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Explore Antarctica
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© Hayley Shephard/Quark 
'M/V Orlova' at Deception Island |
Come with us to the land of superlatives - the coldest, windiest, driest, and highest of all the major landmasses in the world. Antarctica is the continent with the longest nights and the longest days and, surprisingly, the world's greatest concentration of wildlife. Antarctica is perhaps the last true wilderness area left on earth - largely unchanged since early explorers and whalers first landed on its inhospitable shores less than two centuries ago.The history of exploration of the White Continent may be recent, but the land itself has a long history - more than 190 million years according to fossil remains found by palaeontologists. Antarctica was the heart of the super-continent called Gondwana that included what we now know as Africa, South America, India and Australia. The climate was milder than that of Antarctica today. Through time, the region's wildlife has adapted to the unique environment at the bottom of the world and today it is drawn to the Antarctic waters by the abundance of krill, shrimp-like crustaceans that are the foundation of the Antarctic food chain.The first documented landing on the continent was in February 1821 at Hughes Bay, recorded by John Davis, an American sealer. The first recorded landing of a woman on the continent did not occur for another 113 years when, in 1934, Caroline Mikkelsen stepped ashore. A harbour on Trinity Island, in the Bransfield Strait bears the Mikkelsen name. For travellers seeking an adventurous experience, the Antarctic Peninsula, and the nearby subantarctic islands are an ideal destination. During the warmer months of the austral summer, our fleet of expedition ships enters secluded scenic bays and narrow channels in search of stunning scenery and close encounters with Antarctic wildlife. We make frequent landfalls on remote beaches, where the feat of early explorers come to life through the stories and anecdotes recounted by our historians. Expedition Highlights
Quark ExpeditionsQuark Expeditions is world-renowned as the leading innovator of polar expedition cruises. Since 1991, they have pioneered and developed a wide range of comfortable adventures to some of the most remote and awe-inspiring corners of the planet. They were the first to successfully operate many of the most exciting polar voyages: to the North Pole, on a circumnavigation of Antarctica as well as a circumnavigation of the Arctic, to the 'Far Side' of Antarctica, to the Weddell Sea and through the Northeast Passage, to name a few.Experience Counts Quark Expeditions has grown to become the world's leading polar cruise company. They have been planning and operating expedition cruises to Antarctica, as well as to the Arctic, for more than a decade and are the recognized experts. They offer a wide choice of departures on their fleet of ice-strengthened vessels. Their experience ensures that you will enjoy an Antarctic adventure of a lifetime! Expedition Staff and Lecturers All their voyages are led by a carefully chosen team of dedicated and enthusiastic expedition staff, many of whom return with them to the Antarctic each season. They are chosen not only for their local knowledge and wealth of experience but also for their great love of the Antarctic. One of the priorities on their Antarctic expeditions is the focus on interpretation and education. With formal lectures, as well as informal briefings and discussions, your lecturers and Expedition Leader will cover all aspects of the voyage including ornithology, marine biology, geography, geology, history and the environment, as well as practical things like photography. On board you will be fully briefed on safety issues and their environmental policy and you will receive appropriate and detailed briefings before every landing. Responsible Tourism They are dedicated to minimizing the impact of their expeditions on wildlife and sensitive natural habitats. As a member of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), they support a policy that requires all IAATO members to operate environmentally-responsible cruises and expeditions and to follow all internationally agreed regulations of conduct ashore. We are all privileged visitors - and committed to the future of these extraordinary, icy realms. Safety First Expedition cruising is adventurous by nature, the safety of our passengers and staff is paramount. Our ships are equipped and maintained to cope with the most challenging conditions and are manned by experienced and conscientious officers, crew and expedition staff. On board passengers are fully briefed on safety issues and our environmental policy and receive appropriate and detailed briefings before every landing. The Zodiac landing craft used for our shore landings are rugged and versatile and are operated by experienced drivers in a responsible manner. Our priority is to provide exciting, enjoyable and safe adventures. Historical Perspective Names such as Amundsen, Scott and Shackleton are synonymous with the Golden Age of Exploration and, thanks to the Antarctic climate, elements of the past have been well preserved. Viewing these historical sights is a memorable experience and worthy of care and respect. Quark Expeditions understands this and ensures that all passengers are fully briefed before any visits take place. The Antarctic Peninsula was the first area of the sixth continent to be sighted. Historians agree on the year, 1820, but not on who had the honour. Was it the Russian von Bellingshausen, the British naval lieutenant Bransfield, or the American sealing captain Palmer? The debate, led by internationally renowned Antarctic historians, continues on board our small ships. Join us and participate in these interesting discussions. What to see... and when... during the austral summerWildlife and WeatherVoyages operate during the austral summer - November through to February - when the continent is at its most spectacular and accessible. Each month has its own special highlights, outlined below to help you plan your trip. During the spring and summer, average coastal temperatures along the Antarctic Peninsula are seldom far from the freezing point. November (late spring - early summer) The most adventurous and awe-inspiring time to visit.
