SVALBARD 2020 LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD - SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD - SVALBARD ADVENTURE - EXPEDITION SVALBARD - Polar quest

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SVALBARD 2020 LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD - SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD - SVALBARD ADVENTURE - EXPEDITION SVALBARD - Polar quest
SVALBARD 2020
LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD - SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD - SVALBARD ADVENTURE - EXPEDITION SVALBARD
SVALBARD 2020 LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD - SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD - SVALBARD ADVENTURE - EXPEDITION SVALBARD - Polar quest
POLAR ADVENTURES SINCE 1999
For 20 years, we have taken adventurous travellers to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. From May to September, our three small
expedition ships explore this magnificent wilderness that are home to animals such as the charming walrus, the cute Arctic fox,
the endemic Svalbard reindeer and last, but certainly not least, the king of the Arctic – the polar bear. Every expedition with us is
unique and our aim is that each passenger will have the trip of a lifetime. When you call our office you will speak to members of
staff, whom all have been to Svalbard themselves and can answer all your questions about the big adventure. Sustainability is at
the heart of PolarQuest and all trips are climate compensated. Welcome on board!

SMALL EXPEDITION SHIPS – GREAT MOMENTS
Our expedition ships are comfortable, carry only 12 or 53 passengers and        when you travel through Svalbard’s untamed wilderness as the exact route
offer a completely different experience compared to a larger ship. We can       depends on weather, ice conditions and wildlife encounters. Sometimes you
reach some of the most inaccessible areas, all passengers can go ashore         might be woken up in the middle of the bright night if a polar bear has been
at the same time and we can maximise the time to ensure that you get the        spotted on the ice or a whale in front of the ship. Below, please find our
most out of your trip. Unpredictability and flexibility are the main keywords   three ships (read more on p. 14 - 19).

M/S QUEST - 53 PASSENGERS                            M/S STOCKHOLM - 12 PASSENGERS                        M/S SJØVEIEN - 12 PASSENGERS
M/S Quest is a comfortable expedition ship that      M/S Stockholm is a classic ship with beautiful       M/S Sjøveien was built in 1964 and after being a
was built in 1992 and started her Svalbard           brass details and wooden decks, built in 1953.       hotel ship for the past few years she was refurbished
career in 2008. The ship offers several cabin        After 20 years in Svalbard she has the experience    into a classic and exclusive passenger ship and
categories, spacious decks and a beautiful           and track record of being able to reach sites that   started her career in Svalbard in 2017. She offers
panorama lounge offering breath-taking views         are inaccessible to other ships.                     beautiful wooden decks and spacious cabins.
of the surrounding polar landscape.

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SVALBARD 2020 LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD - SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD - SVALBARD ADVENTURE - EXPEDITION SVALBARD - Polar quest
THE ZODIACS - THE KEY TO INTIMATE EXPERIENCES
                                 One of the secrets behind a successful expedition cruise is                                        Arc
                                                                                                                                          tic
                                 the Zodiacs. With these safe and sturdy rubber boats we can                                                    Ci
                                                                                                                                                     r

                                                                                                                                                     cl
                                 navigate among icebergs, cruise along glaciers and go ashore to

                                                                                                                                                         e
                                                                                                           Greenland
                                 get unique nature and wildlife experiences. Our ambition is to
                                 make landings or cruises every day.
                                                                                                        Iceland                North Pole

                                 OUR EXPERIENCED POLAR GUIDES                                            Norway
                                 We know that the most important part of a trip is knowledgeable                   Svalbard

                                 and enthusiastic guides with a genuine love of the Arctic. On board,
                                 ashore and in the Zodiacs, they will teach you more about the flora,
                                 fauna and history of Svalbard. We also set high standards when it
                                 comes to safety.

“Yesterday we received the fantastic log              “The expedition was absolutely fabulous,           “ I am still in a dreamlike state after my
of our expedition to Svalbard. It bought              with a very efficient and friendly crew,           wonderful trip to Svalbard on M/S Quest.
back many memories of all the wonderful               and delicious food. The Zodiac outings             Thank you to all your multitalented guides
experiences and adventures we had on                  and landings were awe-inspiring with               who could not have done more to make the
board and in the Zodiacs. The stunning                five exceptional, highly professional and          trip a fantastic experience. Thanks to all of
views, scenery and wildlife encounters                enthusiastic guides, giving excellent and          you in the office too who made it all work
will never be forgotten. We thought that              captivating explanations on the Arctic             from afar! Many thanks.”
the whole trip was very well organised and            fauna and flora, as well as on their
                                                                                                         / Doreen McBarnet
the guides so professional, knowledgeable,            environment and on different explorers.”
helpful and very friendly. We had so many
                                                      / Marit and Don Meredith
“Attenborough moments” which made this
trip easily the best we have ever been on.”

/ Richard and Christine Shortt

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SVALBARD 2020 LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD - SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD - SVALBARD ADVENTURE - EXPEDITION SVALBARD - Polar quest
LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD

