LEGENDARY SNOW HILL March to the Emperor Penguins / BROCHURE 2018.19 - Quark Expeditions
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LEGENDARY SNOW HILL March to the Emperor Penguins / BROCHURE 2018.19
BE A PART OF
POLAR HISTORY CONTENTS
IT’S ONE OF THOSE RARE EXPERIENCES 4 A Defining Polar Moment
YOU CAN’T PUT INTO WORDS. 6 Snow Hill Island
This is the closest you will ever get to starring in your 10 March of the Emperor penguins
own version of the award-winning documentary, 16 When to Go
March of the Penguins—a chance to experience one 18 Itinerary Overview
of the most captivating regions in the Antarctic 22 Expedition Highlights
wilderness. A visit to the Emperor penguin colony 24 Featured Experts & Special Guests
at Snow Hill Island off the east coast of the Antarctic 26 Guest Experience
Peninsula is the epitome of polar adventure.
28 Conservation
30 Photography tips
31 Packing Checklist
2 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 3
A DEFINING
POLAR MOMENT
First offered by Quark Expeditions from 2006 to a few weeks when things thaw slightly. Guests fly
2010, this exclusive once-in-a-lifetime journey is in via helicopter, then walk across the sea ice to
back on with the legendary Kapitan Khlebnikov, commune with thousands of Emperor penguins
one of the most powerful icebreakers in the and their chicks. Seven years in the making, our
world. Ice-choked and impassible for most of reunion with these penguins is long overdue—
the year, Snow Hill Island is only accessible for AND YOU CAN BE PART OF IT.
4 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 5
SNOW
Snow Hill is an almost completely snow-capped Quark was the first expedition to bring tourists to
island just off the east coast of the Antarctic the sea ice where thousands of pairs of Emperor
Peninsula, one of many islands in the area known penguins at Snow Hill Island had only been recently
collectively as Graham Land. The whole region discovered by scientists. A film crew from the BBC
HILL
is clogged with ice, which more than doubles joined two Quark expeditions to Snow Hill aboard
the surface area of the continent and extends in the Kapitan Khlebnikov in 2009 to shoot the award-
places for hundreds of miles out to sea. winning documentary series, Frozen Planet. The
Discovered by British explorer James Ross in island is 20 miles (32 km) long and seven miles (11
1843, Snow Hill Island was used as a base to ex- km) wide. And despite its harshness, the daytime
ISLAND plore neighboring islands in the early 20th century,
notably by Swedish explorer Otto Nordenskjöld,
who wintered on the island in 1902. The hut he
built for shelter still stands.
temperatures sit at around 32ºF (zero degrees
Celsius) in the Antarctic summertime.
6 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 7
PURE POLAR
ADVENTURE
A VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD.
This really is the very ends of the earth. The Antarctic Peninsula is
an extreme environment, the last to be explored and understood,
made up of 800 miles (1,287 km) of bedrock islands all joined together
by a giant sheet of ice. Your adventure centers on the northern tip,
where the climate is milder and where most of the research stations
and abandoned whaling stations are located. Ice-covered mountain
peaks soar up to almost 10,000 feet (3 km) and icebergs by the thou-
sands float in calm inlets, catching the brilliant Antarctic sunshine.
The privilege to experience this polar region is as profound as the
surroundings themselves.
8 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 9
It’s a life that few creatures could manage—ardu-
ous, grueling, exhausting—a true test of spirit. But
the Emperor penguin is up for all the challenges
the breeding colony brings each and every year.
The Emperor is the largest of the 17 species of
penguins, weighing in at up to 100 pounds (45
kg). It’s the only one to breed during the winter
in Antarctica, with the chick eggs hatching at
minus 40º temperatures in a group of nesting
birds called a rookery. We visit these March of
the Penguins stars early in the season, while the
chicks are still young and grouped together in
communal daycares. And while we have strict
guidelines on distances we must keep from the
birds at all times, the penguins are a curious lot,
and mostly unafraid to walk right up to people
to check them out.
10 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 11
A STORY OF
Eggs are laid in early May and hatch in July, incubated After this reunion, it’s the female’s turn to look
In the winter, the Emperors begin by the male who uses his feet and brood pouch to after the chick while the male heads out for some
a test of endurance very unique to keep the egg warm. The female heads out to sea to well-earned feasting. A month and a half later, the
their species. They begin travel- find krill, squid and fish to eat, withstanding some young penguin leaves the comfort of its parents’
ing to Snow Hill’s stable breeding
SURVIVAL
of the harshest weather conditions on earth. She brood pouch for the communal daycare. When the
ground, with the males arriving can travel vast distances across the treacherous sea ice breaks up in December and the sea draws closer
first. The guys then attract the ice to find food to eat and store up for regurgitation to the nesting sites, the young penguins are ready
incoming females with elaborate when she returns to the hatchling. Because every- to learn how to swim and fish. During this time, the
posturing and courtship calls. The body looks the same, the Emperors must all rely on adults molt, unable to swim or search for food until
penguins choose only one mate a wide variation of complex, trumpeting vocal calls their new plumage has grown in. In January, they’re
each breeding season, and may to recognize and find each other. The youngster ready—and hungry—to return to their fishing for
even breed with the same one uses a frequency-modulated whistle to respond to the summer.
the following year. Mom and Dad.
