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View BrochureHighlights
- Enjoy a tour of a family chateau and its surrounding vineyards and cellars, and tastings of regional Champagnes.
- Discover the iceberg strewn waters of Ilulissat Icefjord, finding yourself among ice over two thousand years old
- Explore the old Inuit settlement of Tug Tutok, taking the opportunity to explore the turf houses and gain an understanding of ancient Thule culture
- Travel to the northernmost point of Alaska, Point Barrow, and uncover archaeological sites that date human habitats back to AD600
- Spy seldom-seen wildlife including seals, whales and, even if we’re lucky, a polar bear family
- Tour Seattle’s Boeing Factory, discovering the fascinating history behind their aircraft
Where we visit
Full Itinerary
Paris (France)
Day 1: Saturday 25 August
Beginning our journey today, we are welcomed to the 18th-century Le Meurice, a hotel set beside the Tuileries Gardens on the Rue de Rivoli. Here, taking a personal moment or two is considered a typical indulgence. An appropriate welcome to our journey and Paris, we dine in the hotel’s prestigious Pompadour Room. Our meals are inspired by Alain Ducasse’s team of renowned chefs, and we savour the convivial excitement of the affair.
Paris
Day 2: Sunday 26 August
Spend a full day in the City of Light with one of the following Your World opportunities:
- Enjoy a tour and partake in tastings of regional Champagnes at a family chateau. Tour the vineyard and cellars, and enjoy lunch on the terrace which has been privately sectioned off for us.
- For those who would prefer to be reacquainted with the city, explore the sites during a classic hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus tour.
The end of our day is marked by an array of quintessentially Parisian restaurants from which to choose.
Embark Le Soléal, Kangerlussuaq (Greenland)
Day 3: Monday 27 August
We waste no time in making our way to Greenland’s icy fjords. Board a charter flight direct to Kangerlussuaq where we are greeted by our new home, Le Soléal.
Glaciers creak in a weary afternoon yawn, and along a mirror of water, we carve the first leg of our journey.
Sisimiut
Day 4: Tuesday 28 August
Traditional wooden houses pepper the harbour - an eclectic display of painted contrasts. We alight at the fishing village of Sisimiut where remote terrain is met by an innovative approach to architecture. Admire the natural surrounds, and delve into the town’s fascinating history before rejoining Le Soléal.
Ilulissat
Day 5: Wednesday 29 August
The iceberg-strewn waters of Ilulissat Icefjord are an astounding environment. Travellers adventurous enough to delve into the area, find themselves among ice dating back to the Quaternary glaciation some 2.6 thousand years ago. Of course, on an expedition as immersive as ours, we are fortunate enough to be part of that minority.
We find ourselves amid the World Heritage-listed sea mouth repository for one of the world’s most reproductive glaciers, Jakobshavn.
Tugtutok
Day 6: Thursday 30 August
Marking the entrance to the Upernavik Fjord, Tugtutok is an old Inuit settlement. Take the opportunity to explore the turf houses and gain an understanding of ancient Thule culture. With an economy orientated around hunting, Thule settlements often consisted of houses built from whale bone or skins.
Kullorsuaq
Day 7: Friday 31 August
A beacon of rocky outcrop, the Thumb of Kullorsuaq imposes our vision as we approach the town. With an entrance via Zodiac, we are greeted by wide-eyed locals. In these regions, icebergs are so common place that they may seem indistinguishable. However, to locals, identifying differences such as a flat surface and instability gives individual characteristics and meaning to each floe.
Savissivik
Day 8: Saturday 1 September
Powered by tales, including that of a meteorite that exploded providing residents iron with which to fashion traditional crafts and tools, the island of Savissivik is afforded a surreal charm. Explore the remote locale on your own schedule.
Pond Inlet (Canada)
Day 9: Sunday 2 September
Clinging to the shores of Baffin Island, Pond Inlet is widely considered guard of the entranceway to the Northwest Passage. Once ashore, we set off in search of artefacts left by prehistoric ancestors of the Inuit - the Thule. During a remarkable migration, these resilient people travelled by foot, sled and umiaq from the Bering Strait in order to reach the shores of Canada.
Beechey Island
Day 10: Monday 3 September
Alighting on Beechey Island, we discover the graves of men who dared to sail with Sir John Franklin as he set out to discover the Northwest Passage in 1845.
Fury Beach
Day 11: Tuesday 4 September
Surprisingly, Fury Beach did not earn its name from the unforgiving bites of Arctic wind. It was christened so because it’s the final resting place of the HMS Fury, abandoned after irreparable ice damage.
Fort Ross
Day 12: Wednesday 5 September
Uncover the ethereal beauty of desolation. A vast, white desert, Fort Ross was once established by the Hudson’s Bay Trading Company for eleven short years before it was decided that the barren land was best reserved for contemplation rather than commerce.
Gjoa Haven
Day 13: Thursday 6 September
We become fully aware of our time at sea and away from civilisation. Upon disembarking at the tiny Inuit hamlet of Gjoa Haven, we are met by locals who are believed to be direct descendants of the explorer who first conquered the Northwest Passage. It’s a rare pleasure to engage with them today as we learn about their town’s fascinating history.
At Sea
Day 14: Friday 7 September
You might like to spend today on deck – the Arctic air invigorating as we identify birds and other sea creatures.
Edinburgh Island
Day 15: Saturday 8 September
Keen to stretch our legs after a day spent at sea, perhaps embark on a hike where we are afforded views of Distant Early Warning stations from during the Cold War.
