ARCTIC SAGA Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen - ARCTIC 2022 - World Journeys
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ARCTIC 2022 ARCTIC SAGA Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen
Contents 1 Overview 2 Itinerary 6 Arrival and Departure Details 8 Your Ship 10 Included Activities 11 Dates and Rates 12 Inclusions and Exclusions 13 Your Expedition Team 14 Extend Your Trip 15 Meals on Board 16 Possible Excursions 18 Packing Checklist
Overview
Arctic Saga: Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen
Ideal for first-time guests to the polar regions, Arctic Saga: Exploring Spitsbergen EXPEDITION IN BRIEF
via the Faroes and Jan Mayen allows you to venture to some of the most remote
Follow in the footsteps of the
islands on Earth, observe fascinating history and culture, and experience the Norsemen on Fair Isle and the
dreamlike wonder of the midnight sun. Sailing across the North Atlantic, you Vikings in the Faroe Islands
will be immersed in the Arctic’s rugged beauty, highlighted by visits to the awe- Explore the volcanic and glacier-
inspiring and unspoiled destinations of Fair Isle, the Faroe Islands, Jan Mayen covered Jan Mayen island, in the
heart of the North Atlantic Ocean
and Spitsbergen.
Encounter iconic Arctic wildlife, such
Prepare to be amazed by an environment different from anything you’ve ever as puffins and other seabirds, reindeer,
witnessed, featuring immense fjords, towering glaciers, soaring sea stacks and and whales
coastal cliffs teeming with seabirds by the thousands. Observe reindeer, seals and Cruise in a Zodiac to explore diverse
whales in their natural habitat. Guided by the most knowledgeable and passionate landscapes and wildlife
team in the industry, go where few others have gone, and return forever changed
by the rich history, distinct culture and unforgettable backdrop of the Arctic.
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 1
Itinerary
DAY 1 | ARRIVE IN camera in hand—the area’s coastal waters
ABERDEEN, UNITED KINGDOM offer excellent possibilities for spotting GREENLAND SVALBARD
Arrive any time on Day 1 and make your bottlenose and white-beaked dolphins,
Longyearbyen
way to your included hotel. The gateway harbor porpoises and minke whales. Bellsund
Hornsund
for your Arctic adventure, the Scottish Greenland Sea Barents
Sea
city of Aberdeen has many monikers, DAY 3 | EXPLORING FAIR ISLE TO OSLO
Jan Mayen
but its most famous is Granite City, as it The U.K.’s most remote inhabited
Norwegian Sea
was once the granite capital of the world. island, the extraordinary Fair Isle is
Wandering the streets, you’ll soon see located halfway between the Shetland AR C
T IC
CIRC
why, as the Victorian buildings sparkle and Orkney Islands. Boasting a rugged LE
NORWAY
in the sun. A bustling cultural hub, beauty, Fair Isle’s landscape is diverse, Faroe Islands
Shetland
Aberdeen also offers a range of museums, with fields and moors dominated by Atlantic Ocean
Islands
Oslo
Orkney
galleries, theaters, shops, cafés and seaside cliffs and an astounding number Islands Fair Isle
restaurants to explore. of sea stacks, natural arches and caves. Aberdeen
UNITED North Sea
Despite its small size, the island KINGDOM
DAY 2 | EMBARKATION DAY
offers activities for history, nature
Today you will have some free time
and photography buffs alike. Visit the ARCTIC SAGA
before being transferred to the port to Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen
museum to immerse yourself in local
board your ship. As you set sail this Onboard the Ocean Adventurer
artifacts, photos, knitwear and other
afternoon, you’ll want to be out on deck,
historic memorabilia. Don’t forget to
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 2
snap a shot of the circa 1935 classic Islands have a storied past, though the this rare Nordic jewel—often referred to
red phone booth by the post office! details of the archipelago’s early history as Europe’s best kept secret.
