North Pole by Land or Sea: Barneo Ice camp and Icebreaker Expedition Voyage
Quark Expeditions® Launches 2015.16 Epic North Pole Adventures
Quark Expeditions® will offer two exciting and diverse ways to explore the North Pole for 2015.16. For those seeking maximum adventure on a polar expedition, travellers can conquer 90° north from the remote base of Barneo Ice Camp, or from the bow of 50 Years of Victory, Quark’s legendary, mighty icebreaker.
Barneo Ice Camp North Pole Expedition
New to Quark, North Pole Express: Barneo Ice Camp is a high adventure fly-in base reached via Antonov AN-74 aircraft and ice runway, and is one of the most unique expedition camps in the world. Available for 2016 to a select group of just 56 Quark passengers, guests will experience a true scientific station in the middle of the pristine ice landscape of the Geographic North Pole.
The pinnacle of this five-day expedition is spending two nights at 89° north at Barneo Ice Camp. This seasonal, fly-in camp site is ideal for those seeking a short, but adventurous journey to the top of the world. Passengers will be some of a privileged few in the world to experience landing and taking-off from Barneo’s ice runway, one of several trip highlights on this unequalled site on the icy sea of the North Polar Basin.
This research station is available for only two departures and offers guests the opportunity to take in lectures and presentations by the expedition team and resident scientists, and enjoy heated facilities, hearty meals and 24 hours of daylight. During their stay, passengers will embark to the top of the world by Mi8 helicopter, and later, celebrate at the North Pole.
Pre- and post-Barneo, guests can explore Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, situated far above the Arctic Circle and offering an interesting museum, restaurants and a whiskey bar with the largest selection of whiskeys in Northern Europe. Optional Longyearbyen activities include dog-sledding and snowmobiling.
“Barneo is one of the most remarkable base camps we’ve ever experienced. We are thrilled to continue to expand Quark itineraries with the addition of such a once-in-lifetime, authentic polar destination,” said Andrew White, President of Quark Expeditions®. “As part of our commitment to product innovation, we couldn’t be happier to represent such an impressive expedition for travellers interested in true adventure.”
Barneo marks the second land-based expedition Quark has added to its line-up, after the debut of Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge.
North Pole Icebreaker Expedition aboard 50 Years of Victory
For passengers preferring to reach the North Pole in the comfort of a ship, Quark’s signature expedition ship, 50 Years of Victory, offers The Ultimate Arctic Adventure, and is one of the largest and most powerful nuclear icebreakers ever constructed. Voyage dates are now available until 2017.
One of Quark’s most popular and iconic adventures, the 14-day expedition takes just 128 passengers to the top of the world, where they will experience Victory’s ice-class power as it cuts through virgin ice, enjoy helicopter excursions and champagne celebrations, and take an optional hot air balloon ride for an unequalled life experience. The excitement of traveling to the North Pole, and later celebrating at its apex with fellow guests, is captured on Quark’s North Pole video.
How to Book
North Pole Express: Barneo Ice Camp. Expeditions are available at £19,195 per person based on double occupancy, and include overnight accommodation pre- and post-Barneo in Longyearbyen. Two departures on April 13 and 15 2016 Save £250 per person on bookings made by May 1, 2015. Some conditions apply.
North Pole: The Ultimate Arctic Adventure
For 2015 – please call for availability
For 2016 – June 15, June 26
For 2017 – July 9, July 20, July 31
Expeditions start at £17,900 per person based on double occupancy. Save on bookings made by May 1, 2015.
Save up to £2,500 per couple (or £1,250 per person) on suites and up to £1,250 per couple (or £500 per person) on twin cabins for bookings made by May 1, 2015. Some conditions apply.
For more information visit www.quarkexpeditions.com or call 0808 120 2333
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For over 25 years, Quark Expeditions® has been the leading provider of polar adventure travel. With its diverse fleet of specially equipped vessels and seasoned expedition leaders, they offer travellers unparalleled access to the most remote regions on earth: the Arctic and Antarctica. Quark was named a recipient of National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime” for their “Three Arctic Islands” voyage.
Barneo Ice Camp
Barneo is a private seasonal base established annually on an ice floe close to the North Pole, shared by the global scientific community. Because of the constant moving ice on the Arctic Ocean, Barneo is rebuilt from scratch each year. The ice camp is a unique complex hosting visitors and base personnel, and consists of specially designed tents with rigid frames and comfortable bedding. Heated facilities and meals are included, as are snacks, tea and coffee. The mess tent for visitors is the main area for meetings and briefings, and for taking meals.
50 Years of Victory
Victory is a Russian Arktika-class nuclear-powered icebreaker. Arktika-class icebreakers are the largest and most powerful nuclear icebreakers ever constructed. With an ice-class LL1 (the highest ice class), Victory is designed to break through ice up to 2.8 meters (9.19 ft) thick. The icebreaker is equipped with a basketball court, indoor lap pool, two saunas, a polar library and lounge, a gym with windows, and onboard helicopter for aerial sightseeing and landings. In honor of the Sochi games, it carried the Olympic Flame to the North Pole in October 2013. Nine months of the year, Victory is a working vessel keeping shipping lanes open for other ships.
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