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In The Wake Of Jean-Baptiste Charcot

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Length

16 Days

Embark

Santiago de Chile

Disembark

Santiago de Chile

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Highlights

An all-new exploration aboard Le Commandant Charcot, following in the footsteps of Jean-Baptiste Charcot’s two great polar expeditions, to the Bellingshausen Sea, exploring abundant biodiversity.
Cross the Arctic Circle and the exploratory approach of the distant Charcot Island.
Outings and shore visits in a zodiac inflatable with a team of expert naturalist guides.

Overnight in Santiago + flight Santiago/Ushuaia + transfers + flight Ushuaia/Santiago

With featured guest Fridrik Rafnsson, founder of the Charcot Museum and former president of the Alliance Française, and

Your journey aboard Le Commandant Charcot will begin with your first look at this strikingly elegant ship, capable of navigating our planet’s most extreme environments. You are about to begin an adventure that will lead you to the edges of the Earth, on the continent that no people have ever inhabited, the Antarctic. But while these lands belong to no one, they have been the theatre of the greatest expeditions and have proven the heroism exemplified by certain men. From the Antarctic Peninsula to the Bellingshausen Sea and its unknown islets, Le Commandant Charcot will humbly take you on a 15-day exploration of the Far South, in the wake of the legendary man to whom it owes its name.

After crossing the mythical Drake Passage, beaten by the winds and home to soaring cape petrels, you will glimpse the last continent on the horizon. Jean-Baptiste Charcot led his first journey to the Antarctic over a century ago, but his exploits still resonate and his traces are tangible here. His first expedition with the ship Le Français built his legend and made a mark on Salpêtrière Bay. A little further south lies Marguerite Bay, which he explored during his second expedition. He named this mountainous and magnificent land after his wife and Pourquoi-Pas Island after his eponymous ship. At the exit of the Lemaire Channel, Petermann Island still holds memories of the wintering of this exceptional expedition.

As you sail on exploring the Bellingshausen Sea, the conditions become increasingly extreme. Ice takes over your horizon, the ice floe stretches out, and icebergs drift around you. The approach to Charcot Island guarantees intense emotions and gives you the unique feeling of being among the privileged few able to contemplate it.

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Ships

No departures available at this time

Standard Activities

Bird Watching

Crossing The Circle

Hiking

Lectures

Polar Plunge

Penguin Watching

About the In The Wake Of Jean-Baptiste Charcot

Overnight in Santiago + flight Santiago/Ushuaia + transfers + flight Ushuaia/Santiago

With featured guest Fridrik Rafnsson, founder of the Charcot Museum and former president of the Alliance Française, and

Throughout your journey, our team of passionate experts will go over all the details of these historic exploits with you while sharing their in-depth knowledge of the wildlife and landscapes. You will have the chance to observe Adelie, Gentoo and chinstrap penguins and perhaps even some young emperor penguins on the edge of the ice floe. Leopard, crabeater and Weddell seals, humpback and Mink whales, and orcas also live in these southern waters that you will sail through like those men of legend did before you.

Itinerary Day to Day

Day 1

Santiago de Chile

Transfer from airport to selected hotel.

Meet and greet at the hotel by our local representative. Check-in from late morning.

Lunch on your own and time at leisure in the afternoon.

Dinner.

Overnight at the hotel.

Santiago de Chile

Embarkation Point

Day 2

Embarkation in Ushuaia

Days 3-4

Crossing the Drake Passage

Day 5

Crossing the Antarctic Circle

Day 6

The Gullet

Days 7-8

Expedition to Charcot Island

Day 9

Bellingshausen Sea

Day 10

Marguerite Bay

Day 11

Pourquoi pas Island

Days 12-13

Antarctic Peninsula

Succumb to the magic of a place unlike any other. To this day, the mythical Antarctic Peninsula still holds real fascination and promises its visitors unforgettable moments. Throughout your adventure in this icy realm, you will find yourself in the heart of a spectacular decor in subtle shades of blue and white, surrounded by exceptional wildlife. Penguins, humpback whales, seals and giant petrels are at home here, as are elephant seals, fur seals, Antarctic minke whales, and orcas. Depending on which sites you will be lucky enough to visit, you may get the chance to observe them and share with them the beauty of these extreme parts.