remain mysterious. The first settlers
In terms of wildlife, orcas are native We will spend a day exploring the outer
may have been seventh-century Irish
to the waters around Fair Isle, and they islands of the archipelago, separated by
monks seeking solitude on these islands
sometimes come close in pursuit of narrow sounds and fjords, and delight in
far removed from any continent. Their
seals. But the island is best known for their surreal landscapes, dramatic cliffs,
isolation ended in 800 AD, with the
its coastal cliffs teeming with seabirds in and rock formations. You’ll see green
arrival of Norse farmers, and Norwegian
spring and summer. The star attraction is valleys engulfed by steep mountains,
colonization continued throughout
the Atlantic puffin, a clown-like bird that protecting picturesque villages with
the Viking Age. Today, many of the
clings to the steep slopes. Photographers colorful turf-topped homes. Wind,
inhabitants of the Faroe Islands, now
will surely want to capture pictures of weather and sea conditions will influence
a self-governing country within the
their bemused expressions, and Fair Isle’s and shape our activity options, but we
Kingdom of Denmark, are descendants
easily accessible grassy banks make it will of course always keep our eyes out
of Norwegian Vikings, and speak
one of the best places in the Shetlands for marine and bird life, especially the
Faroese, a descendant language of
to observe these colorful creatures. iconic Atlantic puffin.
Old Norse.
Northern fulmars, kittiwakes, storm
Our second day in the Faroes will be
petrels, razorbills and guillemots may We will have two days to explore this
dedicated to the capital city of Tórshavn,
be spotted soaring over the open waters. seldom-visited archipelago made up of
where the Vikings established their
18 rugged islands located about halfway
Visitors to this community of crofters, government in 825 AD. One of the
between Scotland and Iceland. The
artisans and artists may be able to pick up world’s smallest capitals, the picturesque
mighty North Atlantic is omnipresent
a traditional Fair Isle sweater to keep warm Tórshavn has a relaxed vibe and a
wherever we go with no place on the
during the rest of your Arctic voyage. number of historical and cultural sites.
Faroe Islands farther than 3 miles
Meander the maze of narrow laneways
DAYS 4 & 5 | EXPLORING (5 km) from its shores. The sea has
of the Old Town, admiring the quaint
THE FAROE ISLANDS always dominated life on the Faroes—
wooden houses with traditional sod
Known for its beautiful, unspoiled throughout history as much as today:
roofs and white paned windows. If
landscape, with verdant pastures giving rich fisheries, magnificent ocean views
you’re looking for more action, a hike to
way to rugged, steep cliffs, the Faroe and thriving sea bird colonies make up
historic Kirkjubøur not only unlocks some
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 3
of the country’s best medieval history but DAYS 8 & 9 | EXPLORING JAN MAYEN One site we hope to visit is Olonkinbyen
also rewards with sweeping views over North of the Arctic Circle, about and the surrounding area. Named after
the southern islands of Koltur, Hestur & 280 miles (450 km) east of Greenland Russian-Norwegian polar explorer
Sandur. Or perhaps you prefer to wander and 340 miles (550 km) north of Iceland, Gennady Olonkin, it’s the island’s
the charming harbor, filled with cafés, the mysterious Jan Mayen rises from only settlement and the location of the
pubs and old warehouses, and simply the depths of the North Atlantic meteorological station, where you may
gaze out at the sea while sipping a latte. Ocean. Often shrouded in thick fog, have the chance to learn about polar
the small mountainous island was research while seeing how weather
DAYS 6 & 7 | AT SEA
declared a nature reserve in 2010 and is monitored at the top of the world.
Say goodbye to the Faroes as we cruise
is rarely visited, save for the 18 rotating Another option might be the black
toward the world’s most northerly
personnel of the Norwegian military sand beach at Kvalrossbukta, where
volcanic island, Jan Mayen. There
and Norwegian Meteorological Institute, the remnants of a 17th-century Dutch
are several activities to keep you
who are the only inhabitants. whaling station and a large fulmar colony
engaged while at sea. Learn to identify
can be found. In 1632, two Basque ships
seabirds gliding alongside your ship, Landing here will be dictated by the
landed at the small bay and plundered the
attend dynamic presentations by your weather and sea. If conditions allow, as
station. A Dutch party was sent here the
Expedition Team, relax in our polar we approach, keep watch on deck as the
following year to protect the land stations
library or simply spend some time on spoon-shaped island’s highest summit
during winter, but all seven men perished
deck, admiring the ocean views. With emerges. At 7,470 feet (2,277 meters) high,
from scurvy. Whaling in the area came to
your binoculars and camera at the ready, the breathtaking Beerenberg volcano
an end about 20 years later.
