Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia

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...

Average Review Rating: from 16 reviews.

john cross

ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA

Written February 2012
This was a very special trip. We had fantastic weather and managed 19/20 planned landings by Zodiac. There was an abundance of wildlife, both birds and mammals, including some seldom seen birds and whales.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The sheer number of penguins with fat fluffy chicks. The size of the wandering and black browed Albatrosses. Seeing Fin, Sei, Humpback and Orca whales as well as a feeding Southern Right whale.
What did you think of your group leader?
Shane was a very inspirational leader, confident, wise and well organised witha good grasp of what was possible and what was not.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you have any interest in wildlife at all then this is a trip you should put at the top of your wish list.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was my 9th trip with Exodus (and I have just booked my 10th one) and the 65th country I visited. This trip was to one of the most spectactular places I have ever seen.
Angela Longman

ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA

Written February 2012
The Sea Spirit was very comfortable, the only problem they need to address is the food, as it was tepid and mediocre. We have been on Polar travels several times before and the food was always superb. not sure if the problem lies with Quark or the Danish owners.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
We saw every type of seal and penguin, including a young Emperor one out on the ice which was pretty special. the highlight has to be a humpback whale feeding at Hannahs Point on the last afternoon which swam between 2 of the Zodiacs almost within touching range.
What did you think of your group leader?
Shane Envoy was full of fun and energy and an inspiration to all the passengers.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The girl who ran the shop on board was highly obnoxious. I gather she is employed by Quark as opposed to the owners. I had occasion to return a paid of leather bootees, the day after purchase, as I felt that the leather seam inside was harsh to young feet. She pointed out that exchanges/refunds could only happen on day of purchase, a notice was hidden amongst stock to this effect. She eventually contacted her bosses who agreed to the exchange. The next few days were busy and when we took the goods back, she said she had sold 100s with no complaint. I then said I would buy a child's Tshirt instead. She pointed out that they were reduced as they had been wrongly tagged, in case I came back and complained.
Her interpersonal skills are sadly lacking.
Norman Seddon
ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA

Written February 2012
A truly wonderful experience. It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to visit such an awe inspiring part of the world, and to have been made aware of the importance of keeping Antarctica and its wildlife in its present state for future generations.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The sounds and smell of a penguin colony.
Visiting Shackleton's grave.
Kayaking amongst the ice with seals and penguins alongside.
Icebergs.
The total lack of fear of humans shown by the wildlife.
The clear air.
Watching the albatrosses following the ship.
What did you think of your group leader?
Shane was a charismatic and dynamic leader. His daily roundups of the day's happenings and the next day's programme were inspiring and amusing. He was well supported by a team of knowledgable and enthusiastic expedition staff. The educational programme covered a wide variety of topics and was superbly delivered.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is the trip of a lifetime. You will come back with a changed view of the world, having seen so many different landscapes, seen so much wildlife, met so many interesting folk from around the world (our trip had 15 different nationalities) and learnt so much through the educational programme.The ship (Sea Spirit) and its crew were excellent.
Kathy Kerr
ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA

Written February 2012
Holiday of a lifetime, which will never be forgotten. Had an absolutely amazing time from start to finish. This holiday was beyond our expectations!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
King Penguins and their chicks, so funny!
Gentoo chicks laying on my lap
Up close and personal (about 8-10 feet away) from humpback whale swimming towards us - Awesome !
Abundant wildlife behaviour to watch and photograph
Fantastic scenery, weather and itinerary
Amazing icebergs
Watching Adelie penguins stealing stones from other nests, and looking so innocent when caught, just like on 'Frozen Planet' hilarious!
Educational presentations by the Quark staff were so informative and very helpful, learnt so much.
What did you think of your group leader?
Shane was brilliant and did everything he could to get us ashore, and succeeded as we managed 21 landings and zodiac cruises. At the briefings he was inspirational in telling us to "put down our cameras and feel our surroundings, watch the animals, take photos with your mind", he was so right! Shane even surprised us with a cruise round Cape Horn (which was unexpected).
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you thought you might like to do this trip, dont think anymore, DO IT! You will have a life changing experience.
Wildlife in abundance, be on the first zodiac out and the last one back!
Don't be tempted to have your eyes permanently stuck to the camera lens - just sit and watch it all happen around you ! Take a tri-stool like we did and just sit and take it all in.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The remainder of the expedition staff were amazing; Jamie, Tony, Mikolaj and Damien were so informative, their knowledge was immense and nothing was too much trouble for them. Angela (our shop assistant and newly qualified zodiac driver) was great, she was our driver around icebergs and she couldn't do enough to make our experience as enjoyable as possible; her patience, kindness and consideration were immense. Krystle was great with her photographic tips and Val and Solan brilliant for the kayakers. Dave and Karin were brilliant drivers and full of fun. Last but not least, Duncan who did so much behind the scenes and whose organisational skills were greatly appreciated.
The crew onboard the ship were professional, friendly and helpful. If we did have a complaint, then it would be that the food was good, but could have been a bit warmer.
Andy Barnes

ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA

Written January 2012
It was a long way to travel - but it was well worth it, started with a few days in Ushuaia (Argentina) before the expedition cruise started. Ushuaia is a small town with many overpriced so called duty free shops, and outside the town is the National Park - which to be honest was very ordinary.Now to the actual trip itself - the Falkland, South Georgia and Antarctica - it was brilliant, very well run by the expedtion staff and the journey on the Valivov was 'plain sailing'.On this trip we missed one zodiac cruise, but managed to carry out all the other activites.Managed to see all the expected wildlife for that time of year, and great views when land and ice in view.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
South Georgia had everything, the scenery, history and the wildlife.
What did you think of your group leader?
Lynn Woodward - is an expert on the areas visited, so was always able to pass on her substantial knowledge.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Great for wildlife photography.
Spend as much time out on deck or on the bridge - you dont know what is going to swim or fly by !
(Could not beleive that out of 95 holiday makers on board - there were only three of us 'looking').
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It was my second Polar Trip - having visited the Arctic in 2010, the two ends of the planet are very different - with the Polar Bears and flat ice in the North and the 'millions' of Penguins and 'high rise' Icebergs in the South, both trip were superb and very different experiences and would recommend both to everybody.
Derek Holwill

ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA

Written November 2011
Fantastic - great photographic trip. A lot of days at sea though - so an interest in sea-birds useful! South Georgia should be a must for anyone who enjoys photographing wildlife, so the time toget there is well worthwhile.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Gold Harbour on a sunny day with blue skies and mating elephant seals all over the place; and Shackleton's grave
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent - the best we've had on 4 antarctic trips
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be on the first zodiac going to land, and one the last one back! And take lots of sea-sickness tablets
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I know it's a Quark trip - but an extra day or 2 in the Falklands would be great
Terri Jones

ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA

Written March 2011
A wonderful trip. Once youy have seen Antarctica, you understand the importance of conserving and protecting it. Be prepared to come back as an ambassador for the region!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Too many to say! The first wonder was seeing an albatross fly past our cabin window when we opened the curtains in the morning. Then there were the hundreds of thousands of penguins on South Georgia at St Andrews Bay, Shackeltons Grave at Grytviken, and the pod of Orcas that swam past the ship at one point.
What did you think of your group leader?

Kirsten was an experienced and conscientous leader. Excellent briefing and debriefings. A general feeling that she knew the area well, the flora and fauna, together with the inherent risks associated with any landings.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Be prepared to accept that conditions in the Southern Ocean completely determine what you can or cannot do by way of landings. Choose a ship (like ours - The Ioffe) which can handle bad conditions and on which the movement of the ocean is less obvious than on lesser vessels.
Be prepared to be amazed!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The Expedition Team were exceptional, the Crew wonderful, the food was very good and very plentiful. Expect to put on weight! It helped to have a superb, well captained, ship like the Akademik Ioffe, which was more stable than one would imagine, even in a Force 12, in the Drake Passage.You will take more pictures than you imagine, but do spend some time not looking through the viewfinder.
The DVD at the end of the trip was great. It was nice not only to have a slide show, but also all of the peoples best picture choices. The maps and daily bulletins helped to write up journals and remind us of anything we had forgotten.
If you can go to South Georgia, do so. The combination of scenery, history and wildlife makes South Georgia one of the special places on this planet. It does help if you can get the very good weather we had.
If you have any desire to go - then GO!