Antarctic Circle Quest

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Martin Grace

  ANTARCTIC CIRCLE QUEST

  

  Written March 2011

  This was an expedition that promised much but delivered rather less, though I would have given it 3 stars out of 5 if there had been no description of the categories. We weren't told in advance that our Photographic and Whale Special had been amalgamated with another trip because of insufficient bookings, and this really diluted its value, particularly as the expedition leader was from the non-photographic trip and did not appear particularly sympathetic to the needs of photographers. The quality of the catering was poor compared with previous trips: contracting out the catering to the lowest tender was not sensible and will not encourage repeat bookings. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Excellent landings on Petermann Island and Danco Island which gave good photographic opportunities and just about adequate time.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  She spoiled the trip with excessive over-caution with regard to Health and Safety, and inflexibility with regard to landing times. We were not allowed out on deck if the decks were wet or the sea was even a little rough, thereby preventing us from experiencing the full atmosphere of the Antarctic. On our previous Exodus Antarctic trip the leaders did their utmost to allow us the genuine Antarctic experience, but with this one we might as well have been in an enclosed capsule for much of the time. Often only half the ship's zodiacs were deployed for landings, when to deploy the full complement would have given us significantly extra time on land.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Inevitably there is a huge of travelling involved on this trip - from the UK or wherever to Ushuaia and thence to the Pole side of the Antarctic Circle. Be prepared for long roughish days on board ship across the Drake Passage and don't expect too much in the way of wildlife sightings, though we did have very good views of whales (particularly humpbacks). Leaving late in the season (late February) means that there is a good chance of achieving the objective of crossing the Antarctic Circle but does mean that the penguin breeding is completely over apart from a few stragglers and the majority of penguins seen will be moulting.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The Ioffe is not the ideal polar ship. The layout of the Vavilov with an open deck behind the lounge/bar on deck 5 is much more conducive to the polar experience. Do try to travel with the ebullient Paul Goldstein - wherever - Svalbard is a very good option. The odds against Paul may have been just too great this time for him to ignite the trip, but he will always try his best to maximise the viewing and photographing experience and he's an annoyingly good photographer to boot (not that I'm jealous).

   
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  Richard Boardman

  ANTARCTIC CIRCLE QUEST

  

  Written February 2011

  The journey to and from Ushuaia was long and tedious but when we got on the boat things improved immediately.  The journey across Drakes Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula was a bit rough and I was sick until the Doctor gave me some very good pills. Once there it was calm.  we started at King George Island and went south, calling at various Islands as we went.  There was floating Ice and Icebergs everywhere.Everything was black(rock) or white (Ice). We saw nothing green after leaving King George. The only other colour was a bit of yellow (lichen) and some red stain on the snow.  The scenery was everywhere spectacular. Ice Cliffs with blocks breaking off and black rock precipices.  There were a few rocky beaches and one black sand beach.  We were loaned Wellington Boots and given a heavy, warm waterproof jacket for use on the zodiacs and on land.  In antarctica they were very useful and necessary but I don't think it will ever be cold enough in Enland for me to wear it again. There were penguins everywhere.  we landed at one colony and I have never seen so many creatures of one species together at the same time.  They smelled awful.. We crossed the antarctic circle and tried to land at one of the scientific bases but it was too rough. We went back north and paused in Paradise Harbour. Here it was fantastically smooth and peacefull. We saw an occasional Whale and some of the party went on a zodiac cruise to where there were some spectacular grounded icebergs. There were also seals and lots of birdsWe landed at one scientific station and I climbed a low cliff and looked into the water. I could see a penguin catching fish under the water.  On land the penguins were clumsy and awkward, under the water they were incredibly quick and active, darting here and there like dragonflies.On the last day we went to Deception Island.  This is a flooded volcanic caldera.  We entered through a very narrow entrance called 'Neptunes Bellows' and  landed just inside the entrance.  Inside the caldera, the water was warmed by volcanic activity and some people went swimming. Sadly, one thing I hadn't brought was a bathing costume.Finally back across Drakes Passage to Ushuaia, much smoother than the way out and we saw Cape HornThe journey back from Ushuaia was awful but that was British Airway's fault not Exodus 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Deception Island