12 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 13
A HARDY BUNCH
Four layers of feathers equip the Emperors
to withstand the icy winds. They store fat for
both insulation and for the energy to let them
survive without food for long periods of time.
The colony adopts a type of huddle formation,
moving in one big group, shifting and rotating
from the center out, so that everyone can take
a turn warming up. They’re also able to recycle
their own body heat to stay warm. Emperors are
excellent swimmers despite their small flippers,
and can dive deeper than any other seabird—
more than 1,500 feet (457 meters).
14 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 15
WHEN TO GO Our voyage offers guests the chance to visit Snow This tiny time period to visit while the penguins are Hill Island during the few short weeks it is open still ashore occurs when the environment is at its for business—October to early December, most of most ice-choked—all the more reason the icebreaking which is Antarctica’s spring. This is when the penguin capabilities of Kapitan Khlebnikov come in handy. We chicks begin to molt their downy feathers and start allow for several days spent near the colony, factor- looking more like teenagers, with the growth of their ing in weather and ice delays, to make sure we have waterproof plumage. The whole colony leaves the time to properly visit the rookery and witness the island between the middle to the end of December. incredible wildlife. 16 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries
CHILE
ARGENTINA
Falkland
Islands Stanley
ITINERARY
Ushuaia
South
Drake Passage Georgia
OVERVIEW
A NON-STOP POLAR ESCAPADE
South
Shetland
Islands
You begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling King George Island
Argentinian port town at the tip of South America.
After two days spent crossing the notorious Drake SNOW HILL
Passage, you head through Bransfield Strait to the ISLAND
Antarctica
Weddell Sea, spending seven days touring the Antarc- Peninsula
tic Sound, enjoying shore landings, wildlife sightings,
helicopter sightseeing—and massive amounts of ice. ANTARCTIC
CIRCLE
We visit numerous islands in the Weddell Sea, including
not just Snow Hill Island, but Devil Island and Paulet
Island, home to a large Adélie penguin rookery.
The Snow Hill Island rookery is some distance from
the island itself, so the ship is positioned within he-
licopter range, and groups are deployed in rotating ANTARCTICA
flights from the ship to the rookery. Our expedition
leaders try to work in as many landings as possible As no two expeditions are alike, landings and sightings
during your stay in the area. We land no closer than are subject to weather and ice conditions, and to the
1.5 miles (2.4 miles) from the colony out of respect natural cycles of the wildlife. It’s this unpredictability
for the penguins and their habitat. that makes expedition-style travel so exciting.
18 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 19HOW TO
GET THERE
POWERING THROUGH THE ICE-CHOKED WATERS IS A TOTAL THRILL.
Expanding and contracting sea ice makes visits With the ice bumping into the hull and the
to Snow Hill Island almost impossible—for ship shuddering from the weight of its work,
even some of the most powerful ships. Enter you really get the sense of what an authentic
Kapitan Khlebnikov (KK), one of the few ships icebreaker is all about.
able to handle tough ice conditions. Originally Led by a Russian crew, The KK gets you as
designed to take on the rigors of northern close as you can get, sending you ship-to-shore
Siberia, the 24,000-horsepower engine and via helicopter transfers that take you within a
advanced ice-breaking technology is able 1 or 2 km (0.6–1.2 miles) walk to the Emperor
to crush through more than six feet of ice. penguin colonies.
20 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 21EXPEDITION
HIGHLIGHTS
Because so few people have the opportunity to visit Snow Hill, the bragging rights are huge. Venturing
through the ice on the mighty Kapitan Khlebnikov, we explore an absolutely mesmerizing polar environment.
