Product Description
Highlights
Spend a night at Barneo Ice Camp, one of the most remote scientific research stations on the planet. Mingle with scientists, engineers and explorers, learning first-hand about the research activities being conducted at the camp. Weather permitting, enjoy a fully-guided helicopter flight to the North Pole, landing on top of the world at 90° north. Very few people have set foot here before. Enjoy hearty meals and accommodation in comfortable, heated tents
Overview
Make history by becoming one of the few people to set foot on the North Pole. Start your journey in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, before boarding an Antonov AN-74 aircraft to Barneo Ice Camp. Situated at 89 degrees north, it is one of the most remote expedition base camps in the world and has to be constructed each year by an international team of experts. Only a handful of people are able to visit a year, and while here you’ll spend two-days learning about the scientific and research activities being conducted. Hear lectures and presentations about the history, geography and wildlife of the Arctic, including walrus, ringed seals, ribbon seals and polar bears. The pinnacle of this journey is boarding a Mi8 helicopter to the North Pole, the northernmost part of the world and a place rarely seen by humans. You’ll have plenty of time to celebrate this incredible achievement before heading back to Barneo Ice Camp to share stories about your time on the North Pole.
Breakfast Included: 2 Lunches Included: 1 Dinner Included: 2
Arrive Longyearbyen
Upon arrival in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, you will be met at the airport by a member of the Quark Expeditions® team. After settling in to your hotel, there will be a briefing about Barneo Ice Camp. You will be updated on current camp conditions, expedition details, and your departure the following day to 89° north. This evening the group will get together for a welcome dinner.
Barneo Ice Camp and the North Pole
Accompanied by a member of the Quark Expeditions® team, we’ll transfer to the airport and board the special Antonov AN-74 aircraft for the approx. 2.5 hour flight to Barneo. One of the unique thrills of this expedition is landing on the ice runway at Barneo, a seasonal air strip constructed on the polar ice cap each year, and the only facility that allows external access to the base. Shortly after arriving at camp, lunch will be served and an introductory briefing will be conducted. Barneo is a functioning research base for scientists and adventurers from around the world, and it’s always a hive of activity.
After lunch, it’s destination – North Pole! The excitement mounts as you prepare for your Mi8 helicopter flight to the northernmost point on earth. Here there is only ice, and the Arctic Ocean is approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) deep at this point. Weather conditions are closely monitored, and the flight will be scheduled accordingly. We’ll aim to land at 90° north. Once there, savor the moment – pose for pictures, walk around the world together, take it all in. You’ll spend about an hour here
– walking, celebrating, and capturing those moments on camera – before the approx. 30-minute helicopter flight back to camp.
Tonight, following dinner, you’ll rest up in your heated tent. Each co-ed tent houses 10-12 guests and is equipped with camp beds.
Return to Longyearbyen
After breakfast, you’ll have some time to wander around the camp and take in the last moments of your pristine surroundings before you bid farewell to Barneo Ice Camp and return to Longyearbyen.
