Expedition to the Edge of the Ice Sheet

Find the perfect trip

14 days from

£10488.4

* Current p/p indicative rate.

Overview
Highlights
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Map
Ships

Highlights

  • Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
  • Hiking opportunity.
  • UNESCO site: Ilulissat Icefjord.
  • Visit traditional villages and meet the Inuit people and Visit to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.
  • Following in the footsteps of the Vikings, from the east coast of Greenland to Hvalso, home to ancient remains and Nuuk.
  • Sail along the Prins Christian Sund, a narrow, 100-km long passage that winds its way through cliffs and glaciers.
  • Discover the Eqi Glacier, at the bottom of Disko Bay, where the Paul-Émile Victor base marked the departure of many expeditions to the ice cap.
  • Discover Disko Bay, where you will see the largest icebergs in the Northern Hemisphere.
  • The scenery: fjords, iridescent glaciers and icebergs, wild tundra, lakes, and mountain ranges.
  • The wildlife: humpback whales, orcas, seals, musk oxen, Arctic foxes.

Highlights

  • Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
  • Hiking opportunity.
  • UNESCO site: Ilulissat Icefjord.
  • Visit traditional villages and meet the Inuit people and Visit to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.
  • Following in the footsteps of the Vikings, from the east coast of Greenland to Hvalso, home to ancient remains and Nuuk.
  • Sail along the Prins Christian Sund, a narrow, 100-km long passage that winds its way through cliffs and glaciers.
  • Discover the Eqi Glacier, at the bottom of Disko Bay, where the Paul-Émile Victor base marked the departure of many expeditions to the ice cap.
  • Discover Disko Bay, where you will see the largest icebergs in the Northern Hemisphere.
  • The scenery: fjords, iridescent glaciers and icebergs, wild tundra, lakes, and mountain ranges.
  • The wildlife: humpback whales, orcas, seals, musk oxen, Arctic foxes.
Capacity: 224, Types: Luxury Small Ship CruiseWheelchair accessible

This PONANT itinerary is your chance to embark on a 14-day expedition cruise to Greenland. Aboard Le Lyrial, you will follow the Vikings' route, the first Europeans to discover eastern Greenland as far as Nuuk, in the steps of Erik the Red. You will also enjoy a combination of adventure and discovery in the company of an experienced team of naturalist guides, anthropologists, ornithologists and marine mammal specialists...

From Reykjavik, you will touch the east coast of Greenland in Tasiilaq, a city founded by the Danish explorer Gustav Holm. Located on Ammassalik island, on the edge of an inlet, it offers a breathtaking view of the icebergs whose thousand blue glittering reflections dot the horizon.

During your cruise and zodiac outings, you will have many opportunities to admire an abundant and varied fauna: seals, whales, orcas, not to mention the many species of seabirds.

Your ship will then sail down the narrow Prins Christian Sund passage, which connects the south-east of Greenland to the south-west. Jagged mountains, rocky cliffs, waterfalls and floating ice form a wonderful wild landscape in which frolic colonies of bearded seals.

To the country’s west, you will sail amid the blue icebergs of the Narsaq region, and among the largest icebergs in the Northern Hemisphere in Disko Bay.

  • Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
  • Hiking opportunity.
  • UNESCO site: Ilulissat Icefjord.
  • Visit traditional villages and meet the Inuit people and Visit to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.
  • Following in the footsteps of the Vikings, from the east coast of Greenland to Hvalso, home to ancient remains and Nuuk.
  • Sail along the Prins Christian Sund, a narrow, 100-km long passage that winds its way through cliffs and glaciers.
  • Discover the Eqi Glacier, at the bottom of Disko Bay, where the Paul-Émile Victor base marked the departure of many expeditions to the ice cap.
  • Discover Disko Bay, where you will see the largest icebergs in the Northern Hemisphere.
  • The scenery: fjords, iridescent glaciers and icebergs, wild tundra, lakes, and mountain ranges.
  • The wildlife: humpback whales, orcas, seals, musk oxen, Arctic foxes.
12 August, 2024 to 25 August, 2024 on Le Lyrial
Prices

Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.

