Quark Expeditions

Antarctic Explorer: The Classic Adventure

This expedition offers the perfect chance to discover the best of the Antarctic Peninsula, the last continent’s most northern region.  You’ll be delighted by penguins, seals and whales as they accompany you on your journey along the Antarctic coastline. Landing on the continent itself is a memorable highlight, where you’ll explore the iconic sights that make this one of the world’s most pristine, exotic and unforgettable natural environments.    
 

Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a polar expedition.

Days 1: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Arrive in Ushuaia and transfer independently to our conveniently located hotel; explore at your leisure in this frontier port overlooked by the rugged Martial Mounts. Lodging.

 Days 2: Embarkation

In late afternoon, your Expedition Team welcomes you aboard your ice-strengthened ship as we sail into the scenic Beagle Channel to begin your Antarctic adventure.

Days 3 & 4: Drake Passage

Become familiar with the ship on this your first full day at sea. Members of the Expedition Team keep you company on deck, identifying seabirds that glide along side of the ship for miles at a time.

You will cross the famed Drake Passage, named for the 16th-century English navigator Sir Francis Drake, looking out for Wandering Albatross and other seabirds from the ship’s spacious decks and promenades. We also cross the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath warmer waters from the temperate zones. Expect to sight the South Shetland Islands, lying just to the north of the Antarctic Peninsula late in the afternoon on Day 4. On our planned landings you will explore penguin rookeries and have chances to spot Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals on the beaches or hunting their prey. We may also visit one of the many research bases in the archipelago. And keep an eye out for Antarctica’s only two flowering plants, which thrive here during the short southern summer. On many visits the ship is able to sail through a narrow passage leading into the sunken volcanic caldera of Deception Island. Here, if the tide allows, you may wish to strip down to your bathing suit and take a dip in the thermal waters of Pendulum Cove.

Days 5 to 9: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

When the Antarctic Convergence is left in our wake, you will truly begin your Antarctic adventure.  It is perhaps the first sight of land itself that is embraced as the true beginning of any Antarctic expedition.   We can finally begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every time we visit Antarctica we witness something new or unexpected, meaning your expedition will be unlike any other - creating a unique, personal experience. We will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore bays, channels and landing sites each day. With wildlife always at the forefront of our minds you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and Minke Whales and search for a number of the southern seal species, including the cunning Leopard Seal.

The majesty of the Peninsula’s mountains will enchant you as you scramble up snowy pathways to vantage points offering you 360° views of your surroundings. One of these in particular, in Orne Harbor, gives the opportunity to visit a chinstrap penguin colony high up on a ridge. Here you’ll have the choice between going for a mountain hike or spending time sitting quietly on a pebbled beach to enjoy the antics of curious penguins While cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula we’ll also give you the chance to take a Polar Plunge! Cheer on other travelers or strap on a harness yourself to take a dip and swim in the frigid waters of an icy Antarctic bay.   

Amidst the peaceful silence of Antarctica, noisy interruptions become indelible memories such as penguins squabbling over prized pebbles or the boom and crack of a calving glacier in Neko Harbor. You can make a bit of noise yourself too. Hear the echo of voices bounce off a giant glacier, glide your kayak across a quiet bay or strap on some cross-country skis or snowshoes to explore further.

As you sail from island to shore to bay during your four days in the Peninsula, the Expedition Team will educate and entertain you. We’ll provide opportunities for quiet contemplation, activities for testing your endurance and more than enough wildlife interactions to satisfy your curiosity.

Days 10 & 11: Back across the Drake to Ushuaia

The journey back across the Drake Passage provides you with some final opportunities to enjoy the crisp Antarctic air. Spend time on the deck watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy a few final presentations by your Expedition Team or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.

 Day 12: Disembarkation in Ushuaia 

Arrival in Ushuaia in the morning.  After the final morning’s breakfast, transfer to town for further exploring or directly to the Ushuaia airport to catch your outbound flight.

Please note: The 12-day version of the Classic Antarctica itinerary includes one extra day in the Peninsula region. However, the variability of ice and weather conditions often means that much of the route and a great many – if not all – of our planned Zodiac landings remain the same.

