HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience
highlights of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland
- Visit
Inuit and Greenlandic communities
- View
Arctic wildlife, such as whales, walrus and muskoxen
- Explore
the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Cruise
in a Zodiac to explore icebergs, glaciers, fjords and more
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Aug 21, 2026 | Sep 06, 2026 | 24,295 |
25,255 |
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Package Price: USD 1,195 Includes - One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Reykjavik
- Group transfer from the Reykjavik hotel to the airport on Day 2
- Charter flight from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq
- Group transfer from the Kangerlussuaq airport to the ship on embarkation day
- Group transfer from the ship to the Resolute airport on disembarkation day
- Charter flight from Resolute to Calgary
- Group transfer from Calgary airport to hotel
- One night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Calgary
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Aug 21, 2026 | Sep 06, 2026 | 24,295 |
25,255 |
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Package Price: USD 1,195 Includes - One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Reykjavik
- Group transfer from the Reykjavik hotel to the airport on Day 2
- Charter flight from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq
- Group transfer from the Kangerlussuaq airport to the ship on embarkation day
- Group transfer from the ship to the Resolute airport on disembarkation day
- Charter flight from Resolute to Calgary
- Group transfer from Calgary airport to hotel
- One night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Calgary
ITINERARY
Day
1: Arrive in Calgary, Canada
Your
Arctic expedition begins in Calgary. Explore this vibrant city on your
own before spending the night at your well-appointed hotel.
Day
2: Fly to Resolute and Embark
This
morning, board your charter flight to Resolute. Upon arrival,
you’ll have a chance to walk around this small Arctic town
before enjoying your first of many Zodiac cruises as you’re
transferred to your ship.
Day
3 to 6: Exploring Canada’s High Arctic
Cruising
around the remote regions of the Canadian Arctic aboard Ultramarine,
the newest ship in our fleet, you’ll navigate the same icy
inlets, channels and bays that fascinated legendary explorers of long
ago. Designed to give polar adventurers unprecedented access to the
hardest-to-reach places on the planet—and equipped with two
onboard twin-engine helicopters for unparalleled access to areas only
Quark Expeditions can bring you—this one-of-a-kind ship will
take you beyond the familiar in polar exploration. Throughout your
journey, your Expedition Team will keep an eye toward immersing you in
the best the Arctic has to offer at the top of the world.
Named
after explorer Frederick William Beechey, of the Royal Navy, Beechey
Island is a Canadian National Historic Site. It’s an
important stop on our voyage, as this is the final resting place of
three members of Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated
1845–46 expedition to find the Northwest Passage. The graves,
on a remote windswept raised beach, were discovered in 1851 by the crew
of British and American vessels searching for signs of
Franklin’s lost expedition.
Radstock
Bay is a popular research location for observing polar bears, which are
often seen here in summer. An impressive Thule archaeological site
provides insight into how these pre-Inuit people lived in the Far
North.
For
almost 5,000 years, the hamlet of Arctic Bay and its surrounding area
has been occupied by Inuit people who were previously nomads migrating
from the west. Surrounded by soaring cliffs teeming with seabirds, this
is a great spot to go ashore and learn about the Inuit
community’s traditional way of life.
The
eastern end of Lancaster Sound affords hiking and cruising
opportunities on Devon Island. At Dundas Harbour, trek along a beach to
a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost. We’ll anchor
at Croker Bay, where we’ll cruise near enough to appreciate
the splendor of glacial textures and calving ice, while always keeping
a safe distance. Walrus frequent the waters here, so be sure to have
your camera handy.
Canada’s
most northern settlement, Grise Fiord will be your final shore visit in
the Canadian High Arctic. Now home to about 150 residents, the mostly
Inuit community was created in 1953, when the federal government
forcefully relocated eight Inuit families from northern Quebec. Hunting
and fishing are a significant part of their way of life. Visit the
monument to the first Inuit settlers, as well as the remnants of the
“old camp” where they lived.
Day
7 & 8: Exploring Smith Sound
Before
saying goodbye to Canada, we’ll try to cruise as far north as
possible, exploring both sides of Smith Sound, the uninhabited passage
between Ellesmere Island and Greenland.
Day
9: Qaanaaq, Greenland
Your
first stop in Greenland is Qaanaaq, formerly known as Thule, one of the
northernmost towns in the world. Here, local Inuit share their culture
and traditions, and the museum sheds more light on what it’s
like living near the top of the world.