December - January (full summer) Antarctica's warmest months when wildlife activities are in full swing.
February - March (late summer) This is the best time for whale-watching.
The Adventure FleetThe ships of our adventure fleet have been designed and built for polar waters and are ideally suited to expedition cruising. Their ice-strengthened hulls, as well as their onboard communications and satellite equipment, make them extremely safe modes of transport in this remote corner of the world. The officers and crew are mostly Russian - and all highly experienced in ice navigation. They are joined by our knowledgeable expedition staff and informative experts from all over the world.The Former Scientific Research Vessels: Akademik Shokalskiy, Professor Multanovskiy and Professor Molchanov Designed for elite scientists, these ships were built specifically to explore the most remote areas of the Earth. Now Quark Expeditions has converted these vessels into passenger ships. You enjoy an intimate experience fostered by these vessels that carry no more than 48 passengers. With such a small group of travellers, you quickly become immersed in the expedition, consulting charts with the shipboard team or joining the crew on the aft deck as they prepare the Zodiacs for a shore excursion. No other company provides as engaging an adventure on the waters surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula. Small and manoeuvrable, these three vessels are able to navigate the more inaccessible areas of Antarctica. Very quickly all passengers can board Zodiacs for an impromptu excursion. You become part of a community that is relaxed and informal. Your dining companions quickly become friends over superb international cuisine served by our professionally-trained catering team. Our Expedition Cruise Ship: m/v Orlova Larger than the research vessels of our adventure fleet, m/v Orlova still provides an intimate environment. Although she was built to accommodate as many as 180 passengers we have reconfigured the ship for a maximum of 110. All the cabins have lower berths, windows or portholes, and private facilities. Designed originally as a polar cruise ship, m/v Orlova has covered and uncovered walkways, a comfortable lounge, a well-stocked bar and a polar library. The outside decks are spacious and offer a great vantage point from which to take in the mystery of the Antarctic landscapes. A Day on BoardMarco Polo said, 'An adventure is misery and discomfort relived in the safety of reminiscence'. Obviously he never travelled on a Quark Expeditions' cruise ship!Imagine a comfortable hotel with almost as many staff as guests, spectacular views out of every window, superb international cuisine, and a range of facilities including a well-stocked library. Then imagine the hotel in a new wild and remote location every day, add a team of international experts on everything from polar exploration to birds and marine mammals then throw in once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as a whale breaching alongside your Zodiac. MORNING ACTIVITIES A typical day on a Quark Expeditions' ship - if, indeed, there is a typical day - begins with a friendly wake-up call and breakfast. You will have been briefed the night before, and a detailed daily program will have been delivered to your cabin, so this morning talk is of the adventures ahead. Your first activity might be an entertaining presentation by a world-renowned expert, or a chance to watch as the ship navigates through the polar landscape. Next you respond to the call to prepare for the first shore landing of the day. ZODIAC CRUISING and SHORE TRANSFERS Every ship carries a fleet of sturdy Zodiacs to transfer you, your fellow travellers and the expedition staff quickly and safely to otherwise inaccessible shores where you encounter wildlife, and visit historical sites. You may stay ashore for the maximum allotted time - typically from two to four hours depending on the day's itinerary - or you may be ready to return to the ship sooner. Wherever possible, your Expedition Leader tailors excursions to several levels of activity, offering options for long visits, short walks or Zodiac cruises. ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM You have time to change and refresh before lunch, while the vessel positions to the next spectacular site. From the deck you are treated to an ever changing landscape. Perhaps you note the sinuous line of a penguin profile and the sharp contrast of its black and white coat, reminding you of the work of an artist, but which one? Through our Artist-in-Residence Program available on board select m/v Orlova voyages you learn to see the Antarctic Peninsula in an entirely new way through presentations, and hands-on workshops led by a professional artist. Your afternoon activities might be another shore landing, or a Zodiac cruise through beautiful icescape, past seals sleeping on ice floes, or among whales. By evening the talk is lively and animated as fellow passengers share the day's experiences. EVENING IN ANTARCTICA Evenings are for relaxing should you choose. Curl up with a good book, spend a few hours chatting in the bar, or watch a movie. However, exhilarating alternatives may occupy you as the sun shines almost 24 hours a day! Participate in another shore landing or Zodiac cruise. Interact with one of our experts making a presentation or spend a few more hours on the deck, looking for one more iceberg. YOU HAVE MORE TIME ASHORE Voyages aboard the adventure fleet focus on a region of Antarctica that is rarely ice-bound during the southern summer. Our aim is to include as much time ashore, and as many Zodiac cruises, as conditions will allow. With this in mind, we have chosen vessels that enable us to keep passenger numbers small enough for everyone to be out enjoying the wildlife and scenery at the same time. This means that you get more time ashore, or in Zodiacs, than with other larger vessels operating in the Antarctic Peninsula. YOU HAVE A CHOICE OF ITINERARIES Classic Antarctica - cruise onboard the Professor