Each day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest zodiac outings or landings to discover the infinite riches of the Antarctic Peninsula. Glaciers, ice floe, tabletop icebergs, mountain peaks that plunge straight into the sea, volcanic beaches, research stations, enchanting bays, and vestiges of the whaling industry: these are the faces of the Antarctic that will likely reveal themselves to you, in a hushed and surreal atmosphere. You will sail in the wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, Adrien de Gerlache and Sir Ernest Shackleton, great Antarctic explorers who, from the 19th century, set out to conquer these remote and uninhabited lands.

Antarctic Peninsula

Days 14-15

Crossing the Drake Passage

Day 16

Return to Ushuaia & Santiago

Route Map

There are 10 main destinations visited

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Cabin Details

Extra Activities

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From $ 375 Per Person

Kayaking

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Extra Activities

Get as up close to the natural environment as possible with an excursion aboard a two-person sea kayak, during one 2-hour session. Guided by a state-registered polar navigation specialist, you’ll discover and explore breathtakingly scenic polar landscapes and scenery. All the necessary equipment will be provided for you on board.

How is the activity organized?

Once you’ve arrived onboard the ship, you’ll meet your guides and the rest of the people taking part in the activity. This will be an opportunity to provide a general introduction to the activity, outline the rules that need to be followed, provide the necessary equipment and separate the participants into groups based on personal preferences and/or ability level.

The day before the activity is due to take place, a new briefing session will be organized to provide you with further details about the port of call and how the excursion will be organized. We’ll then provide you with the necessary equipment, which you’ll be required to take very good care of.

On the day of the kayak activity, you’ll first get changed at the ship’s marina platform (keeping your boots and parkas with you) before then being transported to land by Zodiac and taken to your kayaks.

Before you climb into your kayaks and set off on your adventure, your guides will provide a final safety briefing.

What requirements do you need to meet in order to go sea kayaking?

Though it’s always useful to have at least one experience of sea kayaking under your belt, due to the high quality of the equipment we provide and the experience of the guides who’ll be supervising you, we are able to take complete beginners to places normally only accessible to professional kayakers and seasoned outdoor adventurers.

Participants will be formed into groups based on ability level onboard the ship to ensure everyone is able to make smooth progress on the trip.

Sea kayaking is a physically demanding activity, for both the heart and the muscles. We require you to be in a good state of general physical health and to have a good sense of balance.

This activity is available to adults (aged 18 or over) and to children of 16 and over when accompanied by a parent.

What's Included

Transfer from airport upon flight arrival.
1-night accommodation in a 5* hotel the night before embarkation.
Your hotel will be confirmed few weeks before your cruise.
Early check-in available from late morning.
Hospitality desk at the hotel in Santiago.
Return flight Santiago/Ushuaia/Santiago in economy class.
Seats in business class may be available, please contact your travel agent.
Meals as mentioned in the programme and beverage package.
Transfers as mentioned in the programme.

What's Excluded

Tips for the local guide.
Personal expenses.
Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.

We’ll carefully listen to your aspirations and curate an impartial shortlist of personalized polar cruise recommendations—and pre- and post-cruise extensions—to match your desired experience.

Next we’ll place a free, no obligation, 24-hour cabin hold on your preferred cruise option whilst we discuss the final details. Book and relax safe in the knowledge you’ll be paying the lowest price guaranteed.

Then we’ll provide you with our expert packing advice, insider travel tips, and more to ensure you are fully prepared for—and maximize your enjoyment of—your once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica expedition.

In The Wake Of Jean-Baptiste Charcot

Highlights

Ships

Standard Activities