FALKLAND ISLANDS WILDERNESS DISCOVERY
Tour Duration: 6 days. 5 nights
Accommodation: Sea Lion Lodge and
Malvina House
Valid:
October 2009
Saturday: Mount
Pleasant - Darwin House
On arrival at Mount Pleasant Airport, you will be transferred to
Darwin House, where you will spend your first night on the Falkland
Islands. Darwin House offers comfortable surroundings and excellent
cuisine using local produce. Prettily located at the northern end of
the Darwin harbor and with excellent views of Mount Usborne, it was
named after Charles Darwin, the British naturalist and father of
evolutionary theory who once camped there. In the 19th century it
was the principal centre of farming activity in the Islands and
still retains traces of those times.(D)
Sunday to Tuesday: Pebble
Island
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, the
fourth largest island in 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. All of these provide
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 South America and beyond. Marine mammal
enthusiasts can observe congregations of Southern sea lions at their
haul out rocks. The lodge originally served as the farm manager's house
on the estate. Now the managers welcome visitors from around the world
to the traditional Falkland farm house. From here, you can explore the
island and experience a Falkland farm working with some 10,000 sheep
while enjoying the highest standards of hospitality and customer service
on the lodge. Overnight stay at Pebble Island.( B,L,D)
Tuesday to Thursday:
Sea Lion Island
After a short flight with the Falkland Island Air Service you will
arrive at Sea Lion Island. Welcome and 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 major Elephant Seal breeding population
of the Falklands: South American Sea Lions bread beneath the cliffs.
Here Leopard Seals and Fur Seals can also occasionally be observed. A
pod of Orcas patrol the beaches during the Elephant Seal breeding season
September - November. 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 a perfect habitat
and protection for much of the islands' varied fauna. You will visit the
major places to spot wildlife and have an interesting briefing on the
wildlife and island's history. Return to the Sea Lion Lodge, built in
1986, where all rooms have en suite bathrooms and excellent food and
wine are served in attractive surroundings. On Sea Lion Island many
small birds including the endemic cobbs wren can be observed. After an
exciting day exploring feel free to relax in the lounge bar which
provides reference books, magazines and some favorite board games.
Overnight stay at Sea Lion Lodge. (B, L, D)
Thursday: Port Stanley
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 can be discovered easily
on your own. The capital of the Falkland Islands is a bright picturesque
town overlooking the harbor. With approx. 1.600 residents, it offers all
the facilities you 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 harbor
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 harbor. Overnight stay at the Malvina House. (B)
Friday: Full day excursion
to Volunteer Point
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. (B,BL)
Saturday: Departure
In due time transfer in regular coach to Mount Pleasant International
Airport for LAN Chile flight to Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt or Santiago
(B).
End of services
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Cost:
USD$2550.00 per person sharing
PRICE INCLUDES:
7 night accommodation with breakfast
2 lunches
1 lunch box,
3 dinners
Airfare Darwin to Pebble Island, Pebble Island to Sea Lion, Sea Lion to
Stanley (allowed luggage 14kg only)
Transfers in and out without guide
Transportation and excursions as mentioned with a bilingual guide
Excursion to Volunteer Point on a shared basis (SGL).
Please note: Rates are subject to reconfirmation. The local
authorities require payment of 20 British Pounds (£) when you leave the
islands. Program season is from October to March, out of season the
program is operational, but in an edited version.
PRICE EXCLUDES:
International air tickets and associated taxes.
Meals
not specified on the itinerary.
Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages,
etc.
Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident.
Tips,
baggage porterage and other extras not specified.
CONDITIONS:
Tour must be paid in full at time of booking
Only full payment can guarantee travel and a permit on the trail
Price applies to a minimum of two people per person sharing and
excludes single supplements where they may apply.
Price applies to tours undertaken during October 2009
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