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The perfect journey around the archipelago insuring a deep insight of all kind of
sceneries, islands history and above all, Antarctica wildlife, including at least
4 penguin species (Gentoo, Macaroni, King, Magellanic ...)
You can check which species are seen on the main islands in the wildlife document (pdf - 11 Kb)
The Itinerary
Day 1 : Mount Pleasant - Darwin
Arrive Mount Pleasant Airport early afternoon, transfer by private vehicle to Darwin,
a drive of approximately 35 minutes.
Darwin, named after the famous naturalist Charles Darwin who visited the Islands in the 1830s, provides
its visitors with a selection of Falklands history. There is plenty to see from the 1982 conflict,
and then going back some 200 years remnants of the gauchos' occupation in the 1800's.
Darwin House, where you spend your first night in the Falklands, is a modern farmhouse
with its bedrooms having views over Choiseul Sound, the picturesque settlement and Wickham Heights.
Days 2-3 : Port Howard
Transfer by Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) 8-seater
Britten Norman Islander aircraft to Port Howard. The relatively low level flying provides
passengers with exceptional views of the Falklands coastlines and inland scenery. Port Howard
Lodge with its well-manicured lawns, including a putting green, is the ideal location from
which to explore farming life Falklands style.
A chance to see one the Falklands few remaining large farms (and one of the most picturesque)
in action, with a guided walking tour of the settlement taking in a visit to the shearing shed
where the farms 47,000 sheep are shorn, the 1982 war museum, the local school room and dolphin
spotting in the harbour.
On Day 3 you travel by the ubiquitous Land Rover to Fox Bay settlement with a stop at
Hawksnest Pond on the way for a picnic lunch while viewing some 18 species of freshwater fowl,
including the black-necked swan. Included in this full day excursion are a peat cutting
demonstration, a visit to two 1982 aircraft crash sites, and one of the Falklands richest fossil beds.
Days 4-5 :Pebble Island
Transfer by FIGAS to Pebble Island. Pebble Island is one of the larger outlying islands, and the landscape varies greatly from
large ponds and moorland, to long sandy beaches and rocky cliffs. The deep ponds on the east
of the island, many of which are within walking distance of the lodge, are home to Chiloe wigeon,
Grebes, Black-necked swans and a multitude of other wildfowl and wading birds. The half and full
day guided tours in 4x4 vehicle offer ample opportunity to see the abundant wildlife and spectacular
scenery further afield from the settlement, as well as hunting for the semiprecious stones that give
the island its name. Pebble also has something for the historian with some 1982 conflict debris.
Alternatively relax in the comfortable lodge, previously the farm manager's house, which offers views
across the island to Elephant Beach that has even doubled as an airstrip for the Islander aircraft.
Days 6-7 :Saunders Island
Transfer by FIGAS to Saunders Island, and then overland to The Neck.
This 30,000 acre island is still an active sheep farm and is important historically for being the
site of the first British settlement in 1765. However the attraction to the wildlife enthusiast is
undoubtedly the Black-browed albatross colony which stretches along the north coast to the narrow
sandy isthmus known as the Neck. This is unquestionably one of the Falklands best wildlife sites
with King and Rock shags, Gentoo, Rockhopper, Magellanic, King and, if lucky a few Macaroni, penguins
to be seen as well as the albatross. All this wildlife is right at your doorstep at this fully
equipped but isolated self-catering style accommodation. Food can be bought in a small store
at the settlement, or alternatively if you would rather not waste a moment's wildlife viewing,
preprepared meals can be provided at additional cost.
Days 8-9 :Carcass Island
Transfer by FIGAS to Carcass Island. This is one of the most picturesque outer-lying islands,
with the luxuriant, well-established hedges
and trees attracting many small birds such as the Cobb's wren, Black-chinned siskins and Falklands
thrush to nest around the two cottages that accommodate visitors. The sandy beaches, rolling hills
and low cliffs are superb platforms from which to view the multitude of sea and shore birds that
either breed or feed on and around Carcass Island. This destination gives you the opportunity
to explore completely at your own leisure as your stay is in either Rose or Valley self-catering
cottages from where you are also able to enjoy the settlement gardens which have almost a
tropical feel with their Monterey cypress trees, New Zealand cabbage palms and flax and colourful
array of flowers. A small shop for food purchases is available.