DeLuxe Stateroom
£ 11336 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
DeLuxe Stateroom
(200 sq.ft. + 43 sq.ft. private balcony) 28 Deluxe Staterooms of 200 sq.ft.with private balcony. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
Privilege Suite
£ 27263 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Privilege Suite
(398 sq.ft. + 86 sq.ft. private balcony) 7 Privilege Suites with private balcony will provide you a sea with in total discretion. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower and Bathtube, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet acces wifi
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
£ 13166 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
(200 sq.ft. + 43 sq.ft. private balcony) 72 Prestige Staterooms with private balcony of which 22 are convertibles in 11 Prestige Suites. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
Grand Privilege Suite
£ 36982 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Grand Privilege Suite
Grand Privilege Suite with private balcony will provide you a sea with in total discretion. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower and Bathtube, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
Deluxe Suite
£ 19240 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Deluxe Suite
(290 sq.ft. + 54 sq.ft. private balcony) On Deck 6 you will find 3 Deluxe Suites with private balcony. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet acces wifi, Sofa, Armchair & Pedestal table
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
£ 12552 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
(200 sq.ft. + 43 sq.ft. private balcony) 72 Prestige Staterooms with private balcony of which 22 are convertibles in 11 Prestige Suites. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
Grand Deluxe Suite
£ 31272 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Grand Deluxe Suite
(484 sq.ft. + 96 sq.ft. private balcony) 1 Grand Deluxe Suite of 484 sq.ft.with private balcony. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower and Bathtube/Jacuzzi, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
Owner’s suite
£ 40019 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Owner’s suite
(592 sq.ft + 129 sq.ft. private balcony) The Owner's suite is situated on Deck 6. It has been decorated by French interior designers and will provide you a breathtakting panoramic sea view. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating cabins available (Children welcome), Bathtub/Jacuzzi and shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi, Another Flat screen satellite TV, Sofa, Table with 4 chairs, Armchair & Pedestal table
Prestige Suite - Deck 5
£ 25922 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Prestige Suite - Deck 5
(398 sq.ft. + 86 sq.ft. private balcony) 11 Prestige Suites with private balcony will provide you a sea with in total discretion. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating cabins available (Children welcome), Shower, Minibar, Flat screen, satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi, Another Flat screen satellite TV, Sofa, Armchair & Pedestal table
Superior Stateroom
£ 10488 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Superior Stateroom
8 superior staterooms of 226 sq.ft.located on Deck 3. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
£ 13894 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
(200 sq.ft. + 43 sq.ft. private balcony) 72 Prestige Staterooms with private balcony of which 22 are convertibles in 11 Prestige Suites. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
08 August, 2025 to 21 August, 2025 on Le Lyrial
Prices

Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.

Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
£ 13374 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
(200 sq.ft. + 43 sq.ft. private balcony) 72 Prestige Staterooms with private balcony of which 22 are convertibles in 11 Prestige Suites. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
Grand Deluxe Suite
£ 31839 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Grand Deluxe Suite
(484 sq.ft. + 96 sq.ft. private balcony) 1 Grand Deluxe Suite of 484 sq.ft.with private balcony. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower and Bathtube/Jacuzzi, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
Prestige Suite - Deck 5
£ 26379 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Prestige Suite - Deck 5
(398 sq.ft. + 86 sq.ft. private balcony) 11 Prestige Suites with private balcony will provide you a sea with in total discretion. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating cabins available (Children welcome), Shower, Minibar, Flat screen, satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi, Another Flat screen satellite TV, Sofa, Armchair & Pedestal table
Superior Stateroom
£ 10649 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Superior Stateroom
8 superior staterooms of 226 sq.ft.located on Deck 3. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
Privilege Suite
£ 27747 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Privilege Suite
(398 sq.ft. + 86 sq.ft. private balcony) 7 Privilege Suites with private balcony will provide you a sea with in total discretion. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower and Bathtube, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet acces wifi
Owner’s suite
£ 40757 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Owner’s suite
(592 sq.ft + 129 sq.ft. private balcony) The Owner's suite is situated on Deck 6. It has been decorated by French interior designers and will provide you a breathtakting panoramic sea view. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating cabins available (Children welcome), Bathtub/Jacuzzi and shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi, Another Flat screen satellite TV, Sofa, Table with 4 chairs, Armchair & Pedestal table
Deluxe Suite
£ 19567 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Deluxe Suite
(290 sq.ft. + 54 sq.ft. private balcony) On Deck 6 you will find 3 Deluxe Suites with private balcony. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet acces wifi, Sofa, Armchair & Pedestal table
DeLuxe Stateroom
£ 11512 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
DeLuxe Stateroom
(200 sq.ft. + 43 sq.ft. private balcony) 28 Deluxe Staterooms of 200 sq.ft.with private balcony. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
Grand Privilege Suite
£ 37663 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Grand Privilege Suite
Grand Privilege Suite with private balcony will provide you a sea with in total discretion. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower and Bathtube, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
£ 14118 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
(200 sq.ft. + 43 sq.ft. private balcony) 72 Prestige Staterooms with private balcony of which 22 are convertibles in 11 Prestige Suites. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
£ 12750 GBP pp (+ Port Taxes & Fees £499 GBP pp)
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
(200 sq.ft. + 43 sq.ft. private balcony) 72 Prestige Staterooms with private balcony of which 22 are convertibles in 11 Prestige Suites. AMENITIES: Individually-controlled air-conditioning, Cabin layout : king-size bed, or twin beds, Shower, Minibar, Flat screen satellite TV, Desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, Video on demand, Safe, Hairdryer, Bath robes, Satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, Internet access wifi
show reverse itinerary
Days 1 - 2 REYKJAVÍK
Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, a museum located on ’Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical centre where one can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.
Day 3 AT SEA
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 4 TASIILAQ & SERMILIK FJORD
In Tasiilaq, on Ammassalik Island, follow in the wake of Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot’s famous ship, the Pourquoi Pas ?, which set off with its crew in 1935 to discover this small island of primitive and wild beauty that remained unexplored until the end of the 19th century. Along with Ittoqqortoormiit, a village with 500 inhabitants located at the entrance of the Scoresby Sound, the village of Tasiilaq and its surroundings, 800 kilometres (500 miles) further north, are the only inhabited areas on the east coast of Greenland. The name of this island is a reference to the capelin, a small flamboyant silver-coloured fish whose presence in the thousands announces to inhabitants the return of spring. A surprising discovery in a spectacular setting. You will be captivated by the spectacular scenery of the Sermilik Fjord, the largest in the south-east of Greenland. To the north, above the glacial valleys, the Schweitzerland Alps and their peaks that rise to an altitude of more than 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) stretch out in the distance, while in the south, where it opens onto the Irminger Sea, heavy erosion has carved the landscape. Three main glaciers calve a multitude of dazzling icebergs that drift serenely along the indigo waters of this majestic fjord. It owes its name to the Inuit word Sermilik, which generally refers to a fjord into which a glacier flows. It was mapped in 1884 by the Danish explorer Gustav Holm and his crew, while they wintered in the Ammassalik region.
Day 5 SKJOLDUNGEN
Discover Skjoldungen Island on the south-east coast of Greenland. This uninhabited land boasts magnificent landscapes that are sure to dazzle you. The island is surrounded by a stunning fjord, a distinctive feature of which is its double entrance: it forms a bend before joining the sea on the other side. Mountains, glacial valleys, rocky outcrops, tundra and willow forests make up the beautiful scenery which you will be able to admire more closely when you land here. At this port of call, surrounded by wild and pristine nature, it is quite common to see bearded seals, orcas, but also birds such as the common redpoll, the northern wheatear, or the common raven.
Day 6 AAPPILATTOQ (AUGPILATOK)
Aappilattoq (Augpilatok), is a small Inuit village of around one hundred inhabitants, whose name means “sea anemone” in Greenlandic. Located in a mountainous region inaccessible by road, its picturesque, colourful houses stretch out to the southern tip of Greenland, on the banks of the spectacular Prince Christian Sound. Some one hundred kilometres long, the sound connects the Labrador Sea to the Irminger Sea, meandering through stunning landscapes such as majestic glaciers, craggy peaks, and rocky cliffs with waterfalls fed by the ice sheet. This region was uninhabited in the 19th century. The village was created in the 1920s and the main activities revolve around hunting, fishing and livestock farming.
Day 7 HVALSO & NARSAQ FJORD