Join us on an expedition cruise along the dramatic coastline, picturesque fishing
                                                                                                                                     SVALBARD
villages and magnificent fjords of northern Norway, via the seldom visited Bear Island                           LOFOTEN,
to the pearl of the Arctic: Svalbard. It is a busy time of the year. The sea eagles are                          BEAR ISLAND                    Longyearbyen
frequenting Lofoten and the impressive cliffs of Bear Island are teeming with tens of                            & SVALBARD                        Storfjorden
thousands of birds. Svalbard greets us with a breathtaking landscape, glittering ice,                                                Hornsund

snow covered mountain tops, magical midnight sun and magnificent wildlife.
                                                                                                                                                     Bear Island
                                                                                                               GREENLAND
Day 1: Bodø                                          wooden houses, is overlooking Kirkefjord with
We arrive in Bodø and embark our expedition          high mountaintops in the background. It is not                                         Tromsø
ship M/S Quest. Once settled in our cabins, we       difficult to see how it has been voted Norway’s
                                                                                                                                                Lofoten
are welcomed by the guides and crew. During          most beautiful place.
                                                                                                                                                Bodø
the afternoon we begin our voyage towards the        Day 3: Nusfjord - Trollfjorden
dramatic Lofoten Islands.                            Today we visit Nusfjord. This is one of the                   ICELAND
                                                                                                                                  NORWAY
Day 2: Vedøya - Reine                                most well-preserved and picturesque fishing
After breakfast we make a first trip in our Zodiac   communities in the area, included on UNESCO’s
around the spectacular island of Vedøya with its     World Heritage list of unique wooden structures.        Bear Island. After a few hours we reach a well-
tens of thousands of nesting sea birds. Vedøya       We go ashore and explore this historic little village   known whale watching area that stretches along
is also often frequented by eagles. We sail along    with its distinct atmosphere and cod fisheries. We      the continental shelf and we keep our eyes open
the southern side of Lofoten, a vast collection of   continue our cruise along the Lofoten wall and          for these marvellous creatures of the sea.
rocky islands rising from the sea, towards Reine.    later arrive at the magically beautiful Trollfjorden.   Day 4: Barents Sea
This charming fishing village, with characteristic   Afterwards we head out to sea and set course for        Our sea journey continues further north. Interesting

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SVALBARD 2020 LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD - SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD - SVALBARD ADVENTURE - EXPEDITION SVALBARD - Polar quest
talks on board introduce us to Bear Island’s           of drift ice in the vast Storfjorden between the      these charming birds swarming around us.
exciting history.                                      islands of Edgeøya and Spitsbergen, but we try        Isfjorden
Day 5: Bear Island                                     to get as far north as possible. On the island of     At the entrance of Isfjorden is the characteristic
With our solid Zodiacs we explore this fascinating     Edgeøya are remnants of the first Pomors who          cliff Alkhornet. We go ashore to enjoy the beautiful
rocky island in the middle of the Barents Sea.         came to the area in the 1600s. These Russian          tundra and its birdlife with barnacle geese,
Because of the remoteness only a few ships can         trappers came here to hunt polar bears, seals and     Brünnich’s guillemots, glaucous gulls, snow
stop by for a visit. Vertical 400-meter cliffs rise    reindeers. On the east coast of Spitsbergen lies      buntings and tens of thousands of kittiwakes. Some
in the distance as we approach, and here we find       Isbukta. In this spectacular bay we head out in       Arctic foxes are often seen in the rock crevices
one of the largest seabird colonies in the North       our Zodiacs to enjoy the stunning views of the        around the mountain and with some luck we might
Atlantic. Tens of thousands of guillemots nest         snow covered mountain peaks and the front of the      see these lovely little animals scurrying around,
here, as well as puffins, razorbills, kittiwakes and   impressive glacier Vasil’evbreen. The bay is also a   frantically looking for food.
glaucous gulls. Our main goal is to go ashore and      popular spot for Sabine’s gulls, Arctic skuas and     Day 10: Longyearbyen
explore Bear Island by foot. We then continue          bearded seals.                                        In the morning we leave the ship in Longyearbyen
our journey into the Arctic waters and our next        Hornsund & Bellsund                                   and begin our journey home.
destination is Svalbard – one of the world’s most      The majestic Hornsund consists of several
magnificent wildernesses.                              magnificent fjords along the west coast of            Read more about the ship M/S Quest, dates and
Day 6 - 9: Svalbard                                    Spitsbergen, where enormous glaciers calve out        prices on p. 14 - 15.
It is early in the season so our route the             shimmering blue ice. This is one of the favourite
following days will depend on the weather and          haunts for some of Svalbard’s polar bears and if      Please note: This is a preliminary itinerary. Our
ice conditions. These are examples of places we        lucky we can spot one of them on the fjord ice. At    exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions
might visit:                                           the beautiful Vårsolbukta in Bellsund little auks     and wildlife. We always strive to maximise your
Storfjorden                                            nest by the tens of thousands. We go ashore and       experience. Please remember that flexibility is the
During this time of the year there is often a lot      walk across the tundra to take a closer look at       key to a successful expedition!

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SVALBARD 2020 LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD - SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD - SVALBARD ADVENTURE - EXPEDITION SVALBARD - Polar quest
SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD

During the month of May, Svalbard is characterised by a wonderful purity and
                                                                                                                                                  Storøya
offers breathtaking sceneries. The fairytale winter landscape is dominated by                                                                                Kvitøya
                                                                                                               Danskøya
sparkling ice formations, snow covered mountains, fjord ice and pastel coloured
                                                                                                                                            Nordaustlandet
skies. It is spring in the Arctic and it is an indescribable experience to be there
and witness the archipelago come to life. The polar bear yearlings venture out for                                         Spitsbergen

the first time, the Arctic foxes and the Svalbard reindeers still wear their winter
fur and seals and walruses can often be seen resting on the fjord ice. The little                                            Longyearbyen

auks and the Brünnich’s guillemots have returned to their summer nests and the
bird cliffs are teeming with life. This is also a great time to spot the king eider and
rock ptarmigan.
                                                                                                                    Hornsund
                                                                                                                                               SVALBARD

