that their city is “the quintessential melting pot of South Africa”. Located in the heart of one of the most beautiful bays in the world and dominated by the famous Table Mountain, it is graced with extraordinary landscapes including sheer cliffs that plunge into the Atlantic Ocean and vast whitesand beaches. We invite you to discover this incredible city, the South African capital of fashion, the art of living, and gastronomy. Further on, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve awaits you and is home to a wide variety of endemic fauna and flora.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
17 Feb 2026 - 17 Mar 2026 | AUD $85400pp | ||
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6 | AUD $85400pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Stateroom Deck 7 | AUD $87110pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Stateroom Deck 8 | AUD $88820pp | Contact us | |
Deluxe Suite Deck 6 | AUD $91380pp | Contact us | |
Deluxe Suite Deck 7 | AUD $95670pp | Contact us | |
Deluxe Suite Deck 8 | AUD $99090pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Suite Deck 7 | AUD $128180pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Suite Deck 8 | AUD $132450pp | Contact us | |
Grand Prestige Suite Deck 6 | AUD $136740pp | Contact us | |
Privilege Suite Deck 8 | AUD $145300pp | Contact us | |
Duplex Suite Deck 6 | AUD $200920pp | Contact us | |
Owner's Suite | AUD $239410pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
20 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
20 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
20 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
28 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Deluxe Suite Deck 7
28 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Deluxe Suite Deck 8
28 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Prestige Suite Deck 7
40 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with 2 showers and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Prestige Suite Deck 8
40 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with 2 showers and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Privilege Suite Deck 8
48 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and bathtub, butler service, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, French bath products, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European sockets, WiFi internet access
Grand Prestige Suite Deck 6
42 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and bathtub, butler service, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, French bath products, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European sockets, WiFi internet access
Duplex Suite Deck 6
48 metres-squared, private balcony, jacuzzi, private bathroom with shower and bathtub, butler, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, French bath products, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European sockets, WiFi internet access
Owner's Suite
114 metres-squared, private balcony with jacuzzi, private bathroom with shower and bathtub, butler service, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod docks, safety deposit box, French bath products, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Le Commandant Charcot Deckplan
Specifications
- Length: 150m
- Width: 28m
- Draught: 10
- Ice Class: PC2
- Propulsion: LNG and Hybrid Electric
- Shipyard: VARD
- Classification: Bureau Veritas
- Flag: French
- Crew Members: 215
- Passengers: 245
- Guest capacity Antarctica: 200 pax
- Onboard Expedition Zodiac: 16
- Staterooms and Suites: 123 (including 31 suites)
- Panoramic Restaurant: 1
- Grill Restaurant: 1
- Swimming Pools: 2 (indoor pool and winter garden, outdoor pool)
- Spa, Sauna, Fitness Room: 1
Whats included?
- Hotel taxes
- Entrance fees
- Transfers
- Bilingual French/English expedition team
- Lectures and presentations by expedition leaders and naturalist staff
- Waterproof boots on loan
- Captain’s welcome cocktail and gala dinner
- Park entry fees into protected areas
- Accommodation in your selected stateroom
- Landings and zodiac outings
- A full meal plan
- Open Bar: beginning with boarding, and during the duration of the cruise, a wide selection of drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, wine, beer, Charles Heidsieck champagne, spirits, coffee, tea) is served on request and at any time of the day. Certain premium alcoholic beverages on the menu are not included in the Open Bar.
- Free Wi-Fi internet access 24 hours a day
- Port taxes
What’s not included?
- International Airfares
- Internal airfares
- Airport entrance/departure taxes
- Passport, visa, and immigration fees
- Additional hotel nights
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Travel Protection Plan
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included