Shackleton’s Footsteps - A Photographic Expedition with Paul Goldstein

Shackleton’s Footsteps - A Photographic Expedition with Paul Goldstein: Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica             

October 28th, 2023

Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success. This was Ernest Henry Shackleton's fabled rallying call for his epic expedition to the South Atlantic over a hundred years ago. Comfort levels, safety and indeed cuisine have changed immeasurably since those heroic days but the sense of adventure and discovery remains, particularly when embarking on the remarkable Magellan Explorer.

This new ship is not only superbly equipped it is also the correct size for such a voyage. When there are fewer than 100 people there are no limits on landings, vital for a photographic expedition. When you have the bounteous hours of daylight early November brings, you can rest assured that both Paul and the Magellan Explorer staff will maximise it. Weather can be capricious (at best) in the cold Atlantic so every possible opportunity has to be explored and maximised and this is where this magnificent ship and indeed Paul show inexhaustible supplies of energy.

On any expedition (it really isn't a cruise) the most priceless commodity is time, therefore a fast ship and flexible timetable is utterly critical. The extraordinary islands of the Falklands, the vast rookeries of South Georgia and the cobalt iceberg galleries of Antarctica are not fully appreciated when part of a brief clinical visit, in between rigorous mealtimes and shopping. To catch the first blush of dawn as it plants its pastel kisses on the faces of glaciers, icebergs and penguins is a sight unlike any others. To still be ashore six, seven or more hours later proves you are in the company of people and staff that understand why you have taken this long journey South.

Nobody arrives in these South Atlantic prolific strongholds by accident and no one leaves unaffected. You will need memory cards, lots of them, binoculars, and a mind fertile to the exciting variety of these faunal kingdoms. It haunted the likes of Wild, Worsley, Crean, Hurley and others, men who were never really comfortable back home. Come and find out why. So, in conclusion, permit me to reword the Boss's famous classified ad: Men and women wanted for adventurous journey. Variable weather, long hours of complete daylight. Those who like their itineraries rigorously cut and dried, need not apply, but the return date is guaranteed.

It will be an 'honour' to welcome you on board.

Paul Goldstein
Exodus guide, endangered wildlife campaigner and award-winning photographer Paul Goldstein has often said that he is happiest on the plains of the Masai Mara or the decks of a small ship in the Polar regions. Having completed over thirty expeditions, his choice for late autumn is the South Atlantic. Paul has a ridiculous amount of energy and is, as the Sunday Times described him, ‘a preposterously vivacious guide of almost psychotic gusto’. The Times said 'no-one will drag you up the photographic ladder quicker'.

Andy Parkinson
Joining Paul on onboard will be Andy - Nikon Europe Ambassador and a feature contributor to National Geographic magazine. One of Europe’s most acclaimed and respected photographers he has won over 100 National and International awards for his photography, most recently being named Grand Prize winner of the Big Picture Natural World Photography Competition, one of the most prestigious wildlife and conservation photography competitions in the world. His images have also been awarded four times in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards, five times in the GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards and in 2016, as well as winning two categories he was named as the overall winner in Bird Photographer of the Year.

Responsible Travel

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Visa

Antarctica

It’s your responsibility to obtain any visas required for this trip. Visa requirements vary depending on your nationality and destination, so please check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. As a guide, some local governments provide information on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html

Falkland Islands

No visa required.

South Georgia

No visa required for British, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and most EU passports.

Vaccination

Antarctica

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies (bat lyssaviruses). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All meals while on the ship included and offer a variety of choices. A full selection of drinks is served by waitstaff. Breakfast and lunch are offered buffet-style, where your choice of main course is plated by a chef and can then be complemented by side dishes, salads, fruits, and pastries. Dinner is sit-down, with full service. Beers and premium Chilean wines are included with lunch and dinner. Depending on the weather, a barbecue on deck may be offered.

Weather

The average temperature in the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) during the time of our visit is in the 5 - 10°C (40 – 50 °F) range. The average temperature in South Georgia and in the Antarctic Peninsula area during the time of our visit is about 0°C (32°F), although sometimes it may feel a little lower because of the wind chill factor.

Is this trip for you?

Travelling Conditions

The voyages are designed to be as flexible as possible, taking advantage of circumstances and events as they occur, as well as passengers’ wishes and particular interests wherever possible. The atmosphere onboard is relaxed and friendly with expedition staff, including naturalists and Polar experts, on hand and the opportunity to mingle with people from all over the world. The ship is kept warm, clean and comfortable with a wet/mud room in which to hang gear and store boots ready for the next adventure.

On the Zodiac cruises you are sitting still for most of the time with the potential for some sea spray and a cold headwind - if you are not dressed appropriately you will get cold. On the shore excursions, the majority of landings are ‘wet’ which means that the Zodiacs beach and you are helped to slide into the ankle deep shore break before walking up onto dry land (wellington boots are issued to all passengers).

There are, of course, no paths, so be prepared for slippery, rough terrain and sometimes fairly deep snow. Back on board the cosy ship after each adventure, you can have a sauna and/or a hot shower and then relax with a tea, coffee, hot chocolate or something stronger from the bar.

Booking Conditions

Please note that the booking conditions for this trip differ from our standard conditions.

On this specific departure, the required deposit is 30% per person of your selected travel arrangements and the balance of your travel arrangements must be paid at least 133 days before your departure date. The deposit is non-refundable, and at 133 days before departure date, our cancellation penalties are 100% of the holiday cost.

Please note: on this departure, the only discount available is our loyalty discount, if applicable.

Clients joining this departure are required to complete and sign the Participation Form which should be submitted upon reservation and no later than 120 days prior to departure.  Once the Participation Form has been submitted, it is the client's responsibility to communicate any applicable updates to Exodus. Depending on the answers provided on the Participation Form, a medical certificate signed by a doctor may be required. Exodus will not issue refunds to passengers who submit their participation form less than 120 days prior to departure and are not admitted to the trip for medical reasons.

Itinerary

Itineraries are never clinical on a photographic expedition, the itinerary listed is merely a very rough outline as to what could be achieved but with bounteous daylight, long days and very early starts, it will garner far more time ashore in the action than more rigorous departures.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.