ANTARCTIC ICEBREAKERS & The SOUTH POLE 

ANTARCTIC ICEBREAKERS  -  The Ross and Weddell Seas 

The Ross Sea region was the starting point for the early explorers to the South Pole. Backed by vast ice fields and mountains, the sea only just melts, even in summer. This region has permanent, year-round ice and the powerful icebreaker,  Kapitan Khlebnikov , is the best vessel suited for its exploration.  .  It is a unique experience  to be standing alone on the bows as the vessel ploughs through solid pack, cracks running away from you through the ice, her three engines capable of generating 24,000 horsepower. You will also witness this from the air. The helicopters allow shore landings anywhere too, and a few itineraries include a visit to the unique ‘dry valleys’ of the continental interior. These are still parts of Antarctica that very few people have visited.

This is the realm of the largest penguin, the magnificent Emperor - please see pages 68 and 69 for our special itineraries which concentrate on this species - and the smallest, Adelies. Orcas and Antarctic Minke Whales swim amongst the ice floes whilst Antarctic Petrels  (rarely seen in the Antarctic Peninsula region) and Snow Petrels wheel above.  This region also offers one of the best chances to see Ross Seal. Visit Scott and Shackleton's expedition huts, see the cliffs of the Ross Ice Shelf with your own eyes and camera and travel through ice-choked scenery that is simply out of this world. Some of the itineraries also include some of the rarely visited Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand plus Macquarie Island (Australia) with its endemic penguins. If you have travelled to the Antarctic Peninsula and islands, these are an obvious next trip. The high cost of operating these vessels and the longer duration of the voyages  are, however, reflected in the fares. This is one of only a few true icebreakers in the world that fare-paying passengers can travel on. Carrying a maximum 108 passengers, the ship has a bar and lounge, library, gift shop, lecture auditorium, pool, exercise room and sauna. All cabins are outside with window and private facilities (the stunning views will be free) and food onboard happens to be superb. World-class expedition teams, including naturalists and professional photographers, will accompany you on your voyage of a lifetime. Photographic opportunities will be uncountable. Single supplement is approx 1.7 times the twin share rate, but bookings can  happily be made on a share basis. Separate full colour brochures are available from us for these ultimate expedition voyages. All prices exclude airfares (which we can arrange for you along with any other pre and post arrangements you may require) and are subject to exchange rates and fuel surcharges.

2006/2007

Emperor Penguin Safaris - See here

The Semi-Circumnavigation of Antarctica (Ushuaia – Lyttelton,NZ)

13th November – 12th December 2006

Triple berths from £9825 per person, twin share from £13,599 per person.

The Great Antarctic Explorers (Lyttelton, NZ – Hobart, Australia)

12th December  2006 – 6th January 2007

Triple berths from £9825 per person, twins from £13,599 per person.

2007/2008

 Emperor Penguin Safaris See here

The Semi-Circumnavigation and Far Side of Antarctica

(Ushuaia – Fremantle)

30^th November -  7th January 2008

Triple berths from £request per person, twin share from £request per person.

All voyages aboard Kapitan Khlebnikov include a pre-cruise hotel stay for one night with breakfast, group transfers to/from vessel, comprehensive pre-trip information, all meals aboard ship (glass of wine with dinner nightly), services of expedition team, Zodiac and helicopter excursions and landings, boot loan service, complimentary parka coat and post-trip CD with photos and video.

Excludes: Flights, gratuities (suggested US$10 pp per day aboard vessel), airport transfers, travel insurance and other drinks and items of a personal nature.

Previous Quark Expeditions passengers qualify for a 5% discount

on these or other future voyages.

More detailed information and a full colour brochure for these voyages is available from us.