Expedition Itinerary - North Pole

Day 1 - Helsinki, Finland

Your adventure begins with a one-night stay in Helsinki, Finland's capital.

Day 2 - Embarkation Day in Murmansk

From Helsinki, your charter flight will take you to Murmansk, Russia, where you'll embark on your voyage to the North Pole and get acquainted with 50 Years of Victory, the world's largest and most powerful icebreaker.

Day 3-7 - Northbound in the Arctic Ocean

Watching the Victory crush through the Arctic ice pack is a sight you'll never forget, made even more memorable by taking a helicopter flight for a thrilling aerial view of the Victory and expansive Arctic Ocean.

You can expect the days, and hours, to present variable sailing conditions this far north. The crossing from Murmansk to the North Pole can take us anywhere from 5 to 8 days. This means you’ll have plenty of time to get to know your shipmates, stare out at the horizon, enjoy some drinks at the bar or go for a swim in the ship’s lap pool.

Day 8 - 90° North

All the anticipation of the prior days reaches a climax as you reach the North Pole! Many travelers find themselves overcome with emotion, while others are in a festive and celebratory mood. Take photos, wave a flag, enjoy your moment! Add an exclamation to your success by rising high in a hot air balloon to commemorate this great moment. Later, everyone enjoys a champagne toast and a BBQ on the ice.

Day 9 - Southbound in the Arctic Ocean

Now you can sit back and relax, everything from here on out is a bonus! Expect more great memories, as you head further south, you may get lucky and spot Polar Bears hunting for seals.

Day 10-11 - Franz Josef Land and the Arctic Ocean

This group of 191 islands forms the most northerly archipelago in Eurasia, and lies entirely within the Arctic Circle. Here you'll explore Cape Flora, and discover historic remains from three ill-fated Arctic expeditions. When conditions permit, Zodiac trips beneath towering cliffs will explore remote seabird rookeries. Onboard helicopters again provide aerial sightseeing, and transfer you to otherwise inaccessible landing sites.

This part of the Arctic Ocean is so remote that Franz Josef Land was discovered after Antarctica. It is the most northerly archipelago in Eurasia and lies entirely within the Arctic Circle. Here you'll visit historic places like Cape Flora on Northbrook Island, home to buildings and ruins from three ill-fated Arctic expeditions. Walrus and Polar Bear are numerous on these islands, which you’ll explore on Zodiac excursions and helicopter sightseeing rides.

Day 12 - Southbound at Sea

Crossing the Arctic Ocean back to Murmansk.

Day 13 - Disembarkation in Murmansk

Returning to Russia's most northerly city, it will be time to bid farewell to your ship, 50 years of Victory. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your charter flight to Helsinki, Finland to enjoy one final night with your newfound friends.

Day 14 - Helsinki, Finland

After breakfast, your official Quark Expeditions journey comes to an end. We do encourage you to spend some extra time exploring Helsinki, Tallinn (the capital of Estonia) and St. Petersburg. If you want some assistance extending your stay, our Polar Travel Advisors are always happy to help.

Important Reminder

Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy –and excitement – of expedition travel. When travelling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. The above is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this cruise – please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.