The Arctic

For those short on time, the benefits of this expedition are many. You’ll witness the delights of the world’s largest fjord system of Scoresby Sund, discover the fascinating Inuit settlements and people of Ittoqqortoormiit, and have the possibility of viewing some of the world’s most vivid displays of Northern Lights. As one of our more active adventures, you’ll have the chance to trek along the tundra and at Greenland National Park, climb mountains and watch grazing musk ox and other arctic wildlife on the horizon.

Spend a week exploring the Canadian Arctic at this unique wilderness lodge and world-class beluga whale observation site on Somerset Island in Nunavut, Canada. Situated 500 miles (805 km) north of the Arctic Circle, the lodge offers guests fully guided opportunities for diverse adventure activities, and extraordinary polar photography thanks to 24 hours of daylight. Observe the elusive musk ox, polar bear and more wildlife in their natural habitat and enjoy comfortable accommodations and superb food, all accessible via a scenic flight from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge is a family-run basecamp, hosted by arctic enthusiasts Josée Auclair and her husband, Richard Weber, along with their two sons, Tessum and Nansen. They are distinguished across the Canadian High Arctic as polar experts, particularly in Nunavut, and specialize in North Pole and arctic tourism. Additional expertise comes from Quark Expeditions’ veteran polar expedition team members, Niki Trudeau, and Dave Allcorn.

From the Netherlands to Scotland, Jan Mayen and Svalbard, get to the know the seas navigated by Vikings and hunters of past centuries.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this expedition, which includes islands rarely visited by other expedition ships. A journey to Franz Josef Land in the Russian High Arctic is a specialty of this expedition. This comprehensive voyage also explores Spitsbergen and is an unparalleled Arctic voyage of a lifetime.

• Search for a variety of Arctic wildlife—seals, walrus, whales, Arctic foxes, musk oxen, and with luck, polar bears.
• Photograph dramatic landscapes, including chiseled fjords, glittering glaciers, sculpted icebergs, and lush tundra blazing with purple saxifrage and moss campion.
• Explore by Zodiac to discover thousands of breeding seabirds, including kittiwakes, murres, dovekies, puffins, and rare ivory gulls.
• Visit colorfully-painted villages and tiny fishing hamlets steeped in Viking history.
• Attend cultural performances and meet the hearty residents who share stories of survival in this harsh, yet ultimately beautiful land.

This voyage focuses on Disko Bay, an area as rich in history and famous for icebergs and whales. You will explore the natural wonders of northwest Greenland in all their glory, from the impressive Ilulissat Icefjord (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and breathtaking Eqip Sermia glacier to the red heart-shaped mountain of Uummannaq and the incredible volcanic rock formations of Qeqertarsuaq.

Traditional Inuit villages are found along the coast, their brightly colored wooden houses dotting the rugged landscape. Vast stretches of unspoiled wilderness await modern-day adventurers in this magical realm, home to some of the best whale watching in the country.

West Greenland combines magnificent icebergs with the dramatic Viking history of Iceland. This tour starts in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

Combine Svalbard Odyssey and Franz Josef Land back-to-back, for a complete adventure exploring the High Arctic. Enjoy peak summer in Svalbard, with 24-hour daylight, long tundra walks, reindeer, spectacular bird cliffs, and polar bears. Dog sled or fish in Longyearbyen, then sail for wild Franz Josef Land. Be one of the few to experience its wildlife, mysterious landscapes and exploration history.

Highlights
• Paddle kayaks near Svalbard’s magnificent glacier fronts
• Photograph reindeer feeding on dwarf tundra plants
• Zodiac beneath sea cliffs alive with nesting seabirds
• Encounter polar bears on land and ice
• Explore rarely visited islands of Franz Josef Land
• Discover unique stone spheres in alien-looking landscapes

This unique voyage departs from Reykjavík, Iceland and finishes in Longyearbyen, Norway. We will explore the scenic Westfjords of Iceland and call at the historic port of Ísafjörður. We then cross the Arctic Circle on our way to the seldom visited island of Jan Mayen.