keep your eyes peeled for the blow of a features a symmetrical cone shape and
humpback, blue or fin whale. Encounters impressive glaciers that spill into the sea. If conditions permit, we may view the
with minke whales or orcas are also During the summer months, the island’s volcano and the stratified cliffs of the
possible, since their curiosity can bring lower landscape is covered with grass, spectacular north coast as we Zodiac
them near the ship. If you’re lucky, you moss and a smattering of hardy flowers cruise around the island, searching for
may even see harp seals. that add a burst of color to the otherwise wildlife. Designated an Important Bird
barren black lava terrain.
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 4
Area by BirdLife International for the As we explore the fjords of the DAY 14 | DISEMBARK IN
large numbers of breeding seabirds, Jan southwestern corner of this magical LONGYEARBYEN & FLY TO OSLO
Mayen supports colonies of northern island, it won’t take long for you to see The time has come to say farewell to your
fulmars, little auks, glaucous gulls, firsthand why Spitsbergen is the “wildlife newfound friends and Expedition Team.
kittiwakes, and black and Brünnich’s capital of the Arctic.” Some areas we hope After disembarking, spend the day exploring
guillemots (thick-billed murres). And to visit include Hornsund and Bellsund the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen
if we are fortunate, you might see “sea fjords and the Lilliehöök Glacier. or catch your homeward flights.
parrots,” the Atlantic puffin again. The
The possible landing sites at Hornsund,
waters here are rich feeding grounds for EXPEDITION SPIRIT
the island’s most southerly fjord,
marine life, so keep a lookout for minke, Embracing the unexpected is part
have rich histories. You may visit
fin, blue or humpback whales. of the legacy—and excitement—of
Isbjornhamna, a bay at the entrance of
expedition travel. When traveling
DAY 10 | AT SEA the fjord, where we hope to explore
in extremely remote regions, your
As we sail farther north, spend some colonies of delightful little auks. You may
Expedition Team must consider
time with your shipmates in the lounge, also spot Svalbard reindeer and hike to a
the sea, ice and weather to guide
swapping stories and photos, or pause viewpoint for views of calving glaciers. the route and itinerary details.
for a moment on the bridge, joining in A 12-mile (20 km) long sound, Bellsund This itinerary is a tentative outline
as your Expedition Team looks out for lured miners a century ago to its natural of what you may experience on
whales, seals and a variety of seabirds. resources. Today, visitors come to this voyage; please be aware
that no specific itinerary can be
DAYS 11 – 13 | EXPLORING Bourbonhamna and Calypsobyen to see
guaranteed. By the same token,
SPITSBERGEN, SVALBARD historic mining and trapper sites and marvel
wildlife encounters as described
Rugged, wild and situated entirely within at the magnificent vistas. It may also be
are expected, but not guaranteed.
the Arctic Circle, the largest island of the possible to hike along the colorful tundra, Your Expedition Team will use
Svalbard archipelago is unforgettable. dotted with flowers bursting for a taste of their considerable experience
From immense glaciers to lush tundra sunshine, and discover old whale bones. to seek out wildlife in known
to polar deserts, the landscape here habitats, but the presence of any
is as varied as the wildlife. particular species of bird or marine
wildlife is not guaranteed.
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 5
Arrival and Departure Details
As you prepare for your journey, you may be interested in your arrival and departure
details. Since international air transportation is not included in the cost of your
expedition, you have some flexibility in planning your flights. Looking to extend
your adventure beyond your polar expedition? On page 14, learn how to add on a
pre- or post-expedition stop—or both!—in Aberdeen or Oslo.
Arrival Day and Embarkation
ARRIVING IN ABERDEEN
You may arrive in Aberdeen at any time during Day 1 of the itinerary and make
your way to the included hotel.
