2023 Under the Northern Lights

ARCTIC 2023

UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Exploring Iceland and East Greenland

Contents

Overview Itinerary Your Ship

1 2 7 9 11

Included Activities Adventure Options Dates and Rates Inclusions and Exclusions Your Expedition Team

12 13 14 15 16 19 20

Extend Your Trip Meals on Board Possible Excursions Packing Checklist

Overview

Under the Northern Lights: Exploring Iceland & East Greenland

EXPEDITION IN BRIEF

Explore some of the last unspoiled wilderness areas on the planet with the Under the Northern Lights: Exploring Iceland & East Greenland itinerary. Cruising along Iceland’s mountainous Vestfjords and Greenland’s remote northeast coast, home to the largest fjord system in the world, you’ll discover diverse and dramatically rugged landscapes. Immersed in the untamed beauty of the Arctic, you’ll experience Inuit culture firsthand at Ittoqqortoormiit, visit ancient Thule sites steeped in history, and marvel at the majesty of massive icebergs and against a spectacular mountain backdrop. If you’re lucky, you may also catch sight of the spectacular northern lights dancing across the sky. The Arctic has been inspiring explorers for centuries, and our expeditions offer the chance for you to discover why. We’re excited to host you on your unforgettable adventure! Feel free to reach out to our team of Polar Travel Advisers or your travel professional, who can answer your questions and provide assistance at any time.

Search for iconic arctic wildlife, such as polar bears, muskoxen and seals Hike the tundra, visit an Inuit community and explore a breathtaking fjord system in East Greenland Marvel at the kaleidoscope of dramatic sea and landscapes of Iceland’s oldest region Possibly view the enchanting northern lights (aurora borealis) Cruise in a Zodiac to explore diverse landscapes Immerse yourself in the icy realm of the Arctic with optional kayaking adventures

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Itinerary

DAY 1 | ARRIVE IN REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

remote northwestern tip is rife with fjords and mountains sloping down to the sea in impossibly beautiful ways. We spend the day exploring the fjords and shores of Iceland’s oldest region, enjoying its kaleidoscope of diverse land and seascapes. Here, tumbling cliffs and gushing waterfalls alternate with colorful beaches, and rolling green hills lead up to high moorlands dotted with rocky outcrops, small lakes and the occasional shaggy Icelandic sheep or horse grazing in the distance. A few little outposts of civilization, small fishing communities are nestled on fjord edges and the shores of the Denmark Strait, facing out into the mighty Atlantic and toward East Greenland—keeping alive a maritime heritage going back to the Viking days.

Ella Island

King Oscar Fjord

Arrive in the Icelandic capital in the morning and make your way to your included hotel. You will have the day to explore the city on your own. DAY 2 | EMBARK This afternoon, you’ll board your vessel and begin your expedition. Get ready for a great adventure ahead! DAY 3 | EXPLORING THE VESTFJORDS Each region of Iceland has its own appeal for nature, bird and history lovers, and the little-visited Vestfjords (Westfjords), where the land meets the sea in the most dramatic fashion, is no exception. Often referred to as ‘Iceland’s best kept secret,’ this rugged peninsula at the country’s

GREENLAND

Milne Land

Ittoqqortoormiit

Scoresby Sund

Atlantic Ocean

Vestords

Reykjavik

ICELAND

UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS: Exploring Iceland & Greenland Onboard the Ocean Adventurer

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

DAY 4 | CRUISING As we cruise north across the Denmark Strait, your Expedition Team will prepare you for the adventures that await. Learn about the storied history and politics of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology, ecology and climate, and the incredible sights you will soon explore. The team will also search for the seabirds soaring around your ship, as well as the whales that frequent the waters here. DAYS 5 – 12 | EXPLORING NORTHEAST GREENLAND During your tour of Greenland’s remote northeast coast, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. We’ll also keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen, as 40 percent of the world’s population lives in Northeast Greenland National Park. Sailing through spectacular Scoresby Sund, the birthplace of many icebergs, you’ll immediately

see why some say it’s the most beautiful fjord system on the planet. Sites such as Frederiksdal and Sydkap offer opportunities to explore the colorful tundra and the remains of ancient Thule settlements. At the entrance of the sound is East Greenland’s most northerly community, Ittoqqortoormiit, where you may spend time interacting with the Inuit people and learning about their way of life. You may also have a chance to see the northern lights here if the skies are clear. Deeper in the sound, Røde Ø offers a picturesque locale for admiring the beauty of sky-blue bergs set against striking red sandstone cliffs. Magnificent vistas also await at Kong Oscar Fjord, with possible landings at Ella Ø, renowned for its rugged cliffs and ice-choked waters, and flower-rich Botanikerbugt, on Ymer Ø.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