 Choosing Your Adventure

Expedition ship details, departure dates and rates

Sail aboard the OCEAN DIAMOND a modern, stable super-yacht and experience Quark's Antarctica. Carrying a maximum of 189 passengers, this outstanding vessel features numerous adventure options plus onboard amenities such as a massage and wellness program and a well-stocked polar library. The Ocean Diamond is staffed with Quark’s legendary captains, officers, expedition leaders, and guides.

 Cabins & Amenities

 Ship Specifications

Staff & Crew: 144- Passengers: 189 - Length (m): 124 - Breadth (m): 16 -Draft (m): 4.9

Ice Class: 1D - Lifeboats: 4 fully enclosed - Propulsion: 2 Wichmann Engines, 7375 horsepower - Cruising speed: 15.5 knots

- Registered: Bahamas

Aboard the Ocean Diamond

 Expedition ship details, departure dates and rates

The Clipper Adventurer was built in 1975, and underwent a $13 million conversion in 1998. She has a proud reputation as a well-appointed, elegant expedition ship for softer adventures. The ship is equipped with Zodiacs for shore landings and ocean level, cruising, yet offers fine dining, and cabins with exterior views and facilities en suite.

122 Guests

 Cabins & Amenities

 Specifications

Staff & Crew: 72 f Passengers: 122 f Length: 100.58 m f Breadth: 16.31 m

f Draft: 4.5 m f Propulsion: Diesel - 5,280 hp - Lifeboats: 4 fully enclosed

 f Ice Class: Ice: A-1 f Cruising Speed: 12 knots in open water.  Registered: Bahamas

Expedition ship details, departure dates and rates

The SEA SPIRIT:  Sail aboard the remarkably comfortable Sea Spirit and experience Quark's Antarctica in grand style with spacious suites. Carrying a maximum of 112 passengers this outstanding vessel, approved for polar waters, is equipped with rubber inflatable boats - called RIBs - for shore transfers and cruising. Kayaking and camping options are available.

Cabins & Amenities

Ship Specifi cations

Staff & Crew: 94 - Passengers: 112 - Length (m): 90.6 - Breadth (m): 15.3 - Draft (m): 4.16

Ice Class: 1D. - Lifeboats: 4 partially enclosed - Propulsion: diesel – 4,720 - horsepower - Registered: Bahamas

Cruising Speed: 14.5 knots in open water

Aboard the Sea Spirit

Expedition Rates
All rates per person in US dollars. If you're traveling alone, ask us about the significant savings you can realize from our Request-Share Program, which matches solo travelers in the same cabin.
 
Start /Finish Locations
Ushuaia, Argentina/Ushuaia, Argentina
 
Rates Include

Rates for the 2012-13 season include:

Rates do not include:

QUARK EXPEDITIONS TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE

Reservations and Payment

Deposits - To confirm reservations on all Quark products a deposit of 20% (minimum $1000 per person) is required at time of booking. The deposit may be paid by major credit card, bank wire transfer or check. For any bookings within 120 days of departure full payment is required.

Final Payments – Balances are due 120 days prior to departure. Final payment may be paid by bank wire or check.

Deposits and payments for pre-expedition and post-expedition services are specific to each item and are explained and communicated at time of purchase.

Emergency Evacuation Assurance
Emergency evacuation assurance to a maximum benefit per paying passenger of $100,000 is included in the cost of Quark Expeditions voyages that depart after April 2009. Included coverage is applicable only to travel between the first and last day of the expedition purchased. Additional days of travel prior to the expedition and/or after the expedition are not covered by the included emergency evacuation assurance. As we travel to remote regions of the world, and passengers travel great distances to join our expeditions, we advise passengers to purchase medical, cancellation and baggage insurance, and additional emergency evacuation assurance.

Cancellations and Refunds
All requests for cancellation must be received in writing.  Cancellations received 180 days or more prior to departure, are refunded less an administrative fee of $1000 per person.  If cancellation is received between 179 days and 120 days, the deposit is forfeited.  If cancellation occurs less than 120 days prior to departure, all payments are forfeited.  If full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and any unpaid balance is due immediately.  To protect the traveler’s investment, we recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance.
Cancellations cannot be made online.

