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...

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  Robert Friel

  ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA

  

  Written January 2009

  It's hard to express just how amazing to visit a true wilderness where people really are just visitors.  My first ever trip with exodus was to the Himalaya in 2001 and had stayed with me ever since - yet it doesn't come close to seeing South Georgia. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  You can't pick one really - was it getting ashore at St Andrews Bay in South Georgia - such an astonishing setting and thousands of King Penguins - or was it Paulet Island, Adelie Penguins with newborn chicks surrounded by ice and a sunset to die for?  Just seeing a host of large tabular bergs washed up against South Georgia and the South Orkney Islands was worth the trip.

   

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The Quark expedition team and Paul were superb.  Great talks, fun zodiac rides and always available.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  It is definitely worth the long journey and the occasionally rough seas if you love wilderness and nature.  It is remote - but that's why it is so special.  Where ever you get to it will be amazing; just don't go expecting to tick off a list of places or sights - the weather rules, it is expeditionary adventure travel - it is definitely not a cruise.

  Make best use of every opportunity offered (even the coldest wettest zodiac rides you can think of!)

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Just got to work out how to go back - now I have a list of photographs I didn't get!  You can't really do it justice first time (too much to take in!)

  The additional days sailing to get to South Georgia are worth it! 

   
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  VIVIAN WRIGHT

  ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA

  

  Written January 2009

  A wonderful wildlife experience plus snow-covered mountains and huge ice sheets seen up close from our plentiful zodiac expeditions - while being based on a very comfortable ship. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Walking among an estimated 100,000 penguins plus many hundreds of fur and elephant seals on South Georgia.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The overall leader who was employed by Quark on a ship which was not exclusive to Exodus clients was a highly qualified and competent North American with vast experience of Antarctic cruises.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Wellingtons are available on board so it's not necessary to take walking boots, especially as no walks are longer than 2 or 3 miles - except possibly on the Port Stanley day. It's also possible to hire waterproof trousers and tops on board (something I can't recall being mentioned in the trip notes) so it's unnecessary to buy and carry these just for this trip.

  Carry as much as possible in your hand baggage on the plane in case your main luggage goes astray.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Be aware 7 full days are spent at sea but these pass easily enough with the frequent presentations, time on the bridge and the easy living.

  We experienced excellent weather on the whole but be aware that stormy conditions or a heavy swell may mean the zodiacs cannot be launched or land on shore and this would severely detract from the pleasure to be gained from this holiday.

   
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  Gillian Sloan

  ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA

  

  Written January 2009

  Food - this was ok, but I felt that there was very little variety, at times very rich, serious lacking in the choice of vegetables.  Dessert option was very disappointing and I ended up only having a couple of desserts.  Plus if you were a vegetarian there was an even more limited choice - most starters / soups contained meat.  I assume that everyone contributes the same amount to the meals, so I feel that I didn't get my money's worth. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Standing at the edge of the penguin colony at St Andrew's Bay

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Woody - one of the best expedition leaders that I have come across

  Annie - her welcoming smile is always a joy to see

  Paul - could have made more of an effort with people who didn't have big lenses (based on many comments made by my fellow passengers)

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Accept that you are going to a very remote area of the world, so weather plays a major part in what it is possible to do - don't bitch about the crew not doing enough when it is very clear that they are going out of their way to find alternative landings.

  Medical emergencies are always a possibility on any trip, if it happens just try to be understanding.

   
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  Graham Walker

  ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA

  

  Written January 2009

  Amazing wilderness and unique wildlife experiences.  However, there are a lot of sea days and you are very much at the mercy of the weather: based on our experience, the suggested landings in the itinerary should be taken with a large pinch of salt!  Similarly, the sea kayaking was stunning, but conditions were such that we only made a single serious excursion in the three weeks. Overall, I would question the value for money (and indeed time) that these cruises offer.  Having said that, if you are looking to go then I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Quark / Exodus: the ship and facilities (including food) were excellent, and the Quark staff and Russian crew were unfailingly friendly and knowledgeable. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The immense King Penguin rookeries on South Georgia, Sea Kayaking around Paulet Island, and amazing ice bergs in all shapes and sizes – the polar TV documentaries don’t come close to conveying the real experience.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  All the team were excellent and made the most of the available opportunities.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be realistic about the amount of sea time and the potential for the weather to disrupt the “ideal” itinerary.

   

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