DAY 13 | CRUISING As your arctic adventure winds down, take in a presentation by our onboard experts, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a movie— there are many activities during your time at sea. Your Expedition Team will also be on hand to answer any questions and point out wildlife. DAY 14 | DEPART REYKJAVIK, ICELAND You’ll disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, at the end of your journey. If you have booked post-expedition accommodation, we provide a transfer to a central downtown location. EXPEDITION SPIRIT Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife encounters as described are expected but not guaranteed. Your Expedition Team will use their considerable experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife is not a guarantee.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Arrival and Departure Details

As you prepare for your journey, you may be interested to know your arrival and departure details. Since air transportation is not included in the cost of your expedition, you have some flexibility in planning your flights. Looking to extend your adventure beyond your polar expedition? On page 14, learn how to add on a pre- or post-expedition stop—or both!—in Reykjavik. Arrival Day and Embarkation ARRIVING IN REYKJAVIK You may arrive in Reykjavik at any time during Day 1 of the itinerary and make your way to the included hotel. EMBARKATION IN REYKJAVIK On the morning of Day 2, your luggage will be collected from the lobby of your hotel, transferred to the ship and stored in your cabin. Ship embarkation will occur on Day 2 of your itinerary, usually around 4pm. You and your shipmates will meet in the lobby of your hotel and board the waiting buses for transfer to the ship. Information about transfer timing will be posted in your Reykjavik hotel.

FROM TOP: A view of Reykjavik; Embarking the ship; Blue Lagoon

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Final Day and Departure DISEMBARKATION IN REYKJAVIK AND ONWARD Your ship is scheduled to arrive in Reykjavik between 7am and 8am local time. After breakfast, and once the ship has docked, you will have time to bid farewell to your Expedition Team and shipmates before completing your disembarkation. The process takes about an hour. After disembarkation, you will transfer to a central downtown location.

Hotel Accommodations Your included accommodation begins on Day 1 of your itinerary, and the specific hotel(s) will be indicated in your final voyage confirmation. If you are arriving prior to Day 1 of your expedition or are staying after the disembarkation day and would like help booking a pre- or post- stay, please contact your Polar Travel Adviser or travel professional for hotel options. As accommodation space is limited, you are encouraged to request any extra nights as early as possible.

Arrival and Departure Transfers REYKJAVIK AIRPORT TRANSFERS ARRIVAL An arrival transfer in Reykjavik is not included; however, your Polar Travel Adviser or travel professional can arrange one for you. DEPARTURE A transfer is provided from the Reykjavik port to a central downtown location at the end of the expedition. A transfer to the airport is not included; however, a Polar Travel Adviser or your travel professional can arrange one for you. In order to facilitate your transfers, we request that you provide your flight details to Quark Expeditions® at least 30 days prior to traveling.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Your Ship

Quark Expeditions® is pleased to boast the largest polar-class fleet of any polar operator and the ability to offer our guests this great expedition on one of our ice strengthened vessels. The entire Quark Expeditions® fleet is built for the challenging polar environments, so we can confidently take you to places

ordinary cruise companies wouldn’t dream of going.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

OCEAN ADVENTURER Ocean Adventurer has long been a fleet favorite among guests and crew who’ve appreciated the charm of this nimble vessel, its ample outdoor deck space, numerous cozy spots to socialize onboard, the outdoor jacuzzi and, of course, the intimacy of a 128-passenger vessel. In 2017, Ocean Adventurer underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation including a refreshed look and feel throughout, plus a completely remodeled lounge, dining room and bar. All cabins received brand new bathroom facilities. Six new deluxe cabins, as well as three new suites, were also added. Major technical enhancements featured two new Rolls-Royce engines, which yield increased speed and fuel efficiency, and a minimized carbon footprint. SHIP SPECIFICATIONS: Staff & Crew: 87 Guests: 128 Lifeboats: 4, partially enclosed Ice Class: 1A Visit QuarkExpeditions.com to view deck plan details.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Included Activities

Ready for a little adventure beyond your ship? Each Quark Expeditions® voyage offers a variety of recreational activities to enhance your polar experience. ZODIAC CRUISING Zodiacs are the workhorses of polar expeditions, taking you to places the ships can’t access, allowing you to reach remote shorelines, explore shallow inlets and search for unique wildlife. Expedition staff make stepping in and out of them safe and comfortable, and your Zodiac drivers will provide active interpretation, making the landscape come even more alive. HIKING Led by experienced staff, exploring on foot is one of the best ways to appreciate the polar landscapes. Our guides are able to accommodate a range of skill levels to suit every guest.

Contact your Polar Travel Adviser or your Travel Professional for more information about your Included Activities and Adventure Options, including the necessary experience, physical requirements and cost.