ICE-COVERED WONDERLAND DRAKE PASSAGE HELICOPTER RIDE
Located in the Weddell Sea, Snow Most Antarctic cruises begin and end Ship-to-shore helicopter transfers
Hill Island gets its name from the with the crossing of the Drake Pas- to the Emperor penguin colony
EMPEROR PENGUINS KAPITAN KHLEBNIKOV snow-covered hills that span across sage, the famously rough stretch of yield spectacular views of the icy
The majestic Emperors and their unique breeding The legendary Kapitan Khlebnikov has a strong polar it with rocky peaks—some 6,500 sea between South America and the landscape. If time and conditions
cycle is a story of resilience and survival. Elegant, pedigree in the history of expedition travel. Purpose- feet (2 km) high—falling steeply in 7th continent. For many people, it’s allow, your views of the breathtak-
dignified, famous—the real stars of this show have built to withstand everything the pack ice can dish black rock outcrops, sweeping gla- actually a rite of passage, an adrenalin- ing scenery may include glaciers.
the most intricate of lives, which is a big part of the out, it has circumnavigated Antarctica twice and the ciers into the sea. In some areas, ice packed adventure that adds authen- The exclusivity of the situation puts
draw. Their arduous breeding cycle spent in this Arctic once. It was also the first ship to successfully extends hundreds of miles into the ticity to the expedition experience. you in a very privileged polar club.
barren wilderness defies description. bring travelers to Snow Hill—with Quark. water, making the area impassable
for most of the world’s bigger ships.
22 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 23LAURENT CHALET
FEATURED
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER
Passionate about travel and adventure, Laurent Chalet,
French film director, and director of photography,
has been traveling the world, camera in hand, for
EXPERTS
& SPECIAL GUESTS
many years.
Whether he’s filming the lives of the peoples of the
remote regions of Mongolia or Peru, or the mythical
volcanos of the great African rift valley, the essence
of his work is meeting the men and the women who
embody these subjects, and who share their lives or
VANESSA BERLOWITZ their passions with us. Laurent Chalet’s signature look
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER and feel is evident in the numerous award-winning
Over Vanessa’s 23-year career at the BBC’s Natural documentaries that he has worked on for film and
History Unit, she has filmed in over 100 countries and television.
from pole to pole. She has produced and directed over He is best known for his work on the international
20 Bafta and Emmy award winning films for series hit documentary “March of the Penguins”. The film
such as Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, Life of Mammals, was nominated for Cinemaphotography by the British
Land of the Tiger and the Human Animal—as well Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), and won
as strands such as Natural World, Wildlife on One, the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2006.
Natural Neighbours and Postcards from the Country.
One of the highlights of her career was retracing
Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s expedition to the South
Pole from the air and also accompanying Sir David At-
tenborough to the South Pole and then to the North
Pole just 6 weeks later—a trip that coincided with his
90th birthday! As Series Producer of Frozen Planet,
Vanessa spent 5 months in McMurdo, the US base
BOB HEADLAND FABRICE GENEVOIS
HISTORIAN ORNITHOLOGIST AND FRENCH-SPEAKING GUIDE in Antarctica and got to direct the Antarctic aerials
As a Senior Associate of the Scott Polar Research A passionate biologist and noted author, Fabrice has and oversee a range of extraordinary shoots from the
Institute at the University of Cambridge, Bob’s travelled extensively in both polar regions and is deeply footage of a ‘brinicle’ forming to the ice caves high on
principal interests involve historical geography familiar with many of their remote areas. His work the slopes of Mt. Erebus, the planet’s most southerly
and its associated studies. Specifically, his work focuses on natural history, specifically birds, mammal active volcano.
concerns the human effects on the polar regions. biology and ecology. Vanessa won an Emmy for Frozen Planet and then
Bob is an advisor to several expeditionary orga- Fabrice also conducts field research on birds with went on to become an Executive Producer for the BBC,
nizations and has spent many years with Quark the French National Museum of Natural History and creating a range of innovation-led series and specials
Expeditions, notably on voyages with the Kapitan lives among the volcanoes of the Auvergne region in for BBC1 including Great Bear Stakeout, Life in the Vanessa & Laurent will be on the
Khblenikov. During Snow Hill trips, he will be edu-
cating travelers on the history of polar exploration.
central France. As a Kapitan Khblenikov veteran, he
will share his unique perspective on Emperor penguin
Air and David Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur.
Her career at the BBC culminated with the launch of NOV 11–24, 2018
biology on Snow Hill voyages. Planet Earth 2, which she originated and spent two voyage only
years working with her team to develop the new im-
mersive style of the series.
24 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 25A RETURN TO
We flew in a helicopter over the Antarctic I’ve been aboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov
Peninsula and landed about a kilometre (KK) seven times and to experience plowing
away from a newly found area for Emperor through thick sheets of ice on that power-
penguins, then walked the rest of the way house is unreal. Other repeat KK travelers
SNOW HILL
in. This trek through the snow to visit the will agree with me. On this trip, I saw a
colonies was superb—the route was marked Japanese fellow I had met before and while
with flags and easy to follow. For most of the we couldn’t communicate directly with each
time, I was alone and couldn’t see anyone—it other, we exchanged friendly smiles, sharing
was just me, surrounded by the pure white in the fandom of that incredible ship.
