OVERVIEW

Discover a world of indigenous flora and fauna at Bertha’s Beach, including numerous endemic plants and a large colony of Gentoo penguins. To reach this isolated stretch of sand, you will ride through the starkly beautiful flatlands. Stone runs comprised of boulders that have naturally accumulated in stripes are the landscape’s most prominent feature. The flatlands are home to some of the island’s most elusive waterfowl and you may spot dabbling ducks such as Chiloé wigeons and silver teals, whose characteristics the guide will describe. Seeing hundreds of Gentoo penguins that live year-round on Bertha’s Beach will be quite the spectacle, as you will see them close-up. They swim underwater faster than any other bird in the world and can reach speeds up to 22 miles per hour. However, like all penguins they waddle awkwardly on land. You may also spot sea lions and seals resting on the rock-strewn beach.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride through the hauntingly beautiful flatlands west of Stanley.
• See stone runs, a geological phenomenon prominent in the flatlands.
• Walk among a colony of hundreds of Gentoo penguins at Bertha’s Beach.
• Look for other birds such as steamer ducks, which are endemic to the Falklands.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Travel by 4x4 to a remote beachside nature preserve to observe and walk among a colony of King penguins, Gentoo penguins and Magellanic penguins. After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a scenic two and one-half hour’s drive north to Johnson’s Harbour and then on to Volunteer Point via a 4x4 vehicle. Along the way, you may spot remnants of the 1982 Falklands War, the result of the Argentine invasion of the British-owned islands. Still, it is the natural beauty and abundant wildlife of this rugged landscape that are most impressive. Birds in particular are the attraction at Volunteer Point, a nature preserve that supports the largest concentration of King penguins in the islands. Volunteer Point is also home to a multitude of Gentoo penguins, Magellanic penguins and dozens of other avian species. As you walk along the beach, you will observe these birds interacting in their native habitat. At up to three feet tall, king penguins look regal even waddling about. Their size and bright orange coloring on their heads and beaks make them easy to distinguish from the other penguins. Gentoo penguins are smaller and sport white feather caps, while Magellanic penguins feature two distinct black stripes across their chests and often bray like donkeys. You may also see ruddy-headed geese, black-throated finches and peregrine falcons, which can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per mile. Before rejoining your vehicle and traveling back to Stanley, you will be provided a boxed lunch.

OVERVIEW

Explore the historical capital of the Falkland Islands and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty, an experience that will leave you with a remarkably complete understanding of the area. While driving through the British-influenced city of Stanley, you will hear enlightening commentary about landmarks such as Christ Church Cathedral – the world’s southernmost Anglican cathedral – the Government House and the massive arch made from the jawbones of two blue whales, a monument erected in 1933 to mark the centennial of the British administration of the Falklands. At the tip of Cape Pembroke, you will see the lighthouse on the islands’ easternmost point. To reach nearby Gypsy Cove, you will walk the nature trail that leads to a breeding ground for Magellanic penguins, a species named for Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. These birds are easy to identify by the two distinct black stripes across their chests and the fact that they often bray like donkeys.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for an enlightening drive through Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands.
• See the city’s main landmarks and gain an understanding of the British influence.
• Take in the gorgeous views from the lighthouse at the tip of Cape Pembroke.
• Walk a nature trail to observe a colony of Magellanic penguins.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Travel in small groups on this 4x4 off road adventure and spend some time with breeding pairs of Gentoo penguins. Join your mini-bus and driver guide at the Jetty Visitor Centre for a 15 minute ride to nearby Newans Farm. Here you’ll meet your 4x4 drivers, who will take you to the nearby Gentoo penguins. Experience an off road adventure and admire the scenery while learning more about the Falklands way of life.

There are approximately 200 breeding pairs of Gentoo penguins at this scenic site. Enjoy approximately 45 minutes with the penguins, before your returning off road journey.

Enjoy an introduction to the Falklands small capital. As your coach drives along Stanley’s main street which runs along the sea front, your expert guide will point out everything that may be of interest. Some of the highlights you’ll see include the cathedral with its whale bone arch, the 1982 Battle Memorial, the Government House, wrecks of the old sailing ships, minefields, and some of the original houses.

You’ll get a good idea of the islanders’ daily life in this rugged, remote but beautiful location. Your guide’s commentary will provide you with additional insight about the Falklands. Drive out of town to see a stunning view of Stanley from the bottom of the harbor and the shipwreck the Lady Elizabeth. The tour ends at the Jetty Visitor Centre where you’ll have the option to visit the nearby Historic Dockyard Museum to learn more about the history of the Falklands, admission is included.