EMBARKATION IN ABERDEEN PLEASE NOTE
On the morning of Day 2, your luggage will be collected from the lobby of your There is a strict luggage limit of
hotel, transferred to the ship and stored in your cabin. 50 lbs (23 kg) checked luggage and
18 lbs (8 kg) cabin baggage on the
Ship embarkation will occur in the afternoon. You and your shipmates will meet
flight between Longyearbyen and
in the lobby of your hotel and board the waiting buses for transfer to the ship.
Oslo. There is NO option to pay
Information about transfer timing will be posted in your Aberdeen hotel.
for additional luggage.
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 6
Final Day and DEPARTING FROM OSLO
Upon arrival in Oslo, you may connect
Arrival and Departure
Departure directly with your onward flight. Transfers
DISEMBARKATION Scheduled charter flight times will ABERDEEN AIRPORT TRANSFERS
IN LONGYEARBYEN appear in your final documents, and any Arrival transfers in Aberdeen are not
Your ship is scheduled to arrive in additional updates will be communicated included in the expedition; however,
Longyearbyen between 7am and 8am on board prior to disembarkation. a Polar Travel Adviser or your travel
local time. After breakfast, you will have professional can arrange one for you.
time to bid farewell to your Expedition
Team and shipmates before completing
Included Hotel In order to facilitate your transfers, we request
your disembarkation. The process takes Accommodations that you provide your flight details to Quark
Expeditions® at least 30 days prior to traveling.
about an hour and due to port logistics, Your included accommodation begins on
may involve one last Zodiac ride to the Day 1 of your itinerary, and the specific OSLO AIRPORT TRANSFERS
pier. After disembarkation, you’ll be hotel(s) will be indicated in your final Departure transfers in Oslo are not
transferred to the central shopping area voyage confirmation. If you are arriving included in the expedition. The voyage
in Longyearbyen, and if you’ve chosen to prior to Day 1 of your expedition or are concludes on arrival at the Oslo airport;
continue your time in Svalbard, you will staying after the disembarkation day and if you require a transfer to the city,
be dropped off at your hotel. If you’ve would like help booking a pre- or post- a Polar Travel Adviser or your travel
purchased the Oslo hotel and transfer stay, please contact your Polar Travel professional can arrange one for you.
package, your luggage will be transferred Adviser or travel professional for hotel If you are flying home right away, you will
to the airport while you enjoy some options. As accommodation space is most likely be able to board a connecting
free time in town. Later you will be limited, you are encouraged to request flight on the same day. Please be sure to
transferred to the airport by bus to pick any extra nights as early as possible. allow three hours between our charter
up your luggage and check in for our
arrival and your international departure.
return charter flight.
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 7
Your Ship
Quark Expeditions® boasts the largest
polar-class fleet of any polar operator,
and the ability to offer you this
incredible voyage on one of our ice
strengthened vessels.
The entire Quark Expeditions®
fleet is built for challenging polar
environments, allowing us to
take you to places ordinary cruise
companies wouldn’t dream of going.
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 8OCEAN ADVENTURER
Ocean Adventurer has long been a fleet favorite among guests
and crew who’ve appreciated the charm of this nimble
vessel, its ample outdoor deck space, numerous cozy spots
to socialize onboard, the outdoor jacuzzi and, of course, the
intimacy of a 128-passenger vessel. In 2017, Ocean Adventurer
underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation including
a refreshed look and feel throughout, plus a completely
remodeled lounge, dining room and bar. All cabins received
brand new bathroom facilities. Six new deluxe cabins, as
well as three new suites, were also added. Major technical
enhancements featured two new Rolls-Royce engines, which
yield increased speed and fuel efficiency, and a minimized
carbon footprint.
SHIP SPECIFICATIONS:
Staff & Crew: 87 Ocean Adventurer
Guests: 128
Owner’s Suite
Lifeboats: 4, partially enclosed
Ice Class: 1A
Suite
Visit QuarkExpeditions.com to view deck plan details.