Days 10-12 : Sea Lion Island
Transfer by FIGAS to Sea Lion Island where you stay at the purpose-built
Sea Lion Lodge. Sea Lion Island is one of the smallest in the Falklands archipelago, and the most southerly inhabited
island, but is still the prime destination with the sheer abundance of wildlife in such a small area
making it a must on any Falklands itinerary. An introductory and orientation tour by vehicle upon
arrival points out the principle areas of interest, however everything is in easy walking distance
of the lodge - a map and guidelines for safe wildlife viewing are given out on arrival. The
internationally endangered Striated caracara, Antarctic skuas, Southern giant petrels, and a host
of passerines can all be seen on this island. Not to be missed are the Southern sea lions at East
Loafers, and the Elephant seals which bask on the white sandy beach at the appropriately named
Elephant Corner. The latter are close enough to be seen from the lodge bar! Keep an eye open
and there is the odd killer whale to be spotted off shore as well.
Days 13-14 : Stanley
Transfer by FIGAS to Stanley. Following arrival at Stanley Airport and prior to you arrival at the Malvina House Hotel, a city
tour takes in both the historic and most modern parts of this small and remote capital city, as
well as a visit to the museum and the Magellanic penguin colony at Gypsy Cove.
On Day 14 a full-day guided excursion in 4x4 vehicle to Volunteer Point is a highlight of this trip.
With the white sandy beach and turquoise waters this destination has a Caribbeanesque feel to it, but the
King and Gentoo penguins brings you back to the Falklands. There is a host of other wildlife to
be seen along the beach and on the lagoons, as well as spectacular scenery as you traverse the north
of East Falkland.
Day 15 : Mount Pleasant
Transfer to Mount Pleasant Airport by private vehicle. Your route takes you past
many of the 1982 battlefields and, more historically, relics from the gaucho era of the 1800's.
Itinerary subjected to change depending on weather conditions. We cannot guarantee you will see
all species featured in this itinerary.
Optional Excursion : On Day 13 a half-day guided tour in 4x4 vehicle of the 1982 battlefields
in the Stanley area, taking in Tumbledown and Two Sisters Mountains and Sappers Hill at an additional
cost of GBP 40.00 per person.
General Information
Rated: Easy
Getting there
The most convenient and cheap way to visit the Falklands is after a journey into
Chilean or Argentinean Patagonia. There are weekly flights, each Saturday, from Santiago de Chile and
Punta Arenas, stopping once a month in Rio Gallegos (Argentina).
The RAF flies 6 times a month from Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, UK (airfare is around
GBP 922 / USD 1475 / EUR 1330 return)
When to Go
In broad terms, the Falklands' tourist season is the austral summer, roughly
October to April, when the
hours of daylight are longest. However, the best time to visit within this period
depends on your interest.
Wildlife Migratory species such as penguins, seals and black-browed
albatross, arrive to breed in September and depart late March / early
April. The young are born and reared in the Islands throughout the
Southern summer. Flora follows the usual austral season of growth.
Fishing The sea trout season runs from 1 September to 30 April but
September and October and mid February to mid April are
acknowledged as best for encountering good runs of sea trout.
Falklands Mullet is available throughout the period.
0
Fixed Departure dates
Daily with 2 people minimum. (Frequent discounts. ASK !)
| Tour Tariff | ||
| Per person | SGL Supp. | |
| USD | $ 2864 | $ 703 |
| EUR | € 2377 | € 584 |
| GBP | £ 1603 | £394 |
Included:
* Full board accommodation (all meals included) with ensuite facilities at Port Howard Lodge,
Pebble Hotel and Sea Lion Lodge, and ensuite or shared facilities at Darwin House
according to availability at the time of booking
* Self-catering accommodation on Saunders and Carcass Islands
* Hotel accommodation with ensuite facilities including breakfast in Stanley
* All FIGAS flights
* Transfers as specified
* Excursions as specified
Not included: Other meals, drinks, optional excursions, tips
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