PONANT EXPLORATIONS will soon attempt a maritime first: a complete circumnavigation of Antarctica aboard the icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot. The voyage departs Ushuaia, Argentina, and runs from January to March 2028, covering nearly 11,200 miles along remote and largely uncharted stretches of the Antarctic coastline.
© Le Commandant Charcot
“PONANT EXPLORATIONS is driven by moments of shared awe, where guests witness the raw power of nature,” said Captain Étienne Garcia. “As one of the project’s initiators and someone personally involved in planning, I am committed to helping guests discover this new maritime route. It’s a privilege to guide travelers as they engage with the elements—the wind, the sea, the ice—and experience the extraordinary beauty of the polar world.”
The itinerary was designed by Captains Étienne Garcia and Patrick Marchesseau for Le Commandant Charcot, an advanced polar vessel featuring a PC2-rated hull and a hybrid electric propulsion system fueled by liquefied natural gas. Registered in France, the ship will depart Ushuaia and sail westward toward Hobart, Tasmania, completing that leg in approximately 30 days. After a two-day stop in Hobart, the expedition will continue along Antarctica’s eastern seaboard over a further 34 days.
© Le Commandant Charcot
Captain Patrick Marchesseau, who has previously sailed the Ross Sea on Le Commandant Charcot, reflected on the voyage’s inspiration: “Following the paths of explorers such as Ross, Shackleton and Amundsen left a deep impression on me—the landscapes and human stories are unforgettable. With this circumnavigation we aim to offer guests the same spirit of discovery: to witness regions of Antarctica that remain wild and rarely seen, and to feel the excitement of exploring a frozen frontier.”
Bookings for the 2028 circumnavigation will become available in December.