Full Circumnavigation of Antarctica

A Ten Year Commemorative Voyage Aboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov
FULL CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF ANTARCTICA
November 26, 2002 - February 1, 2003

The heroic explorers James Cook, Fabian von Bellingshausen and John Biscoe once searched for Terra Australis Incognita - the unknown southern land. Returning home from his three-year-voyage around the continent, Cook pronounced that if a southern land existed at all, it must lie so far south as to be wholly inaccessible because of ice.

Join us on a commemorative voyage of exploration around Antarctica - the second time in Antarctic tourism and one of only a few such voyages since Cook's epic journey. In January 1997, intrepid travelers successfully circumnavigated Antarctica on Kapitan Khlebnikov for the first time in expedition travel. No passenger-carrying vessel had the power or range to circumnavigate this last great continent before. Less than six years later we will repeat this adventure with a new, even more challenging itinerary and in the reverse direction! 

This commemorative voyage is not only the second ever full circumnavigation of Antarctica, it is also the 10-year anniversary of the very first passenger icebreaker voyage to the Great White Continent. In 2002, it will be 10 years since the Russian icebreaker, Kapitan Khlebnikov, was used by Quark Expeditions to operate the first ever passenger voyage in Antarctica.

As a fully classed polar icebreaker, the Kapitan Khlebnikov is far more powerful than conventional ships and was designed for the most challenging ice conditions. The ship's interior has also been upgraded to provide the passenger facilities necessary for excellent comfort - already the vessel has had ten years of successful and well-reviewed passenger voyages. From the Bridge and open decks you will thrill at the spectacle of the Kapitan Khlebnikov breaking through thick polar ice, taking you to places where wildlife is abundant and other ships dare not venture. 

Our onboard helicopters will be used for ice reconnaissance, but will also offer you astounding aerial views of the splendor of Antarctica, and allow landings at otherwise inaccessible shores. In addition, the ship carries a fleet of Zodiac landing craft. Of all the passenger vessels operating in Antarctica, only the Kapitan Khlebnikov is capable of circumnavigating Antarctica.

We sail south from Lyttelton on the first leg of this remarkable journey. Forging our way through meters-thick ice, we discover more Emperor Penguin colonies than during any other voyage. Orca and Minke whales patrol the edge of the permanent fast ice in search for food. Along the way, we call at remote research stations of many nations. Our itinerary includes historic huts and celebrated sites from the days of early exploration. We navigate among mile-long tabular icebergs and explore sectors of Antarctica rarely, if ever, visited before. With the help of our expeditioners, lecture staff will make scientific observations such as updating population information on little-known Ross seals, blue and fin whales, and Emperor Penguin colonies.

Itinerary planning has been extensive and we are assembling a first rate team of ship's officers, lecturers and experts to sail with us. Our vessel Captain, Petr Golikov, has a tremendous amount of ice navigation experience - he commanded the ship during our first successful Circumnavigation of Antarctica and is considered to be one of the most accomplished of all navigators in Antarctic waters. The voyage will be led by Werner Stambach, an Antarctic veteran well known to many of our repeat expeditioners, who has worked with Captain Golikov since 1998.


The voyage may also be booked in segments as follows:

The Far Side & The Weddell Sea
Lyttleton - Ushuaia
November 26, 2002 to January 10, 2003

The Peninsula, Phantom Coast & The Ross Sea
Ushuaia - Lyttleton
January 3, 2003 to February 1, 2003


This is the ultimate voyage to The Ice. With great excitement and pride Quark Expeditions has once again taken up the challenge to offer you the most unique polar journey in expedition travel.

Highlights

Join the grand adventure exploring remote lands on a history-making 13,000 mile voyage 
Thrill at seeing a large and true working icebreaker operate in thick pack ice 
Enjoy spectacular sightseeing flights aboard expertly-piloted helicopters 
Witness extraordinary vistas of vast ice shelves along little-explored coasts 
Venture as far south as it is possible to sail - less than 700 miles from the South Pole 
Encounter Antarctica's amazing and prolific wildlife - abundant penguins, seabirds, whales and seals, including magical encounters with tens of thousands of Emperor Penguins 
Cruise along immense, brilliant blue tabular icebergs 
See historic sites and expedition huts of the 'Heroic Age' of Antarctic exploration 
Visit remote and rarely visited scientific research stations of many nations 
Voyage onboard one of the world's most powerful icebreakers - a sophisticated vessel with first class accommodations and excellent food prepared by European chefs 
Sail with congenial travel companions and an outstanding team of lecturers and naturalists leading your expedition