With our sturdy Zodiacs we explore this winter         Isfjorden. Perhaps we could make an evening            buntings and tens of thousands of kittiwakes. Arctic
wonderland, heading for some of Svalbard’s most        landing before we continue either south or north       foxes are sometimes seen in the rock crevices
magnificent fjords and we try to make landings         – all depending on the weather and the current         around the mountain and with some luck we might
wherever the ice allows us.                            ice situation. Here are some examples of places        see these lovely little animals scurrying around,
Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard                          we may visit:                                          frantically looking for food.
We arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to our hotel.   Alkhornet                                              Prins Karls Forland
Day 2 - 8: Expedition                                  At the entrance of Isfjorden is the characteristic     This narrow strip of land is covered by a
We start our adventure in Svalbard by exploring        cliff Alkhornet. We go ashore to enjoy the beautiful   magnificent and snow-covered mountain chain.
Longyearbyen. In the afternoon we embark our           tundra and its birdlife with barnacle geese,           The island is also home to many seabirds and
expedition ship M/S Quest and head out through         Brünnich’s guillemots, glaucous gulls, snow            harbour seals.

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SVALBARD 2020 LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD - SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD - SVALBARD ADVENTURE - EXPEDITION SVALBARD - Polar quest
Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden                         hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman       Read more about the ship M/S Quest, dates and
The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is situated in   started with an airship. There are still interesting   prices on p. 14 - 15.
Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen          remnants from these expeditions left on this site.
and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the    Bellsund                                               Please note: Our exact route will depend on
North Pole. In the nearby Krossfjorden we revel       At the beautiful Vårsolbukta in Bellsund little        ice, weather conditions and wildlife. The places
in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of    auks nest by the tens of thousands. We go ashore       mentioned are just examples of some of the many
July Glacier to the raucous greeting of the large     and walk across the tundra to take a closer look       sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to
number of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots        at these charming birds.                               maximise your experience. Please remember that
nesting on the nearby cliffs.                         Hornsund                                               flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!
Raudfjorden                                           The majestic Hornsund consists of several
Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural             magnificent fjords along the west coast of
beauty – dominated by beautiful glaciers. It is       Spitsbergen, where enormous glaciers calve out
also a favourite spot for seals and the bird cliffs   shimmering blue ice. This is one of the favourite          Snowshoeing For the active there is a chance
                                                                                                                 to explore the areas we visit with snowshoes.
are bursting with activity.                           haunts for some of Svalbard’s polar bears and if
                                                                                                                 This is an extra option that requires a good
Virgohamna, Danskøya                                  lucky we can spot one of them on the fjord ice.
                                                                                                                 level of fitness. Please note: this activity is
Two of the most courageous attempts to reach          Day 9: Longyearbyen
                                                                                                                 always dependent on weather, wind and other
the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya.     In the morning we leave the ship in Longyearbyen           safety precautions.
Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a        and begin our journey home.

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SVALBARD 2020 LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD - SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD - SVALBARD ADVENTURE - EXPEDITION SVALBARD - Polar quest
SVALBARD ADVENTURE
The midnight sun reigns supreme, the bird colonies are teeming with life and the peaks of the dramatic mountain ranges are
beautifully snow-covered. The ice still keeps the islands in its grip and we can admire the ever-changing ice formations. Spring has
arrived and summer is just around the corner. We stay one night in a hotel in Longyearbyen and then spend seven night on board
a small expedition ship exploring this Arctic pearl that has fascinated explorers for centuries. We cruise along glistening glaciers, go
ashore to enjoy the unique nature and keep a lookout for unique wildlife such as walruses, seals and polar bears.

                                                                                                                                               Storøya
                                                                                                            Danskøya                                      Kvitøya

                                                                                                                                         Nordaustlandet

                                                                                                                        Spitsbergen

                                                                                                                          Longyearbyen

                                                                                                                 Hornsund
                                                                                                                                            SVALBARD

Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard                          Zodiacs. Here are some examples of places we        hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman
We arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to our hotel.   may visit:                                          started with an airship. There are still interesting
Day 2 - 8: Expedition                                  Prins Karls Forland                                 remnants from these expeditions left on this site.
We start our adventure in Svalbard by exploring        This narrow strip of land is covered by a           Fantastic fjords
Longyearbyen. In the afternoon we embark the           magnificent and snow-covered mountain chain.        Svalbard offers the visitor countless spectacular
expedition ship and sail out through Isfjorden. We     The island is also home to many seabirds and        fjords. During our journey we will explore a few of
are now in a part of the world where we are totally    harbour seals.                                      them such as:
dependent on the ice and weather conditions.           Virgohamna, Danskøya                                Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love”, is lined
Our exact itinerary depends on these factors and       Two of the most courageous attempts to reach        with snow-covered mountain peaks and here we
on the wildlife we encounter. Our ambition is          the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya.   hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular
to make landings or cruises every day with our         Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a      Monaco Glacier. Many common eiders and

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SVALBARD 2020 LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD - SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD - SVALBARD ADVENTURE - EXPEDITION SVALBARD - Polar quest
pinkfooted geese nest in the area and if lucky we         the pack ice. Not many ships venture here and       Day 9: Longyearbyen
could see the rare king eider. In Krossfjorden we         we can marvel at the silence and grandeur of this   Early morning we disembark our expedition ship
revel in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th     icy landscape. Chances of meeting polar bears       and begin our journey back home.
of July Glacier to the raucous greeting of the large      increase as we sail along the ice floes.
number of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots            Southwest Spitsbergen                               Read more about the ships, dates and prices on
nesting on the nearby cliffs. Raudfjorden is an area      The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular      p. 14 - 19.
of immense natural beauty – dominated by beautiful        glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of
glaciers. It is also a favourite spot for seals and the   towering mountain peaks, often reaching above       Please note: Our exact route will depend on
bird cliffs are bursting with activity. The scientific    the clouds. On a clear day we can see the           ice, weather conditions and wildlife. The
village of Ny-Ålesund is situated in Kongsfjorden. It     summit of the highest mountain Hornsundtind,        places mentioned are just examples of some
was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started            measuring 1431 meters. Hornsund is a                of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We
their heroic expeditions to the North Pole.               favourite haunt for some of Svalbard’s polar        always strive to maximise your experience.
North Spitsbergen                                         bears and bearded seals are often seen resting      Please remember that flexibility is the key to a
North of Spitsbergen we might meet the edge of            on the fjord ice.                                   successful expedition!