Deluxe
Ocean Adventurer
Superior
Owner’s Suite Main Deck Twin Window
Observation
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vaatti
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on De
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Deck
eeccckk
Suite Main Deck Twin Porthole
Deluxe Lower Deck Twin
Superior Triple
Main Deck Twin Window
D
De
Deck
eecck
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Main Deck Twin
Call your Portholeor a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073
Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 9
Lower Deck Twin
Bri
Bridge
Br
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dgge
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TripleIncluded Activities
Ready for a little adventure beyond your are provided at each landing for your PHOTOGRAPHY
ship? Each Quark Expeditions® voyage convenience. As there are a limited Documenting your voyage so you can
offers a variety of recreational activities number of poles available, please bring take the memories home is a rewarding
to enhance your polar experience. your own if you require them on every experience. Our photography guides will
landing. Some landing sites will offer help you hone your skills to capture the
ZODIAC CRUISING more demanding options than others. beauty of the polar regions.
Zodiacs are the workhorses of polar
expeditions, taking you to places the PRESENTATIONS Contact your Polar Travel Adviser or your
ships can’t access, allowing you to reach Enjoy daily chats with and presentations by Travel Professional for more information about
remote shorelines, explore shallow our world-class onboard polar experts— your Included Activities and Adventure Options,
guides, scientists, naturalists, historians including the necessary experience, physical
inlets and search for unique wildlife.
and other special guests who will requirements and cost.
Expedition staff make stepping in and
out of them safe and comfortable, and introduce you to the fascinating history,
your Zodiac drivers will provide active biology, ornithology, and glaciology of
interpretation, making the landscape the region, and much, much more.
come even more alive.
POLAR PLUNGE
HIKING This rite of passage, scheduled only once
Led by experienced staff, exploring on per expedition, gives you the chance to
foot is the best way to appreciate the jump safely into the bracing Arctic waters
polar landscapes. Our guides are able under the watchful eye of our staff—and
to accommodate a range of skill levels just about every single camera on board!
to suit every passenger. Walking poles
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 10Dates and Rates
Arctic Saga: Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen
Adventure
OCEAN ADVENTURER Options
Lower Deck Main Deck Main Deck Owner’s Transfer
Dates Days Start / End Triple Superior Deluxe Suite
Twin Porthole Window Suite Package
ARCTIC 2022
MAY 17 – 30, 2022 14 Aberdeen/Oslo $6,995 $8,495 $8,995 $9,995 $10,995 $10,995 $13,995 $14,995 $695 — —
ARCTIC 2021
MAY 1 – 14, 2021 14 Aberdeen/Oslo $6,495 $7,995 $8,495 $9,495 $10,495 $10,495 $13,495 $14,495 $695 — —
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 11Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions Exclusions
RATES INCLUDE: RATES SPECIFICALLY
• Leadership throughout your voyage by our • S elect beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea DO NOT INCLUDE:
experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore and cocoa available around the clock • M
andatory Transfer Package*
landings and other activities • Formal and informal presentations by our • International airfare
• All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
• Arrival and departure transfers, except where
program • A photographic journal documenting the expedition listed in the Mandatory Transfer Package
• All shore landings as per the daily program • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for • Passport and applicable visa expenses
• Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
• Government arrival and departure taxes not
• All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board • An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep mentioned
throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any • Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin • Meals unless otherwise specified
dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges • Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical
Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare throughout the program travel insurance—strongly recommended
kosher meals.)
• All luggage handling aboard the ship • Excess-baggage fees on international flights
• Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers • Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing
to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person and cruising excursions, or any other gear not
mentioned
*MANDATORY TRANSFER PACKAGE INCLUDES: • Laundry, bar and other personal charges, unless
• One night’s pre-expedition hotel night in Aberdeen specified
• Group transfer from Aberdeen hotel to ship on embarkation day • Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary
• Departure transfer in Longyearbyen on disembarkation day by location)
• Charter flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo on disembarkation day • Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage
for expedition staff and shipboard crew
PACKAGE PRICE: $695 USD • Additional overnight accommodation
• Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 12Your Expedition Team
Our Expedition Leaders and their teams bring diverse expertise in subjects as varied
as polar history, marine biology, glaciology, ornithology and photography. Their
knowledge and enthusiasm will greatly enhance your immersion into the polar
environment and further deepen your connection to the Arctic.
