The highlight of this five-day expedition is spending two nights at 89° north at Barneo Ice Camp. This temporary, fly-in camp site is truly one of the most unique North Pole experiences and is ideal for adventurers seeking a short, but exciting journey to the top of the world. Be one member of an exclusive group to land on the frozen runway and take up temporary residence on this unequalled floating site on the icy sea of the North Polar Basin.
Established each year to be a functioning Russian science and logistics station, the site is operated by the Expedition Center for the Russian Geographical Society. Along with fellow guests and base staff, you have the opportunity to meet scientists, pilots, mechanics, engineers, and explorers.
This expedition offers fully-guided excursions to explore the northernmost Arctic by air via helicopter, as well as on land by snowshoe and on foot. Guests can engage in lectures and presentations led by the expedition team and resident scientists, and enjoy heated facilities and hearty meals, all accessible within a short flight from Longyearbyen, Svalbard (Norway.)
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard a be greeted by a member of the Quark Expeditions team at the airport. After settling in to your hotel, there will be a briefing about Barneo Ice Camp. Be updated on expedition details, current camp conditions, and departure information for the next morning. This evening, the group will get together for a welcome dinner. Guests will receive a special edition Quark Expeditions parka (yours to keep) and will be outfitted with special cold weather boots, on loan for the expedition.
Day 2: Barneo Ice Camp
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Transfer to the airport and board the special Antonov AN-74 aircraft for the three hour flight to Barneo. One of the unique thrills of this expedition is landing on the ice runway at Barneo, a temporary 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 dinner, relax in a well-heated tent in preparation for your exciting adventure ahead.
Day 3: North Pole
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive in the North Pole today! 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. The crew will aim to land at 90° north. Once there, savor the moment – pose for pictures, enjoy a celebratory drink, walk around the world together, take it all in.
At the base, there will be lectures about polar exploration, North Pole expeditions and climate science. Later this evening, learn more about the history, geography and wildlife of the area. Presentation topics range from the first intentional drifting ice station, to arctic mammals including walrus, ringed seals, ribbon seals and polar bears. Tonight, you will also receive a certificate from the Russian Geographical Society Expedition Center, certifying you have reached the Geographic North Pole.
Day 4: Return to Longyearbyen
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, take time to wander around the camp and enjoy the pristine surroundings before returning to Longyearbyen. In Longyearbyen, you may wish to shop for souvenirs, visit the museum, or just walk through the town. A special farewell dinner is planned to swap stories and recount the details of your expedition to Barneo Ice Camp and the North Pole.
Day 5: Departure Longyearbyen
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport today for your return flight home, or spend time exploring Longyearbyen.
Dates & Prices
Per person starting at
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $7250, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.