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Breaching bowhead whale<br />
Quark Expeditions<br />
Quark Expeditions are the premier operator in<br />
Arctic expedition cruising. Their ice-breaker ships<br />
are impressive, their evening meals five course,<br />
and they even have a helicopter for expeditions<br />
beyond even zodiac reach. Quark were first to<br />
cruise to the North Pole in 1991, the first to<br />
transit Russia’s North-East Passage in 1993 and<br />
the first to circumnavigate the Arctic in 1999.<br />
Their impressive polar experts on board share a<br />
passion for exploration and adventure, leading<br />
expeditions on shore between lectures. Amongst<br />
their staff you’ll find members of the Explorer’s<br />
and Arctic clubs, Fellows of the Royal Geographic<br />
Society and several explorers who have had<br />
mountains named in their honour.<br />
Arctic Quest<br />
Quark’s 18-day cruise leaves Resolute on<br />
Cornwallis Island in late August to cruise to the<br />
Inuit capital of Iqaluit, taking in key elements of<br />
the infamous Northwest Passage, the remotest<br />
parts of northern Greenland, Ellesmere Island<br />
and Baffin Island. You will visit prehistoric winter<br />
houses of Thule peoples – the original native<br />
Americans who crossed the ice bridge from<br />
Siberia – smash through Arctic ice and see grand<br />
fjords and wonderful wildlife. Your ultimate goal,<br />
often impassable due to pack ice, is the Lincoln<br />
Sea at the top of Greenland. If, after passing the<br />
northernmost town of Qaanaaq through narwhal<br />
territory, you cannot reach your destination then<br />
you will certainly crunch some ice trying! A last<br />
stop to see herds of caribou grazing on tundra is<br />
at Pangnirtung, an Inuit community where you can<br />
also meet local artists, before disembarking in<br />
Iqaluit for your flight back to Ottawa.<br />
triple cabins, all with private bathrooms, opening<br />
external windows, desk and chair. The suites have<br />
a separate sitting room with TV/DVD. Guests<br />
assemble in the dining room for a buffet breakfast,<br />
hearty lunch, afternoon tea and a five course<br />
dinner with daily changing menu. There is a<br />
lounge bar, a heated indoor swimming pool,<br />
exercise room and sauna. You will also find a<br />
theatre auditorium for expert presentations and<br />
a library packed with books relating to the<br />
surrounding area. Last, but not least, are the<br />
zodiac inflatables and helicopter to take you<br />
on daily expeditions ashore.<br />
84<br />
Whale watching in the Arctic<br />
KAPITAN KHLEBNIKOV<br />
Quark’s Kapitan Khlebnikov is a polar ice-breaker,<br />
capable of taking you places most other vessels<br />
cannot reach. Despite these impressive<br />
credentials, you will be travelling in a level of<br />
comfort not found anywhere else in Arctic<br />
cruising. This is ensured by there being 70 crew<br />
to look after 108 passengers. The choice of<br />
accommodation includes simple suites, twin and<br />
Polar bears amongst the sea-ice