Transfers of Deposits or Payments to Alternate Voyages
Should travelers be unable to take the expedition they originally booked, but would like to travel on an alternate date, it may be possible to transfer deposits or payments from the original booking to an alternate booking, subject to the following conditions: The new expedition must occur within one year of the original expedition date and a request to transfer must be made in writing to Quark Expeditions more than 120 days prior to the departure of the original voyage. Quark Expeditions reserves the right to prohibit transfers on any of its voyages. Should a transfer request be granted, a fee of $250 per person will be charged.

It is understood that refunds cannot be made to passengers who do not complete the tour for any reason whatsoever.

Itinerary
The itinerary described is subject to change at the discretion of the ship’s master and Quark Expeditions’ Expedition Leader. This is an expedition to a remote part of the world, and we reserve the right to change the itinerary due to weather conditions, availability of anchorages, political conditions or other factors beyond our control without consulting the passengers. It is understood that such decisions will be made in the best interests of all passengers aboard and with regard to the safety of the vessel. Passengers have no right to any refund or other considerations in the event of these inevitable itinerary changes. Nothing in this brochure is meant to signify the use of any specific design or model of helicopter. The images featured in this brochure are inspirational in character and do not necessarily depict the exact people, animals and places encountered by passengers.

The passenger must be in possession of a valid passport and any visas, permits and certificates that are required for the whole of the trip {expedition} and shall arrange such vaccinations as are normally recommended for the countries through which they intend to travel including those vaccinations recommended by Quark Expeditions. Information as to these matters and as to climate, clothing, baggage, gear, and similar matters is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of Quark Expeditions.

Rates
Voyage rates are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of printing and are subject to change prior to departure. Substantial changes in tariffs, exchange rates and the price of fuel, services and labor sometimes increase the cost of expedition arrangements significantly, and we reserve the right to alter our prices or introduce surcharges accordingly, even if payment has been received in full.

Compensation
Compensation for personal injury is limited in accordance with the provisions of any applicable International Conventions. These include, for example, in the course of road travel, air travel, rail travel, sea travel, or hotel accommodation and are limited to the provisions of, respectively, the Geneva Convention 1973, the Warsaw Convention as amended by the Hague Protocol 1955, the 1961 Berne Convention, the 1974 Athens Convention and the 1962 Paris Convention.

Limitation of Liability
QEI purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, and other services from various independent suppliers that are not subject to its control. Neither QEI, its affiliates, owners, officers, agents, employees, nor any associate organization shall be held liable for any act, default, injury (including death), loss, expense, damage, deviation, delay, curtailment or inconvenience caused to or suffered by any person or their property, howsoever arising, which may occur or be incurred by any organization or person, even though such act, default, injury, loss, expense, damage, deviation, delay, curtailment or inconvenience may have been caused or contributed to: (a) by the act, neglect or default of QEI, or of any persons for whose acts it would otherwise be responsible, or (b) defects or failures of any aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle or other equipment or instrumentality under the control of independent suppliers. In issuing tickets for transportation of the travel by any means and making arrangements for travel, hotel or other accommodation, QEI is not acting as principal but only as agent for the companies, corporations, owner, public carriers or persons providing or offering the means of transportation and accommodation. You further understand that QEI neither owns not operates such third party suppliers and accordingly, agree to seek remedies directly and only against those suppliers and not hold QEI responsible for their acts or omissions.  In no event will QEI be responsible for incidental, consequential or special damage or loss suffered by any person. QEI’s maximum liability, for any reason whatsoever, will be limited to the amount paid to QEI for its services. Without limitation, QEI is not responsible for any negligent or willful acts of God or force majeure, weather emergencies, breakdown, or failure of diving or mechanical equipment, government actions, inclement weather, sickness, attacks by animals, availability of medical care or the adequacy of the same, criminal activity of any kind, terrorism, war, civil disturbance, sanitary conditions, quality or sanitation of food, quarantine, customs, regulations, epidemics, strikes, hotel overbooking, safety and/or security standards at hotels or other accommodations, or for any other reason beyond the control of QEI.  You understand, agree with, and agree to be legally bound by the terms of the release and waiver of liability set forth herein.

