THE HIGH ARCTIC

Sail into spectacular fjords surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers illuminated by the 24-hour sun; thrill at the experience of your powerful icebreaker, the Kapitan Khlebnikov (108 passengers), tackling the pressure ridges, hummocks and ice floes of this northern world; land by expertly-piloted helicopter in areas inaccessible by Zodiac; discover historic sites of polar exploration, and call at lands rarely visited before. Encounter teeming summer wildlife at close quarters, ruled over by the lords of the Arctic, Polar Bears. This is the realm of the almost mythical Narwhal, Beluga and Bowhead Whales. The true home of a trio of beautiful gulls, Ross’s, Sabine’s and Ivory plus millions of other breeding northern hemisphere seabirds. You will be following in the footsteps of great explorers like Amundsen, Franklin, Bering, Ross and others.   Witness cloud formations and weather conditions that don’t occur elsewhere on the planet, icebows and sun-halos for example, mirages too. The high Arctic has it’s own very special magic, with plenty of opportunity for photographers and artists to try and catch or just lean against the railing, as your amazing vessel takes you to some very special places, allowing you to just soak in the scenery, icescapes, wildlife and the skies around you. The ship will return to ice-breaking duties full time in early 2012, so these are the last two years to experience this unique form of travel!

---

2010

 

The Northwest Passage: West to East  

(Anadyr  - Resolute)

 18^th July – 5^th August

Triple berths from £11,140 per person

Twins from £14,490 per person

Includes charter flights from Anchorage and to Ottawa.

 

Tanquary Fjord: Western Ellesmere Island (Canada)

(Resolute - Resolute)

3^rd – 18th August 

Triple berths from £9590 per person

Twins from £12,550 per person

Includes charter flights from and to Ottawa.

 

Ellesmere Island and Greenland: The High Arctic (Canada and Greenland)

 (Resolute - Resolute)

16th August – 31st August

Triple berths   from £9590 per person

Twins from £12,550 per person

Includes charter flights from and to Ottawa.

 

---

2011

 

Circumnavigation of the Arctic

(Anadyr – Anadyr)

10^th July – 13^th September

Triple berths from £41,765 per person

Twins  from  £56,300 per person

Charter flight from and to Anchorage £815 per person.

FREE return business class flights from the UK to Anchorage if booked by 15/12/09!

 

---

This amazing voyage is also available in sectors…

 

The Northeast Passage

(Anadyr – Murmansk)

10^th July – 6^th August

Triple berths from £17,335 per person

Twins           from £23,220 per person

Charter flights from Anchorage and to Helsinki £1070 per person.

 

Greenland Semi-circumnavigation

(Murmansk - Kangerlussuag)

4^th – 24th August

Triple berths from £11,385 per person

Twins from £15,815 per person

Charter flights from Helsinki and to Ottawa £1070 per person.

 

Arctic Passage

(Kangerlussuaq – Anadyr)

22nd August – 13^th September

Triple berths from £14,740 per person

Twins  from £19,799 per person

Charter flights from Ottawa and to Anchorage £1070 per person.

---

THE NORTH POLE

The nuclear-powered 50 Years of Victory (128 passengers) is used to keep Russia’s frozen Northern Sea Route open for shipping in the winter months. This incredible ship can generate 75,000 horsepower and stay at sea for up to 4 years, she can travel through open water at over 20 knots and is the largest icebreaker ever built, the first of a new class. For this expedition the vessel will plough due north through the high Arctic pack ice to the Pole itself, 90 degrees north. Stand on the ice at the top of the world and, for the very brave, join the North Pole Swimming Club!  The return journey is planned to include Franz Joseph Land, for scenery and wildlife such as Polar Bears, seals and seabirds. A totally unique voyage.  See page 72 for the South Pole.

 

Sea Itinerary

Day 1: Embark vessel at Murmansk and sail.

Days 2-6 : At sea, heading north into pack ice.

Day 7: The North Pole

Days: 8-9 At sea, pack ice heading south

Days: 10-11 Franz Josef Land, landings planned.

Day 12: Disembark Murmansk.

 

---

2010

Dates: 9^th – 23rd July

Twin share from £14,940 per person. Single cabins on request.

Includes charter flights from and to Helsinki. 

All our Arctic icebreaker voyages include a pre and post cruise hotel stay for one night with breakfast, group transfers to/from vessel, comprehensive pre-trip information, all meals aboard ship, free tea/coffee/bottled water aboard ship, services of expedition team, Zodiac and helicopter excursions and landings, group charter flights (from and to cities indicated), voyage certificate, boot loan service, complimentary parka coat and post-trip CD with photos and video. Emergency evacuation insurance, US$100,000pp.

 

Prices exclude: International flights to and from indicated gateway cities, gratuities (suggested US$10 pp per day aboard vessel), airport transfers, travel insurance and other drinks and items of a personal nature.

 

Previous Quark Expeditions passengers qualify for a 5% discount

on these or other future voyages booked with WildWings. 

 

These are guide prices only, please contact us for the best prices in the UK for these voyages!

 

Both ships have a bar and lounge, library, gift shop, lecture auditorium, pool, exercise room and sauna. All cabins are outside with window and private facilities (the stunning views will be free) and food onboard happens to be superb. World-class expedition teams, including naturalists and professional photographers, will accompany you on your voyage. Photographic opportunities will be superb. Single cabins are available on request but bookings can happily be made on a share basis. All prices are subject to exchange rates.

 

More detailed information and a full colour brochure for these voyages is available from us.