Multanovskiy, Professor Molchanov, Akademik Shokalskiy and the m/v Orlova, vessels that offer the perfect introduction to the White Continent. Embark and disembark in the port of Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. See wildlife and scenic highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Explorers' Cruises are extended voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Depending on the itinerary, you embark and disembark in the ports of Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn in Argentina. TERMS & CONDITIONS Reservations and Payment. A deposit of £1000 per person is required to confirm a reservation on a Classic Antarctica, Classic Antarctica Adventure or Crossing the Antarctic Circle voyage with final payment due 90 days prior to departure. A deposit of £1500 per person is required to confirm a reservation on an Explorers' Cruise with final payment due 90 days prior to departure. All prices and payments are in £ sterling and no other currencies can be accepted. Cancellations and Refunds. All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received 90 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of £500 per person. Please note that within the 90-day limit all deposits and tariffs are forfeited. If cancellation occurs within the 90-day period and full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and unpaid monies are due immediately. For these and other reasons mentioned below, you are strongly encouraged to obtain trip cancellation insurance. Prices quoted are based on group participation and no refunds will be made for any part of the program in which you choose not to participate, including any helicopter flying time (if applicable and which, at the discretion of the captain and expedition leader, may or may not be utilized). It is understood that refunds cannot be made to passengers who do not complete the tour for any reason whatsoever. Itinerary. The itinerary described is subject to change at the discretion of the ship's master. This is an expedition to a remote part of the world and we reserve the right to change the itinerary due to weather conditions, availability of anchorages, political conditions and other factors beyond our control without consulting the participants. It is understood that such decisions will be made in the best interests of all passengers aboard and with regard to the safety of the vessel. Participants have no right to any refund or other considerations in the event of these inevitable itinerary changes. Nothing in this web site is meant to signify the use of any specific design or model of helicopter. Not all voyages include the use of helicopters. Rates. Voyage rates are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of printing and are subject to change prior to departure. Substantial changes in tariffs, exchange rates and the price of fuel, services and labour sometimes increase the cost of expedition arrangements significantly, and we reserve the right to alter our prices accordingly. Responsibility. Please read this important information carefully. The payment of a deposit of any part or full payment for a reservation on this tour shall constitute consent to all the provisions contained herein. Quark Expeditions Inc. (QEI) and Supernova Expeditions Ltd. (SEL) act as general sales agents for the vessel and as such exercise every possible care. However, QEI, SEL, their subsidiaries and/or associated Agents, shall not be held responsible for property loss or damage and/or any damages resulting from illness, personal injuries or death which may be sustained by reason of, or while engaged on, any tour whether due to the ownership, maintenance, use, operation or control of any aircraft, helicopter, automobile, bicycle, boat, vehicle, hotel, common carrier, or any other conveyance used in carrying out these tours. We can assume no liability due to any cause whatsoever whether caused by failure or delay or other irregularity, acts or omissions occurring during a tour under which the means of transportation or other service provided thereby is offered or supplied by owners, operators, or public carriers for whom QEI and SEL act only as agent. QEI and SEL reserve the right (at their discretion) to alter or omit any part of the itinerary or change any reservation, feature and/or means of conveyance without notice and for any reason whatsoever and without allowance or refund and with extra costs, if any, resulting therefrom paid by the passengers. We reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. QEI and SEL shall not be responsible for any injury to person (whether or not resulting in death) or damage to property arising out of any act of war, insurrection, revolt or other civil uprising or military action occurring in the countries of origin, destination or passage. QEI and SEL strongly urge individual passengers obtain appropriate insurance coverage. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely. In case of a medical problem arising during the voyage, either on board or on shore, which results in costs for evacuation, use of aircraft or repatriation, the responsibility for payment of these costs belongs solely to the passenger. QEI and SEL strongly advise that passengers ensure that such eventualities are covered by travel insurance. If not covered by travel insurance the responsibility still remains with the passenger and QEI and SEL specifically decline any responsibility whatsoever. The transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not aboard their carriers or conveyances. The passenger contract in use by the carriers concerned (when issued) shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies and the purchaser of these tours and/or passage. By accepting the ticket the passenger also agrees to its terms and conditions. By forwarding of deposit, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers. QEI and SEL reserve the right to cancel or withdraw any person as a member of the tour at any time. | ||
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