Arctic & Antarctic Expedition Cruises

Featured Expeditions

Quark passengers hiking on Petermann Island

Let Us Lead You on an Expedition of a Lifetime

As the Leader in Polar Adventures, we explore the Polar Regions differently from everyone else. When you travel with Quark Expeditions, you’re exploring alongside the most experienced polar experts on Earth, setting foot where few ever will, and doing what few ever dream. Do you want to explore off the beaten path? We can take you to where there are no paths at all. Will you be content to just cruise? Or would you prefer to cruise 1,000 feet over the untouched polar wilderness in a twin-engine helicopter? With Quark Expeditions you won't just be on vacation—you’ll be on the expedition of a lifetime.

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Exclusive Helicopter Adventures

We use our helicopters for more than just flightseeing! Ultramarine’s two twin-engine Airbus H145 helicopters are designed to take you deeper into the Polar Regions than any other helicopter in its class. Our helicopters mean our Expedition Team can move you to explore further once they arrive in the Polar Regions, to set foot where few humans have ever walked—something our competition can’t offer. Our helicopter-supported adventure options enable off-ship experiences exclusive to Quark Expeditions, such as Alpine Heli-trekking, Mountain Biking, Alpine Kayaking, Heli-Landing Heli-hiking, Ice Sheet Landings and more.

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Travel to the Polar Regions with Quark Expeditions

Polar Bear (Photo captured with a telephoto lens from a responsible distance, following regulatory / AECO guidelines)

The Arctic

The most rugged, remote, ice-ﬁlled and unexplored regions in the world are waiting to deliver the richest travel experience you will ever have—intimate wildlife encounters, diverse landscapes and exquisite natural beauty. Trailblazer, nature-enthusiast or bucket-lister, we have an Arctic adventure for you.

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Adelie Penguins (Danger Islands, Antarctic Peninsula)

Antarctica

Likely the farthest you will ever be from home, Antarctica is an environment of exquisite isolation—rich wildlife, stimulating history, and majestic topography. Antarctica reaches a level of beauty that is unmatched in its simplicity, ﬂawlessness and fragility. Your voyage to the end of the Earth yields unparalleled adventure in every sense of the word.

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Explore the Polar Regions

Greenland

The world's largest island teems with life, welcoming you with its breathtaking scenery. East Greenland is vast, sparsely inhabited, and stunning in its austere beauty, while West Greenland has more Indigenous communities and varied wildlife.

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Svalbard

Spitsbergen, the Realm of the Polar Bear, is the largest island in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. Experience some of the Arctic’s best adventure, learn about a rich history and culture and witness 24-hour daylight under the midnight sun.

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Canadian High Arctic

Navigating the icy channels of the High Arctic, follow in the footsteps of legendary explorers who braved the unknown to seek the fabled sea route to Asia. Revel at vast, untouched nature stunning in its minimalist splendor along the way.

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Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula is an environment of exquisite isolation, rich wildlife, stimulating history and majestic landscapes. Your journey to the 7th Continent will take you to the end of the world, where adventure begins.

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The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

En route to Antarctica, take the opportunity to encounter iconic wildlife and immerse yourself in early Antarctic exploration on these sub-Antarctic islands of the South Atlantic Ocean.

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South Georgia

En route to Antarctica, take the opportunity to encounter iconic wildlife and immerse yourself in early Antarctic exploration on these sub-Antarctic islands of the South Atlantic Ocean.

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Snow Hill Island

Ice-choked and impassible for most of the year, Snow Hill Island is only accessible for a few weeks of the year. Guests fly in via helicopter, then walk across the sea ice to commune with thousands of Emperor penguins and their chicks.

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Why Travel with Us?

Our Polar Pedigree

We've spent the last three decades taking travelers to remote parts the Arctic and Antarctic. Since the first tourist transit of the Northeast Passage in 1991, we've continued to deliver industry breaking firsts, including the discovery of the Emperor penguin rookery at Snow Hill Island and the launch of our new, game-changing ship Ultramarine designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and immerse you in the best the regions have to offer.

Ocean Adventurer in Paradise Harbour, Antarctic Peninsula

We Offer the Most Diverse Fleet in the Industry

Quark Expeditions operates more ships in the polar regions than any other operator. Our vessels, which are optimized for polar travel, range from 128 to 199 passengers and provide an excellent home base for your polar exploration. Our fleet features ice-strengthened hulls for superior navigation in ice-packed polar waters and boast exceptional levels of comfort and services.

Our Team Are Polar Specialists

The perfect polar expedition doesn’t just happen. It takes a team of talented, knowledgeable and experienced professionals to bring it all together. From the Polar Travel Advisors who help you plan your trip-of-a-lifetime to the Expedition Teams who safely deliver it, our dedicated staff maximize your polar expedition every step of the way.

Greenlandic Siblings Smiling - Brian and Bella

We're Committed to Sustainability

Quark Expeditions is profoundly committed to environmentally responsible tourism. Protecting the places we visit is necessary to ensure we can continue to introduce travelers to the spectacular beauty of the polar wilderness. Through Polar Promise, we’ve incorporated existing sustainability initiatives into a cohesive plan so we can identify where we can do better or do more.