GUEST EXPERIENCE landscape with a few penguins parading at That’s the thing about these kind of trips—
my left or right. There was a breeze and I there’s always something you don’t anticipate,
just felt complete solitude. We had 4 days at like forming real bonds with other passengers
Snow Hill, real penguin overload, but I was that makes it extra special, and I should know
happy to be in my own little world with them. because I’ve been on almost a dozen trips.
I tend to go things alone most of the time You only get so many chances at things in
as a solo traveler. At 76-years-old, I still like your lifetime and you can’t miss the kind of
to wander into the ship lounge for a cocktail opportunity to connect with both people
to chat with other passengers. For me, the and nature in a very powerful way. You’ve
penguins weren’t the only star of the show. just got to be there to truly understand it.
—Kerry Peters
SNOW HILL ISLAND SAFARI | Departure: November 2009 | Ship: Kapitan Khlebnikov
26 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 27CONSERVATION
At Quark Expeditions, we take the conservation Quark is a long-standing member of the Associa- Following IAATO standards, our helicopters land SOME KEY GUIDELINES INCLUDE:
and protection of the natural and cultural envi- tion of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) a minimum of 0.75 nautical mile (1 km) away from
Not disturbing the wildlife and
ronments we visit seriously—and we know you and the International Association of Antarctica penguin colonies and guests walk the rest of the way, their habitats
do, too. Conservation is an important theme in Tour Operators (IAATO), two groups that share so as to prevent any disruption or stress caused by
our on-board education programs. As a result, our dedication to environmentally responsible the aircraft noise. especting archaeological
R
Quark also supports the work of Penguin Watch and historical remains
many guests go home more in tune with some tourism. These two offer guidelines and resources
of the serious issues the polar regions are facing. to help minimize the tourist footprint. to help identify risk factors to the Antarctic penguin
Climate change has caused a decrease in some population. This group researches the threats to
of the penguin populations— ALL THE MORE Antarctic penguins and aims to explore threats to
the global penguin population.
REASON TO VISIT WHILE WE STILL CAN.
VISIT PENGUINWATCH.ORG TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP.
28 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 29PACKING
CHECKLIST
GET READY FOR YOUR TRIP! When the time comes to gearing up for your Antarctic
expedition, use this checklist to pack everything you need.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The Snow Hill Emperor penguin colony is a photog- FOR PORTRAITS
FOR SHORE LANDINGS
Base layers (wool, synthetic or a blend)
Mid-layer warm/fleece top
SUGGESTED ITEMS
Waterproof, lightweight backpack
or dry sack
rapher’s paradise. Witness the affairs of the penguins’
Mid-layer warm/fleece pant Swimsuit (for the polar plunge!)
A wide-angle lens (around 18 mm) captures a wider
daily lives at close range—and at full volume. Observe Wool and synthetic socks Binoculars
angle of view, so more of your subject’s surround-
the courtships and mating rituals, the communal ings will be included. A telephoto lens (over 70 mm) (3 to 4 pairs) Camera with extra batteries
parenting and the zany body surfing. Keen observ- or fixed portrait lens (50 mm) will capture a more Glove liners Extra memory cards
ers will also want to keep their eyes open during close-up view of your subject for a sharper focus Neck warmer or balaclava Earplugs (in case of noisy cabinmates)
the helicopter ride for majestic aerial shots of the with a slightly blurred background. Warm hat that covers ears Eye masks for sleeping
surrounding landscape. Whatever type of camera FOR WILDLIFE Waterproof pants Seasickness, indigestion, headache
you have, you’ll want to capture every second of Patience and vigilance is the best technique here. To Waterproof gloves or other medicine
this experience. capture all the animals’ natural behavior and quick Sunscreen Voltage adapters
movement, a zoom lens is definitely required. Sunglasses with UV protection
HERE’S A PHOTOGRAPHY CHECKLIST:
FOR ON BOARD
DSLR
READ Comfortable casual clothing
Point-and-shoot
More detailed tips on polar photography: (pants/jeans, shirts, sweaters)
elephoto lens and a wide-angle lens
T
(see details below)
davidcschultz.com/antarctica-camera-gear-list Lighter shirts (in case the ship gets warm)
Batteries WATCH Comfortable shoes (without heels)
•F
rozen Planet
Polarizing filter to help with reflections
on the water BBC and The Open University documentary
Tripod
series hosted by David Attenborough
Camera bag
• March of the Penguins
The film about Emperor penguins that For more packing and gear-related info, visit the Quark Expeditions® online Polar Boutique at
Zip-top bags to protect the camera
won Best Documentary Feature at the 2006 Shop.QuarkExpeditions.com
from condensation
Academy Awards
Laptop
30 | Call a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 or your Travel Professional | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries Snow Hill Brochure 2018.19 | 31BOOK YOUR SNOW HILL ADVENTURE NOW! ONLY 4 VOYAGES ARE OFFERED IN 2018 FOR THIS EXCLUSIVE TRIP. September 2017
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