Falkland Islands

Start your journey to Santiago, Chile.

Arrive in Santiago, Chile. Transfer to our hotel for a free day to rest or explore historic and colorful Santiago.

Take the once-weekly flight from Santiago to Mount Pleasant Airport in the Falkland Islands (not included in trip cost). Upon arrival, you will be greeted with a packed lunch and escorted to your flight to Bleaker Island.

You’ll spend your time on Bleaker hiking along this small, wildlife-rich island, including Long Gulch, which is just one of a number of the dramatic inlets in the rocky cliffs. The top of the cliff-top is bordered with tussock grass where about 9,000 pairs of Imperial (King) Cormorants group together and are joined by a colony of about 750 pairs of Rockhopper Penguins, a Bleaker Island highlight. Other highlights you may experience are a Gentoo Penguin highway, Magellanic Penguin burrows dotted across the island, and waterfowl at Big Pond.

Sea Lion Island is one of the smallest in the Falklands archipelago (just five miles long and just over one mile wide at its widest point), and the most southerly-inhabited island. The sheer abundance of wildlife in such a small area makes it a must on any Falklands itinerary. Sea Lion Island hosts over 47 species of bird, including Rockhopper, Gentoo, and Magellanic penguins; you will be graced by some of the 2,800 breeding pairs of Gentoo Penguins with hatched chicks, and scatterings of Southern Giant-Petrels. Please give giant-petrels a wide berth, they can be very nervous and abandon their nests with minimal disturbance. Other birds you may encounter are South American Snipe, Rufous-chested Dotterel, the endemic Cobb’s and Sedge wrens, small birds that have recently been afforded protection from the tall grass that has been allowed to grow after the removal of sheep from the island. The biggest attraction is the large number of Southern Elephant Seals that breed here, principally on the white sandy beach at the appropriately named Elephant Corner. In February, the young pups and recently weaned are plentiful on the beach, making for great behavioral watching. Also not to be missed are the South American (or Southern) Sea Lions at East Loafers. Pods of Killer Whales are also often seen circling close offshore (usually a treat for the early risers) attracted by the prospect of penguins and seals.

Pebble Island is the third largest offshore island and is home to the longest sand beach in the Falklands. Pebble was named in the 1760’s after the beautiful semi-precious pebbles that were discovered on its western beaches. The landscape of Pebble Island varies greatly from pristine beaches, moor lands, and rocky peaks to an extensive area of ponds and wetlands, and dramatic coastal cliffs. All of these provide vital breeding habitats for an incredible list of resident bird species. The deep ponds on the east of the island, many of which are within walking distance of the lodge, are home to Chiloe Wigeon, Silvery Grebes, Black-necked Swans, and multitude of other wildfowl and wading birds. Many thousands of Gentoo, Rockhopper and Magellanic penguins breed on Pebble Island each summer.

Lying to the northwest of the Falklands archipelago, Carcass is one of the most picturesque outer-lying islands. In its 100+ years of habitation this island has had only three owners, all environmentally conscious, and an absence of cats and rats makes the luxuriant, well established hedges and trees an attractive home to many small birds such as the Cobb’s Wren, Black-chinned Siskins, and Austral Thrush. The sandy beaches, rolling hills and low cliffs are superb platforms from which to view the multitude of birds that either breed or feed on and around this island, which include Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, Yellow-billed Pintails, Falkland (or Flightless) Steamer-Ducks, Magellanic Oystercatchers, and Striated Caracaras. A growing colony of Southern Elephant Seals can be found at the far north west point of the island. Both the north and south of the island provide great hiking opportunities, taking in interesting flora, long white sand beaches (some good beachcombing), penguin colonies, and sheltered dunes which make great picnic spots.

Weather permitting; you will take a boat ride to Steeple Jason Island. We will do everything in our power to get the group there, but rough seas can delay or cancel this departure.

