Expedition Itinerary - Antarctica’s Far East

Antarctica’s far-east coast was first explored by legendary Australian adventurer Douglas Mawson during a 3-year expedition that began in December, 1911.  One hundred years later this spectacular icebound coast is still relatively inaccessible, and rarely available to expedition travellers.

Unless, of course, you can travel aboard an icebreaker – a unique class of ship designed to crush through Antarctica’s 3-meter-thick mantle of shifting pack ice. 

This year is your final chance to do just this.  For two decades, Quark’s flagship has been the Russian polar-class icebreaker, Kapitan Khlebnikov, the only vessel on earth capable of touring Antarctica’s far-east coast.  But, at the end of this cruise, she retires as an expedition vessel and returns to escort duties in the Russian Arctic.

To commemorate this occasion, we’ve invited Captain Petr Golikov to join this cruise as our special guest.  Captain Golikov was Khlebnikov’s Master from 1992 to 2004.  He has circumnavigated Antarctica twice, and visited almost every sub-Antarctic island in the Southern Ocean.

This cruise will truly mark the end of an era in polar expedition travel.  If you’ve ever dreamed of travelling to the world’s last great untamed wilderness, this is the year to make your dream come true.

Antarctica’s Far East Interactive Map
Heard Island - Dominated by towering Mawson Peak, one of only 2 active volcanoes in Australian territory.
Kerguelen Islands - This group of islands is the territory of France, which maintains a presence of researchers.
Fremantle, Australia - 12 miles southwest of Perth, the city was the first settlement of the Swan River colonists in 1829.
Amery Ice Shelf - Tiny in comparison to the Ross Ice Shelf, the region was named after an Australian politician.
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia - Founded in 1803 as a penal colony, it is the financial and administrative heart of Tasmania.
Davis Research Station - The busiest Australian research station in Antarctica, it is located in a remarkable ice free area.
Mirnyy Base - Russian science station opened in 1956, its areas of research include glaciology and meteorology.
St. Paul Island - The island is the top of an inactive volcano.
Vincennes Bay - A large V-shaped bay marked by several glaciers, it was named for the sloop of war USS Vincennes.
Casey Station - The “Big Red Shed” is the headquarters for this Australian research base, established in the 50s.
Heard Island Kerguelen Islands Fremantle, Australia Amery Ice Shelf Hobart, Tasmania, Australia Davis Research Station Mirnyy Base St. Paul Island Vincennes Bay Casey Station
  1. End of an Era Emblem

    Day 1 - Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

    Your adventure begins with an overnight stay in Hobart, Australia’s gateway to Antarctica.  If you arrive early, plan to visit Douglas Mawson Place – a park dedicated to the famed explorer.

  2. Antarctica from the fly deck of Kapitan Khlebnikov.

    Day 2 - Embarkation Day

    Today you’ll join Khlebnikov and set sail on your Antarctica Far East cruise

  3. Special Guest, Captain Petr Golikov.

    Day 3-5 - At sea

    There’s lots to do at sea!  Your Expedition Team can include expert ornithologists, marine biologists, historians, geologists and more.  When conditions permit, we’ll fill these days with onboard presentations, preparing you for the adventures to come.

    Special guest Captain Petr Golikov joins us for Khlebnikov’s farewell tour, sharing stories of the vessel’s storied history – including his own feat of circumnavigating the Antarctic, not once, but twice!

  4. A bird's eye view of Khlebnikov breaking ice from an onboard helicopter.

    Day 6-7 - Pack ice

    Once we reach the pack ice surrounding the Antarctic continent, your Expedition Team will consult with the Captain and the helicopter pilots to identify the best conditions for aerial sightseeing.  Viewing Khlebnikov crushing through the pack ice towards the endless “white continent” is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    .

  5. For some shore landings, Zodiacs zip you ashore.

    Day 8 - Casey Station, Antarctica

    Casey is an Australian-operated research station where scientists study space and atmospheric science, botany, biology, glaciology and more.  You’ll have a chance to tour the station and hear about its fascinating history.

  6. Toasting the adventure in the Khlebnikov bar.

    Day 9 - Remembering Australia's Antarctic heroes - Mawson, Ninnis and Mertz

    Many a glass of champagne has been lifted to honour Antarctica’s lost heroes.  This time you’ll do so to mark the 99th anniversary of one of the continent’s grizzliest adventure tales.

    On December 14, 1912, while exploring George V Land, Lt. Belgrave Ninnis fell to his death in a deep crevasse.  Into the crevasse with him went most of the supplies his surviving companions Douglas Mawson and Xavier Mertz would need for their trek back to base camp. 

    Three hundred miles from safety, Mawson and Mertz began their journey with nothing but their dogs for food.  Mertz died en route.  Close to starvation, Mawson survived his own fall into a crevasse, and an appalling blizzard during his final 100 mile trek. His feat has become known as the greatest story of lone survival in Antarctic history.

  7. Crabeater seals are as tempermental as their name.

    Day 10 - Vincennes Bay, Antarctica

    This large, V-shaped bay is named for the first US warship to circumnavigate the globe.  You’ll participate in shore landings and presentations about the region’s history and wildlife.  Keep an eye out for Adelie Penguins, Snow Petrels and Weddell seals.

