FOR over 20 years, Quark Expeditions has been the pioneer is developing tours for the adventure seekers in the Arctic and the Antarctica. A trip to a polar region isn’t for everyone — but for some, there’s no place they’d rather visit. Quark Expeditions offer guided expeditions aboard specially equipped vessels built for these environments. This is what makes them unique and unlike other cruise liners.
Speaking to TTN, Francesco Contini, senior vice president for product and distribution at Quark Expeditions says, “It is important to note that Quark offers expeditions, not cruises. At Quark we offer the experience and insight from a team of leading polar scientists, historians, ornithologists and biologists besides the comforts of our well-equipped vessels.”
“We understand that the Middle East has been developing rapidly and is not one of our traditional markets and therefore virgin territory. We see a great opportunity here. Quark Expedition was launched 20 years ago and at that point the traditional traveller that came exclusively with an interest in wildlife. Today the passengers are motivated by a broader set of criteria,” added Contini.
Quark Expeditions specialises exclusively in polar destinations. Their largest itinerary is in the Antarctica, which account for about 70 per cent of their bookings, remaining 25 per cent to the Arctic and the great majority goes to the archipelago of Norwegian Arctic called Svalbard. The programmes to Antarctica take place in the Antarctica peninsula, closest to South America.
“A typical day on our itinerary would include, breakfast, briefing of activities for the day and then passengers board a Zodiac, the inflatable rafts, and go ashore and spend a couple of hours exploring the area. Depending on the departures and the vessel, there are a number of activities available for guests including sea-kayaking, hiking, mountaineering, cross-country skiing and even camping.
“On board, we also offer lectures and presentations on the environment we are exploring, glaciology; the history of explorations before stepping out for some more exploration,” says Contini.
Quark Expeditions is now offering six new itineraries and two new activities – snowshoeing and photography courses – among its 2012-13 Antarctica itineraries. The itineraries are highlighted by an in-depth exploration of the South Georgia archipelago, the “Galapagos of the poles,” which features more than 30 types of breeding birds, including four penguin species.
The latest addition to its fleet is a 189-passenger polar expedition vessel which will set sail in November 2012 for the Antarctic 2012-2013 season.
“Our guests aren’t on our itineraries to relax, but to get out and absorb a new experience; to come home richer having been in a new environment. Over the years our product has become more and more accessible. We started off as a hard-core adventure company that would do 60-day itineraries that would circumnavigate the Antarctica, with no port of call,” he says.
Prices for an expedition start from $3,000 to $45,000 and include lectures, photography or helicopter programmes, excursions, lectures, expedition gear as well as meals. Agents interested in learning more about Quark Expeditions’ voyages can request a copy of brochure via Cruise Master, the company’s local representative office.