Polar adventure to offer first Antarctica trips

Its serene frozen landscape and fascinating wildlife are a big draw for tourists but many visitors to Antarctica are left with a nagging doubt about the environmental impact of their trip. Now a polar adventure company is to trying to assuage some of the guilt by offering the first 'carbon neutral' voyages to the icy continent. Quark Expeditions will offset the emissions of its new 'super yacht' - the Ocean Diamond - by investing in hydro, wind power and reforestation projects in Turkey, Kenya, China and India. The company claims that it will offset an estimated 5,686 tonnes of emissions - the equivalent of removing 1,114 cars from the road for one year - effectively neutralising more carbon dioxide emissions than an entire space shuttle flight. It also insists that there will be no extra cost to any of the ship's 189 passengers. The company's president Hans Lagerweij said: 'Since the company's inception, Quark has been committed to environmentally responsible tourism. 'By operating the Ocean Diamond Antarctica voyages as carbon-neutral, we show it's possible to visit incredible places and preserve them for future generations.' The Ocean Diamond will depart on its inaugural voyage on November 3 and will visit the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica. Guests will be able to spot penguins, seals and whales and take part in activities such as kayaking and cross-country skiing.