HIGHLIGHTS
- Witness
a total solar eclipse from a polar ship in the High Arctic
- Gain
insight into the cultural and scientific significance of solar eclipses
with guest experts David Baron Michael Zeiler
- Heli–flightsee
over remote Greenland
- Cross
the Arctic Circle twice— southbound and northbound
- Explore
seldom-visited Westfjords, the hidden gem of west Iceland
- Sail
across the Denmark Strait
- Witness
the wildlife of Northeast Greenland National Park
- Cruise
the 110–kilometer King Oscar Fjord.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Aug 06, 2026 | Aug 18, 2026 | 16,095 |
16,731 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Aug 06, 2026 | Aug 18, 2026 | 16,095 |
16,731 |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland
Arrive
in Reykjavik and transfer independently to your included hotel for the
night. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to explore sites of
the fascinating capital of Iceland.
Day
2 & 3: Embark in Reykjavik and explore the Westfjords on
Ultramarine
After
breakfast, you will be transferred to your ship, the
technologicallyadvanced Ultramarine. Today we set sail for
what’s often referred to as “Iceland’s
best-kept secret”—the Westfjords. This rugged
peninsula, on the remote northwestern tip of Iceland, is a stunning
region of mountains and fjords, hence its anglicized name, Westfjords.
Mountains slope down to the sea in a dramatic fashion, providing plenty
of opportunities for incredible landscape photography. We’ll
spend the day exploring the fjords and shores of one of
Iceland’s oldest regions (home to volcanic rocks dating back
16 million years) by Zodiac and ship, and during guided shore landings.
The
views are diverse: dramatic cliffs, gushing waterfalls, colorful
beaches, rolling green hills, high moorlands dotted with rocky outcrops
and tiny lakes. You’ll likely spot Icelandic ponies and
shaggy sheep grazing the hillsides. A few outposts of civilization
include small fishing communities nestled on the edges of the fjord and
along the shores of the Denmark Strait. These modest settlements
preserve a maritime heritage that dates back to the heady days of the
Viking era. Possible community visits include Vigur Island in
Safjarðardjúp fjord, and the little town of
Ísafjörður, noted for its wooden houses,
fishing boats, and hospital-turned-community center.
Day
4: At Sea: Crossing the Denmark Strait
As
we sail north across the Denmark Strait between Iceland and Greenland,
your Expedition Team will prepare you for the exciting adventures
ahead—both on and off-ship. Our team of polar experts will
present on a wide range of topics, including Arctic history, wildlife,
geology, and climatology. The team will also search for seabirds
soaring about the ship—and they’ll most certainly
alert you whenever there’s a whale sighting.
Day
5 & 6: Northeast Greenland: Exploring Kangerluk Kong Oscar and
countdown to the eclipse
Navigating
within the boundaries of the Northeast Greenland National
Park—the planet’s largest national park at 972,000
square kilometers—we will sail into Kangerluk Kong Oscar,
also known as King Oscar Fjord, on the northern border of Scoresby Land
peninsula. This major f jord system, poplar for its famously bright
sandstone, stretches 110 kilometers long and 10 to 25 kilometers wide.
When conditions allow, guests will have the opportunity to hike in
Skipperdal Valley, where mineral deposits have painted the hills red
and magenta—so landscape photographers take note.
As
we prepare to position the ship in order to maximize views of the solar
eclipse on Day 7, we’ll also have the opportunity to visit
Blomsterbugten (also known as Flower Bay) on Ymer Island. The floral
name was chosen by noted archeologists Gunnar Seidenfaden and Arne
Noe-Nygaard during the Lauge Koch expedition in 1929 upon discovering
an abundance of specimens for their botanical collection.
Blomsterbugten is also home to a little hut known as
“Varghytten” (the wolf hut). Built in 1929, the
small hut is still used by the Sirius Patrol, a specialized military
unit of the Danish Armed Forces. It’s possible
we’ll also hike to the seldom-visited Noa Lake.
There will be a palpable sense of excitement in the air as anticipation
builds for our much-awaited eclipse viewing. Behind the scenes, your
Expedition Leader, guest eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler and the
Ship Captain will work closely together— monitoring sea and
ice conditions and atmospheric forecasts—to strategically
position Ultramarine in the best location possible to maximize your
views of the solar eclipse. Relatively few humans get to experience the
awe of a polar expedition—but even fewer get to combine the
wonders of an Arctic expedition with a solar eclipse viewing.
Expect
presentations by our two special guests, eclipse experts David Baron
and Michael Zeiler, in the leadup to the August 12 Solar Eclipse. (See
profiles, page 20). These veteran eclipse enthusiasts will draw on
their vast knowledge to ensure you have an eclipse viewing like no
other.
On
the evening of Day 6, guest expert David Baron will deliver a keynote
presentation titled “Scientific America: The Eclipse That
Enlightened A Nation,” during which he’ll delve
into the societal impacts of eclipses. Baron will discuss how epic
events such as a solar eclipse have spurred societies—and
specific individuals—to achieve scientific greatness.