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SVALBARD 2020 LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD - SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD - SVALBARD ADVENTURE - EXPEDITION SVALBARD - Polar quest
EXPEDITION SVALBARD
In July the summer has arrived, the midnight sun reigns supreme and the purple
                                                                                                                                               Storøya
saxifrage decorates the slopes. The ice is slowly starting to loosen its grip, which offers
                                                                                                             Danskøya                                     Kvitøya
good opportunities to explore the seldom visited eastern parts of the archipelago.
                                                                                                                                         Nordaustlandet
Whales are more frequently seen in the waters and more and more snowfree areas
become accessible for longer walks. Later in August the sun is closer to the horizon,                                   Spitsbergen

preparing for the polar night, giving us beautiful sunsets and a warm light, perfect
for photography. With ten nights on board we have plenty of time for grand nature                                         Longyearbyen

experiences and wildlife encounters.
                                                                                                                  Hornsund
                                                                                                                                            SVALBARD
                                                                                                            Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love”, is
                                                                                                            lined with snow-covered mountain peaks and
                                                                                                            here we hope to cruise along the face of the
                                                                                                            spectacular Monaco Glacier. Many common
                                                                                                            eiders and pinkfooted geese nest in the area.
                                                                                                            In Krossfjorden we revel in the beautifully
                                                                                                            sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier to the
                                                                                                            raucous greeting of the large number of kittiwakes
Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard                         Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen          and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the nearby
We arrive in Longyearbyen, embark our expedition      and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the    cliffs. Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural
ship in the afternoon and sail out through the        North Pole.                                           beauty – dominated by beautiful glaciers. It is
spectacular Isfjorden.                                   Two other courageous attempts to reach the         also a favourite spot for seals and the bird cliffs
Day 2 - 10: Expedition                                North Pole started on the island of Danskøya.         are bursting with activity.
We are now in a part of the world where we            Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with          Hinlopen Strait and Alkefjellet
are totally dependent on the ice and weather          a hydrogen balloon and American journalist            If the ice allows we enter Hinlopen Strait. Here
conditions. Our exact itinerary depends on these      Wellman started with an airship. There are still      is Alkefjellet, an impressive, basaltic cliff,
factors and on the wildlife we encounter. Our         interesting remnants from these expeditions left      which is the home to an estimated 200 000
ambition is to make landings or cruises every         on this site.                                         Brünnich’s guillemots. We may also continue
day with our Zodiacs. Here are some examples of       Magnificent fjords                                    into the beautiful bay Palanderbukta on
places we may visit:                                  Svalbard offers the visitor countless spectacular     Nordaustlandet.
Northwest Spitsbergen                                 fjords. During our journey we will explore a few of   Eastern Svalbard
The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is situated in   them such as:                                         The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by an

10
enormous ice cap and fascinates naturalists as well   mountain peaks, often reaching above the           Read more about the ships, dates and prices on
as historians. There are huge glacier fronts here,    clouds. On a clear day we can see the summit of    p. 14 - 19.
intersected by hundreds of waterfalls. Barentsøya     the highest mountain Hornsundtind, measuring
and Edgeøya offer magnificent landscapes and          1431 meters. Hornsund is a favourite haunt for     Please note: Our exact route will depend on
vast tundra. Chances to encounter walruses,           some of Svalbard’s polar bears and bearded seals   ice, weather conditions and wildlife. The places
Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer are good here.       are often seen resting on the fjord ice.           mentioned are just examples of some of the many
Southwest Spitsbergen                                 Day 11: Longyearbyen                               sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to
The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular        Early morning we disembark our expedition ship     maximize your experience. Please remember that
glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of towering     and begin our journey back home.                   flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!

                                                                                                                                                        11
SPRING, SUMMER AND AUTUMN IN SVALBARD                                                                       SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT
Thanks to the Gulf Current, Svalbard has a              in front of the glaciers.
                                                                                                            The weather is stable during the
mild climate compared to other areas on the                  Summer arrives in late June. The ice thaws
                                                                                                            summer months even if fog, rain
same latitude. The average temperature in               around the islands and this makes it possible to
                                                                                                            and snowfall may occur. Rainfall is
Longyearbyen in May - September is -5°C to +5°C.        get further east. Whales are more frequently seen
                                                                                                            very limited as parts of Svalbard are
During winter ice and snow cover the archipelago,       in the waters and more and more snow-free areas
                                                                                                            considered to be Arctic desert. There
but when the warmer weather arrives, the ice            become accessible for longer walks. Colourful
                                                                                                            is midnight sun from April to the
losens its grip and the coasts become accessible        flowers are in bloom.
                                                                                                            end of August. To participate in our
by ship. Millions of seabirds arrive to their annual         Autumn arrives in late August and it is now
                                                                                                            expeditions you need to bring warm
nesting sites and the archipelago teems with life.      that the snow free landscape is most visible.
                                                                                                            thermal underwear, warm middle
     Please remember that no Arctic season is           The tundra is shifting in autumn colours and
                                                                                                            layers, wind and waterproof jacket
exactly like the previous one. There is no way to       the midnight sun is getting closer and closer
                                                                                                            and trousers and a pair of solid rubber
tell what this year’s ice conditions will be. The       to the horizon, which offers wonderful red
                                                                                                            boots. Thick soles for the boots and
following is however a general description of the       and pink skies at sunset, as well as a warm
                                                                                                            warm socks are also needed, as well as
Arctic summer season:                                   and soft light, perfect for anyone interested in
                                                                                                            a warm hat, scarf and windproof gloves.
     May and the beginning of June are                  photography. From mid-August you may be able
                                                                                                            A pair of good binoculars is also highly
characterised by a lot of snow and a wonderful          to see the Ivory Gulls’ chicks, while some birds
                                                                                                            recommended. When you book a trip
purity. It is still spring in the Arctic. This year’s   are preparing to migrate. Harp seals can be
                                                                                                            with us, you will receive an equipment
polar bear cubs are still small and sometimes           seen and female walruses with pups are not an
                                                                                                            checklist with suggestions on what to
both bears and seals can be seen on the fjord ice       uncommon sight.
                                                                                                            bring on the expedition.

