Polar Expeditions

 

The most rugged, remote, ice-filled and unexplored regions in the world are waiting to deliver the richest travel experience you will ever have – intimate wildlife encounters, diverse landscapes and exquisite natural beauty.

​The Most Seasoned Polar Explorers on Earth

Travel to the Polar Regions with These Recommended Expeditions

12-Day Spitsbergen Explorer: Wildlife Capital of the Arctic

Expedition Cruise
This journey has been designed to maximize time on the west and northern/southern tips of the island, providing you optimal chances to witness the remarkable array of creatures who call this spectacular yet forbidding environment home – including whales, walruses, Svalbard reindeer, seabirds by the thousands, and that most iconic of Arctic residents, the polar bear.

Why we love this tour…
Witness rugged, glacier-topped mountains, stunning fjords, polar deserts and immense glaciers
Spot polar bears in their natural landscapes
Watch thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots along the towering cliffs of Alkefjellet
See the frontier town on Longyearbyen
Relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District of Helsinki
Many shore landings by Zodiac craft
Presentations by the expedition team and expert guest speakers

** SAVE up to 31% **

From £7,200pp

We’ve teamed up with award winning Quark Expeditions to bring you this trip

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9-Day Greenland Adventure: Explore by Sea, Land and Air

Expedition Cruise
You’ll experience this new voyage aboard the polar ship, Ultramarine, which is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, 20 quick-launching Zodiacs, luxurious onboard amenities, and the biggest portfolio of Adventure Options in the Polar Regions. This one-of-a-kind voyage will immerse you in the stark, majestic landscape of world’s second-largest ice mass.

Why we love this tour…
Ascend cascading coastal glaciers
Deep excursions in the southern fjord systems
Roam the tundra with a resident chef
Discover Norse sites and hiking trails
Explore serene, sheltered waterways and snow-capped mountains
Opportunities for a helilanding on the Greenland Ice Sheet and heli-hiking
Many Zodiac craft shore landings
Presentations by the expedition team and expert guest speakers

** SAVE up to 30% **

From £8,000pp

We’ve teamed up with award winning Quark Expeditions to bring you this trip

Learn More

Enquire now to discuss with a expedition cruising expert

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Quark Expeditions Take You Deeper

Quark Expeditions goes where others simply can’t. Or won’t. But their expert guides’ abilities to read unknown terrain means where there’s a will, there’s a way – and that way could be by kayak, Zodiac boat, helicopter, or even hot air balloon. In an environment so unpredictable, it pays to have a few backup plans. They don’t just expect the unexpected, they embrace it.

Quark Expeditions team

The Expedition Team

Guests will travel with the most experienced team in the industry – some of whom have honed their polar expertise over more than 200 expeditions in their 20-plus-year career. The guest experience is enriched by paddle guides, photography guides, geologists, ornithologists and other experts who share their expertise as it relates to each specific polar destination. Plus, the expedition team member-to-guest ratio is 1:6, meaning you’ll have all the attention you want throughout your voyage and excellent access to polar experts.

Quark Expeditions Ultramarine ship

Small Ships

Quark’s smaller polar vessels can take you to remote, tiny villages and settlements, often through narrow fjords and channels. This ability to get off-the-beaten path and avoid overcrowded shore landings means you have a much more authentic polar experience. The diverse fleet includes the classic wooden touches of Ocean Adventurer, the World Explorer – with a world-class spa and the sturdiness of 50 Years of Victory. Lastly, there’s the technologically-advanced Ultramarine that is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, 20-quick launching Zodiacs and superb onboard amenities (including a sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows).

Quark Expeditions penguin encounter

Most Innovative Itineraries

Working with local communities, especially in the Arctic, has allowed Quark Expeditions to create itineraries and off-ship experiences exclusive to them. In 1991, they were the first to bring consumer travellers to the North Pole and 2004, their team was the first to confirm the fabled Emperor penguin colony at the remote Snow Hill Island in Antarctica. Guests have flexible options when choosing from their abundant itineraries, which range from 7 to 23 days and easily find a trip to fit your budget and schedule – and customise according to your interests.

Quark Expeditions group hike

Most Adventure Activities

Guests can be assured of a truly immersive experience. Kayaking, for instance, brings you closer to the ocean surface, while camping brings you closer to nature and the polar terrain. Quark Expeditions was the first to offer SUP boarding and hot air ballooning in the Polar Regions. And now they’ve introduced helicopters – for more than just flightseeing. Guests choose from the largest selection of helicopter-supported activities in the Polar Regions, including alpine kayaking, Alpine Heli-trekking and Ice Sheet landings, to name a few.

Quark Expeditions logo

We’ve teamed up with award winning Quark Expeditions to bring you these trips

12-Day Spitsbergen Explorer: View full itinerary & dates

9-Day Greenland Adventure: View full itinerary & dates

Enquire now to discuss with a expedition cruising expert

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When to explore…

  • The best time to visit the Arctic is during the high summer of late June and early July
  • Temperatures are between 3°C and 7°C within that travel window
  • The sun will remain over the horizon for almost all the hours of the day
  • If heading to the Southern Hemisphere’s Antarctic, the sea ice opens up in the end of October through to March
  • Near the coast, temperatures in Antarctica can peak at around 10°C

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