Chile tours

Falkland Islands Wildlife Extension

8 days / 7 nights

Saturday to Saturday

Itinerary

Day 1 (Sat): Punta Arenas / Mount Pleasant / Pebble Island
Fly from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Mount Pleasant International Airport, Falkland Islands. Reception and assisted check in for your internal flight to Pebble Island (approximately 25 minutes). On arrival transfer to Pebble Island Lodge for 2 nights accommodation on full board basis.

Day 2 (Sun): Pebble Island
Full day excursion by 4WD vehicle with driver/guide to wildlife locations around the island. At 24 miles long, Pebble Island is the third largest offshore island in the archipelago. Its diverse terrain offers vast white sandy beaches, moorland and rocky peaks, an extensive area of ponds and wetlands and dramatic costal cliffs. All of these environments provide vital breeding habitats for a wide ranging population of birds, including some rare species such as the Black-necked swan. Thousands of Gentoo, Rockhopper and Magellanic penguins breed on the island each summer, topping the list of some 42 resident bird species.

Day 3 (Mon): Saunders Island
Internal flight to Saunders Islands. Reception and transfer to self-catering accommodation in the Settlement (food will be provided for you from Stanley and some basic items can be purchased from the farm shop). Saunders Islands was the site of the first British settlement in the Falkland archipelago. It is now one large farm of about 30,000 acres. The Island is most well known for the sizable colony of Black browed albatross situated to the North West of the Island. Tour to the colony, where you may also find various other species, including southern giant petrels, rock shags, king shags and the odd striated caracara.

Days 4 & 5 (Tue & Wed): Sea Lion Island
Internal flight from Saunders Islands to Sea Lion Island. Reception at the airstrip and transfer to the Lodge, for 2 nights accommodation on full board basis. An introductory excursion by 4WD vehicle with driver/guide is included to familiarise yourself with the island's layout and wildlife. You may then explore the island at your leisure. Sea Lion Island, the most southerly inhabited island of the Falklands group, is five miles long and just over a mile wide at its widest point, - just the right size for exploring. Beautiful plantations of the spectacular tussac grass cover one fifth of the island and provide a perfect habitat and protection for much of the islands' varied fauna, including elephant seals (the largest population on the islands, with up to 1,800 seals) and sea lions. There are dazzling white sand beaches, cliffs, fresh water ponds and heathland, all with their own populations and all within walking distance. The 47 different species of birds include five species of penguins and five birds of prey (including the Striated Caracara, one of the rarest birds of prey in the world). Pods of killer whales circle the Island in pursuit of the elephant seals and sea lions which breed there. Leopard seals and larger whales are also seen from time to time.

Day 6 (Thu): Port Stanley
Internal flight from Sea Lion Island to Stanley. Reception at Stanley Airport and transfer to your chosen accommodation for a 2 night stay. The options are hotel accommodation on full board basis or a local guesthouse on bed & breakfast basis. Stanley, situated in the North East of East Falkland, with a population of 1,900, is the most remote and smallest capital city in the world. Despite its relatively small size, Stanley offers all the amenities and interests expected of a capital. A small, tidy and colourful town, Stanley is a place to relax for a couple of days, taking in the walks around the town, the museum, war memorials and the hospitality of the town's people. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Stanley and perhaps visit the excellent Museum, open 2.00pm – 4.00pm.

Day 7 (Fri): Port Stanley
Optional full day excursion with driver/guide in 4WD vehicle to Volunteer Point – to see the King penguins, as well as large colonies of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins (open from 1 November), or day at leisure.

Day 8 (Sat): Port Stanley / Mount Pleasant / Punta Arenas
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to Mount Pleasant Airport for your return LAN Chile flight.

Prices

Please enquire for prices.

Note: Flights operate on Saturdays only.

Prices include:
Accommodation and meals as shown, transfers, internal flights, one excursion on Pebble Island, one excursion on Saunders Island and one excursion on Sea Lion Island.

Prices do not include:
International air tickets and airport taxes, optional tours, personal expenses and extras, meals not shown and beverages, optional gratuities for guides and drivers.

Notes

• The itinerary is subject to change. The flight from Mount Pleasant to Pebble Island is on a first come first served basis. If this flight is not available, we may need to alter the order and number of your visits. Options would be provided.
• Single accommodation and supplements are subject to availability.
• Full board can be provided on Saunders Island for groups of 5 or more passengers.
• Prices are exclusive of international flights and subject to change. The above itinerary is our suggestion but can be tailored to suit your own interests and time available.