With over 30 years of experience bringing passengers to remote polar regions
and an industry-leading staff-to-guest ratio, we know how to safely handle the
unexpected. Ensuring this hard-earned experience is passed on, all our expedition
staff receive comprehensive training in Quark Academy, which provides hands-on
polar expedition training prior to any staff member’s first voyage as well as ongoing
training for experienced staff.
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 13Extend
Your Trip
POST-EXPEDITION
TRIP EXTENSIONS
You can extend your trip by
booking extra days to explore
other northern cities before or
after the voyage. Since you’re
traveling such a long way, you
may want to spend extra time
in Oslo. Immerse yourself in
Norwegian history with a visit
to Oslo’s Viking Ship Museum.
To discover the best options for
extending your adventure, get in touch
with your Travel Professional or a Polar
Travel Adviser for seamless, worry-free
booking of all trip extensions.
FROM TOP: Oslo’s Opera House; Oslo’s Royal Palace; Oslo’s Viking Ship Museum
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 14Meals on Board
If there is one constant on board, it is that you’ll enjoy delicious meals daily. While
meal times may change due to landings and wildlife encounters, you’ll always
be served three well-prepared meals per day. Most dietary restrictions can be
accommodated by letting us know prior to your expedition.
Breakfasts and lunches are normally served buffet style, while dinners are served
plated. À la carte meals are made at the time of your order, allowing our chefs to
prepare each dish to your individual needs, ensuring you receive top-quality meals
during the course of your expedition.
Soft drinks and juices are available during meals and when the bar is open; beer
and wine are served with dinner; and coffee, tea and water stations are available
around the clock – all included in the cost of your package. Spirits, premium wines
and champagne are available at extra cost which can be billed to your shipboard
account. The well-stocked bars on the ship are open to enjoy with your fellow
shipmates in late morning, afternoon and evening.
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 15Possible Excursions
When traveling in extremely remote the islands, the oldest of these traditional
regions, your Expedition Team must houses dates back 500 years, though
consider the sea, ice and weather to most were built after a devastating
guide the route and itinerary details. fire burned down many of the town’s
The following sites are a sample of buildings in 1673. The Vikings founded
what you may experience on your their government (called “ting”) here in
expedition, whether by ship, Zodiac 825 AD, and Faroese parliament remains
cruise, or shore landing. in Tórshavn to this day. Named after
the Norse god of war, Tórshavn means
Scotland and “Thor’s Harbor.”
Faroe Islands Jan Mayen
FAIR ISLE, SHETLAND ISLANDS
BEERENBERG
With a population of just 70 people, Fair
Covered in glaciers, this active volcano
Isle is the most remote inhabited island
dominates northern half of Jan Mayen,
in the United Kingdom. It is also the best
taking up a significant part of the island’s
place to find rare birds in Britain, with
mere 144 square miles (373 sq km). A
records of 27 first sightings.
soaring 7,470-feet (2,277 meters) high, it
TORSHAVN, FAROE ISLANDS last erupted in 1985. Let´s hope for clear
The Faroe Islands’ largest city, Tórshavn skies to admire this monolith from the
features picturesque wooden cottages ship or shore.
with charming black-tarred sod roofs
mingled with modern architecture in the
city’s historic Old Town. A symbol of
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 16KVALROSSBUKTA drifting pack ice and majestic peaks (the
One of only two possible landing sites is highest of which are often shrouded
EXPEDITION SPIRIT
Kvalrossbukta. This small bay is the site in mist). A Polish research station has
Embracing the unexpected is part
of the remains of a 17-century whaling operated on the northern shore of of the legacy—and excitement—of
station. The island is home to a variety Hornsund since 1957. Part of expedition travel. When traveling
of birdlife, including a large fulmar Sør-Spitsbergen National Park, this in extremely remote regions, your
colony, which is also located here. pristine area is rich in wildlife— Expedition Team must consider the
reindeer, Arctic fox and polar bears can sea, ice and weather to guide the route
OLONKINBYEN and itinerary details. This itinerary is
be spotted hunting for food, while seals
Jan Mayen’s only settlement, a tentative outline of what you may
bask on floating ice.
