The Original Polar Expedition Company
As seen on BBC and Discovery Channel’s Frozen Planet
Award Winning Polar Expeditions
Game Changing Ships
When it comes to polar expeditions, you’re only as good as where your ships can take you.
World-Class Experts
When you venture into the untouched wilds of the Arctic and Antarctic, you need a great team around you.
Innovative Itineraries
Pioneering new types of expeditions into Polar Regions for over 30 years.
Uncharted Territories
Quark Expeditions goes where others simply can’t. Or won’t.
Our History
Discover a few of our historic highlights in the timeline below
1991
Quark Expeditions takes the first commercial passengers to the North Pole—something no other expedition company had achieved.
1992
Quark Expeditions departs Cape Town for the first passenger voyage to the Far Side of Antarctica, the most remote coastal region of the continent.
1993
For the first time, Quark Expeditions guests retrace the voyage of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance.
1996
Quark Expeditions begins a circumnavigation of Antarctica for commercial passengers, the first-ever voyage of its kind.
2003
Quark Expeditions passengers become the first humans to witness a Total Solar Eclipse in Antarctica.
2004
Quark Expeditions becomes the first operator to confirm the existence and location of the Snow Hill Emperor colony.
2006
Quark Expeditions breaks Roald Amundsen’s record set nearly 100 years ago, attaining the most southernly latitude of any vessel.
2012
Quark Expeditions becomes the first tour operator to successfully offer passenger hot-air ballooning at the North Pole.
2013
Quark Expeditions is named World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator at the World Travel Awards in Lisbon.
2018
Quark Expeditions is again named World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator at the World Travel Awards.
2019
Quark Expeditions unveils Polar Promise, the most holistic sustainability policy in the polar expedition industry.
2020
Quark Expeditions is named World’s Leading Specialist Cruise Line at the World’s Leading World Travel Awards.
2021
Quark Expeditions officially takes ownership of Ultramarine after successful sea trials in Croatia, marking one of our greatest polar milestones.
Our Team of Polar Experts
When you venture the untouched wilds of the Arctic and Antarctic, you need a great team around you. And we have the greatest. Join elite trained guides and interact with world-class Polar Experts.
Expedition Leaders
The most professional and passionate team of Expedition Leaders in the world.
Expedition Team
Seasoned veterans with rich backgrounds in marine biology, history, glaciology, geology and more.
Special Guests
Scientists & researchers who engage with our passengers, and make their work accessible to all travelers.
Polar Stories
See All
Chasing Shackleton: Chasing Polar Dreams
Wildlife Guide: Emperor Penguin Facts
How to choose between the Arctic and Antarctic for your Polar Voyage
Wildlife Guide: Cormorant Facts
Wildlife Guide: Ptarmigan Facts