12
A JOURNEY TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE WORLD
Sustainability is at the heart of everything    WE CARBON OFFSET ALL OUR TRIPS                       guidelines that all members are to follow during
PolarQuest does. We travel in small groups      As operators of expedition cruises, we cannot        cruises and landings. Today, AECO is a respected
                                                avoid emitting greenhouse gases during a             representative for the cruise industry and a
and strive to have minimal impact on the
                                                voyage. Until renewable fuels are available in       leading star for operators who wish to conduct
environment.                                                                                         responsible tourism in the Arctic.
                                                our line of business, we have chosen to climate
    Our ships take 12 or 53 passengers and      compensate (carbon offset) all our trips. Our
if you ask us, these small expedition ships     goal is to over-compensate every year, to slowly     BECOME AMBASSADORS FOR THE POLAR REGIONS!
are the most sustainable way to explore the     pay back to mother earth for emissions made          When travelling with PolarQuest, we hope that
                                                back in time.                                        you get a new understanding of the eco system
wildlife and nature of Svalbard. Imagine,
                                                                                                     and the challenges the Arctic wildlife are facing
viewing a walrus on an ice floe in a group of
                                                AECO                                                 as our planet is getting warmer. Once back
10 - 50 passengers, or to do so in a group      PolarQuest is one of the eight companies that        home, we hope that our travellers become worthy
of 250 - 500 passengers!                        founded the Association of Arctic Expeditions        ambassadors of the Polar Regions and spread
    Travelling on a small expedition ship       Cruise Operators (AECO) in 2003, to regulate         the word of these vulnerable areas. A deeper
also offers a more relaxed atmosphere,          tourism in Svalbard and promote sustainable,         awareness hopefully leads to a broader interest
                                                environmentally friendly and safe tourism in         for nature conservation and inspires to lifestyle
greater focus on the destination and more
                                                the area. The organization strives to conduct        changes. After all, it is how we think and act
time ashore, compared to travelling on          expeditions with the utmost respect for nature and   in our everyday responsibilities that have the
board a larger ship.                            wildlife. One part in this is carefully developed    biggest impact on the Polar Regions.

                                                                                                                                                   13
THE SHIP M/S QUEST (53 PASSENGERS)
A COMFORTABLE EXPEDITION SHIP
WITH A WONDERFUL CREW
The ship was built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on Greenland’s
west coast. In 2004/2005 she was completely refurbished into a comfortable
expedition ship and in 2018 she underwent a renovation of the passenger
areas. M/S Quest takes 53 passengers and all 26 cabins are outside cabins
with private facilities. The triple cabins have upper and lower berths. All other
cabins have two lower berths or a double bed. In your cabin you find a desk
with a chair and a cupboard for storage. The superior cabins are spacious
                                                                                     The lounge offers magnificent views.                 Twin cabin.
and have armchairs and TV. The owner’s cabin has a double bed, two large
picture windows, a separate seating area and TV. In the dining room you are
treated to delicious meals in between landings and in the panorama lounge
you can enjoy breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape. Here you can
listen to entertaining talks on the area’s flora, fauna and history. In the lounge
you also find a bar and a small library. The ship has spacious observation
decks, where you can enjoy the beautiful vistas. Passengers are welcome on
the bridge around the clock and there is always something to see or search
for. You are welcomed by an international crew and the atmosphere is relaxed
and very friendly. There are five Zodiacs and five guides on board M/S Quest.

                                                                                     The ship has spacious observation decks and the Zodiacs are very easy to access.

     “We have just finished our magnificent circumnavigation of Svalbard with
     PolarQuest and M/S Quest. What a fantastic experience. Our trip was really
     great and your guides superb. They went out of our way to help at all times,

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                                                                                                                            320
                                                                                                                                  318
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                                                                                                                                  314
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                                                                                                                                                                            310
                                                                                                                                                                                  308
                                                                                                                                                                                        306
                                                                                                                                                          Deck 3
                                                                                                         402 401

     and the Captain also was magnificent, entering the true “expedition” spirit              Deck 4

                                                                                                                   Bridge
     and steering the ship into the ice for our convenience, and participating

                                                                                                                                  327
                                                                                                                                        325
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                                                                                                                                                    321

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     in all manner of events. All-in-all we have had a fantastic time with the
     PolarQuest people, and would certainly look for further adventures sometime
     in the future.” / Richard Boweb