PRESENTATIONS Enjoy daily chats with and presentations by our world-class onboard polar experts —expedition guides, specialists, photography guides and other special guests who will introduce you to the fascinating history, biology, ornithology, glaciology and geology of the region, and much, much more. POLAR PLUNGE This rite of passage, scheduled only once per expedition, gives you the chance to jump safely into the bracing Arctic waters under the watchful eye of our staff —and just about every single camera on board! PHOTOGRAPHY Documenting your voyage so you can take the memories home is a rewarding experience. Our photography guides will help you hone your skills to capture the beauty of the polar regions.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Adventure Options

PADDLING EXCURSION If you’re interested in kayaking but would like to try something a bit less demanding than Sea Kayaking, you’re the perfect candidate to sign up for a one-time paddle on our stable sit-on- top kayaks—perfect for anyone with minimal or no kayaking experience. Small groups of passengers will be taken out on calm days, with our expert guides always present to provide instruction and help you connect with the polar sea. Two outings will be pre-booked, and once successfully completed, any subsequent outings will be offered via lottery on board.

SEA KAYAKING Imagine gliding across the surface of a bay in the presence of icebergs and glaciers. Our Sea Kayaking program is a great way to intimately explore your surroundings. A small group of kayakers will plan to go out multiple times per voyage as an alternative to shore landings or Zodiac cruises. The number of opportunities to kayak is weather dependent, and will be conducted only during calm conditions. Prior kayaking experience is required, and you must be able to do a wet exit to participate. Beginners interested in kayaking should consider participating in the Paddling Excursion.

PLEASE NOTE For all paid activities pre-booking is required. We recommend booking early as spaces fill quickly. Please see your pre-departure book for a list of provided gear for each Adventure Option.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Dates and Rates Under the Northern Lights: Exploring Iceland & East Greenland

Adventure Options

OCEAN ADVENTURE R

Lower Deck Twin

Main Deck Porthole

Main Deck Window

Owner’s Suite

Transfer Package

Days

Start / End

Triple

Superior

Deluxe

Suite

Dates

ARCTIC 2023 SEP 8 – 21, 2023

Reykjavik

$11,495 $13,495 $14,995 $16,495 $17,995 $17,995 $22,995 $24,995 –

$695 $195

SEP 20 – OCT 3, 2023 14

Reykjavik

$11,495 $13,495 $14,995 $16,495 $17,995 $17,995 $22,995 $24,995 –

$695 $195

ARCTIC 2022 SEP 8 – 21, 2022

Reykjavik

$10,495 $13,195 $14,695 $16,295 $17,895 $17,895 $22,595 $24,195 –

$695 $195

Reykjavik

SEP 20 – OCT 3, 2022 14

$10,495 $13,195 $14,695 $16,295 $17,895 $17,895 $22,595 $24,195 –

$695 $195

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions RATES INCLUDE: • Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities • All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program • All shore landings as per the daily program • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping • All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.) • Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock • Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled

Exclusions RATES SPECIFICALLY DO NOT INCLUDE: • International airfare • Arrival and departure transfers • Passport and visa expenses • Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above • Meals ashore unless otherwise specified • Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended • Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights • Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned • Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified • Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location) • Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew • Additional overnight accommodation • Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities

• A photographic journal documenting the expedition • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions • An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep • Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program • All luggage handling aboard the ship • Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person • Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax • One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Reykjavik • Group transfer from the Reykjavik hotel to the ship on Day 2 • Group transfer from the ship to downtown Reykjavik on disembarkation day

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Your Expedition Team

Our Expedition Leaders and their teams bring diverse expertise in subjects as varied as polar history, marine biology, glaciology, ornithology and photography. Their knowledge and enthusiasm will greatly enhance your immersion into the polar environment and further deepen your connection to the Arctic. With over 30 years of experience bringing passengers to remote polar regions and an industry-leading staff-to-guest ratio, we know how to safely handle the unexpected. Ensuring this hard- earned experience is passed on, all our expedition staff receive comprehensive training in Quark Academy, which provides hands-on polar expedition training prior to any staff member’s first voyage as well as ongoing training for experienced staff.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Extend Your Trip

PRE- AND POST-EXPEDITION TRIP EXTENSIONS

You can extend your trip by booking extra days to explore our gateway city before or after the voyage. Since you’re traveling such a long way, you may want to spend extra time in Reykjavik. We have a variety of pre- and post-expedition packages in this fascinating city, known for its vibrant music and art scenes. Enjoy an extensive city tour, explore the Golden Circle, taking in Iceland’s most stunning natural wonders, and soak in the famous Blue Lagoon. And maybe fit in some whale watching, too! To discover the best options for extending your adventure, get in touch with your Travel Professional or a Polar Travel Adviser for seam- less, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.

