This comprehensive itinerary to The Falkland Islands offers you the opportunity to experience and photograph the region's remarkable wildlife under the expert guidance of photography leader Kevin Morgans.
The Falkland Islands are the ultimate experience for any photographer, being home to some of the world's rarest birds and mammals. The five species of breeding penguins never fail to delight with their antics at sea and on shore; they are one of the many highlights during our time on the islands.
For many, the highlight of any trip to the Falklands is the black-browed albatross colonies, and with 72% of the world's population calling these islands home, it certainly won't disappoint. During the trip, we visit the spectacular West Point, lying roughly an hour offshore from Carcass Island, which is home to a huge colony of albatross that breed on the rugged cliffs of the island.
Southern elephant seals, the world's largest pinniped, will also be in attendance on the beaches as the males battle for supremacy. South American sea lions float in the shallows, and dolphins are often spotted surfing the waves. If we're lucky, we may even spot an orca hunting during our time on Sea Lion Island.
With the relaxed nature of these islands, wildlife encounters are often personal and not shared with large numbers of people. There aren't many places on the planet where the wildlife is more interested in you than vice versa, making these islands the perfect blend of relaxation and photography.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Depart UK
If flight schedules allow, we will fly direct from London to Santiago, Chile.
Day2: Arrvie Santiago, Chile, and overnight
On arrival in Santiago, we transfer to our centrally-located hotel, where we have the afternoon to spend at leisure.
Accommodation: Singular Hotel, 1-night
Day3: Fly to Stanley, Falkland Islands
Early this morning, we transfer back to Santiago Airport for a flight south to Punta Arenas, with an onward connection to Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands.
On arrival, we transfer by road for approximately one hour to the town of Stanley, with the remainder of the afternoon free to explore the capital.
From Stanley, we take a short flight to Bleaker Island, where a wealth of wildlife awaits. Amongst the many highlights are a large colony of imperial shags, rockhopper, gentoo and Magellanic penguins and southern sea lions. We have two full days to explore the island at our own pace, making the most of our time in the field and the morning and evening light.
We next fly to Sea Lion Island where we are likely to encounter our first southern elephant seals, alongside colonies of Magellanic, gentoo and rockhopper penguins, southern sea lions and some of the archipelago’s passerine species such as the endemic Cobb’s wren, tussac bird, dark-faced ground tyrant and white-bridled finch.
In November, southern elephant seal pups take to the sea for the first time, utilising the small pools at the water’s edge. It's these pools that certain orca have learned to infiltrate, snatching an unsuspecting pup before retreating to the open sea.
Enormous bull elephant seals, measuring over four and a half metres in length and weighing close to four tonnes, are still present, defending their hareems from other males. If fights break out, it can make for some incredible photographic opportunities.
After a short flight north-west across the archipelago, we arrive on Carcass Island for a three-night stay.
In addition to the now familiar Magellanic and gentoo penguins, and southern elephant seals, the interior of the island offers the chance of short-eared owl, long-tailed meadowlark and black-throated finch.
If weather conditions allow, we take a boat trip to West Point, a small island of approximately 1,500 hectares which provides refuge to a large black-browed albatross colony and smaller numbers of rockhopper penguins. Both species are beautifully photogenic, and with the albatrosses constantly flying past at close quarters, there are plenty of opportunities to practice photographing them in flight.
The waters around the island are also a favourite haunt of both Commerson's and Peale's dolphins, and with luck, we may encounter both species on our journey over.
We next fly east to Saunders Island, where we spend much of our time at an area known as The Neck. It is here that we're likely to encounter our first king penguins of the trip alongside gentoo, Magellanic, rockhopper and even the occasional macaroni penguins.
At the rookery, we find a colony of black-browed albatross numbering some 12,000 pairs, as well as imperial shags and striated caracara.
On the shoreline, we're almost certainly likely to encounter bizarre snowy sheathbills, a pigeon-like scavenger, as well as dolphin gulls, Falklands and blackish oystercatchers, endemic Falklands steamer duck and white-rumped sandpiper.
Today we must leave Saunders Island and return to Stanley, where we have the remainder of the day to spend at leisure. There is plenty to see and do, and even to photograph in Stanley, or you can simply relax at the hotel.
Accommodation: Malvina House Hotel, 2-nights
Day16: Volunteer Point penguin colony
Today we leave Stanley early in the morning and drive for approximately three hours to Volunteer Point, which is the site of a large king penguin colony (approximately 1,200 birds). The colony is centred around Volunteer Beach, and this is where we focus our efforts for the day. With a large sandy beach, it's the perfect place to capture iconic images of these beautiful birds as they come ashore and head out to sea.
As well as the king penguins, there is a further chance to photograph both Magellanic and gentoo penguins. This is our last full day on the Falkland Islands, and having a final opportunity to spend time with these magnificent birds should provide us with ample opportunity to experiment with new angles and capture a different range of images.
Day17: Fly to Santiago via Punta Arenas
After breakfast, we transfer to Mount Pleasant airport for our flight to Santiago, via Punta Arenas.