14
TRIPS, DATES & PRICES WITH M/S QUEST
LOFOTEN, BEAR ISLAND SPRINGTIME IN                                                                                   SVALBARD ADVENTURE EXPEDITION SVALBARD
& SVALBARD           SVALBARD                                                                                        Duration: 9 days.                                         Duration: 11 days.
                                                                                                                     Dates: 5 - 13 June, 12 - 20 June,                         Dates: 6 - 16 July, 16 - 26 July,
Duration: 10 days.                                         Duration: 9 days. Dates: 15 - 23 May,                     19 - 27 June, 2020.                                       26 July - 5 Aug, 5 - 15 Aug, 15 - 25 Aug,
Dates: 7 - 16 May, 2020.                                   22 - 30 May, 29 May - 6 June, 2020.                       Group Size: Maximum 53 passengers.                        25 Aug - 4 Sep, 2020.
Group Size: Maximum 53 passengers.                         Group Size: Maximum 53 passengers.                        Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Quest,                  Group Size: Maximum 53 passengers.
Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Quest.                   Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Quest,                  hotel. Transport: Expedition ship, Zodiacs.               Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Quest.
Transport: Expedition ship, Zodiacs.                       hotel. Transport: Expedition ship, Zodiacs.               Price: From USD 5 890 per person.                         Transport: Expedition ship, Zodiacs.
Price: From USD 5 490 per person.                          Price: From USD 5 290 per person.                                                                                   Price: From USD 7 690 per person.
                                                                                                                     RATE INCLUDES:
RATE INCLUDES:                                             RATE INCLUDES:                                            7 nights on board M/S Quest. 1 night in a hotel           RATE INCLUDES:
9 nights on board M/S Quest . All meals on board .         7 nights on board M/S Quest . 1 night in a hotel in       in Longyearbyen . Lunch day 2 . All meals on              10 nights on board M/S Quest . All meals on
Coffee and tea . An experienced Expedition Leader          Longyearbyen . Lunch day 2 . All meals on board .         board . Coffee and tea . An experienced Expedition        board . Coffee and tea . An experienced Expedition
and knowledgeable guides . Guiding ashore and              Coffee and tea . An experienced Expedition Leader         Leader and knowledgeable guides . Guiding ashore          Leader and knowledgeable guides . Guiding ashore
talks on board . All excursions and activities .           and knowledgeable guides . Guiding ashore and             and talks on board . All excursions and activities        and talks on board . All excursions and activities
Comprehensive information material before the              talks on board . All excursions and activities .          . Comprehensive information material before the           . Comprehensive information material before the
expedition . The trip is climate compensated               Comprehensive information material before the             expedition . The trip is climate compensated              expedition . The trip is climate compensated
                                                           expedition . The trip is climate compensated
NOT INCLUDED:                                                                                                        NOT INCLUDED:                                             NOT INCLUDED:
Flights to Bodø and from Longyearbyen . Travel and         NOT INCLUDED:                                             Flight to/from Longyearbyen . Travel and cancellation     Flight to/from Longyearbyen . Travel and cancellation
cancellation insurance . The customary gratuity to         Flight to/from Longyearbyen . Travel and cancellation     insurance . The customary gratuity to the ship’s          insurance . The customary gratuity to the ship’s
the ship’s crew . Personal expenses such as bar and        insurance . The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew     crew . Personal expenses such as bar and shop             crew . Personal expenses such as bar and shop
shop charges                                               . Personal expenses such as bar and shop charges          charges                                                   charges

Read more about the trip on p. 4 - 5.                      Read more about the trip on p. 6 - 7.                     Read more about the trip on p. 8 - 9.                     Read more about the trip on p. 10 - 11.

Cabin category              Price per person in USD        Cabin category             Price per person in USD        Cabin category             Price per person in USD        Cabin category              Price per person in USD
     F: Triple cabin (upper/lower beds)         5 490           F: Triple cabin (upper/lower beds)        5 290           F: Triple cabin (upper/lower beds)        5 890           F: Triple cabin (upper/lower beds)         7 690

     E: Twin cabin (2 twin beds)                6 390           E: Twin cabin (2 twin beds)               6 090           E: Twin cabin (2 twin beds)               6 790           E: Twin cabin (2 twin beds)                9 490

     D: Twin cabin Plus (2 twin beds)           6 790           D: Twin cabin Plus (2 twin beds)          6 490           D: Twin cabin Plus (2 twin beds)          7 190           D: Twin cabin Plus (2 twin beds)           9 990

     C: Double cabin (double bed)               6 790           C: Double cabin (double bed)              6 490           C: Double cabin (double bed)              7 190           C: Double cabin (double bed)               9 990

     B: Double cabin Superior (large double bed*) 7 390         B: Double cabin Superior (large double bed*) 7 690        B: Double cabin Superior (large double bed*) 8 490        B: Double cabin Superior (large double bed*) 10 890

     A: Owner’s cabin (large double bed)        7 990           A: Owner’s cabin (large double bed)       8 390           A: Owner’s cabin (large double bed)       9 290           A: Owner’s cabin (large double bed)       12 190

     E: Twin cabin for single use             10 490            E: Twin cabin for single use              9 790           E: Twin cabin for single use            10 890            E: Twin cabin for single use             15 790