Olonkinbyen is located at the experience on this voyage; please be
southeastern side of the island, LONGYEARBYEN aware that no specific itinerary can be
by Båtvika (Boat Cove), the other Twenty-four hundred people inhabit the guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife
possible landing site. As a designated administrative capital of Svalbard, which encounters as described are expected,
nature reserve, Jan Mayen remains is situated on the shore of Isfjorden. The but not guaranteed. Your Expedition
uninhabited, except for the 18 rotating settlement was founded in 1905 by John Team will use their considerable
personnel who reside in the settlement Munroe Longyear, the majority owner experience to seek out wildlife in
and work at either the nearby weather of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston. known habitats, but the presence of
any particular species of bird or marine
station or radio station.
SAMARINVÅGEN wildlife is not guaranteed.
Spitsbergen The Samarin Glacier dominates
the landscape that surrounds this
HORNSUND
bay, where icebergs, kittiwakes and
The most southerly fjord in Svalbard
Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed
offers some of the most spectacular
murres) may be seen.
scenery, with dramatic calving glaciers,
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 17Packing WEATHER CONDITIONS & TEMPERATURES
Polar weather is extremely variable; temperatures
may hover around the freezing mark and winds can
be strong. The extended daylight warms sheltered
Checklist
areas so that you may sometimes find it warm
enough for t-shirts. However, you may encounter
snow squalls, fog and white-outs during an
expedition and should be ready for any conditions.
WHAT TO BRING! Packing for the polar regions doesn’t have to be daunting, and to make it easier for you, all
Quark Expeditions voyages include an expedition parka to keep, and a loan of insulated waterproof boots. Additional
suggested items include:
FOR SHORE LANDINGS SUGGESTED ITEMS
Base layers (wool, synthetic or a blend) Waterproof, lightweight backpack or dry sack
Mid-layer warm/fleece top Swimsuit (for the Polar Plunge!)
Mid-layer warm/fleece pants Binoculars
Wool and synthetic socks (3 to 4 pairs) Camera with charger and extra batteries
Extra memory cards
Neck warmer or balaclava
Earplugs
Warm hat that covers ears
Eye masks for sleeping
Waterproof pants (mandatory for every Zodiac ride)
Moisturizer and lip balm (polar air can be drying)
Waterproof gloves and glove liners
S
easickness, indigestion, headache
Sunscreen
or other medicines as required
Sunglasses with UV protection
Voltage converters and plug adapters
Spare set of gloves (220V/European outlets)
Ski goggles (for Zodiac cruising on snowy or windy days)
Passports, visas, and travel documents as required
Small amount of local currency
FOR ON BOARD
For more packing and gear-related
Comfortable casual clothing
(pants/jeans, shirts, sweaters)
info, visit the Quark Expeditions®
Lighter shirts (in case the ship gets warm)
online Polar Boutique at
Comfortable non-slip closed-toed unheeled shoes
Shop.QuarkExpeditions.com (NOTE: Flip flops, sandals or slip-on shoes should not be
worn on board due to safety concerns)
Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 18TO BOOK YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
Contact your Travel Professional
or a Quark Expeditions® Polar Travel Adviser
TOLL FREE AND LOCAL NUMBERS:
North America (Toll Free) 1 888 332 0008
U.K. Tel +44 203 514 2712
U.K. (Toll Free) 0 808 120 2333
Australia Tel +61 280 155 028
Australia (Toll Free) 1 800 812 855
France Tel +33-1 80 14 01 05
France (Toll Free) 08 05 08 66 46
QuarkExpeditions.com
PHOTO CREDITS:
Acacia Johnson; David Merron; Nicky Souness; Sam Edmonds;
Michelle Sole; Cindy Miller Hopkins; Rogelio Espinosa, Grange EXPEDITION BROCHURE
Productions; Adobe Stock September 2020
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