Arctic Adventures 2005
Icebreaker Expeditions aboard Kapitan Khlebnikov
July-August 2005

The Arctic - a huge frozen ocean surrounded by wild and beautiful land - is one of the last frontiers on earth. Few people have traveled to this pristine wilderness and even fewer have explored its remote seas and coastal areas by ship. Quark Expeditions is therefore delighted to be able to offer this outstanding program of adventures on top of the world aboard the polar icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov.

The Arctic comes alive for just a few short months each year. Summer arrives with a rush, bringing warmth and almost continuous daylight, along with a rich collection of wildlife. Polar bears, musk ox, walrus, ringed seals, bearded seals, belugas, narwhal, killer whales, bowhead whales, wildfowl, waders and seabirds are just some of the animals that take advantage of the brief abundance of food in the otherworldly landscapes of the far north. The region is also home to small numbers of people who, against all the odds, have thrived and developed some of the hardiest societies on the planet.

There are three contrasting adventures planned for 2005. We sail into spectacular fjords surrounded by towering mountains and calving glaciers; marvel as the Khlebnikov breaks through ice up to five meters thick; land by expertly-piloted helicopter in the most inaccessible areas imaginable; discover important historic sites; visit isolated communities rarely visited before; and enjoy a wealth of unique and fascinating wildlife.

Only a powerful icebreaker like the Kapitan Khlebnikov can travel to such remote corners of the Arctic.