CRUISE ID # QUARKOEX20280703
Helsinki TO Reykjavík


















$16,430.73
WITH SPECIAL SAVINGS APPLIED
FARES SHOWN ARE PER GUEST
Suites & Fares
CHOOSE START DATE
: July 03, 2028
Itinerary

Arrive in the Finnish capital and make your way to the group hotel located right at Helsinki airport—which is included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. You will have the rest of the day to explore explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District. If you do plan to visit Helsinki city center, you can take the convenient 40-minute rail service from the airport.
After breakfast, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, as part of the Charter Flight & Hotel Package. As you embark this afternoon, you’ll enjoy great views of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this seaside town.
Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with austere beauty and opportunities to spot its abundant wildlife. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and tundra in full bloom, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions allow, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole.
Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with austere beauty and opportunities to spot its abundant wildlife. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and tundra in full bloom, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions allow, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole.
Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with austere beauty and opportunities to spot its abundant wildlife. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and tundra in full bloom, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions allow, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole.
Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with austere beauty and opportunities to spot its abundant wildlife. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and tundra in full bloom, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions allow, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole.
While sailing south through the Greenland Sea, your Expedition Team will teach you about the wildlife and history of Greenland, your next stop. On deck, you’ll learn to identify seabirds on the wing. Take in a presentation, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a film—there are many things to do during your time at sea.
While sailing south through the Greenland Sea, your Expedition Team will teach you about the wildlife and history of Greenland, your next stop. On deck, you’ll learn to identify seabirds on the wing. Take in a presentation, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a film—there are many things to do during your time at sea.
During your tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen—40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives here. Finally, you will sail through spectacular Scoresbysund, the birthplace of many icebergs and, some say, the most beautiful fjord system in the world. We plan to visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the most remote community in East Greenland.
During your tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen—40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives here. Finally, you will sail through spectacular Scoresbysund, the birthplace of many icebergs and, some say, the most beautiful fjord system in the world. We plan to visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the most remote community in East Greenland.
During your tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen—40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives here. Finally, you will sail through spectacular Scoresbysund, the birthplace of many icebergs and, some say, the most beautiful fjord system in the world. We plan to visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the most remote community in East Greenland.
During your tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen—40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives here. Finally, you will sail through spectacular Scoresbysund, the birthplace of many icebergs and, some say, the most beautiful fjord system in the world. We plan to visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the most remote community in East Greenland.
As we sail south, the Denmark Strait is your pathway toward Iceland. Your Expedition Team will keep you informed and entertained with presentations about the history of exploration in the Arctic and the seabirds you’ll see soaring above your ship.
The seldom-visited Westfjords—where land meets sea in the most dramatic fashion—are often known as “Iceland’s best-kept secret.” This rugged peninsula at the country’s remote northwestern tip is rife with fjords, mountains, tumbling cliffs, gushing waterfalls, colorful beaches, rolling green hills, high moorlands dotted with rocky outcrops, small lakes, and the occasional shaggy Icelandic sheep or grazing pony. A few modest outposts of civilization, in the form of small fishing communities nestled along the fjords and shores of the Denmark Strait, face out into the mighty Atlantic, keeping alive a maritime heritage that stretches back to the Viking days. The Westfjords are the least developed of Iceland’s coastal areas and, consequently, the wildest. Depending on the conditions, guests will venture into this territory on a Zodiac cruise or a guided shore landing at unspoiled wilderness sites where they can hike and explore on foot. One of the many highlights is Mongufoss, one of Iceland’s most remote and beautiful waterfalls.
You’ll disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, after breakfast. If you have booked postexpedition accommodation, we provide a transfer to a central downtown location.
About the Ship
Name
Ocean Explorer
Operator
Quark Expeditions


