|
The Arctic
(including
the North Pole, Spitsbergen, Iceland, Greenland, Arctic Canada,
Arctic Siberia, Kamchatka, the Commanders & the Kurils)
The Arctic is one of the most remote, little-known and fascinating regions of the world. Its coastlines offer some of the finest scenery and wildlife experiences anywhere, where one can witness huge colonies of seabirds lining the cliffs, enjoy the thrilling antics of whales and dolphins and watch spectacular Walruses hauled out on rocks and ice floes. In some areas one may even encounter the true legend of the Arctic, the incomparable Polar Bear.
The Arctic is essentially a huge frozen ocean surrounded by wild and beautiful landscapes. It comes alive for just a few short months each year. Summer arrives with a rush, bringing warmth and near continuous daylight. The abundance of food available for this short season attracts large numbers of migratory birds that manage to breed in the short time available before heading south again. Other notable wildlife in the Arctic region includes Musk Ox, Ringed, Bearded and Harp Seals and spectacular cetaceans including Beluga, Narwhal, Orca (or Killer Whale) and Bowhead Whale. Remarkably, the region is also home to small numbers of people who, against all the odds, have thrived and developed some of the hardiest societies on the planet.
Few people have travelled to this
pristine wilderness and even fewer have explored its remote seas
and coastal areas by ship. Itineraries offered include voyages to
Spitsbergen, Greenland, Newfoundland and the Russian Far East. It
is even possible to travel all the way to the North Pole on a spectacular
voyage in a special icebreaker or to sail by yacht around stunning
fjords in areas inaccessible to larger vessels. A full list of trips
offered to the Arctic is found below:
| Heritage
Expeditions Cruises |
Across
the Top of the World
Discover the north eastern part of Eurasia (Chukotka) in a way
that has never been possible before. On this expedition we cruise
across the Arctic Circle through the Bering Strait and into
the Arctic sea to Wrangel Island, a world class Nature Reserve,
which is often referred to as the “Polar Bear Maternity
Ward"...more
|
Kamchatka
Peninsula & Beyond: Jewel of the Russian Far East
Only recently have “outsiders” been welcome to this
part of the world. The landscape and wildlife is as varied as
you will find anywhere in the world from active volcanoes to
extensive tundra, Brown Bears to Walruses and everything in
between...more
|
| Kuril
Islands: Cruise the Ring of Fire
Straddling the Pacific Rim of Fire, these remote Islands stretching
from Northern Japan to the Kamchatka Peninsula will seduce
you with their history and wildlife ...more
|
Where
Russia's Day Begins
The Russian Far East coastline dominates the North Pacific but
so few people have experienced it. This cruise offers a unique
opportunity to explore the many fiords, bays and islands along
this coastline...more
|
| Oceanwide Expeditions Cruises |
The
Scottish Islands to The Faroes to Jan Mayen to Bear Island
and on to Spitsbergen
Beginning
in the characterful Scottish Islands, we head up to the Faroes
and on to splendid Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen, home of Polar
Bears and Walruses!...more
|
Around
Iceland
Iceland’s
volcanoes, icecaps, rugged glaciated mountains, fjords and
coastal cliffs and beaches together form one of the most inspiring
landscapes on earth...more |
Iceland
to Jan Mayen to Bear Island and on to Spitsbergen
Beginning on the fabulous, scenic, volcanic island of Iceland
we head for splendid Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen, home of Polar
Bears and Walruses! ...more
|
Lofoten
- North Norway
Join
us for this very special voyage which focuses on the incredible
Orca (or Killer Whale)...more |
North
Spitsbergen, 8 Day Itinerary
Fabulous North Spitsbergen has some of the best scenery anywhere
as well as Polar Bears, Walruses and Ivory Gulls...more
|
North
Spitsbergen, 12 Day Itinerary
Fabulous North Spitsbergen has some of the best scenery anywhere
as well as Polar Bears, Walruses and Ivory Gulls. This is a
chance to enjoy it from a yacht!....more
|
| Around
Spitsbergen, 11 Day Itinerary
A classic Arctic voyage to this wonderfully scenic
island, the home of Polar Bears and Walruses!...more
|
Around
Spitsbergen, 16 Day Itinerary
A classic Arctic voyage to this wonderfully scenic island, the
home of Polar Bears and Walruses but on a yacht!...more
|
South
Spitsbergen
A
lovely late summer Arctic adventure on board the fabulous
yacht, the Noorderlicht...more
|
