Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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15 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed March 2011

ANTARCTIC CIRCLE QUEST

An absolutely amazing trip! It had been a long time coming as I booked it 18 months previously, but it did not disappoint.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was so much that was fantastic....the sheer beauty and enormousness (don’t know if that is a real word) of it all, unspoilt by humans, but the most inspiring moment was watching an iceberg calve, and then because its’ centre of gravity had changed, virtually turn over.......and I think I was the only one sitting there watching it! And yes, Paul, I do have photographic evidence!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kirsten was professional, and made the best of the weather conditions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travelling to Ushuaia is very long and tedious, especially if you are on the early flight from Gatwick to Madrid (8 hour wait at Madrid), and even if you have been checked straight through to Ushuaia, you need to collect your baggage, even if you have the domestic flight from the international terminal (very confusing....nearly left my luggage at BA airport). 3 days travelling on board without setting foot on land, can seem a long time, but there are presentations given by various members of the expedition staff that give you an insight to the Antarctic region, its wildlife, and history. You can also go on deck if weather permits, or up to the bridge viewing platforms to pass the time of day and take pictures of the birdlife, or icebergs on your journey south.Once you make your first zodiac trip though, everything previously is forgotten, and take Paul’s advice....don’t have your viewfinder surgically implanted to your eye, make sure you take stock of where you are, and enjoy every moment of it.We were lucky with the weather, and only missed 1 landing, but be prepared that if the weather is bad, you will not be able to go ashore or do the zodiac cruises, and be prepared for some ‘iffy’ moments on the zodiacs if the sea is a bit rough. It was my first time on zodiacs, and now feels that I could cope with anything. It didn’t happen to me, but remember the Aerolineas Argentinas weight restrictions for hand-luggage; 5kg. If you can put your camera equipment in a backpack and have it on your back, they don’t seem to mind. Also, leave room in your case/bag for the Quark Parka. I wore the inner fleece for flying and packed the outer shell, but still fairly cumbersome.

Suggestions

Just book it!! You’ll not regret it. This was my first polar trip, but certainly not my last!!

Reviewed March 2011

ANTARCTIC CIRCLE QUEST

A fantastic trip encompassing magnificent scenery and wildlife viewing.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was an incredible experience from start to finish, but for me the highlight was the afternoon spent kayaking in Paradise Bay. Imaging 360 degrees of snow capped mountains, blue skies, sea ice and perfect mountain reflections in the sea and you still won't be close to experiencing how beautiful the place was.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kirsten was professional throughout and made sure we experienced the best that the Antarctic Peninsula has to offer.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the fact that you have 3 days at sea from Ushuaia before you reach the Peninsula and 2 days on the way back. There are plenty of presentations on the ship to help pass the time and prepare you for the trip but it can seem like a long time since you have left home before you are able to leave the ship and do some landings. Having said that, the sea days are forgotten in an instant as soon as you reach the peninsula and the trip starts properly.We were incredibly lucky with the weather; there was only 1 landing which we were unable to make as the conditions would not allow it. You need to be aware though that if weather conditions aren't favourable you won't be able to do all of the landings or zodiac cruises which could potentially detract from the overall enjoyment of the trip. Aerolinas Argentinas can be quite strict with their luggage allowances; there is a 5kg limit for hand luggage on the internal flight. If you are carrying a lot of photographic equipment then your hand luggage will be way over this. However, if you have your backpack on your back when you check in then they do not seem to weigh it; if it is on a luggage trolley then they will weigh it and potentially ask you to pack some of your hand luggage into your checked luggage. Do not wear expensive jewellery in Buenos Aires and leave your valuables locked in the safe in the hotel.

Suggestions

Go ahead and book the trip - it is truly an experience of a lifetime.

Reviewed March 2011

ANTARCTIC CIRCLE QUEST

An amazing once in a lifetime trip- a spiritual place.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many the spectacular beauty of the scenery was breathtaking- sensory overload.I could have watched the penguins for hours, the seals were entertaining and the whales majestic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Woody was informative, witty and charming!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Seize the day!Save your pennies and go.

Suggestions

The trip was well organised and you are at the mercy of the weather and the wildlife.Take anti sea sickness medication with you and take it before you get sick in the Drake.Go to everything, do everything and sleep later!

Reviewed March 2011

ANTARCTIC CIRCLE QUEST

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

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.

Thoughts on Group Leader

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

Advice for Potential Travellers

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

Suggestions

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.

Reviewed February 2011

ANTARCTIC CIRCLE QUEST

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

Most Inspirational Moment

Deception Island

Thoughts on Group Leader

Woody was marvellous

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.

Suggestions

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

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