Day
7: Solar Eclipse Viewing: in the path of totality
Ultramarine
will sail further into King Oscar Fjord where the team will identify
the most optimal viewing point along the path of totality. With the
total eclipse of the sun lasting 2 minutes and 17.2 seconds, this
region of the Arctic provides the longest duration of totality along
the entire eclipse path. The eclipse will begin at 2:34 pm; totality
will begin at 3:34 pm and end at 3:36 pm. The eclipse viewing
experience, a duration of 2 hours, 1 minute, and 3 seconds, will
conclude at 4:35 pm.
This
2026 eclipse is part of Saros series 126, which is a cycle of solar
eclipses that repeats approximately every 18 years. It’s
worth noting that total solar eclipses in Polar Regions are relatively
rare due to the smaller land area and the fact that the sun only
illuminates each pole for part of the year. To reiterate, the last
total solar eclipse observable north of the Arctic Circle was 2008.
The
Quark Expeditions team and guest eclipse experts have been and will
continue to research the geography of this region as we prepare for the
event. Right up until the day of the eclipse itself, our team will
study the mountainous terrain, the angles of the sun in the sky, and
weather patterns to determine the best possible viewing experience.
Your Expedition Leader will outline the day’s agenda in the
days and hours leading up to the total eclipse.
Day
8 to 11: Exploring Scoresbysund and surrounding region
As
we begin to make our way home— still overwhelmed no doubt by
the previous day’s eclipse
experience—we’ll visit Scoresby Sound (Scoresby
Sund), a large fjord system on the eastern coast of Greenland. Except
for a small population of Inuit at Ittoqqortoormiit, near the mouth of
the fjord, Scoresby Sund is largely uninhabited. Warm water polynyas
(areas of open water surrounded by sea ice) near the mouth of the fjord
support diverse ecosystems of f lora and fauna, which is unusual for
the Arctic. Numerous mountains, valleys and glaciers line the fjords,
giving rise to a spectacular collection of icebergs. We also plan to
journey through Bjornar (Nannut Qeqertaat), a group of islands (also
known as Bear Islands) located northeast of Milne Land, named during
the 1891-92 Den Østgrønlandske (East Greenland)
expedition. The collection of 11 main islands fascinates visitors with
its maze of channels, steep cliff faces and fascinating geology.
While
exploring this area, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore
visits to several locations. We’ll also watch for grazing
muskoxen as 40 percent of the world’s population lives in
Northeast Greenland National Park. Sailing through spectacular Scoresby
Sund, where many icebergs are birthed, you’ll immediately
appreciate why previous visitors have described it as the most
beautiful fjord system on the planet. We’ll visit sites such
as Vikingbukta, known for its shoreline of basalt columns,
and Sydkap, where you can explore the colorful tundra and
remains of ancient Thule settlements.
Day
12: At Sea: Crossing the Arctic Circle once more
Our
Arctic adventure winds down as we sail back across Denmark Strait,
southbound this time. We invite you to use your remaining time onboard
to attend an educational presentation by one of our experts, share your
photos, book a massage in Ultramarine’s Tundra Spa, sip an
icy cocktail in the bar—or ask any questions you may have for
our enthusiastic Expedition Team, who will also alert guests of any
wildlife sightings.
Day
13: Disembark in Reykjavik
You’ll
disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s bustling capital, at the
end of your journey. If you have booked postexpedition accommodation,
we provide a transfer to a central downtown location.
Ultramarine (Luxury Expedition, 199-guests)
Ultramarine is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and immerse you in the best the region has to offer. Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, Ultramarine offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. It also features a best-in-class 70-day operational range and an innovative mix of sustainability features that exceed all industry standards.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Specialist
Expedition Leaders:
Our
team is comprised of the most professional and passionate Expedition
Leaders in the world, who bring a wide range of experience and
expertise to every adventure.
Immersive
Off-ship Activities:
Itineraries
are packed with adventure options designed to immerses travelers in the
polar wilderness, enabling them to connect with the natural wonders of
their surroundings.
On-Ship
Experiences & Facilities:
Designed
for comfort and adventure, each ship accommodates no more than 200
guests. Facilities include comfortable cabins, exceptional dining
options, wellness treatments, and breathtaking panoramic views of the
polar landscape.
Food
& Beverages :
Premium
dining, with a wide selection of options that accommodate a variety of
dietary preferences.
Quark
Expedition Perks :
Complementary
Wi-Fi, alcohol on all voyages, and the Official Quark Expeditions parka
to take home.
Transfers
:
Select
voyages include essential transportation and accommodation arrangements
for guests, ensuring seamless travel to and from the expedition
starting point.
Adventure
Options
Included
Activities
- Paddling Excursion in the Arctic
- Sea Kayaking in the Arctic
- Tundra to Table: Inuit Culinary Experience
Optional
Activities
- Flightseeing
in the Arctic, Aboard Ultramarine
- Hiking
in the Arctic
- Polar
Plunge in the Arctic
- Presentations
- Zodiac
cruising in the Arctic