* The double bed in cabin 402, 319 and 301 is separable.
Share a cabin: It is always possible to share a cabin on board M/S Quest.
Secure payment: According to Swedish law, PolarQuest places all revenue in a bond with the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency until the completion of your expedition.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   15
THE SHIP M/S STOCKHOLM (12 PASSENGERS)
A VINTAGE EXPEDITION SHIP LOVED BY MANY
The M/S Stockholm is a classic ship built in 1953 for the Swedish National
Maritime Administration. In 1998 she was totally refitted and started her
career as a comfortable polar expedition ship. The M/S Stockholm carries
a maximum of 12 passengers in twin cabins with bunk beds. All cabins
have private facilities and small windows (portholes). M/S Stockholm is
a marvellous piece of maritime history with beautiful brass details and
wooden decks. It is no wonder she is loved by so many! After 20 years of
navigating the waters in Svalbard she has the experience and track record
of being able to access difficult to reach sites that are inaccessible to      Comfortable cabins with bunk beds.             The service on board is outstanding.
other ships. On board you will enjoy delicious meals in the company of
likeminded travellers, who are all fascinated by the Arctic nature, wildlife
and history. The food on board is of high standard and all beverages
are included in the price. With such a small party on board, this is like
travelling on a private yacht. The crew on board M/S Stockholm are also
great enthusiasts of the unique wildlife and unspoiled nature. Their
genuine curiosity is a prerequisite for expedition cruises of this kind. A
trip on board M/S Stockholm in these northern waters, with its unique
wildlife and pristine nature, is an experience of a lifetime! There are two
Zodiacs and two guides on board M/S Stockholm.
                                                                               It is with a small expedition ship that you get the most extraordinary experiences.

                                                                                                                                                    21    22   23
                                                                                Upper Deck                                         Main Deck

                                                                                                                                                         25 26 27

16
TRIPS, DATES & PRICES WITH M/S STOCKHOLM
EXPEDITION SVALBARD
Duration: 11 days.                                         ”The trip was absolutely amazing
Dates: 25 June - 5 July, 15 July - 25 July,                and I cannot commend the staff
25 July - 4 Aug, 4 - 14 Aug, 14 - 24 Aug,
24 Aug - 3 Sep, 3 - 13 Sep, 2020.
                                                           and crew of the Stockholm
Group Size: Maximum 12 passengers.                         enough. The sightings and
Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Stockholm.               weather obviously takes care
Transport: Expedition ship, Zodiacs.
                                                           of itself but the Captain and
Price: From USD 11 490 per person.
                                                           his team made the experience
RATE INCLUDES:
                                                           truly next level. They are a very
10 nights on board M/S Stockholm . All meals on board
. All beverages . 1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide          special group of people.”
. Guiding ashore and talks on board . All excursions
and activities . The customary gratuity to the ship’s      / Gerry Van der Walt
crew . Comprehensive information material before the
expedition . The trip is climate compensated

NOT INCLUDED:
Flight to/from Longyearbyen . Travel and cancellation
insurance

Read more about the trip on p. 10 - 11.

Cabin category                   Price per person in USD
    Twin Cabin (bunk beds & private facilities)   11 490

    Twin Cabin for single use                     21 890

SECURE PAYMENT
According to Swedish law, PolarQuest places all
                                                                                               On board we enjoy the spectacular views and relax after an eventful day.
revenue in a bond with the Legal, Financial and
Administrative Services Agency until the completion of
your expedition.

                                                                                                                                                                      17
THE SHIP M/S SJØVEIEN (12 PASSENGERS)
A CLASSIC SHIP WITH A MODERN TOUCH
M/S Sjøveien (meaning the Seaway) was built in Bergen in 1964 for the
Norwegian Government and she worked for them in various capacities.
From 1979 until 1995 she was used as a training ship for mariners. Since
1995 she has been in private ownership and during the many years since,
worked for the Norwegian coast guard. After being a hotel ship for the
past few years, she has now been refurbished into a classic and exclusive
passenger ship and started her career in Svalbard the summer of 2017.
She is a true beauty with wooden decks and classic details. There is a lot of
deck space on the main deck and there is also an excellent area on top of       Double Cabin Superior.             Twin Cabin with portholes.
the bridge, from where you have wonderful views of the magical Svalbard
scenery. You also find a wood-fired hot tub out on deck. To accommodate a
maximum of 12 passengers there are eight outside cabins, all with private
facilities. On the lower deck there are four twin cabins with portholes.
On the main deck there are two larger twin cabins with windows and one
large superior cabin with a double bed and windows. The eighth cabin is
located on the upper deck and is a large superior cabin with windows. The
dining area on the main deck is where you are served breakfast, lunch and
dinner. Here is also a lounge area where you can relax with a cup of tea or
coffee and listen to interesting talks by the guides. You are welcomed by
an international crew and the bridge is open for visitors.                      Combined lounge and dinner area.

18
TRIPS, DATES & PRICES WITH M/S SJØVEIEN
SVALBARD ADVENTURE                                          EXPEDITION SVALBARD
Duration: 9 days. Dates: 16 - 24 May, 23 - 31 May,          Duration: 11 days. Dates: 1 - 11 July,
30 May - 7 June, 6 - 14 June, 2020.                         21 - 31 July, 31 July - 10 Aug, 10 - 20 Aug,
Group Size: Maximum 12 passengers.                          20 - 30 Aug, 30 Aug - 9 Sep, 2020.
Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Sjøveien,                 Group Size: Maximum 12 passengers.
hotel. Transport: Expedition ship, Zodiacs.                 Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Sjøveien.
Price: From USD 7 890 per person.                           Transport: Expedition ship, Zodiacs.
                                                            Price: From USD 10 090 per person.
RATE INCLUDES:
7 nights on board M/S Sjøveien . 1 night in a hotel         RATE INCLUDES:
in Longyearbyen . Lunch day 2 . All meals on board          10 nights on board M/S Sjøveien . All meals on board
. Coffee and tea . 1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide .        . Coffee and tea . 1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide .
Guiding ashore and talks on board . All excursions and      Guiding ashore and talks on board . All excursions and
activities . Comprehensive information material before      activities . Comprehensive information material before
the expedition . The trip is climate compensated            the expedition . The trip is climate compensated

NOT INCLUDED:                                               NOT INCLUDED:
Flight to and from Longyearbyen . Travel and cancellation   Flight to and from Longyearbyen . Travel and cancellation
insurance . The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew .     insurance . The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew .
Personal expenses such as bar and shop charges              Personal expenses such as bar and shop charges

Read about the trip on p. 8 - 9.                            Read about the trip on p. 10 - 11.

