Falkland Islands : Flavour of the Islands

Day 1: arrive Stanley
Arrive at Mount Pleasant International Airport and transfer to Stanley, capital of the Falklands Islands, for an overnight stay (BB).

Days 2-3: Stanley-Carcass Island
Transfer to Stanley Airport for your FIGAS flight to Carcass Island. Named after HMS Carcass, the island has remained free from predators and consequently has an abundance of wildlife. Magellanic penguins nest around the settlement and a Gentoo colony is a short walk away. There is also a large colony of striated caracara (Johnny Rook), a small Elephant Seal colony, King Cormorants and Night Herons to be found on the Island.

During your 2-night stay on a full board basis you may wish to join an optional boat trip to nearby West Point Island (additional cost). Take to the seas on the MV Condor (max 10 pax), watching out for dolphins and sea birds on the way. Once at West Point you are free to explore the settlement and surrounding areas, such as Devils Nose Cliffs where wildlife includes Rockhopper penguins, Black-browed Albatross and much more.

Days 4-5: Carcass Island-Sea Lion Island
Board a FIGAS flight to Sea Lion Island for a 2-night stay on a full board basis. 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 and wildlife, including elephant seals (the largest population on the Islands, with up to 1,800 seals) and sealions.

Besides the tussac, there are dazzling white sand beaches, cliffs, fresh water ponds and heath land, all with their own populations and all within walking distance. The 47 different species of birds which can normally be seen on the Island include five species of penguins and five birds of prey (including the Striated Caracara, one of the rarest birds of prey in the world). In addition, every year brings exciting sightings of vagrants. 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.

All wildlife locations are easily accessible on foot and you may explore the island at leisure. An introductory tour can be arranged for island orientation on request, additional cost applies.

Day 6: Sea Lion Island-Stanley
Fly with FIGAS to Stanley and transfer to the Malvina House Hotel for your final 2-night stay on a BB basis.

Day 7: Stanley & Volunteer Point
Join a full day guided 4WD excursion to Volunteer Point. Named after the ship Volunteer, the Point is home to a 2 mile long white sandy beach, bordered by high grassy banks that provide ideal habitats for three species of penguins: Gentoo, Magellanic and King.

The Volunteer point King penguin colony is the largest in the Islands, with around 1,300 adults, rearing 400 chicks each year. Over 1,000 pairs of Gentoo penguins are resident all year round and many other bird species have been recorded in the area. 

Day 8: depart Stanley
This afternoon transfer to Mount Pleasant International Airport for your flight home.


NOTE This holiday option is designed to give a broad experience of the archipelago; best explored by ‘island hopping’. All itineraries can be tailored to suit your individual requirements.