SEATTLE, WA. October 15, 2024
Quark Expeditions, the leader in polar adventure, is proud to unveil its Arctic 26 season, Ice, Fire, and The Eclipse. This new season, celebrating 35 years of historic exploration in the Arctic, builds upon our legacy of innovation and pioneering firsts to offer Quark Expeditions most diverse range of Arctic itineraries to date. Including a variety of options for exploration in Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, and the Canadian Arctic, all offered aboard our two state-of-the-art vessels: Ultramarine and Ocean Explorer. Among them are two exclusive new voyages: Iceland Circumnavigation: Helicopters, Glaciers and Volcanoes and Iceland to Greenland: A Total Solar Eclipse, outlined below. From soaring above Iceland’s volcanic wonders in a twin-engine helicopter, to kayaking beneath the towering bird cliffs of Alkefjellet in Svalbard, to witnessing a celestial spectacle from the remote High Arctic. Each itinerary in the Arctic portfolio is crafted by our proudly polar team to embody the true spirit of exploration, unlocking the secrets of the world’s most remote wildernesses in ways only possible with Quark Expeditions.
For more information on itineraries available on this Arctic Season, including Iceland to Greenland: Mountains, Glaciers and Waterfalls, Northwest Passage: Epic High Arctic, Spitsbergen Navigation: A Rite of Passage, and more, please visit: www.quarkexpeditions.com.
Iceland to Greenland: A Total Solar Eclipse
Quark Expeditions, the leader in polar adventures, made history twenty years ago as the first operator to bring passengers to Antarctica to witness a total solar eclipse, providing 100 explorers from 17 countries the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view this celestial event from the seventh continent. In the Arctic 26 season, Quark Expeditions returns to its umbraphile roots with the remarkable Iceland to Greenland: Total Solar Eclipse voyage aboard the state-of-the-art Ultramarine. This exclusive 13-day journey, departing Reykjavik on August 6th, 2026, will transport guests to East Greenland’s High Arctic at the optimal point of totality, where travelers will view the longest duration of the solar eclipse in the world—2 minutes and 17.2 seconds
Two world-renowned eclipse experts will be enhancing this extraordinary experience: David Baron, author and science journalist, celebrated for his captivating TED Talk, and Michael Zeiler, an esteemed eclipse cartographer. With their expertise, guidance, and exceptional storytelling, guests will deepen their understanding of this celestial phenomenon and gain further appreciation for the otherworldly beauty of an eclipse and its significance to our world.
“I am beyond thrilled to join the legendary Michael Zeiler and the best expedition team in the industry for this once-in-a-lifetime journey,” says David Baron. “This will be my tenth total solar eclipse, and to witness such a breathtaking phenomenon amidst the otherworldly beauty of the Arctic promises to be truly magical. Chasing eclipses is all about embracing life and appreciating the planet we inhabit. I can’t think of a better way to do either than with Quark Expeditions on this extraordinary trip.”
In addition to phenomenal eclipse viewing in the High Arctic of East Greenland, guests will venture through the Vestfjords—one of the unsung gems of Iceland. They’ll also discover the secrets of Northeast Greenland National Park—the largest national park in the world—where we will cruise the 110-kilometer King Oscar Fjord. Guests will also explore Blomsterbugten, or the Bay of Flowers, with its colorful fall foliage and unique flora, and take in the rugged beauty of Bjørne Islands, home to icy blue icebergs and notable archaeological sites. They’ll sail across the Denmark Straight—not once but twice— and soar above parts of Greenland on one of Ultramarine’s twin-engine helicopters.
For more information on this voyage, and to learn more about Quark Expeditions, please visit: www.quarkexpeditions.com.
Iceland Circumnavigation: Helicopters, Glaciers, and Volcanoes
Quark Expeditions is thrilled to announce an exclusive new itinerary, Iceland Circumnavigation: Helicopters, Glaciers and Volcanoes. Departing on July 27th, 2026, this 12-day adventure takes guests on an exploration of Iceland’s most stunning locations and remote hidden gems by land, sea, and air—leveraging the Ultramarine’s cutting-edge features and H145 twin-engine helicopters.
This expansive voyage offers unparalleled immersion into Iceland’s dramatic landscapes, diverse wildlife, and cultural history with the opportunity to soar above glaciers, volcanoes, and black sand beaches in the luxurious safety of the Ultramarine’s twin-engine helicopters. Highlights of the journey include visits to natural wonders such as Kirkjufell Mountain, Iceland’s most photographed spot; Dettifoss and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls; Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon; Ásbyrgi Canyon; and the volcanic marvel of Krafla, famous for its vibrant craters and bubbling mud pools.
Guests will also experience Iceland’s incredible wildlife, with opportunities to visit Látrabjarg, Europe’s tallest bird cliff, home to puffins, guillemots, fulmars, and razorbills and the Westman Islands, known for its large puffin colonies and abundant whale population.
The Quark Expeditions veteran expedition team, comprised of polar guides specializing in marine biology, ornithology, glaciology, history, and more, will enhance every aspect of this journey, both on ship and off. Through local partnerships, guests will visit local fishing villages, including Arnarstapi, Grundarfjörður and Stykkishólmur, and participate in an Icelandic food-tasting experience.
“Circumnavigating Iceland with Quark Expeditions offers an unmatched opportunity to explore the country’s most thrilling locations and hidden remote wildernesses,” says Beth Mercier, Senior Director of Global Partnership Sales at Quark Expeditions. “Guided by the most experienced expedition team in the industry, this exclusive all-inclusive itinerary offers guests everything from zodiac excursions and chartered visits to local communities and national parks to breathtaking helicopter flightseeing over Iceland’s dramatic landscapes. On-ship unlimited Wi-Fi,
hand-crafted food and premium beverages are provided, offering the perfect blend of comfort and exploration in one seamless and expertly crafted voyage.”
Quark Expeditions, unlocks the secrets of the world’s most remote wildernesses, to learn more about this journey and others available in the Arctic 26 season visit www.quarkexpeditions.com.
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About Quark Expeditions: The global leader in polar adventures for more than 30 years. The most passionate and seasoned team in the industry, taking explorers to the ends of the earth. Going where few ever dream, and setting foot where few ever will. Delivering extraordinary experiences and enriching lives through travel, Quark Expeditions is a Travelopia specialist company.