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
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Day 1:
Depart UK
If flight schedules allow, we will fly direct from London to Santiago, Chile.
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Day 2:
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
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Day 3:
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.
Accommodation: Malvina House Hotel, 1-night
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Days 4-6
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Wildlife watching on Bleaker Island
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.
Accommodation: Bleaker Island Settlement, 3-nights
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Days 7-9
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Explore Sea Lion Island
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.
Accommodation: Sea Lion Lodge, 3-nights
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Days 10-12
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Visit Carcass Island
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.
Accommodation: Carcass Island Homestay, 3-nights
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Days 13-14
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Wildlife watching on Saunders Island
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.
Accommodation: Saunders Island Cottages, 2-nights
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Day 15:
Explore Stanley
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
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Day 16:
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.
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Day 17:
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
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Day 18:
Depart Santiago
The morning is free until we return to the airport for our flight back to the UK.
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Day 19:
Arrive UK
