Founded in 1991, Quark Expeditions emerged as a trailblazer in polar adventure travel. The company made history by being the first to take consumer travelers to the North Pole aboard a nuclear-powered icebreaker, marking the beginning of a legacy defined by innovation, exploration, and deep respect for the planet’s most remote regions. Since then, Quark has grown into one of the leading names in polar cruising, dedicated exclusively to exploring the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Quark Expeditions specializes in small-ship polar voyages that offer guests intimate, immersive experiences in some of the world’s most pristine wildernesses. Their expedition team is composed of seasoned polar experts—scientists, naturalists, marine biologists, and historians—who guide travelers through spectacular landscapes teeming with wildlife like penguins, polar bears, whales, and seals. Quark’s offerings range from classic 10- to 20-day journeys to longer, more in-depth explorations including heli-hiking, kayaking, camping on the ice, and even hot-air ballooning in polar skies. The fleet includes state-of-the-art vessels such as the Ultramarine, launched in 2021. Designed specifically for polar exploration, it features two twin-engine helicopters, 20 quick-launch Zodiacs, and industry-leading sustainability measures. New itineraries include in-depth explorations of Greenland’s remote fjords and Canada’s Northwest Passage, as well as extended voyages around Svalbard.
With over three decades of experience and a singular focus on the polar regions, Quark Expeditions remains at the forefront of high-latitude exploration—offering travelers the rare opportunity to connect with the planet’s last truly wild frontiers in comfort, safety, and style.