Falkland Islands Wildlife

For adventurous travelers who love to discover virgin country full of wildlife, the Falkland Islands are still unspoilt and hardly visited thanks to their extreme remoteness. With more penguins than people along with many other migratory birds, sea lions and other mammals, the Falklands is a fascinating and quite different wildlife destination.

Day 1: Sat. Arrive in Mount Pleasant - Malvina House
Upon arrival to Mount Pleasant Airport you will be taken to Malvina House, where you will spend your first night in the Falklands. Following a tradition that can be traced back to the 1880s, this cozy place, which just recently went through an extensive refurbishment and now has a newly designed bar, and a larger inviting restaurant.

Days 2 - 3: Sun. to Tue. Pebble Island
Breakfast. After a hearty breakfast at Darwin House, transfer to Goose Green just 10 minutes away, one of several grass landing strips on the islands. Board one of the Falkland Islands small aircrafts for a short (25 minute) flight to Pebble Island; a 24 miles / 38 km long Island and the fourth largest island of the Falklands. Its diverse terrain offers vast white sandy beaches, moor lands and rocky peaks, an extensive area of ponds and wetlands, and dramatic coastal cliffs. They all provide for vital breeding habitats for numerous birds. Thousands of Gentoo, Rockhopper and Magellan penguins breed on Pebble Island each summer. Each year the island seems to act as a magnet for many rare avian visitors from mainland of South America and beyond. Marine mammal enthusiasts for  example, can observe congregations of Southern Sea Lions. Our accommodation lodge originally served as the farm managers house of the estate. Now, the managers welcome visitors from around the world to the traditional Falkland farm house. The lodge provides for an insight into work with some 10,000 sheep. From here you can also explore the island and at the same time enjoy the highest standards of hospitality and customer service. Overnight stay at Pebble Island. (Lunch & Dinner)

Days 4 - 5: Tue. to Thu. Sea Lion Island
After a short flight with the Falkland Island Air Service you will arrive at Sea Lion Island. Welcome and then transfer by Land Rover to the nearby lodge. After lunch an orientation drive is scheduled, to observe the premier wildlife destination of the Falklands. The Island is home to 49 species of visiting or nesting birds, at times up to 5 species of penguins. The beaches host the biggest Elephant Seal breeding population of the Falklands with South American Sea Lions breading beneath the cliffs. Occasionally we will also see Leopard Seals and Fur Seals. A brigade of Orcas patrols the coastlines during the Elephant Seal breeding season from September to November. On Sea Lion Island many small birds including the endemic cobs wren can also be observed. It is easy to explore the island, which is 5 miles / 8 km long and just over a mile at its widest point. Beautiful tussac plantations cover one fifth of the island and provide for a perfect habitat and protection for much of the islands varied fauna. You will visit the main places to spot wildlife and get interesting briefings on the wildlife and the island`s history. Return to the Sea Lion Lodge, built in 1986, where all rooms have en suite bathrooms. Excellent food and wine are served in attractive surroundings. After an exciting day of explorations, feel free to relax in the lounge bar which provides for reference books, magazines and some popular board games. Overnight stay at Sea Lion Lodge. (Lunch & Dinner)

Day 6: Thu. Port Stanley
Breakfast. After breakfast you will fly back to Port Stanley. Upon arrival a transfer will take you to the Guest house. The afternoon is at leisure. Stanley has several attractions to offer which you can discover easily on your own. The capital of the Falkland Islands is a bright picturesque town overlooking the harbour. With approx. 1.600 residents, it offers all the facilities you would find in a small English town post office, bank, some small shops, swimming pool and well equipped leisure centre, pubs and guest houses. There is an excellent museum dedicated to the heritage of the islands and a self-guided maritime history trail. Stanley harbour is probably the largest graveyard of 19th century shipping in the world and the trail signposts explain the rich maritime history of this once busy harbour. Overnight stay at the Malvina House.

Day 7: Fri. Full day excursion to Volunteer Point
Breakfast. After breakfast you will start a full day Land Rover excursion to Volunteers Point, one of the very few places to spot King Penguin colonies outside the Antarctic. You will enjoy this amazing wildlife experience. Overnight stay at Darwin House. (Box Lunch)

Day 8: Sat. Fly out from Mount Pleasant
Breakfast. In due time transfer in regular coach to Mount Pleasant International Airport for your LAN Chile flight to Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt or Santiago.