Ocean Explorer is modern, elegant and purpose-built for polar exploration. The 138-passenger vessel has been designed with the latest in expedition ship technology. One of the ship’s key features is the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, a marine engineering innovation that ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing experience thanks to the inverted bow. Located at the bow is the two-story, light-filled library, which introduces a welcome airiness to the expedition ship.
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Each interior element was carefully hand-picked by designers for you to enjoy, from the dramatic two-story forward lounge, the floor-to-ceiling glass refuge in the library, to the grand fixtures and luxe furnishings throughout the ship.
Observation areas on Decks 7 and 8 allow for higher, longer-view landscape photography while contending with less sea spray.
Every vessel in our fleet becomes an expedition base camp. Unpack once. Visit an exciting range of places, because the ship moves from place to place. The ships are equipped with inflatable landing crafts known as Zodiacs. They are used for shore landings and ocean-level cruising.
Activities off the ship are called shore landings or Zodiac cruising. These are daily activities. In the Arctic, you may visit Inuit in their home communities. In the Antarctic, you may visit research stations manned by scientists who brave the extreme environment to add to our knowledge of wildlife, climate and ice. You will hike carpeted tundra valleys or glistening ice fields. Optional activities include kayaking, cross-country, camping, skiing and mountaineering.
The capacity of the vessel determines where you go ashore and how often in Antarctica.
In Antarctica, we operate under International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) guidelines that limit the number of travelers and Expedition Staff ashore during a landing. No more than 100 people can be ashore at any one time, and in some locations that number is 50. Quark operates small expedition vessels, and none of our Antarctic vessels carry more than 199 travelers.
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Zodiacs are used for transferring you ashore, transporting your luggage when necessary and for taking you ocean-level cruising among icebergs, whales and seabirds. During the expedition, you will visit remote and isolated sites that are accessible only by Zodiac.
These large, heavy-duty inflatable vessels are extremely safe and were specially designed for expedition work. Zodiacs are the workhorses of Polar expeditions. Separate air comp....
The kayak adventure option is open to all levels of experience. However, it is highly recommended that you have some sea kayaking related experience prior to kayaking in the polar regions with Quark Expeditions. Our sea kayaks are the ideal means by which to slow down and connect with the pristine natural environments and surroundings.
Positioning yourself in the seat of a kayak is one of the most intimate ways travelers can conn....
Stand-up Paddleboarding, popularly known as SUPing, originated in Hawaii. Quark Expeditions is the first company to bring this watersport all the way to Antarctica.
SUPing combines the immersive experience of kayaking but in a standing position. Participants, if they prefer, can kneel, sit or even lie down and stare up at the azure Antarctic sky. Because of their wide base and tail fins, SUP boards are quite stable, enabling participan....
The Polar Plunge is scheduled once during each voyage. Throughout the journey, the Expedition Leader and Captain constantly monitor conditions in order to choose the optimal time and location. The Polar Plunge sometimes takes place onshore or, in many cases, from the gangway or Zodiac. All participants wear a tethered harness and plunge into the polar waters from the side of Zodiac or safety of the gangplank cheered on, of course, by fellow pa....
Hiking in the polar regions differs from your typical trail experience. Here, in a tree-less terrain, you are the tallest figure on the landscape as you walk over spongy tundra, crusty snow or sandy beaches in remotes parts of the Arctic and Antarctica. Stepping ashore anywhere in the polar regions means you’re not a distant observer.
Our organized hikes range from short jaunts to the top of lookouts or visits to see wildlife or longer w....
Explore the ocean from a more intimate vantage point on a sit-on-top kayak. No experience is required to manoeuvre these very stable kayaks, allowing you to enjoy an unforgettable experience on the water, taking in breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. Whether it’s your first time in a kayak or you want greater flexibility to try other Adventure options, this shorter excursion is for you.
Paddling in the Polar Regions is highly weather-d....
Imagine for a moment, staring at the stars in the indigo glow of an Antarctic night as you bed down for the night outside in the elements. The buzz of your daily life becomes a distant memory as you listen to the bray of penguin, the ethereal calls of the Weddell sea – even the exhalation of a humpback whale. And then you fall asleep.
Antarctic Camping with Quark Expeditions is an unforgettable experience. After dinner onboard, you'll be....
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Quark Expeditions provides an English-speaking doctor on board who manages a medical clinic stocked with a supply of common prescription medicines and basic first aid equipment.
If you are under regular treatment for any ailment, you must bring a sufficient supply of medicine. We recommend that you pack an extra two weeks’ supply of medication in case of emergency. We cannot accept responsibility for not having a specific brand or type o....
To Wear on Board
- Comfortable casual clothing like lighter shirts, pants or jeans, etc. (in case the ship gets warm)
- Comfortable non-slip closed-toed, heelless shoes (flip flops, sandals or slip-on shoes should not be worn on board due to safety concerns)
- Workout attire (for the fitness center and other indoor activities)
- Swimsuit (for the Polar Plunge! Some vessels may also have a pool, hot tub, sauna ....
All guests—including vegetarians, meat-eaters, as well as those who follow a gluten-free diet—will be equally impressed with the dining options on our ships. Quark Expeditions® is able to cater to most special dietary requests, as long as you clearly indicate your needs on the required expedition forms when you book your voyage. Menus will be clearly labeled for vegetarian and gluten free options, but please do notify your server of the dietar....
When you are not busy exploring the natural beauty of the Polar Regions, you may wish to connect with family and friends back home to share some of your voyage highlights. Guests on Quark Expeditions can now enjoy free Wi-Fi as part of our “Raise a Glass and Stay Connected Free” program. This complementary Wi-Fi service permits basic Internet browsing and voice applications.
Please note that we travel to some of the most remote parts of ....























































































































