The Canadian Arctic Archipelago is situated in the northernmost extremity of North America. The group of over 35,000 islands comprises much of the territory of Northern Canada—most of Nunavut and part of the Northwest Territories. Canada's claim to its north rests first on the charter granted to the Hudson’s Bay Company by King Charles II in 1670. Exploration of the Arctic has been a facet of Canadian history from the arrival of the first Europeans in North America until today.
As the best vantage point for incredible displays of Northern Lights, home of the world's most prolific glaciers and wondrous icebergs, welcoming Inuit elders and the birthplace of kayaking, Greenland is best explored via its coast, as no roads connect the towns. Quark Expeditions has been sailing to this remote island for decades, and our Expedition Team know the best spots for hiking, treking and wildlife viewing.
Few places have stirred the hearts and minds of explorers more than the North Pole. It wasn’t until 1948 that anyone actually stood there for the first time. Today, Quark is the only North American operator to give a lucky 250 passengers annually the right to claim they stood at the top of the world, and journeyed there on the world’s most powerful nuclear icebreaker 50 Years of Victory.
Positioning yourself in the seat of a kayak is one of the most intimate ways travelers can connect with the polar regions—at water level, up close, where you can touch and feel every polar sensation imaginable. The Sea Kayak Program enables a small group of like-minded individuals to forge bonds as they explore fjords, glacial faces or mazes of sea ice.
Quark Expeditions Sea Kayak Program is a voyage-length program available in the Arctic, in which kayakers (those who have minimal experience as well as seasoned paddlers) will enjoy the polar regions from a unique perspective.
Named one of National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime, this unforgettable voyage begins above the Arctic Circle at Spitsbergen, the “Wildlife capital of the Arctic,” ventures to the spectacular, remote landscape of East Greenland, and ends in Iceland.
In 1991, Quark Expeditions fulfilled the bucket-list dreams of several dozen travelers by taking them to the hard-to-reach North Pole—a journey that previously existed only in the wildest imaginations of the most adventurous travelers.
This longer itinerary enables more time to explore the vast tundra, appreciate the natural beauty of the surprisingly colorful Arctic wilderness, and benefit from our range of on-board lectures and educational programs. Come aboard with the most knowledgeable, experienced and passionate team in the industry for an extraordinary High Arctic adventure.
The most rugged, remote, ice-choked and unexplored regions in the world are waiting to deliver the richest travel experience you will ever have—intimate wildlife encounters, diverse landscapes, and exquisite natural beauty. Trailblazer, nature-enthusiast or bucket-lister, we have an Arctic adventure for you.