OUR VOYAGES

Antarctica Cruise Expeditions:

Antarctica is said to be the coldest, driest and windiest place on earth, but that does not describe its attractions as a tourist destination. This immense wilderness is a fabulous and virtually pristine paradise for wildlife with an incomparable scenery of mountains, snow and ice. It is a privilege to visit this awe-inspiring continent and to experience the special magic that has lured explorers, adventurers and scientists for more than two centuries and - most recently - world travelers.

Taking advantage of the long days at the height of the Austral summer, November through to March, we explore vast colonies of penguins, observe some of the great whales, watch hundreds of seals resting lazily on ice floes, and marvel at the extraordinary variety of shapes, sizes and color of icebergs. The vistas are magnificent, with towering glaciers and dramatic cliffs that drop almost vertically into the sea. Everything in Antarctica appears to be built on a scale that is larger than life.

Join us on one of our exciting programs of voyages to the "White Continent".

SMALL SHIP ADVENTURES 2008-2009
November 2008 - March 2009

Active exploring on the Antarctic Peninsula aboard nimble, ice- strengthened former research vessels carrying a maximum of 48 passengers - with frequent Zodiac landings; specialist presentations and interaction within a close-knit group of adventurers; polar camping and kayaking options; excellent accommodations and cuisine; and your own Quark Expeditions parka. The atmosphere on board our small ships is like an intimate bed and breakfast, with the amenities of a hotel, including bar service and three professionally prepared meals a day.

Antarctic Adventure: Actively Exploring the Peninsula
Antarctic Adventure: Actively Exploring the Peninsula - Further Adventures
Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition
Antarctic Quest via the Falklands (Malvinas) and South Georgia


ICEBREAKER ADVENTURES 2008-2009
October 2008 - January 2009

The ultimate in expedition travel: Journey to less-explored shores aboard a purpose-built, polar-class icebreaker carrying just 108 passengers - featuring helicopter excursions; regular Zodiac landings; specialist presentations and guidance ashore; an onboard artist program; superb accommodations and cuisine; and your own Quark Expeditions parka.

Emperor Penguins: Snow Hill Island Safari
Epic Antarctica: Semi-Circumnavigation
Great Antarctic Explorers: Discovering the Far South
 

SMALL EXPEDITION SHIP ADVENTURES 2008-2009
November 2008 - March 2009

A perfect introduction to Antarctica aboard an ice-strengthened expedition ship designed to carry about 100 passengers on a relaxed, comfortable adventure - with regular Zodiac landings; specialist presentations and guidance ashore; an interactive polar arts program on many departures; and exceptional cuisine and service.
 
Classic Antarctica: Discovering the Peninsula
Explorers' Route via the Falklands (Malvinas) and South Georgia

Arctic Cruise Expeditions:

The Arctic is one of the most remote and fascinating regions of the world, and an area which has only ever been accessible to the privileged few. Join us on one of our voyages of exploration and adventure to the Arctic.
 
Sail into spectacular fjords surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers illuminated by the 24-hour sun; thrill at the experience of your powerful icebreaker tackling the pressure ridges, hummocks and ice floes of this northern world; land by expertly-piloted helicopter in areas inaccessible by Zodiac; discover historic sites of polar exploration; and call at lands rarely visited before.
 
Polar bears, musk ox, walruses, whales and other marine wildlife, roam the icy seas and landscapes of the North. Only icebreakers like ours can take you to these remote and fascinating Polar Regions.

Join us on one of our exciting programs of voyages to the North Pole.

OUR VOYAGES TO THE ARCTIC
 
Endless expanses of ice-covered sea. Landscapes of jagged mountains, immense glaciers and windswept tundra. Polar bears and seals feeding among the floes. Arctic seabirds diving from craggy cliffs. The groan of breaking ice under the bow of a giant ship. The dark ribbon of our progress viewed from the air as you speed in a helicopter across the frozen sea. This is the Arctic world that Quark Expeditions invites you to explore. From Wrangel Island to Frobisher Bay, from the Bering Sea to the Geographic North Pole, we want to show you what we've seen, tell you what we've learned and share our passion for this remote, spectacular region that's unlike anywhere else on Earth.
 
Arctic 2009
Our Expedition Goals
Our goal in the Arctic is straightforward: to gather the best specialists, choose the best routes, recognize the best opportunities for exploration and, drawing on years of experience, create the best possible polar adventures. You'll witness firsthand the haunting beauty of the northern wilderness; encounter narwhals, musk ox, puffins, Gyrfalcons - every type of Arctic wildlife; gain new perspectives from outstanding naturalists, historians and scientists; discover the unexpected pastel tones of the tundra, with its profusion of wildflowers; sail on one of the world's most powerful vessels as it plows through meters-thick ice; view the polar vastness from the deck or from the air; travel in comfort and safety on a ship renowned for its accommodations and superb cuisine; and follow generations of explorers on one of the last great travel experiences.
 
Murmansk, Anadyr & Resolute
Quark Expeditions ships use three northern ports. Our North Pole journey begins at Murmansk, the largest city north of the Arctic Circle (pop. 400,000) and the base for Russia's nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet, including the Yamal. At the other end of the Russian Arctic is the smaller port of Anadyr (pop. 11,000), capital of remote Chukotka province. It is from here, on a deep inlet of the Bering Sea, that the Kapitan Khlebnikov sails to Russia's Far East and Wrangel Island. Home base for our expeditions to the Canadian Arctic and Greenland is the remote community of Resolute (pop. 215) on Cornwallis Island, a hub for regional scientific exploration and logistics high above the Arctic Circle at nearly 75° north.
 
A Note on Our Itineraries:
Quark Expeditions takes you to remote polar regions where very few travelers venture. We constantly adjust our routes in progress to take best advantage of weather and ice conditions - which can vary unpredictably from day to day. In some cases our exact landings depend on official permission that can only be obtained locally. And we are always ready to alter plans according to wildlife sightings and other one-of-a-kind opportunities. All this to say that our itineraries are painstakingly planned but not definitive summaries of the journey you'll actually experience. We cannot guarantee that all landings will take place or that they will include all the events we've outlined in advance. Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy - and excitement - of expedition-style travel, and a measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring on the voyage.