On arrival in Santiago, we collect our bags and walk the short distance to the hotel, which is located just outside the airport entrance
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Airport Hotel, 1-night
Day18: Depart Santiago
The morning is free until we return to the airport for our flight back to the UK.
Day19: Arrive UK
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 19 daysfrom £9,850 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 17 daysfrom £8,850 pp
Single supplement:
From £1,200
Trip type:
Group Tour
Tailor-made can be arranged
Group size: 7
Group Departures:
Make a booking request.
, Fully booked
, Limited spaces, Itinerary operates in reverseBook
Kevin is a multi-award-winning wildlife photographer, tour leader, and photographic guide and has seen his work published across the globe.
His work with Atlantic puffins recently won the prestigious portfolio prize in Bird Photographer Of The Year, along with a category win in Golden Turtle & multiple awarded images in MontPhoto, Environmental Photographer Of The Year, Natures Best & Nature Image Awards to name a few.
Kevin has a passion for photographing UK wildlife, but his journey has seen him travel further afield across Europe, Canada, and the polar regions in search of wildlife. He is an experienced guide who has been running 1-1 and group workshops for many years, using this experience to pass on his knowledge of the natural world and how best to capture it.
Chile’s capital and its largest city is located in the central valley, with the snow-capped Andes to the east, and the coastal range to the west. A lively and dynamic place, it is one of Latin America’s most sophisticated locations, and there is lots to see in the city and surrounding Andes.
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Where: Santiago Metropolitan Region
Excellent for: City stopover, History & culture
The second largest of the Falklands Islands, Saunders was the site of the first British settlement in 1765. The north is made up of two peaks, divided by a thin strip of sand known as the Neck - home to large colonies of Magellanic and gentoo penguins, and considered one of the best wildlife sites of the Falklands.
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Where: West Falkland
Ideal for viewing: black-browed albatross, king shag, king penguin, falkland steamer duck, gentoo penguin
The most southerly inhabited island, featured in many prize-winning photos, is quite small, so easy to explore. Much is covered with tussock grass, creating a perfect habitat for colonies of elephant seal and sea lions. The sandy beaches, cliffs, freshwater ponds and heathland are home to 47 bird species.
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Where: East Falkland
Ideal for viewing: elephant seal, leopard seal, orca, South American sea lion, sooty shearwater
Excellent for: Wildlife photography
This isolated, low-lying island off the south-east coast of East Falkland has wide sandy bays and sheltered coves – it is small and flat, so walking between bird colonies is easy. Of interest is its large colony of rockhopper penguin (over 750 pairs), and its many pools are home to large numbers of waterfowl.
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Where: East Falkland
Ideal for viewing: gentoo penguin, king cormorant, Magellanic penguin, rockhopper penguin, striated caracara
Excellent for: Penguin watching, Birdwatching
The islands’ capital is located on East Falkland around a picturesque harbour, and is a lively small, historic town, with a distinctly British feel. It’s a pleasant place to relax or perhaps visit nearby sites such as Volunteer Point, with its large colonies of king, Magellanic and gentoo penguins.
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Where: East Falkland
Excellent for: City stopover
Named after the survey vessel on which Horatio Nelson served, the island avoided introducing cats and rats, therefore the wildlife has no predators and are approachable. Devil’s Nose is home to 2,000 breeding pairs of blackbrowed albatross and 500 pairs of rockhopper penguins, an amazing sight.
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Where: West Point Islands
Ideal for viewing: elephant seal, gentoo penguin, king cormorant, Magellanic penguin, striated caracara
Excellent for: Penguin watching, Birdwatching
A unique sub-Antarctic archipelago consisting of nearly 800 islands, the Falklands are home to an exceptional array of wildlife onshore including southern elephant seals, fur seals and sealions as well five species of penguin. Offshore, you can expect to see Commerson’s and Peale’s dolphins and several whale species.
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Home to only two inhabitants, Bleaker is an isolated island, ideal for those who want to discover the Falklands off the beaten track and fully appreciate the unique environment. The wildlife is conveniently located close to the settlement where two of the four houses accommodate visitors.
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Accommodation on Carcass Island is in a small settlement which is home to only seven residents. Visitors stay in the owner’s house, with all meals taken with the family. The island is self-sufficient in organic vegetables, meat and dairy products, all of which you will be able to sample.
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Situated in the heart of Stanley, Malvina House is considered the town’s premier hotel, and offers beautiful views overlooking the natural harbour. It has 72 en suite rooms, a large bar-lounge area, spa and sauna and is only a few minutes’ walk from shops, pubs and historic sites and monuments
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Accommodation consists of two houses in Saunders Settlement – the Main House and Stone House - offering eight rooms, on either a full-board or self-catering basis. In addition, there are two self-catering cabins, one at The Neck and the other near the Settlement, home to albatross and rockhopper penguins.
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The only purpose-built tourist lodge in the Falklands Islands, Sea Lion Lodge is one of the most luxurious places to stay on the archipelago, and affords some spectacular views of the South Atlantic. It offers a level of comfort and amenity you might not altogether expect in such a remote location.
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