NORTH POLE EXPRESS Barneo Ice Camp
The Trip Overview This three-day journey is short on time but long on adventure. Guests fly from the Norwegian island of Svalbard to the Barneo Ice Camp, a seasonal science station operated by the Russian Geographical Society at 89ºN on the frozen Arctic Ocean. Mix with explorers, scientists, pilots, and engineers before taking a helicopter ride the rest of the way to 90ºN - the top of the world. EXPEDITION IN BRIEF Fly to one of the most remote and extraordinary expedition base camps in the world Reach the top of the world by Antonov AN-74 aircraft and Mi8 helicopter Learn firsthand about the scientific and research activities being conducted at this research station Explore the unique culture of Longyearbyen, Norway, before the base camp Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 1
Itinerary Sample Itinerary The itinerary outlined below is only a sample of a typical expedition to Barneo Ice Camp. Day-to-day activities may vary and are also weather dependent. Please note that all flights in the itinerary may be earlier or later than scheduled, depending on weather conditions. DAY 1 ARRIVE IN LONGYEARBYEN, NORWAY Upon arrival in Longyearbyen the largest settlement of Norway s Svalbard archipelago, you will be met at the airport by a member of the Quark Expeditions team. After settling into your hotel, there will be a briefing about Barneo Ice Camp. You will be updated on current camp conditions, expedition details and your departure the following day to 89 N. This evening, the group will get together for a welcome dinner. DAY 2 BARNEO ICE CAMP AND NORTH POLE Accompanied by a member of the Quark Expeditions team, you will be transferred to the airport and board the special Antonov AN-74 aircraft for the approximately two-and-a-half-hour flight to Barneo. One of the unique thrills of this expedition is landing on the ice runway at Barneo, a seasonal air strip constructed on the polar ice cap each year and the only facility that allows external access to the base. Shortly after arriving at camp, we ll have lunch and enjoy an introductory briefing. Barneo is a functioning research base for scientists and adventurers from around the world, and it s always a hive of activity. After lunch, it s time to reach our destination the North Pole! The GREENLAND Arctic Ocean Longyearbyen Greenland Sea ARCTIC CIRCLE North Pole 90 Barneo Ice Camp Franz Josef Land SVALBARD Barents Sea RUSSIA NORTH POLE EXPRESS Barneo Ice Camp Flight from and to Longyearbyen Helicopter to and from the North Pole 90ºN Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 2
excitement mounts as you prepare for your Mi8 helicopter flight to the northernmost point on earth. Here, there is only ice, and the Arctic Ocean is approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) deep at this point. Weather conditions are closely monitored, and the flight will be scheduled accordingly. We ll aim to land at 90 N. Once there, savor the moment, pose for pictures, walking around the world together, taking it all in. You ll spend about an hour here walking, celebrating and capturing those moments on camera before the approximately 30-minute helicopter flight back to camp. Tonight, following dinner, you ll rest up in your heated tent. Each co-ed tent houses 10 to 12 guests and is equipped with camp beds. DAY 3 RETURN TO LONGYEARBYEN After breakfast, you ll have some time to wander around the camp and take in the last moments of your pristine surroundings before you bid farewell to Barneo Ice Camp and return to Longyearbyen. Before departing Longyearbyen, you may wish to visit the museum, shop for souvenirs or just walk through the colorful town. IMPORTANT REMINDER Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy and excitement of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide 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. Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 3
Arrival & Departure Details As you prepare for your journey, you may be interested to know the details of your arrival and departure. Since air transportation to and from your voyage is not included in the cost of your expedition, you have some flexibility in planning your flights. Consider extending your adventure beyond your polar expedition and arranging for a stopover in the destination of your choice on your way to or from Longyearbyen. Quark Expeditions can help you book your flights, or feel free to contact your preferred travel agent or airline. Arrival Day and Embarkation ARRIVING IN LONGYEARBYEN You may arrive in Longyearbyen at any time during Day 1 of the itinerary. Based on the arrival information you send us, we will arrange for a transfer from the airport to your hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, once you have had a chance to settle in, you will make your way to Quark Expeditions meeting room, where you will collect your boots and parka, which you will need for the following day s flight. A welcome briefing hosted by a Quark Expeditions representative will follow the boot and parka distribution. FLYING TO BARNEO ICE CAMP Your flight to the North Pole is expected to depart from Longyearbyen to Barneo Ice Camp on Day 2 of the itinerary. Although the scheduled flight time will be communicated at your welcome briefing, there is significant variability based on weather conditions. You should be prepared to depart the hotel for the airport on our group transfer at any time. PLEASE NOTE Weather conditions can always delay our arrival, and airline schedule changes have also been known to occur. Booking flexible tickets is always encouraged, as we cannot be held responsible for delays due to unforeseen circumstances. Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 4