We continue to Spitsbergen in the renowned High Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. We explore the fjords on the west side of the island in search of polar bears and other iconic wildlife. This trip combines stunning wildlife, landscape and historical places.

This expedition includes 3 iconic destinations. We start with exploring North Atlantic islands of Europe. Then, crossing the Arctic Circle, we stop at Jan Mayen Island with its landscapes of breathtaking beauty and the northernmost active volcano on the planet – the Beerenberg. The last port of call is Spitsbergen, which is a must for those who want to see the Arctic in all its splendor.

This itinerary takes you through the Northwest Passage, a sea route connecting the northern Atlantic and Pacific Ocean through the Arctic Ocean. You will visit the West coast of Greenland as well as various islands of the north Canadian archipelago, witness impressive icebergs and glaciers as well as marvel at the wildlife and history.

Norwegian Vikings sailed as far north and west as Ellesmere Island, Skraeling Island and Ruin Island for hunting expeditions and trading with the Inuit. The desire to establish a commercial sea route motivated much of the European exploration of the coasts of North America. The belief that a route lay to the far north persisted for several centuries and led to numerous expeditions into the Arctic. Many ended in disaster, including that by Sir John Franklin in 1845. While searching for him the McClure Arctic Expedition discovered the Northwest Passage in 1850. In 1906, the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen first successfully completed a passage from Greenland to Alaska in the sloop Gjøa. 

The North Norway cruise follows the path of more than one kind of whale as it travels amongst the fjords of Troms. The long Norway nights offer travellers on this expedition an excellent chance to take in the beauty and wonder of the Northern Lights.

Spitsbergen is the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, and on this voyage we’ll attempt a circumnavigation of the island. Lying entirely within the Arctic Circle, Spitsbergen is rugged, wild, unspoiled—utterly unforgettable. When it comes to viewing arctic wildlife, Spitsbergen is known as one of the most prolific destinations.

The island and surrounding area offers one of the best opportunities to view polar bears, and with luck you’ll be able to see the world’s largest carnivores in their natural habitat. Walrus populations love Spitsbergen as well, feeding in the food-rich icy waters around the island. Whales and seabirds will also entertain you during the sailing portions of the expedition, and you may catch a sighting of reindeer or fox when taking Zodiac excursions to shore.

Svalbard Odyssey reveals the diversity of this island archipelago and takes us into the kingdom of the polar bear. We explore the coastline, with no open sea crossings, against a backdrop of spectacular peaks. We discover fjords in the west; mysterious, fossil-rich desert mountains in the east; and best of all seals and whales in the Arctic pack ice. This voyage offers the best chance for seeing reindeer and polar bears, and features wildflower walks across sweeping tundra, trapper camps and historical remains of whaling stations.

Voyage Highlights
• Narrow sheltered waterways and fjords
• Witness spectacular mountains rising directly out of the sea
• Historic sites: museums, whaling stations, geology and fossils
• The most wildlife-rich part of the Arctic – polar bears, walrus, seals, reindeer, sea birds and whales
• Search for the king of the Arctic, the mighty polar bear
• Great variety of terrain over short distances: Icecaps, tundra and rocky hillsides
• Sea ice and active glaciers
• Summer months when the midnight sun creates 24 hours of sunlight
• Voyage close to (within 600 miles of) the North Pole

Note: This itinerary may be run in the reverse direction depending on weather, ice conditions and the movements of other vessels.

If there is such a thing as a “classic Arctic” expedition cruise, this is it. You’ll get all the best of Spitsbergen, by exploring the western edge of the island and venturing to some northern outlying areas home to polar bears and Walrus. You’ll come across colonies of seabirds numbering into the thousands and watch for whales in the water. Packed with options for snowshoeing and sea-kayaking, this is the perfect expedition for exploring the “wildlife capital of the Arctic”.

New for 2018!

This 6-day expedition packs all the excitement of Spitsbergen into less than a week. Majestic peaks, massive glaciers and towering fjords contrast with the vividly colored tundra, which plays host to a surprisingly thriving and varied ecosystem.