Around you, a grassy meadow filled with flowers stretches out, dotted with imposing granite rocks. A few semi-wild sheep and horses greet you; they are the only inhabitants of this place surrounded by beautiful mountains. You are in Hvalsø, in the heart of the fertile lands in Greenland’s south. During the 10th century, this site was colonised by the Vikings, who established a large community here. When your ship calls at these lands brimming with history, you will see the ruins of a church whose remains are still very well preserved. It was most likely built in the 14th century. It has lost its timber roof, but its four stone walls continue to stand proudly as a moving relic of a long-gone era. From your ship, discover the town of Narsaq. You will be dazzled by the beauty of the surrounding icebergs − large masses of ice in different shapes and shifting colours. Dominated by lush mountains, this small town is typical of Greenland and is located in the heart of a wonderful natural landscape. The multicoloured house facades and the glaciers with their myriad shades of blue offer a magical setting, conducive to wonderment.
Day 8 IVIGTUT
Located in the Arsuk Fjord, Ivigtut, now called Ivittuut, is a small town in southwestern Greenland known for being rich in cryolite, a very rare mineral used in the ceramics industry and to extract aluminium from bauxite. The open-pit mine was a once major economic resource for Greenland: a prosperous mining activity developed there in the 19th century until 1963 when the mine was closed. In the 32 km-long (22 miles) fjord that runs along the small town surrounded by tundra landscapes, you might be fortunate enough to see whales or rorquals swimming nonchalantly in the cold water.
Day 9 NUUK
When Erik Le Rouge, the exiled Norse chief, landed on the coast of Nuuk, he found a fertile and welcoming land dotted with fjords. He settled there with a group of his former countrymen, and the Norse remained the principal inhabitants until, over a period of 500 years, their population declined and gave way to the Inuit. Nuuk is situated at the mouth of one of the largest networks of fjords in the world, where the waters never freeze. The town spreads gently out towards the Davis Strait and enjoys an historic center that is particularly rich in national heritage. The vivid reds, blues, greens and yellows of the houses are a lively contrast to the somber waters of Greenland and serve to lift the spirits of the locals during the Winter months.
Day 10 SISIMIUT
During your cruise, we invite you to discover Sisimiut, founded in 1756 and the second largest town in Greenland. This small town is typical of Greenland, boasting bewitching panoramas: here and there, colourful stilt houses dot the undulating landscape, and the small fishing port stands as the gateway to an icy realm. As for the town centre, it is home to a number of historic buildings, a small church and a museum which retraces the history of the Inuit people, as well as many craft shops. When your ship drops anchor here, you will set out to meet the locals in a typically arctic atmosphere.
Day 11 PAUL-ÉMILE VICTOR BASE CAMP, EQI GLACIER
"The most beautiful place in the Arctic" is how Paul-Émile Victor described Greenland, a land of great icebergs and of towering ice formations calved by the giant glaciers of the polar ice cap. The Eqi Glacier is one of the region’s most impressive sights. Here, the silence is broken only by the roaring and cracking of the ice. It is impossible to know if one is shivering from cold or from the sheer thrill of being here... Imagine the vast outline of a glacier, its translucent crystals glowing with an ice-blue fire in the sunlight. Paul-Émile Victor’s shelter cannot be overlooked; it was from here that the French Polar Expeditions’ anthropological and geographic explorations set off in the 1950s.
Day 12 DISKO BAY
To the east of Baffin Bay, discover Disko Bay, scattered with countless icebergs produced by the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From your ship, admire the majestic ballet of these ice giants as they slowly drift across the dark waters. This site is a natural marvel of Greenland, and is also renowned as an observation point for the region’s many humpback whales. The encounters with wild fauna and stunning landscapes in the heart of this spectacular and fragile nature will be pure moments of wonder for you.
Day 13 ITILLEQ
Itilleq is a tiny island lying within the Arctic Circle, 45 km south of Sisimiut. Home to barely 100 people, they mainly earn a living from fishing and hunting in their typical Greenlandic village, whose bright colours evoke those of their traditional clothing. During your visit, you will maybe have the pleasure of playing a game of football with them, enjoying a “kaffemik” (a coffee break) or a moment of contemplation when the gentle light of the midnight sun dapples the horizon.
Day 14 KANGERLUSSUAQ
From 1941 to 1992, the town of Kangerlussuaq in Greenland was home to an American military base. Nowadays, thanks to its international airport, it has become a transit point for travellers seeking adventure in the Far North. Located to the north of the Arctic Circle, this town is the starting point of magnificent discoveries surrounded by unspoiled nature. Indeed, just a few dozen kilometres from there it is possible to get close to the Greenland ice sheet, the largest body of ice in the Northern Hemisphere. From Kangerlussuaq, admire also the superb landscapes of tundra in autumnal colours, where Arctic hares, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, reindeer, falcons and eagles live.
Please Note:
We are privileged guests in these remote lands where we are at the mercy of weather, ice, tidal and current conditions. Landings on certain sites and the observation of certain wildlife cannot be guaranteed. They vary from day to day, making each PONANT cruise a unique experience. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while complying with the safety rules and instructions imposed by the AECO.
Le Lyrial
A sleek silhouette, a welcoming intimate atmosphere, discover aboard this new ship the philosophy that has made our sisterships such a success: the spirit of Yacht Cruises. Sailing under the French …

Le Lyrial

Length: 142 metres
Launched 2015

A sleek silhouette, a welcoming intimate atmosphere, discover aboard this new ship the philosophy that has made our sisterships such a success: the spirit of Yacht Cruises.

Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 122 staterooms and Suites, with balconies, will join our fleet in April 2015. You will be enchanted by the contemporary decor inspired by the our destinations and the blue light of the Vega star in the Lyra constellation. The result is a subtle variation around a palette of blues, ranging from the  luminous delicate grey-blue of the Polar ice to splashes of the vivid turquoise blue found in  Mediterranean coves

A refined ambiance is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat’s hull, while the central sculpture of enamelled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea. In the loungebar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonymous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit.

Please click the following links to read more about Ponant and the other Ponant cruise ships.

Cabin layout for Le Lyrial
Overview
Highlights
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Map
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14 days from £10488.4

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