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Woody was marvellous

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Bring warm waterproof trousers.  One hint that I was given was to bring a clip to attach something colourfull to my pair of boots so that I could spot them amongst lots of similar pairs.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A wonderful holiday, but Spitzbergen gives you much the same scenery and the journey is much easier

   
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  LINDA WILLS

  ANTARCTIC CIRCLE QUEST

  

  Written February 2011

  This was a holiday of a life time, and was beyond all our expectations. The whole expedition was superbly organised and all the expedition staff were so enthusiastic, knowledgable and helpful, making sure that everyone had the best experience possible.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  It is so difficult to pick one moment out of such a wonderful experience and we all said 'How are we going to describe our experiences to our friends when we get home.' Ice berg alley was just fantastic with such colour as well as grandeur and crossing the circle was a very special moment. Seeing albatross flying behind the ship and of course the wonderful penguins, seals and whales was truely amazing.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Absolutely fantastic. Woody made everyone feel special and was so caring as well as enthusiastic, encouraging and great fun.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go on the expedition as soon as you can and enjoy every moment.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  We just had such a wonderful time and are now saving to go to go to the Arctic. It was amazing and a privilege to see the animals in their natural habitat, not being phased by our presence and showing us their everyday lives. The lectures given by the expedition staff were very well presented, interesting and informative in a way that didn't need us to be experts!

  The ships crew were so helpful, pleasant and efficient and the catering was absolutely fantastic. In the rough seas the staff were very caring for passengers who were not well.

  Words just cannot describe adequately the fantastic time we had so thank you for making this possible for us.

   
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  David Jowett

  ANTARCTIC CIRCLE QUEST

  

  Written February 2010

  A lifetime's ambition achieved; a worthy complement to "Spitsbergen Explorer".  I can never answer the question "Which did you prefer?" 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Humpback whales a few yards from the zodiac

  Icebergs of every conceivable shape

  Coastal scenery of the peninsula

  Penguins and albatrosses

  What did you think of your group leader?

  A man with all the qualities necessary for the job, including enthusiasm and boundless optimism.  He had been our leader in the Arctic and we did not dare hope we should have him again, but there he was as we boarded the ship in Ushuaia.  Woody makes the trip more than just memorable.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be aware that weather or ice conditions may cause alterations to the planned itinerary.

   
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  Nicola Gowan

  ANTARCTIC CIRCLE QUEST

  

  Written February 2010

  A fabulous and memorable trip blessed by good weather, favourable ice conditions, calm seas and great wildlife sightings.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Travelling through the channel between Adelaide Island and the mainland (never before traversed by the Vavilov!)

  Close encounters with Humpback and Minke whales.

  Walking through penguin colonies.

  The awesome scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula.

  Seeing albatrosses, especially on the way down. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Rupert was an excellent and very efficient and dedicated leader with a nice dry sense of humour. I will miss his dulcet tones waking us up each morning on the PA system. I was also very impressed with the other staff on board and the wealth of knowledge that they possessed. They all did their utmost to ensure that we got the most out of our excursions but in a way that kept us safe at all times and caused the least amount of disturbance to the wildlife. Added to this they were all great fun and very friendly.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Although we were very lucky with the weather and the ice conditions - be aware that these change and you may not be able to do all the planned excursions or travel on a particular route.

  Take plenty of strong seasickness pills if necessary.

  Take plenty of layers - it can get very cold sitting on the zodiacs.

  Take some good binoculars.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Although the time spent on the Peninsula is relatively short, the trip packs in such an intense variety of experiences that it feels much longer. The ship that I travelled on, the Sergey Vavilov, although not luxurious, is very comfortable and the crew all work very hard. I thought that the food was excellent especially considering that there are only four cooks in the galley! I also enjoyed the presentations that were put on and the more informal bar talks in the evening.

   

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