FROM TOP: View of Reykjavik; Blue Lagoon

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Meals on Board

If there is one constant on board, it is that you’ll enjoy delicious meals daily. While meal times may change due to landings and wildlife encounters, you’ll always be served three well-prepared meals per day. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated by letting us know prior to your expedition. Breakfasts and lunches are normally served buffet style, while dinners are served plated. À la carte meals are made at the time of your order, allowing our chefs to prepare each dish to your individual needs, ensuring you receive top-quality meals during the course of your expedition. Soft drinks and juices are available during meals and when the bar is open; beer and wine are served with dinner; and coffee, tea and water stations are available around the clock – all included in the cost of your package. Spirits, premium wines and champagne are available at extra cost which can be billed to your shipboard account. The well-stocked bars on the ship are open to enjoy with your fellow shipmates in late morning, afternoon and evening.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Possible Excursions

When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. The following sites are a sample of what you may experience on your expedition, whether by ship, Zodiac cruise, or shore landing.

Iceland REYKJAVIK

Iceland has been ranked by the United Nations as one of the best countries in which to live. Its capital, Reykjavik (which means “Smoky Bay”), was named by the country’s first settler, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson, who was inspired by the geothermal mist rising from the ground.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

VESTFJORDS Rich in Viking history, Iceland’s oldest region is renowned for its dramatic and diverse landscape. The rugged coast of this almost entirely untouched, remote peninsula is indented by a myriad of steep fjords, each a world of its own, with awe inspiring mountain vistas, great hiking opportunities and serene seascapes. East Greenland BLOMSTERBUGTEN Known as the Bay of Flowers, Blomsterbugten boasts a colorful and lush landscape that is quite different from other Arctic regions. Expect spectacular fall colors, with a possible hike to Noa Lake. BOTANIKERBUGT In King Oscar Fjord, this bay is home to a variety of flora. It is on the south

coast of mountainous Ymer Ø (Ymer Island), part of Northeast Greenland National Park. C. HOFMANN HALVØ This peninsula can be a great location for viewing muskoxen. It is also home to wheatears and snow buntings, and you may spot rock ptarmigans or great northern divers (common loon) while exploring the shore. DENMARK ISLAND Encounter stunning icebergs at Denmark Island, which offers stupendous views of Scoresby Sund and Fønfjord below. If conditions allow for a landing, take a short hike to a well-preserved archaeological site.

EXPEDITION SPIRIT Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, the ice and the weather to guide the route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife encounters as described are expected, but not guaranteed. Your Expedition Team will use their considerable experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife is not a guarantee.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

FREDERIKSDAL Exploring this valley system on foot may offer views of muskoxen, glaciers and ancient Thule remains.

RØDE Ø Touring Røde Ø, or Red Island, rewards with stunning views of white and blue icebergs against a background of soaring red sandstone cliffs. The unexpected contrast makes for striking photos. RØDEFJORD Red Fjord, or Rødefjord, is named for the colorful sandstone located on its western side. The stone has been “stained” red by hematite, creating a geological anomaly in this part of Greenland.

HOLM BAY AND ELLA Ø (ELLA ISLAND)

Toward the northern end of Scoresby Land is King Oscar Fjord. Holm Bay is a common landing site here, offering panoramic views of the fjord and surrounding area. Within the fjord, and hence within Northeast Greenland National Park, lies Ella Ø (Ella Island). The legendary Danish navy unit Sirius Sledge Patrol operates here in summer. Muskoxen may also be spotted. ITTOQQORTOORMIIT Around 500 people call this northern settlement home. Traditional hunting and fishing ways are alive and well here. Ø FJORD One of Scoresby Sund’s many fjords, this deep fjord, whose name means Island Fjord, is truly impressive, flanked by towering mountains and dotted with large icebergs.

SCORESBY SUND Revered by many as the most

beautiful fjord system in the world, Scoresby Sund is definitely the longest and largest. The sound was named by William Scoresby Jr., a whaler, scientist and clergyman, who was famed for mapping more than 400 miles (640 km) of Greenland’s coastline.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Packing Checklist

WEATHER CONDITIONS & TEMPERATURES Polar weather is extremely variable; temperatures may hover around the freezing mark and winds can be strong. The extended daylight warms sheltered areas so that you may sometimes find it warm enough for t-shirts. However, you may encounter snow squalls, fog and white-outs during an expedition and should be ready for any conditions.

WHAT TO BRING! Packing for the polar regions doesn’t have to be daunting, and to make it easier for you, all Quark Expeditions voyages include an expedition parka to keep, and a loan of insulated waterproof boots. Additional suggested items include:

TO WEAR ON LANDINGS  Base-layer wool or synthetic top 

TO WEAR ONBOARD 

Lightweight waterproof or water repellent shell



Base-layer wool or synthetic bottom Mid-layer warm or fleece top Mid-layer warm or fleece bottom Warm wool or synthetic socks (wear 2 pairs at a time)

Comfortable casual clothing (lighter shirts, pants or jeans, etc.)

  



Comfortable flat shoes with a good tread