Le Commandant Charcot, 28 Night Unexplored East Antarctica & French Southern Lands ex Hobart, Tasmania, Australia to Cape Town, South Africa

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.

In these preserved lands, the icebergs drift majestically in sparkling waters, while the glaciers slowly flow, revealing the millennia-old secrets they have long kept. An ultimate quest and the promise of unforgettable and novel encounters in the footsteps of the greatest explorers, like Jules Dumont d’Urville, Erich von Drygalski or Douglas Mawson, the Australian legend of polar expedition who wintered at Cape Denison. Throughout your journey, our team of passionate experts will go over all the details of these historic exploits with you while sharing their knowledge of the wildlife and landscapes.

From Hobart, the departure point of many an emblematic polar expedition, set off on a unique polar odyssey, at the boundaries of the world, to admire all this singular territory’s natural treasures. During this unforgettable exploration, paced by the ice conditions between coastal ice floe, drifting icebergs and the largest polar icecap in the world - the Inlandsis in East Antarctica -, you will journey into this isolated region and make your way past the Australian research stations, Casey and Davis. Fascinating, bewitching, dizzying... there is no shortage of superlatives to describe Antarctica! In the icy depths of the Southern Ocean, mountains of ice rise like eternal sentinels, and Adelie penguins watch over the ice floe while humpback whales and orcas seem to guide the spirits towards unexplored horizons.

As you sail on to explore the eastern side of the White Continent, the ice floe and the ice disappear to make way for open-water navigation. Le Commandant Charcot will leave the Southern Ocean behind and you will perhaps have the chance to reach the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, in the wake of the great explorers who came from Europe in search of Terra Australis Incognita, such as Julien Crozet, Marc Marion Dufresne, Yves de Kerguelen or James Cook. During this all-new cruise in Antarctica, your senses will sharpen and you will be magnetised by the spectacle of the sparkling ice floe, the majestic tabular icebergs, the monumental ice shelves and the spectacular polar icecap. A unique moment, suspended in time, where the beauty of the White Continent is revealed in its full splendour.

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice must be preserved, we will take this factor into account from day to day in our itineraries. The sailing schedule and any landings, activities and wildlife encounters are subject to weather and ice conditions. These experiences are unique and vary with each departure. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the IAATO.

Be the first aboard Le Commandant-Charcot, the world's luxury polar exploration vessel, and enjoy a unique sailing experience in the Arctic or Antarctic!

With its hybrid propulsion combining liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electric generators, Le Commandant-Charcot has been designed to minimise the environmental impact of travel to the furthest latitudes.

The decoration of the ship, imagined by two internationally renowned design and architecture firms - the studio of Jean-Philippe Nuel and Wilmotte & Associés - is designed to be in harmony with the environment. The approach is contemporary with the desire to create a warm and elegant setting; stone, wood and leather recall the natural environment in which the ship is sailing.

Equipped with just 135 staterooms including 31 suites with balconies and outside views, Le Commandant-Charcot welcomes you in an intimate and refined atmosphere. Outstanding gastronomy in the two restaurants, relaxation in the indoor pool surrounded by its winter garden, relaxation in the well-being area with sauna and Snow Room... Like on a private yacht, each of our guests is unique.

EXPERIENCE CRUISING ANOTHER WAY, DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF YACHT CRUISES.

Our mission is to transport you to mythical destinations and secret ports only accessible to small capacity ships.

To offer the delights of a French-inspired cuisine in an intimate environment - a discreet service where no attention to detail is spared - and unforgettable moments of relaxation on board elegant yachts of character.

To combine sophistication and conviviality, with priority given to authentic experiences, emotions and the ongoing quest for excellence.

Yacht cruises: more than a cruise, a privilege...

Attentive, professional, discreet and elegant, the fully bilingual service on board will meet your every desire. Our unique atmosphere is filled with a signature sentiment: a warm welcome from an experienced crew who are passionate about what they do, in the tradition of private yachting.

In the dining areas, our gourmet cuisine is worthy of top fine dining restaurants: exquisite wines are available, and menus are created with expertise by our skilled chefs with a French-inspired menu enhanced by specialties from our various ports of call.

Pleasure, enrichment, discovery: relax - we take care of everything...