Cabin category                  Price per person in USD     Cabin category                   Price per person in USD
    Twin Cabin with portholes (twin beds)           7 890        Twin Cabin with portholes (twin beds)      10 090

    Twin Cabin with windows (twin beds)             8 290        Twin Cabin with windows (twin beds)        10 690

    Double Cabin Superior (double bed & windows)    8 690        Double Cabin Superior (double bed & windows) 11 290    There is a lot of open space on the main deck from where you have
    Twin Cabin for single use                      10 990        Twin Cabin for single use                  14 790      wonderful views of the magical Svalbard scenery.

SECURE PAYMENT
                                                                                                                                                                             202
According to Swedish law, PolarQuest places all revenue in a bond with the Legal, Financial and Administrative           Upper deck                               Lounge /
                                                                                                                                                                  Mess
                                                                                                                                                                                   201   Main deck
                                                                                                                                                                             203
Services Agency until the completion of your expedition.                                                                              303

                                                                                                                                            108 106 104
                                                                                                                                                          Lower deck

                                                                                                                                               107

                                                                                                                             ”We had such a fantastic voyage on Sjøveien. She is
                                                                                                                             the perfect expedition vessel for Svalbard. We had
                                                                                                                             so many wonderful experiences with the wildlife, ice
                                                                                                                             and the beautiful scenery and nature Svalbard had
                                                                                                                             to offer. The Captain and crew are to be applauded
                                                                                                                             for all their hard work in making us comfortable and
                                                                                                                             well looked after.”

                                                                                                                             / Sue Werner

                                                                                                                                                                                                     19
P.O. Box 180                       POLARQUEST IS ONE OF THE PASSIONATE SPECIALISTS
SE- 401 23 Göteborg, Sweden        WITHIN UNLIMITED TRAVEL GROUP

Phone: +46 31 333 17 30        PHOTO: ADAM RHEBORG (P. 3 BACKGROUND & UPPER, P. 9 NO. 4, 6 & 9, P. 10 UPPER LEFT, P. 11 NO. 2 & 4,
                               P. 16 MIDDLE), ADRIAN NORDENBORG (P. 3 MIDDLE, P. 6 BACKGROUND NO. 1 & 3, P. 7 NO. 5, P. 14 MIDDLE

e-mail: info@polar-quest.com   RIGHT), ANDREAS BERGSTRÖM (P. 9 NO. 7), ANNETTE SCHEEPSTRA (P. 11 NO. 9), EIRIK GRØNNINGSÆTER (P.
                               14 UPPER RIGHT), ELKE LINDNER (P. 4 NO. 5, P. 7 NO. 3, P. 9 NO. 2), ERIK EDVARDSSON (P. 9 NO. 8), HELBILD.
                               SE (P. 2 MIDDLE LEFT, P. 14 BACKGROUND), HENRIK HAANING NIELSEN (P. 4 NO. 2, P. 8 UPPER LEFT, P. 11
www.polar-quest.com            NO. 3, P. 14 MIDDLE LEFT, P. 17 UPPER RIGHT), JOHANNA VAKKILA (P. 5 NO. 2, P. 7 BACKGROUND & NO. 2),
                               KERSTIN LANGENBERGER (P. 9 NO. 10, P. 11 BACKGROUND), LISA STRÖM (P. 17 BACKGROUND & MIDDLE),
                               MAGNUS LUNDGREN (P. 7 NO. 10), MARIA NORDVALL (P. 7 NO. 7), MARTIN BERG (P. 2 MIDDLE RIGHT, P. 18
                               BACKGROUND, P. 19 MIDDLE), MATTIAS HENNINGSSON (P. 4 NO. 4, P. 5 NO. 5, P. 7 NO. 4, P. 10 BACKGROUND,
                               P. 11 NO. 1), MAURIZIO BIANCARELLI (P. 5 N0. 9 & P. 9 BACKGROUND), NIKLAS NILSSON (P. 5 NO. 6 & 7,
                               P. 6 NO. 2, P. 11 NO. 6 & 7, P. 14 UPPER LEFT, P. 16 UPPER LEFT, P. 18 UPPER & MIDDLE, P. 19 UPPER),

Follow us!                     OLLE CARLSSON (P. 4 NO. 3, P. 15), PATRICK DEGERMAN (FRONT COVER & BACK COVER), PETER & BEVERLY
                               PICKFORD (P. 11 NO. 8), RONALD VISSER (P. 7 NO. 6), SUSANNE KORSVOLL (P. 9 NO. 1), THÉRÈSE HORNTRICH
                               (P. 19 BACKGROUND), ULRICH KÜHN (P. 2 MIDDLE, P. 5 NO. 10, P. 10 UPPER RIGHT, P. 11 NO. 5 & 10, P. 16
                                                                                                      Min 12 mm hög
   PolarQuest
                               BACKGROUND & UPPER RIGHT, P. 17 UPPER LEFT), VERA SIMONSSON (P. 7 NO. 1), ZET FREIBURGHAUS (P.
                               7 NO. 9 & P. 8 UPPER RIGHT), ÅSA LINDGREN (P. 5 BACKGROUND & P. 8 BACKGROUND). WE RESERVE THE
                               RIGHTS TO ALTER ANY INFORMATION DUE TO PRINTING OR TYPE ERRORS.

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