Final Day and Departure FLYING FROM BARNEO ICE CAMP On the final morning, you will have time after breakfast to bid farewell to your Expedition Team and camp mates before boarding the plane back to Longyearbyen. The flight takes about two and a half hours. DEPARTING FROM LONGYEARBYEN Upon arrival in Longyearbyen, you are free to connect to your homeward flights or make your way to your separately booked accommodation if you have arranged for extra time in Longyearbyen. Included Hotel Accommodations Your included accommodation begins on Day 1 of your itinerary, and the specific hotel(s) will be indicated on your final voyage confirmation. If you are arriving prior to Day 1 of your expedition or are staying after the disembarkation day, please contact your Polar Travel Adviser for hotel options. Since accommodation space is limited, you are encouraged to request any extra nights as early as possible. Arrival and Departure Transfers LONGYEARBYEN AIRPORT TRANSFERS Arrival transfers in Longyearbyen are included. Please provide your flight information to your Polar Travel Adviser so that a transfer can be arranged for you. Departure transfers in Longyearbyen are not included in the expedition; however, your Polar Travel Adviser can arrange them 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. CONTINGENCY PLAN If the plane is unable to depart Longyearbyen on the planned date of the flight to Barneo Ice Camp, any additional nights hotel accommodations will be your responsibility. You may be required to be on standby and remain close to the hotel, as a weather window may open with very little notice. It is unlikely the expedition would be cancelled, but it is possible that weather could delay departure for a number of days. Consider purchasing flexible, changeable airline tickets, or booking a one-way flight home after completing the expedition, to help reduce ticket change fees. These delays may not be covered by travel insurance. Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 5
Inclusions YOUR BARNEO ICE CAMP EXPEDITION INCLUDES One night s hotel accommodation based on double occupancy with breakfast in Longyearbyen Welcome dinner in Longyearbyen All transfers and flights per the daily program Shared tent accommodation at Barneo Ice Camp Group helicopter excursion to the North Pole (weather dependent) All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks at Barneo Ice Camp Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock All activities per the daily program Leadership throughout the expedition by our experienced Expedition Leader Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader All miscellaneous service taxes throughout the program All gratuities Emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of US$500,000 per person THIS EXPEDITION EXCLUDES International airfare Passport and applicable visa expenses Government arrival and departure taxes Meals unless otherwise specified Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance strongly recommended Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified Phone and Internet charges (Longyearbyen only) Additional overnight accommodation Additional expenses (meals, accommodation, international flight change fees, etc.) incurred by delay or cancellation of activities due to suboptimal weather Dates of operation may be altered due to weather and ice conditions. Please be aware of this when making international flight arrangements. Consider purchasing flexible, changeable airline tickets, or booking a one-way flight home after completing the expedition, to help reduce ticket change fees. These delays may not be covered by travel insurance. PLEASE NOTE Baggage allowance on charter flight is 33 lbs (15 kg). TRIP INTERRUPTION AND CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 6
Dates & Rates Dates Days Arrive/Depart Per Person NORTH POLE EXPRESS BARNEO ICE CAMP APR 13 APR 15, 2019 3 Longyearbyen $23,495 All rates per person in USD, based on double occupancy at the Longyearbyen hotel, and co-ed shared accommodation at Barneo Ice Camp. Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details 7
TO BOOK YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE Contact your Travel Professional or a Quark Expeditions Polar Travel Adviser 1.888.892.0073 QuarkExpeditions.com EXPEDITION BROCHURE December 2017