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Ultimate Antarctica
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© Quark Expeditions 
'Kapitan Khlebnikov' in pack ice |
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 largest concentration of wildlife. Antarctica is perhaps the last true wilderness area left on Earth - largely unchanged since early explorers first landed on its inhospitable shores less than two centuries ago.Your Antarctic voyage will be unlike any other. The Ross Sea - the ultimate Antarctic destination for any mariner - is not only remote but far from the ordinary. Sir James Clark Ross, after whom it is named, encountered this sea during a quest to find the South Magnetic Pole. Undeterred by pack ice, he incredibly forced his wooden sailing vessels Erebus and Terror through the frozen pack to become the first to sail these 958,296 square kilometres of ice-infested sea.You will be one of the few people to visit the spectacular edge of the Ross Ice Shelf, as it continues to carve massive, tabular icebergs. For 100 years after Ross's arrival in 1841, whalers were the most frequent visitors, lured to the region by the humpback and other whales that fed on the abundant krill, which, in turn, consumed the phytoplankton that still gives the Sea its green hue. The modern age of exploration in the Ross Sea began in the early 20th Century under the leadership of Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen. Scott and Shackleton established staging points near the Great Ice Barrier. One hundred years later, the huts of Shackleton and Scott still stand. Scott's Discovery Hut is next to McMurdo Station, which is the largest base in Antarctica and is operated by the United States year round. You will travel during the austral summer. Bathed in long hours of daylight, the area bursts with activity. Early season voyages offer a chance to see Emperor Penguins tending their fast growing chicks. Whales patrol the ice edge, seals haul out onto ice floes and beaches, and numerous albatrosses and other seabirds trail in our wake. Visits are made to scientists working in modern research bases. And there is plenty of time to enjoy the sheer beauty and the breathtaking scenery of ice-choked waterways, confidently navigated by your powerful icebreaker. Choose from three fantastic adventures. The Lords of Antarctica voyage reaches the rookeries of Emperor Penguins encamped on the fast ice, accessible only by icebreaker and helicopter. Wonders of the Ross Sea encompasses the biodiversity of the region. Choose The Great Antarctic Explorers and follow in the path of the great explorers. Visit historic sites and encounter the same wonders witnessed during the Heroic Age of exploration. 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.Explore with the Leader Explore with the first company in the world to operate powerful polar icebreakers for passenger voyages. Travel in the company of a carefully chosen team of dedicated and enthusiastic expedition staff, many of whom return each season. These polar professionals are selected for their local knowledge and wealth of experience, as well as their great love of the Antarctic. Support Environmentally Responsible Tourism We care about maintaining the well-being of the Antarctic environment. This is the reason we are dedicated to minimizing the impact of our expeditions on wildlife and sensitive natural habitats. Through an association with the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), we follow policies that ensure expeditions are environmentally responsible. We are all privileged visitors to Antarctica and we are committed to the preservation of this extraordinary icy realm. Interact with Naturalists and Historians We are committed to enriching your Antarctic experience through interaction with expert naturalists and historians. You will share their insights and knowledge through formal and informal presentations covering ornithology, marine biology, geology, the environment, and much more. Historical Perspective Names such as Scott and Shackleton are synonymous with the Heroic Age of Exploration. Their huts and other elements of the past have been preserved by the Antarctic climate. The relics are in such pristine condition that visitors can imagine that these famous explorers have merely stepped out for a stroll. We take you there. Travel Safely Expedition cruising is adventurous by nature, and the safety of our passengers and staff is paramount. Our icebreaker is equipped and maintained to cope with the most challenging conditions and is 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 helicopters and Zodiac landing craft used for our shore visits are operated by highly experienced pilots and drivers. Our priority is to provide exciting, enjoyable and safe adventures. The Icebreaker ExperienceRussian icebreakers are the best and most powerful in the world. The Kapitan Khlebnikov, an outstanding example, was launched in 1982 by the world's leading building of icebreakers - Wartsila Company of Finland.The vessel was originally designed for the challenging sea conditions of northern Siberia. No other expedition ship has navigated more polar waters. Since the 1992 refurbishment, the Kapitan Khlebnikov has been carrying adventurous travellers like you to some of the most remote corners of the world. In 1997, the icebreaker became the first ship ever to circumnavigate Antarctica with passengers. Subsequent voyages continue to add lustre to the vessel's reputation as the ultimate Antarctic expedition ship. The advantages of travelling on the Kapitan Khlebnikov are many:
