Up to the Arctic Circle
By Sarah Etinas
Up to the Arctic Circle
By Sarah Etinas
Travel with Quark Expeditions to Greenland and the Canadian Arctic for an icy, polar adventure to remember.
Sail into the lands of ice and snow—specifically Greenland and the Canadian Arctic—with Quark Expeditions. Specializing in polar getaways, this one-of-a-kind adventure company sails to untouched landscapes, serves modern Inuit cuisine, and even provides exclusive helicopter excursions for a trip of a lifetime.
Dock in the Jewels of the Frozen North
Quark Expeditions takes its guests to dozens of ports of call across Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, many of which are unique to the company’s curated itineraries. Nature lovers will absolutely thrive with opportunities to spot polar bears in Radstock Bay, Canada, sail past the Ilulissat Icefjord in West Greenland, and see the often elusive Northern Lights in East Greenland. History buffs will have their fair share of intriguing activities as well, from learning about Greenlandic trade history at the Sisimiut Museum to exploring ancient Viking sites in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
All along the way, you’ll have opportunities to find out more about the local native Inuit people, who have made their homes everywhere from Qikiqtarjuaq, Canada to Aappilattoq, Greenland, keeping their wonderful culture alive through their traditional hunting and fishing practices, beautiful stone and ivory carvings, and captivating stories.
“All along the way, you’ll have opportunities to find out more about the local native Inuit people.”
“All along the way, you’ll have opportunities to find out more about the local native Inuit people.”
Dine on Tundra to Table Cuisine
Once back on the ship, the one-of-a-kind experiences continue, most notably with Quark Expeditions’ Tundra to Table program. This Inuit and Greenlandic culinary immersion takes classic Arctic ingredients, like musk ox, caribou, and wild caught Arctic fish, and modernizes them into a four-course meal fit for both a fine dining restaurant and a contemporary art museum. More than that, the Inuit chefs sometimes join guests for a post-meal Q&A session to share about their culture, their food, and their commitment to sustainable ingredient sourcing practices.
Explore the Unexplored with Off-Ship Adventures
Most recently, Quark Expeditions has taken its off-ship adventures to the next level. On Ultramarine in particular, guests can take helicopters to reach isolated locations and experience otherwise inaccessible activities. From soaring over the expansive polar plateau known as the Greenland Ice Sheet to hiking and camping on remote Greenland fjords, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Arctic’s raw beauty.
“These very same helicopters on Ultramarine have also allowed Quark Expeditions to achieve industry firsts.”
“These very same helicopters on Ultramarine have also allowed Quark Expeditions to achieve industry firsts.”
Even more impressively, these very same helicopters on Ultramarine have also allowed Quark Expeditions to achieve industry firsts, including conducting flightseeing over the beautiful Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian Arctic last August.
All with Sustainability in Mind
Of course, while exploring these icy polar regions, it’s more important than ever to preserve them for generations to come. Quark Expeditions works hard to ensure that it operates in an environmentally responsible way, keeping both the planet and the local communities in mind. They’ve made steps toward reducing carbon emissions, supporting Arctic and Antarctic conservationists, and providing local Inuit communities with the training and knowledge that they would need to dive into the tourism industry, should they decide to do so.
Go beyond the world you know
Trailblazer, nature enthusiast or bucket lister, there is an Arctic adventure for you.
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I look to treat every clients' travel request as though it were my own, making the research and consulting as exciting as the trip itself. I love what I do and wish you to have the best travel experiences possible. No request is too small or large. It is my opinion you will want someone with travel experience who has first hand knowledge. I have undergone extensive training covering all aspects of travel including but not limited to ocean, luxury and river CRUISING, land tour/packages and hotels/resorts. I began in the travel business before the turn of the Millennium as a cruise consultant for a major cruise line. I developed a passion for cruising at a young age which was introduced to me by my Father as many family vacations were planned as a cruise. We are a family owned business. That said, I have now been on over 95 cruises and visited over 60 countries. There is a great big world out there.