Steeple Jason is the outermost northwest island, now a reserve owned by Wildlife Conservation Society. Albatross are the main attraction, their nests thickly wrapping around the base of the striking island. More Black-browed Albatross nest here than anywhere else on earth, at least a quarter million birds! From a distance, the immense colony on the lower shores looks like freshly fallen snow. As you approach, you’ll see thousands of birds circling in the air and rafting on the water like tiny icebergs, and once ashore, maneuver through the tall, wispy tussock grass to arrive at the colony and experience albatross flying very close overhead.

The freedom from predation and active habitat restoration work by owner Rob McGill has blessed Carcass with an immediately evident ambiance, different from anywhere else in the Falklands. You will have plenty of time to explore this very special island with our guide or completely at your own leisure as you choose.

On West Point Island, experience vast numbers of Black-browed Albatross, Rockhopper Penguins, and superb cliff scenery on our full day excursion. West Point lies off the most northwesterly point of West Falkland, west from Carcass about an hour by boat; during the transfer enjoy dolphins and birds swooping down to feed in the rich seas.

Once on West Point Island you are free to explore the picturesque settlement, stop in for tea, and make your way to Devil’s Nose Cliffs – the wildlife hotspot. A lift across the two miles of gentle track may be available via Land Rover. On the return journey, conditions permitting, we may circumnavigate West Point Island to give spectacular photographic opportunities.

You’ll bid the outer islands farewell to return to Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands. The timing of your charter flight depends on weather and other flight schedules, but will likely be around midday. With a population of around 2,000, Stanley is the smallest and most remote capital city in the world, in many ways like an English village from decades ago with the addition of a Government House, a cathedral, and a wide range of amenities and services. The city is built on a north-facing slope to catch the sun throughout the year, looking across Stanley Harbor with its wealth of seabirds and trickle of shipping. Stanley’s historical interest is associated with the great age of sail when rounding Cape Horn was the most daunting nautical passage on the planet. Some of those ships still lie in the harbor, abandoned after a Cape Horn battering. A self-guided Maritime History Trail has been set up in Stanley and guidebooks are available from local shops.

Stanley depicts a new vibrant Falklands, and is home to many successful businesses, with deep-sea fishing, tourism, farming and most recently oil prospecting being the principle earners.

After about a 2.5-hour drive by Landrover, you’ll arrive at the white sandy beach and turquoise waters of Volunteer Point, a destination with almost a Caribbeanesque feel to it, but the King, Gentoo, and Magellanic penguins will bring you back to the Falklands. Discover the largest accessible King Penguin colony in the Islands outside of South Georgia, containing approximately 1,000 adults. You may also find other wildlife such as Long-tailed Meadowlarks, Austral Thrush, South American Snipe, and South American Tern, Blackish and Magellanic oystercatchers, and Upland, Kelp, and Ruddy-headed geese. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you traverse the north of East Falkland.

Leave Mount Pleasant Airport and transfer to international flights homeward in Santiago, or to Punta Arenas if you are joining our Antarctic Peninsula voyage.

• All leaders, transport, landing fees, and permits for all activities unless described as optional.
• Internal flights in the Falkland Islands: Stanley to Bleaker Island, Bleaker Island to Sea Lion Island, Sea Lion Island to Pebble Island, and Carcass Island to Stanley.
• Meals from breakfast on Day 3 through lunch on Day 17.
• Accommodations for the nights of Day 2 through Day 16.
• Trip Materials – information about flights, packing, entry and departure requirements, airport transfers, gratuities, etc.

• All airfare (except flights listed as included), airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees. Airfare is approximately $2,000–$2,500 from the USA to Mount Pleasant, depending on origin.
• Passport and visa fees.
• Gratuities: Tipping is, of course, discretionary, however we suggest budgeting about $10 per participant per day (total of $130 per participant) for guides and hotel staff.
• We can arrange divergent airport transfers and extra hotel nights for an extra cost.
• Emergency medical and evacuation insurance, but it is required for you to purchase.. Read more about travel insurance.
• Trip cancellation insurance. Read more about travel insurance.
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, alcoholic and other beverages, and items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Reservation/Release Form.