Kapitan Khlebnikov A World Class Icebreaker Designed for Excellent Comfort Quality accommodation Refurbished to accommodate passengers in 54 first-class outside cabins and suites, the Kapitan Khlebnikov is extremely comfortable. All cabins feature private facilities, two lower berths (one fixed berth and one convertible sofa bed, plus one upper pull-down berth in triple cabins), a desk, closets, and picture windows. Cabin amenities include hairdryers and bathrobes. Suite amenities include a safe and a TV/VCR. Public areas include two dining rooms, a lounge and bar, well-equipped auditorium, indoor swimming pool, gym and sauna. The ship also has a library of polar books and videos, a shop, a passenger elevator and a small infirmary with a Western doctor. Professional Catering Staff and Excellent Cuisine Professionally trained chefs prepare excellent international cuisine using fine provisions from around the world. An engaging barman attends the popular forward lounge which features a well-stocked bar with a good selection of wines, champagne and spirits. The dining room is attended by an international wait staff. Advanced Icebreaker Technology With 24,000 horsepower and a massive icebreaker hull, the ship navigates safely and efficiently through ice-choked waterways that are inaccessible to conventional cruise ships. The Kapitan Khlebnikov is also equipped with the latest satellite navigation equipment, and convenient Inmarsat telephone, facsimile and e-mail. Expert Officers The officers of the Kapitan Khlebnikov are from Russia and are highly experienced in polar navigation. Russian Captains are recognized the world over as experts in icebreaker operations. Helicopter and Zodiac Excursions The ship carries helicopters used to move small groups of passengers to otherwise inaccessible areas, and for ice and wildlife reconnaissance. Zodiac landing craft take you to remote beaches, enabling you to cruise among floating ice or close to Antarctic wildlife. All helicopter flights and Zodiac voyages are weather-dependent. Ship Specifications Length: 132.40m, Breadth: 26.75m, Draft: 8.5m, GRT: 12,288 tons, Engines: six Wartsila diesel-electric 24,000 total hp, Ice Class: LL3, Cruising speed (open water): 15 knots, Staff and Crew: 70, Passengers: 108, Registry: Russia. Note on itineraries: Featured in this web site are unique expeditions to a very seldom explored part of the world, often venturing into areas with challenging ice and weather conditions - flexibility is therefore the key to success. The Captain and Expedition Leader will assess daily conditions and take full advantage of every opportunity to make landings with our Zodiacs or helicopters, using the extended daylight to maximize the time ashore. The itineraries on the preceding pages should therefore be read as a guide only. Our actual program and routing will vary according to local conditions, wildlife opportunities and permissions - and safety will always be our highest priority. This is the essence and enjoyment of icebreaker cruising in one of the wildest and most remote corners of the planet. A Day on Board Marco Polo said, 'An adventure is misery and discomfort relived in the safety of reminiscence'. Obviously, he never travelled on a Quark Expeditions' icebreaker, the Kapitan Khlebnikov. Imagine a comfortable hotel with almost as many staff as guests, spectacular views from 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. The Power of an Icebreaker An icebreaker is a ship which is used to break a passage through frozen waters. The steel hull is exceptionally strong and thick (typically over double the thickness of a cargo ship). The Kapitan Khlebnikov literally rides up onto the ice and crushes it with its weight. Extra powerful for its size, with six propellers, the ship can twist and turn to pass through thick pack ice. The vessel has no bilge keels or other external hull fittings that might be caught on ice, or ripped off by it. To help pass through heavy ice, special devices blow air along the hull below the waterline to help lubricate the hull. Low-friction hull paint with non-stick properties prevents ice from adhering to the hull. Your Day Begins A typical day on the icebreaker begins with a friendly wake-up call and breakfast. You were briefed the night before and a detailed daily program was 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 the icebreaker crash through the polar ice to forge ahead. Heli-tours and Zodiac Cruises The icebreaker carries helicopters for flight-seeing and a fleet of Zodiacs for cruising. Both are also used to transfer you, your fellow travellers, and the expedition staff quickly and safely to otherwise inaccessible sites. You may choose to stay ashore for the maximum allotted time - typically from two to four hours depending on the day's itinerary - or you may wish to return early to the ship. Wherever possible, your Expedition Leader tailors excursions to several levels of activity, offering options for long visits or short walks. Artist-in-Residence Program You have time to change and refresh before lunch, while the powerful icebreaker forces its way through ice packs to the next spectacular site. From the deck your eyes 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, you learn to see Antarctica in an entirely new way, through presentations and hands-on workshops led by a professional artist. Evening Activities Evenings are for relaxing should you choose. Curl up with a good book, spend a few hours chatting in the bar, enjoying a sauna, or swimming in the pool. 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 in the auditorium, or spend a few more hours on the deck looking for one more iceberg. Private Helicopter Tours Imagine the thrill of a private helicopter excursion to a virtually inaccessible portion of the White Continent. Private helicopter adventures are arranged through the ship's Expedition Leader at an additional charge. Ice reconnaissance and group helicopter flights take precedence over private tours. Terms & Conditions Reservations and Payment. A deposit of £2000 per person is required to confirm a reservation on an Antarctic icebreaker voyage 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 or more 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. 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, the price of fuel, services, government taxes, labour or other costs sometimes increase the cost of expedition arrangements significantly, and we reserve the right to alter our prices or introduce surcharges 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. Passengers extend QEI and SEL permission to take their photograph during the voyage and release all rights over those images. Passengers who do not wish to be photographed during the voyage must inform QEI and SEL in writing prior to the voyage. QEI and SEL shall not be responsible for any injury to persons (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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