QEI reserves the right (at their discretion) to alter or omit any part of the itinerary or change any reservation, feature and/or means of conveyance without notice and for any reason whatsoever, without allowance or refund and with extra costs, if any, resulting, said changes being paid by the travelers. We reserve the right to cancel any services prior to departure, in which case payment will be refunded without further obligation on its part.  QEI shall not be responsible for any injury to person (whether or not resulting in death) or damage to property arising out of any act of war, insurrection, revolt or other civil uprising or military action occurring in the countries of origin, destination or passage. 

In case of a medical problem arising during the voyage, either on board or on shore, which results in costs for evacuation, use of aircraft or repatriation, the responsibility for payment of these costs belongs solely to the traveler if costs incurred are above that of the Emergency Evacuation Insurance.
The traveler contract in use by the carriers concerned (when issued) shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies and the purchaser of these services and/or passage. By accepting the ticket, the traveler also agrees to its terms and conditions. 

Acknowledgment of Risk
You understand and acknowledge that your travel in connection with and participation in the tour arranged at your request by QEI may involve risk and potential exposure to injury. You also realize and acknowledge that risk and dangers may be caused by the negligence of the owners, directors, employees, contractors, subcontractors, officers or agents of QEI or the negligence or participation of other participants, contractors and/or subcontractors to QEI. You also recognize and acknowledge that risk and dangers may arise from foreseeable and unforeseeable causes, including weather and other acts of nature. You fully understand and acknowledge that the aforementioned risks, dangers and hazards are a potential in connection with recreational activities which may take place during your journey.

By payment of your deposit, you certify that you do not have any mental, physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for yourself or other travelers and you confirm that you are physically and mentally capable of participating in the activity and willingly and knowingly elect to participate in your travel package in spite of the potential risk of danger. By payment of your deposit, you certify that you willingly and voluntarily assume full responsibility for any injury, loss or damage suffered, whether caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the owners, directors, agents, officers, employees, contractors or subcontractors of QEI. QEI reserves the right to remove a passenger or cancel or withdraw any reservation at any time at its sole discretion. 

Express Assumption of Risk and Responsibility/Participation 
In recognition of the inherent risk of the travels and related activities in which you are intending to engage, you confirm that you are physically and mentally capable of participating in the activity, that you are willingly and knowingly electing to participate in this tour in spite of the potential risk of danger, and you willingly and voluntarily assume full responsibility for any injury, loss or damage suffered by you or caused by you, whether caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the owners, directors, agents, officers, employees,  or contractors of QEI. You understand and acknowledge that QEI reserves the right to accept or reject any participant for any reason, and QEI or its guide has the right to disqualify you from any trip activity, if in QEI's or such guide's judgment, you are incapable of that activity and/or your continued participation in the tour will endanger yourself or the safety of the group. It is your responsibility and obligation to inform QEI, at the time your reservation is made, of any medical or physical disability or limitation that might disable you or render you unable to perform or safely complete the tour or any activity on the tour. You further acknowledge that you are the best judge of your own conditions and limitations and that it is incumbent upon you to fully disclose the full extent of any such conditions or limitations to QEI. 

Release of Liability
In consideration of the services and arrangements provided by QEI, you, for yourself and for your heirs, personal representatives or assigns, do hereby release, waive, discharge, hold harmless and agree to indemnify QEI, and its owners, officers, directors, employees and affiliates from any and all claims, actions, or losses for bodily injury, property damage, wrongful death, loss of services, lost profits, consequential, exemplary, indirect or punitive damages or otherwise which may arise out of or occur during your travel in connection with the scheduled travel package and any activities conducted in conjunction therewith. YOU SPECIFICALLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT YOU ARE RELEASING, DISCHARGING AND WAIVING ANY CLAIMS OR ACTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE PRESENTLY OR IN THE FUTURE FOR THE NEGLIGENT ACTS OR CONDUCT OF THE OWNERS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR AFFILIATES OF QEI. 

Photography
Passengers extend QEI, SEL and PS permission to take their photograph during the voyage, and release all rights over those images. Passengers who do not wish to be photographed during the voyage must inform QEI in writing prior to the voyage.