  8. Our pilots think nothing of landing on a moving deck!

    Day 11-12 - Shackleton Ice Shelf

    An ice shelf is a thick, floating slab of ice that forms where glaciers flow right onto the ocean surface.  This one was first discovered and explored by Douglas Mawson (1911-14), who named it for fellow adventurer Ernest Shackleton.  The shelf is awesome in its sheer size, and you’ll appreciate the spectacular views from Khlebnikov’s helicopters.

  9. Adelie Penguins - cute and curious.

    Day 13 - Mirnyy Base

    This Russian research station is named for a 19th-century ship captained by Thaddeus Bellingshausen – the first man to sight the continent of Antarctica. You’ll tour the base and visit an Adelie Penguin rookery.

  10. An immense tabular iceberg floating northward to oblivion.

    Day 14 - Gaussberg

    Catch a glimpse of this extinct volcano, jutting magnificently out of the ice-strewn sea.  This portion of the Davis Sea is known for massive ice cliffs and tabular icebergs, and your Expedition Team may mount an “iceberg watch.”

  11. You cannot take a bad picture in Antarctica.

    Day 15 - West Ice Shelf

    Here you’ll have another opportunity to go aloft in Khlebnikov’s helicopters, enjoying spectacular views of this 180-mile (290 km) ice shelf.

  12. Crabeaters are the most abundant seal on the planet.

    Day 16 - Wyatt Earp Islands

    Don’t expect a gunfight at the OK corral!  These islands were named for an Australian Navy ship, not the famed American gunslinger.  During your visit, you’ll visit an Adelie Penguin rookery, and see countless Weddell seals basking on nearby ice floes.

  13. You'll visit exotic islands inhabited only by birds and seals.

    Day 17 - Davis Research Station

    The Australian research base you visit today was named for Captain John King Davis, an Irish Australian navigator who was Mawson’s second-in-command on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-14.  Today’s scientists at Davis Station study glaciology, medicine, and atmospheric sciences.

  14. Visit Emperor Penguin rookeries.

    Day 18 - Larsemann Hills

    Rely on Khlebnikov to get you to this remote spot for what will likely be the world’s last expedition visit to an Emperor Penguin rookery. Emperors are the most difficult penguins to see in the wild, so this stop is a real coup for serious birders and wildlife-lovers. The rookery is located on the actual sea ice in Amanda Bay, so the visit will be subject to local conditions.

  15. Aerial-sightseeing is included in an icebreaker expedition.

    Day 19 - Amery Ice Shelf

    The third largest ice shelf system in Antarctica covers almost 580,000 miles – about 11% of Antarctica’s ice.  That’s a lotta ice!  We plan to fly you to the top of the shelf for a rare and spectacular photo opportunity.

  16. An albatross glides gracefully alongside the ship.

    Day 20-22 - At sea

    Swinging out into the open seas, you’ll leave Antarctica behind once Khlebnikov crosses the “Antarctic Convergence,” also known as the Antarctic Polar Front.  This is the biological boundary separating Antarctic waters from those of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.  During these days, enjoy shipboard presentations about the distinctive marine life and climate associated with this area, and keep watch for Convergence-resident seabirds and other wildlife.

  17. Guests are invited to visit Khlebnikov's Bridge.

    Day 23-24 - Heard Island (Australia)

    Heard Island lies south of the Antarctic Convergence. Since the first recorded visit in 1855, only about 240 shore landings have been made there. The island is notorious for bad weather. Douglas Mawson went ashore in the early 1930s and could not return to his ship for three days due to a gale that arose. The Expedition Leader will consult with the Captain and helicopter pilots as the icebreaker nears the island. If conditions are optimal, a landing will be attempted. Will you be able to claim that you have been ashore to see the Gentoo Penguins on Heard Island? Only time will tell!

  18. On this voyage you could see 8 different species of penguin, including the King.

    Day 25 - Kerguelen Islands (France)

    Here you’ll visit a Macaroni Penguin rookery at Cap de Chartres.  Keep watch as well for Northern Giant Petrels, as these islands mark the southern reaches of this impressive bird’s nesting area.  Transfer to Cape Digby and hike to a long strip of beach where elephant seals and King Penguins are often found.

  19. Moody skies, ice dotted seas - memorable moments.

    Day 26 - Celebrate New Year's Eve at Sea!

    Celebrate the end of an era along with the end of 2011 in the Southern Ocean.  Count down the minutes to 2012, and raise a glass to the venerable Kapitan Khlebnikov and her final expedition voyage.

  20. Our onboard education program is delivered by the Expedition Team.

    Day 27 - St. Paul Island (France)

    This little island has a big history – shipwrecks, sealing, fisheries, pirates and more.  During shore landings you’ll visit a Rockhopper Penguin rookery – bringing penguin sightings for this cruise to a grand total of six.  You may also spot Yellow-nosed Albatross, and both fur and elephant seals.

  21. Excitement mounts as you prepare to board a helicopter.

    Day 28-30 - At sea

    Steaming homeward towards Australia’s southwest coast, you’ll have time to trade stories, photographs and contact information with new friends.  Take some time to reflect on all you’ve seen during this life-changing trip to the world’s last untamed wilderness.

  22. The Era Ends in Fremantle, Australia

    Day 31 - Disembarkation: Fremantle (Australia) and the End of an Era

    After breakfast aboard, bid adieu to the legendary Kapitan Khlebnikov.  We’ll transfer you to the airport for your homeward flight.

    Extend your stay

    Want to stay longer, or arrive earlier?  Contact our Polar Travel Advisors via email, live chat or phone (1-888.892.0334 or +1.416.645.8243) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.

Back to Top