Holman
Day 16: Sunday 9 September
Known in Inuktitut as Ulukhaktok, we don’t blame you for finding the English name of this hamlet a little easier to pronounce. Holman was so named after the explorer who led the failed rescue mission of John Franklin in 1853.
Minto
Day 17: Monday 10 September
Due to their reliance on copper and use of the metal in the manufacturing of weaponry and tools, the residents of Minto, descendants of Thule, have gained the title Copper Inuit. Visit their territory, now known for the herds of nomadic caribou who pass through in search of food.
Franklin Bay
Day 18: Tuesday 11 September
If you were looking for the ultimate escape - this is it. Reaching the heart of the Northwest Passage, we could hardly be further from reality. Brave the elements out on deck and you may be rewarded with encounters of a lazy whale or tubby walrus. Perhaps we’ll even be lucky enough to spy a seldom-seem polar bear family.
At Sea
Day 19: Wednesday 12 September
On a day spent at sea, perhaps relax in the panoramic cocktail bar and observe the shifting surrounds of glaciers.
Herschel Island
Day 20: Thursday 13 September
It is believed that the former whaling station island of Herschel was named after the scientist John Herschel, a friend of John Franklin who was the first European to set eyes on the land. Admire the afterglow of light and shadow as they play beautiful tricks over ice.
Point Barrow, Alaska (USA)
Day 21: Friday 14 September
The northernmost point of Alaska, Point Barrow, places us amid archaeological sites that date human habitats back to the beginning of the Post-classical era in AD600.
At Sea
Day 22: Saturday 15 September
Catch a lecture on board, or enjoy some personal time.
Inalik, Little Diomede, Fairway Rock, Teller
Day 23: Sunday 16 September
In the middle of the Bering Strait, the Diomede Islands, though separated by a mere three kilometres of water, are dictated by a 21-hour time difference due to the International Date Line passing between. Of course, we won’t strain you with the confusion of time differences during our visit. Staying firmly on the United States’ island, Little Diomede, we gain an intimate insight into a humble community of just over 100 residents.
Savoonga
Day 24: Monday 17 September
The self-proclaimed walrus capital of the world is home to much more than just the toothy creatures. Today we hope to see whales and seals as they break fins through the icy depths - a patient mind is all that we require. And a camera, of course.
Nome, Seattle
Day 25: Tuesday 18 September
Board a direct chartered flight from Nome to Seattle where bright lights of the famous city are a welcome close to our expedition. Transfer to the Four Seasons Hotel where we assimilate among the luxurious surrounds.
Seattle
Day 26: Wednesday 19 September
An exclusive tour this morning unlocks the hidden charms of Pike Place Market before its gates open to the general public. Enjoy tastings of locally sourced produce including crab cakes, smoked salmon and pastries.
Historic sites of Pioneer Square and the International District are revealed among others later this morning. After touring the city, indulge in a Your World activity:
- Explore the Fremont District where you’ll find an eclectic array of sites including the Fremont Troll.
- Visit the world-class Seattle Art Museum and delve into the cohesive collection of collections.
An appropriately memorable end to our evening, we watch the sun set from the Space Needle before enjoying a Farewell Dinner at Canlis Restaurant.
Seattle
Day 27: Thursday 20 September
This morning, the aircraft enthusiasts among us delight over a tour of the Boeing Factory. Afterwards, savour a final lunch at a local restaurant.
Everything has been Considered & Included
There are no hidden costs. Everything is included – flights and other travel arrangements, luxurious accommodation, travel insurance, all dining and drinks, and sightseeing trips. Even the Your World experiences within your itinerary and internet access, when available, are included.
With our Valet Luggage service, we treat your luggage as preciously as we would our own. Simply pack your bags and we pick them up, making sure that they arrive safely at your next hotel or ship suite. Just in case, a doctor travels with us too.
You won’t be watching coastlines through binoculars from the deck. Our fleet of Zodiac vessels put you on that coast, right in the middle of the action with an experienced Expedition Team at the helm. And most importantly, you can always set your own pace depending on how active you’re feeling.
RESIDENCES OF THE HIGHEST STANDARD
Welcome to your homes away from home. Each one has a certain something that sets it apart from every other residence at its location. Whether for its history, cultural significance or natural setting, we’ve selected only the very best.
Le Meurice
An ideal introduction to our decadent exploration, we enjoy two evenings among Parisian splendour. With a restaurant overseen by the world renowned French chef, Alain Ducasse, a spa featuring Swiss anti-aging specialties and bathrooms decorated in Italian marble, Le Meurice showcases the finest aspects of European culture. Take a moment to relax before embarking across the frosty waters of the Arctic. There’s hardly a better way to begin our journey than by settling into a leather armchair and sampling specialty cocktails.
Le Soléal
Balancing between the worlds of adventure and luxury, our schedule plays with the idea of exploration from nine to five, and relaxation from five to nine. With a variety of Zodiac expeditions to remote shores, our cruise aboard Le Soléal is a voyager’s dream. Of course, we understand that the best adventures aren’t all about non-stop discovery, and we’re also afforded time to relax in the spa or on your private balcony.
Four Seasons Hotel
Located in the downtown city centre of Seattle, we could not have found a more stark contrast to the quiet towns just traversed. After weeks aboard Le Soléal, it’s a pleasure to stay so near the city’s finest attractions at the renowned Four Seasons Hotel. Among airy vistas and ash wood decor of our Prime Bay-View Rooms, we’ll appreciate the hotel’s modern influence. Perhaps spend your personal time at the fitness centre or spa, or alternatively sample the authentic Pacific Northwest cuisine at the Art Restaurant and Lounge.