Itinerary

January 11 – Arrival day in Santiago: After landing at Santiago’s international airport (SCL), check-in at the modern and stylish Holiday Inn Santiago – Airport Hotel, conveniently located directly in front of the International Airport Terminal, just steps from baggage claim. During the afternoon, meet for group introductions and orientation at the hotel. Our first dinner as a group will be held at the rather good hotel restaurant, to maximize your time to rest. Overnight at the Holiday Inn Santiago – Airport Hotel. (D)

January 12 – Travel to Sea Lion Island: After an early breakfast at the hotel, we will board the LATAM flight to Mount Pleasant international airport in the Falklands, via Punta Arenas, Chile.  After clearing customs in the Falklands, we will immediately board a Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) flight to Sea Lion Island, aboard a BN2B Islander aircraft.  Flight time on the Islander is approximately 25 minutes.  After unpacking and a quick orientation of the island, we will eat dinner and begin our tour with a sunset photo shoot at Rockhopper Point, home to bustling southern rockhopper penguin and imperial cormorant colonies.  The next three nights will be spent at the well-appointed Sea Lion Lodge conveniently located near penguin colonies and beaches. Overnight at Sea Lion Lodge. (B, L, D)

January 13-14 – Sea Lion Island: Sea Lion Island is a National Nature Reserve; livestock was removed here in 2009, allowing native plant and animal species to flourish. The photographic subjects and landscapes here are extremely varied.  Gentoo and Magellanic penguin colonies are within sight of the lodge.  Southern sea lion and southern elephant seals haul out on the nearby beaches.  At the far end of the island (transportation provided), southern rockhopper penguins and imperial cormorants nest on the top of an impressive 80-foot vertical cliff.  Sea Lion Island is also home to small native birds, since predators like rats, mice, and cats have never been introduced here. Overnight at Sea Lion Lodge. (B, L, D)

January 15-18 – Carcass and West Point Islands: We will take another FIGAS flight roughly 45 minutes over East and West Falkland Islands to Carcass Island.  Like Sea Lion Island, Carcass is also cat and rat free, making it a haven for endemic species like Cobb’s wren.  The island has a variety of habitats, from sandy beaches to tussac grasses and rocky cliff tops.  Magellanic penguins nest near the settlement, and a gentoo penguin colony is a short walk away.  Elephant seals, imperial cormorants, night herons, and short-eared owls can also be found on the island.  Weather permitting, on one of our days on Carcass we will take a 1-hour boat ride to nearby West Point Island and spend the day photographing rockhopper penguins and black-browed albatross at Devil’s Nose Cliffs. Overnight at Carcass Island Lodge. (B, L, D)

January 19-20 – Saunders Island (northeast coast): No Falklands itinerary would be complete without a visit to Saunders Island.  We will stay at two different sites to get the full Saunders experience.  The first, The Rookery cabin, is located north of the settlement on the slopes of Mount Richards and is an excellent base of operations for exploring the nearby sea cliffs.  The cabin is short a five-minute walk from a sprawling black-browed albatross colony and a 20-minute walk from two large southern rockhopper penguin colonies.  The rockhopper colony is famous for its “penguin shower”, a tiny waterfall where the rockhoppers bathe after returning from the sea.  Magellanic and gentoo penguins are also found in the nearby valley, and a broad sandy beach is only a 10-minute walk from the cabin. Overnight at The Rookery cabin. (B, L, D)

January 21-23 – Saunders Island (northwest coast):  After our two nights at the Rookery, we will drive to another site on Saunders known simply as “The Neck”.  The Neck is named for the broad sandy beach lying between Mount Harston and Mount Richards.  This location boasts a diverse array of seabird species and spectacular landscapes.  Gentoo and king penguins nest on the beach in between the mountains.  Extensive Magellanic penguin burrows and predatory caracaras can be found on the grassy hillsides.  There are also two southern rockhopper penguin rookeries within easy walking access of the cabin, plus more black-browed albatross nest areas. January sunsets are particularly spectacular, as the setting sun’s rays bathe the gentoo colonies on the beach with warm golden hour light.  Our three days here will pass quickly! Overnight at the refurbished cabin at The Neck. (B, L, D)

January 24-25 – Volunteer Point, East Falkland Island:  Our final destination is the large (2000+) king penguin colony at Volunteer Point.  After a 45-minute FIGAS flight from Saunders to Stanley’s regional airport, we will transfer to 4WD vehicles and drive roughly 2.5 hours to Volunteer Point.  Volunteer Point is a broad, mile-long sandy beach with a king penguin colony, as well as nesting gentoo and Magellanic penguins.  When it is visited at all, Volunteer Point is typically done as a day trip from Stanley, but fortunately, because of our small group size, we will have the opportunity to spend two nights here at the Warden’s Cottage with hosts Derek and Trudi.  Both sunrise and sunset are incredible at Volunteer Point, with thousands of penguins heading out to sea to feed in the morning and returning to their nests at dusk. Overnight at the Warden’s Cottage of Volunteer Point. (B, L, D)

January 26 – Return to Santiago: We say goodbye to our generous hosts, Derek and Trudi, to take ground transfers and flights back to Santiago, Chile. Since we arrive back at Santiago late at night, we will return to the airport hotel. Overnight at the Holiday Inn Santiago – Airport Hotel. (B, L, D)

January 27 – Departure day: Wake up for breakfast at the Holiday Inn and say our farewells. (B)