Day
10: Cruising
As
we sail south along the west coast of Greenland, presentations by our
on-board experts will prepare you for the adventures that lie ahead.
Day
11 to 15: Exploring West Greenland
With
spectacular glaciers, soaring fjords and vibrant communities, the west
coast of Greenland will leave you breathless.
Nuussuaq
(formerly known as Kraulshavn) is the only mainland community in the
Upernavik Archipelago. Founded in 1923 as a trading station,
it’s one of the most traditional hunting and fishing villages
in Greenland.
Each
community visit in Greenland is a unique experience and Uummannaq might
just steal your heart. It’s not surprising that the red-hued,
heart-shaped mountain that rises up behind gave this traditional
village its name (Uummannaq means “heart-like” in
Greenlandic). As your ship approaches the shore, you’ll want
to be on deck to take in the incredible view of the twin peaks towering
over the vibrantly painted wooden houses dotting the rocky terrain
below. The settlement was established as a Danish colony in 1758 on the
mainland, but it relocated five years later because seal hunting was
more plentiful here.
In
the nearby archaeological site of Qilaqitsoq (also written as
Qilakitsoq), you’ll visit the ruins of an ancient settlement,
where the remains of eight fully dressed mummies were discovered under
a rock outcrop in 1972 by a pair of hunters. The famous Greenlandic
mummies, which date back to 1475 A.D., are on view at the Greenland
National Museum in Nuuk.
Cruising
farther south rewards with spectacular views of Eqip Sermia. The
jagged, blue-tinged glacier soaring out of the icy waters is one of the
most beautiful sights in Greenland, and we hope to Zodiac cruise along
its massive front from a safe distance. We may also go ashore to
explore nearby.
Just
south of Ilulissat, which means “iceberg” in
Greenlandic, is the impressive Ilulissat Icefjord. The UNESCO World
Heritage Site is home to Sermeq Kujalleq, the most productive glacier
in the northern hemisphere. As we Zodiac cruise at the mouth of the
fjord, you may be lucky to witness the wonders of calving ice (listen
to the loud roars as the ice breaks off). Founded in 1741, the
traditional town, which boasts more sled dogs than people, is famous in
its own right: it was the birthplace of explorer and anthropologist
Knud Rasmussen, the first to traverse the Northwest Passage by dogsled,
in the early 1920s . Hikes here lead out to stunning views of the young
icebergs as they float out the fjord to Disko Bay.
In
Sisimiut, you’ll be treated to a traditional kayaking
demonstration. The kayak (an Inuit word that the English borrowed) has
become a national symbol of Greenland and has been used by Inuit
hunters for thousands of years. The town has several 18th-century
colonial buildings, including the oldest surviving church in Greenland,
so take time to wander through the historic area.
Surrounded
by sea and mountains, Itilleq is situated about a mile (2 km) above the
Arctic Circle, in a scenic hollow on a small island. It is the southern
limit of the Greenlandic sled dog. To keep the breed pure, the dogs are
not permitted south of this community and all other dog breeds are
prohibited this far north. It’s also known as a welcoming
community, where you might experience “kaffemik,” a
Greenlandic tradition of inviting visitors in for coffee, cakes and
conversation. Explore the town’s charming wooden houses
painted in a rainbow of colors, chat with the locals, whose main trade
is fishing, and maybe challenge them to a game of football (soccer)
—it won’t be long before you’re
experiencing Itilleq’s famous friendly vibe.
Day
16: Disembark in Kangerlussuaq and Fly to Reykjavik
Enjoy
one more Zodiac ride to shore, where you’ll board your
charter flight back to Reykjavik, Iceland. Upon arrival in Reykjavik,
you will be transferred to your included hotel.
Day
17: Depart Reykjavik, Iceland
Today,
you can make your way home at your leisure or spend some time exploring
this fascinating city.
Ocean Explorer (Luxury Expedition, 138-guests)
Ocean Explorer, the newest addition to our fleet, is modern, elegant
and purpose-built for polar exploration. The 138-passenger vessel has
been designed with the latest in expedition ship technology. One of the
ship’s key features is the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, a marine
engineering innovation that ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing
experience thanks to the inverted bow. Located at the bow is the
two-story, light-filled library, which introduces a welcome airiness to
the expedition ship.
(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:
- Flightseeing
in the Arctic, Aboard Ultramarine
- Hiking
in the Arctic
- Zodiac
Cruising in the Arctic
- Polar
Plunge in the Arctic
