Our Heritage & Experience
Polar Specialists since 1991
In 1991, Lars Wikander and Mike McDowell were two adventurers hankering to visit the North Pole. At the time, it was one of the few places they had never been. Once there, they were awestruck by the beauty and majesty of one of the last unspoiled places on earth.
That first expedition inspired the pair to make polar travel the focus of their business. They also resolved to build a company committed to environmentally responsible travel, and a community of guests who would become advocates and ambassadors for the Polar Regions. From this foundation rose Quark Expeditions, now recognized as the world’s leading polar expedition travel company.
Steady growth
In 1998, Lars Wikander became majority owner of the company, and three years later Chairman of the Board. At that time a new management team was recruited to develop a corporate strategy designed to weather changes in the expedition business. The team focused resources on expanding opportunities for exploring higher latitudes. A decade later, in May, 2007, Quark Expeditions became part of the UK-based TUI Travel PLC Group of Companies.
Quark today
In 2010, Hans Lagerweij joined Quark as President. Under his leadership the company has continued to thrive, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2011.
Today Quark retains its status as the world leader in polar expedition travel, offering the widest array of Arctic and Antarctic expedition tours on the planet.
