Quark Expeditions Announces Arctic 2010 Expedition Leaders

WATERBURY, Vt., March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Five experienced Expedition Leaders are returning to the Arctic in 2010, announced Vermont-based polar adventure specialist Quark Expeditions. "Expedition Leaders are the X factor," said Patrick Shaw, president. "The best ELs add something extra to an expedition through their personalities and passion for the regions through which they lead travelers."

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100311/NE69181 )

To celebrate the announcement, travelers who book one of four select Arctic voyages will receive a free extended stay in Oslo, Norway or Reykjavik, Iceland. These packages have a retail value of $1100 and $663 per person respectively.

Quark's Expedition Leaders have various backgrounds. Some are scientists, some historians, many are wildlife specialists and some are skilled yachtsmen and kayakers. All have worked their way up through the ranks to the position. The experience they gained as Zodiac drivers, naturalists, and lecturers is essential for their role as Expedition Leader.

New Zealander Graham Charles is an internationally renowned kayaker with an irreverent sense of humor and unquenchable enthusiasm. Graham will be leading expeditions to Spitsbergen, Eastern Greenland, Iceland and the Canadian Arctic from July 8 to August 20, 2010.

Dr. Kirsten le Mar uses her training and experience as a field biologist as Expedition Leader aboard the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov. Kirsten will lead three End of an Era expeditions from Anadyr, Russia to Resolute, Canada in 2010.

Canadian Brandon Harvey studies orcas when he is not leading an Arctic voyage. Between June and September 2010, he will lead expeditions to Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland aboard the 46-passenger Akademik Shokalskiy.

David "Dutch" Willmott has always been drawn to adventure travel in wild places. He has sailed and raced yachts all over the world. He will be leading expeditions to Spitsbergen, Svalbard in June 2010.

David "Woody" Wood started working on expedition vessels as a bartender, so his people skills are well honed. He is an experienced Zodiac driver and can handle firearms -- essential in the Arctic. He will be leading expeditions to Spitsbergen, Svalbard from July to August 2010.

Jan Bryde will lead Quark's Arctic trip to the North Pole, July 9 to 23, 2010. 50 Years of Victory, the world's largest nuclear-powered icebreaker is Jan's home away from home.

Extend Your Stay

The Oslo extended stay offer is available on three departures: Introduction to Spitsbergen, June 21 to 28; Spitsbergen Explorer June 27 to July 7 or July 14 to 24, 2010. Guests who book any of the listed expeditions will receive a package that includes 1 night in Longyearbyen and 2 nights in Oslo.

The Reykjavik extended stay offer is available on Iceland, Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, August 3 to 20, 2010. Guests who book this voyage will receive a package that includes 4 nights in Reykjavik, Iceland.

To receive more information about the Arctic offer and Quark's Expedition Leaders go online or call toll free 888-892-0171.

SOURCE Quark Expeditions