Spitsbergen
Eclipse
A
classic Arctic voyage to this wonderfully scenic island, the
home of Polar Bears and Walruses but with the added excitement
of a solar eclipse!...more
|
Spitsbergen
to Northeast Greenland
A classic Arctic
voyage beginning in scenic Spitsbergen, the home of Polar
Bears and Walruses and ending in Greenland, home to an impressive
array of wildlife: eight species of whale, two million seals,
Walruses, Polar Bears, a spectacular variety of birds and
hasa fascinating history and culture...more
|
East
Greenland (Scoresby Sund)
Greenland and its surrounding waters are home to an impressive
array of wildlife: eight species of whale, two million seals,
Walruses, Polar Bears, a spectacular variety of birds and hasa
fascinating history and culture...more
|
| Quark Expeditions Cruises |
Arctic
Islands (Franz Josef Land, Svalbard, Greenland)
Eight
centuries passed before all the islands you will visit during
this expedition were charted by Europeans. The Vikings sailed
to Greenland in the 11 th Century. The Dutch explorer put
Svalbard on the map in the 16 th Century. Franz Josef Land,
the last to be found, was unknown 135 years ago. On this expedition
we explore a corner of Europe still relatively untouched by
human intervention...more |
Arctic
Quest (Canada & Greenland)
The
eastern coast of Ellesmere Island is the focus of this voyage
through the High Arctic of Canada and Greenland and the feeding
grounds of the animal that inspired the legend of the unicorn
- the narwhal....more |
Baffin
Island Explorer
During
this 10-day Active Adventure that follows the coast of Baffin
Island, we explore deep fjords, nature reserves, and visit
remote villages that can only be reached by ship or air...more |
Baffin
& Greenland and Solar Eclipse
During
this 13-day active adventure from Iqaluit to Resolute, via
Greenland, we intend to position the ship on August 1, to
afford a view of a total solar eclipse. En route, optional
kayaking will be available ...more |
High
Arctic Explorer
During
this 12-day active adventure from Resolute to Resolute, we
intend to explore in the Canadian Arctic: Lancaster Sound,
Grise Fjord, Beechey Island, Sirmilik National Park and Pond
Inlet. In Greenland we plan to visit Qaanaaq and Cape York
...more |
Labrador
Explorer
This
13-day active adventure embarks in St. John’s, on the
island of Newfoundland to follow the Labrador Coast to Ungava
Bay. En route, you’ll visit L’Anse aux Meadows,
where a Viking village predates the arrival of Columbus in
North America by 500 years ...more |
The
North Pole
For
centuries, explorers set out for the North Pole by sled, ship,
aircraft and even balloon, but it wasn’t until 1948
that a human reached 90º north. Now Quark Expeditions can
take you there – aboard the icebreaker Yamal, one of
the few ships powerful enough to push through the formidable
Arctic ice pack...more |
Northeast
Passage
Russia's
Northeast Passage was closed to foreigner travelers for more
than half a century. Total darkness six months of the year
coupled with extreme ice and weather conditions continue to
make the Northeast Passage relatively inaccessible to travelers
...more |
Northwest
Passage via Simpson Strait
During
this 13-day Active Adventure through a portion of the Northwest
Passage, we attempt to transit Simpson Strait. The shallow
draft of the Adventure Ship may make it possible to recreate
a portion of Amundsen’s route that ships with deeper
drafts cannot. ...more |
Spitsbergen
Explorer
This
11 or 12-day active adventure begins and ends in Longyearbyen,
Spitsbergen, one of Norway’s Arctic islands in the Svalbard
archipelago. The aim of this expedition is to explore the
coastline of the largest island in the group, Spitsbergen...more |
Spitsbergen
Total Solar Eclipse
This
11-day active adventure begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen,
one of Norway’s Arctic islands in the Svalbard archipelago.
The aim of this expedition is to explore the coastline of
the largest island in the group, Spitsbergen, while positioning
the ship to view a total solar eclipse....more |
Spitsbergen
Eastern Greenland & Iceland
During
this 14-day active adventure from Longyearbyen, Svalbard,
Norway, to Reykjavik, Iceland, we intend to explore the islands
of Spitsbergen, Moffen, Greenland and Westmann...more |
|
 |
|
Photograph
courtesy of Oceanwide Expeditions
An encounter with
the incomparable Polar Bear is a dream come true for
many visitors to the high Arctic.
|
|
 |
|
Photograph
by Pete Morris/Birdquest
The magical landscapes
of the high Arctic have to be seen to be believed!
|
|
|
