Popular leader Jean Iron and local naturalist guide Luis Goody introduce you to the rainforests, mountains and Mayan culture of these very special destinations. We will travel by boat to extensive wetlands, walk cool pine forest trails and explore numerous caves and waterfalls, taking in the staggering numbers of water birds, troops of howler monkeys and large crocodiles. Visits to the ancient Mayan cities rounds out this exciting program.

Our newly revamped African safari focuses on one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth, as we immerse ourselves in the mass migration of wildebeest in February, 2009. On the rich but short-lived feeding grounds of the southeastern Serengeti, the females drop their calves around this time. Lion, hyena, jackal, cheetah and leopard haunt the grasslands to prey on the newborn, weak or unwary. We will have unsurpassed views of Tanzania’s incredible wildlife in Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks as we travel with zoologist and experienced Quest leader, Chris Earley.

Join naturalist and accomplished photographer Tony Beck as the Arizona desert awakens in the spring and a veritable kaleidoscope of colours blaze forth. This diversified landscape supports a varied mixture of habitats and large numbers of wildlife species, including giant cacti, many flowers, migrant birds, Gila monsters and lizards, to name a few. Our trip timing ensures we will encompass the widest possible diversity of species, plus a wide variety of vistas and landscapes.

Quest ventures into Hungary, Austria, Slovakia and Czech Republic with field biologist Geoff Carpentier. This trip strikes an ideal balance between the natural history and the many cultural attractions of this area. Our journey takes us through steppe lakes, prairie forest reserves and the oak forests of the Carpathian Mountains, as well as the cobbled lanes and ancient fortifications of small towns. We end with two days in Prague, one of Europe’s most beautiful and unspoiled cities.

Our first trip to Borneo departs on September 24 with naturalist leader Geoff Carpentier. With its combination of superb forests, incredible flora and fauna and friendly people, Borneo is a nature destination not to be missed. Some of the oldest and most diverse forests on the planet are found on this fabled island. These magnificent forests shelter and nurture one of the world’s richest collections of wildlife, including endless streams of butterflies, exotic birds and fascinating primates.

Join Quest President Barry Griffiths as he enjoys the warm, salty air of the South Pacific, visiting the islands, atolls and deserted beaches of Fiji and Tahiti. We will take in lush tropical foliage, ancient ruins, roaring waterfalls, virgin rainforest, white beaches, black lava fields and massive volcanoes. We will be introduced to local villagers and will share in many local customs, including astonishing performances of dances and songs. This trip is a bird-lover’s delight, as we look for parrots, honeyeaters, fantails and one of the rarest birds in the world, the Kakerori flycatcher.

Our first voyage into the Caribbean Sea takes place in style, aboard the majestic Caledonia, an 81-metre barquentine that is the largest traditional sailing ship built in Canada in the last 100 years. We begin in the lovely St Lucia and make our way to Grenada, looking for whales and seabirds along the way. We will have shore excursions among lush meadows, deserted beaches, fishing villages and wooded hillsides, focusing on the natural history and culture of the fabled Grenadines with our naturalist leader and wildlife photographer, Tony Beck.

Quest President Barry Griffiths was aboard the I/B 50 Years of Victory on its maiden voyage to the geographic North Pole in June, 2008. He reports an amazing experience as the icebreaker glided easily through solid 3-metre ice. He reported sightings of 8 polar bears, as well as walrus and large numbers of seabirds, as he participated in the many helicopter excursions included throughout the voyage. This incredible opportunity to physically reach the North Pole will be repeated on three voyages in 2009.

We are delighted to offer this rare opportunity to visit the fabled emperor penguins at their nesting grounds in Antarctica aboard the polar-class icebreaker I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov. Our helicopter lands two kilometers away from the rookery so as not to disturb the birds, and we follow a path through huge icebergs to the rookery. We spend 3-4 days in this area, as well as exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. There are some berths still available for the October 2008 departures, as well as 2009 departures.