OVERVIEW

Take an exhilarating ride through the rugged wilds of the Falkland Islands in an 4x4 vehicle to observe elephant seals in a sanctuary and Gentoo penguins in a nearby rookery. While traveling the circuitous route through the hinterlands, you can’t help but admire the natural beauty and stone runs – a geological phenomenon of glacier-like streams of quartz boulders that naturalist Charles Darwin described in his diaries after visiting in the 1830s. At secluded Kelp Point, you will walk among a colony of elephant seals on the pebble beach. These carnivorous mammals are the largest of all seals and named for their inflatable trunk-like snouts. They weigh more than four tons and can withstand even the most frigid waters. Gentoo penguins are easy to identify as they have red-orange beaks and peach-colored feet, so they stand out against the coastal rocks. These charismatic waddlers may look awkward on land, but they are exceptionally graceful underwater.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel through the wilds of the Falkland Islands in a 4x4 vehicle made for adventure.
• Visit a colony of elephant seals, the largest of all seals, at Kelp Point.
• Observe Gentoo penguins in their natural habitat along the coastal rocks.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Drive off road in a 4x4 vehicle to several colonies of penguins, where you will have time to photograph them and observe their fascinating behavior. After departing from the pier, you will set off on an exhilarating ride in a 4x4 vehicle, the last 12 miles or so off road. Upon arriving at Port Louis Farm, a member of the family that owns the property will accompany your small group to Seal Bay.

Your first stop will be at a colony of Rockhopper penguins. These birds are easy to identify by their spiky yellow and black head feathers. Unlike most penguins that waddle, Rockhoppers bound along the rocky shoreline. They are among the world’s smallest penguins and amusing to watch in their natural habitat.

Continuing on, you will drive through the shallow waters of Swan Pond, where lunch will be set up on the beach. While dining, you can expect to see all sorts of indigenous birds such as oyster catchers, grebes and kelp geese.

You might also see sea lions and a variety of penguins, including Magellanic penguins. They are named for Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan because the birds were spotted on his attempt to circumnavigate the world in 1520.

You will also pause for photos at a nearby colony of Gentoo penguins. These charismatic birds have red-orange beaks and peach-colored feet, so they clearly stand out against the coastal rocks. Being streamlined with strong flippers, Gentoos are the world’s fastest diving birds.

Travel back in time to the main battles fought during the 1982 Falklands conflict and en route, enjoy beautiful panoramas. Your expert guide will explain the events that led up to the fierce battle between Argentina and Britain.

Departing Stanley you’ll travel west while your guide provides an overview of the history of the islands. Enjoy beautiful panoramas taking in Boot Hill and the wind turbines that supply the capital with up to 40% of its energy requirements. Your guide will explain the events that led up to the 1982 conflict ending with the arrival of British Forces at San Carlos on landing day.

Estancia Farm was a base for hundreds of British troops starting in June 1982. A large group of local men and women went to help look after the troops, even using their off road driving skills to move munitions under the cover of darkness up the mountain sides. Your coach will stop here and you can leave the bus to enjoy the views while your guide explains about the “yomp” from San Carlos and the battle for Goose Green.

You’ll make a couple of more stops, one at the site of the wreckage of the Chinook and Puma and another at a location where you can enjoy the view of Stanley and the surrounding five battle site mountains, while your guide provides details about the final battles.

OVERVIEW

Follow a local guide through the capital for an insider’s look at Stanley and pause for lunch at a scenic spot overlooking the harbor. Along the way, you will see one highlight after another, many of them having a maritime connection. The whalebone arch that stands in front of the world’s southernmost Anglican cathedral may be the most unusual attraction. Built in 1933 from the jawbones of two blue whales, it honors the centennial of Britain’s administration of the Falklands. You will also stop by the Lady Elizabeth, a ship damaged rounding Cape Horn in 1913 and left to rust in the harbor because repairs were too costly. The Totem Pole is another icon. Started by British soldiers, the pole features directional signs and mileages to the hometowns of visitors to Stanley. You will picnic on Camber Peninsula on a lunch consisting of local specialties and samples of craft beers and gin.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See some of the capital city’s most iconic attractions while walking through downtown..
• Stand before unusual landmarks such as a giant arch made from two whalebones.
• Gain a historical perspective of Stanley, especially its maritime importance.
• Dine on local specialties and beverages at a lovely spot overlooking the harbor.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

For the nature enthusiast, this is an exclusive opportunity to view Falkland Islands wildlife and flora, including native Falkland birds, approximately 20-30 different species. Drive to picturesque Whalebone Cove, where your walk starts. Your expert guide will distribute a tour specific illustrated checklist and give a general background to Falkland wildlife and what you might expect to see on this tour.

Walk around the coastline to Hadassa Bay, where you might find dark-faced ground-tyrants, Falkland thrush, upland geese and the beautiful long-tailed meadowlark, just to name a few. There are also great views of Stanley and your ship at anchor. You may see shorebirds such as the Falkland flightless steamer duck and rock cormorants and looking out to sea southern giant petrels and sooty shearwaters.

There’s a chance of seeing Peale’s dolphins following tenders back and forth. In this beautiful bay, Magellanic penguins burrow in the grass and the black-throated finch can be spotted. Lots of local flora will be spotted, such as Diddle-Dee, Gorse, Pale Maiden, Falkland Lavender, Wooly Falkland Ragworth and Vanilla Daisy.

OVERVIEW

Walk from Whalebone Cove to Gypsy Cove, the most easily accessible wildlife site from Stanley, where you can expect to observe a variety of fascinating birds. To help identify the avian species, you will be given a checklist of common birds and a short description of their characteristics. The winding trail will take you through a nature reserve that provides an ideal habitat. Chances are, you will come across a colony of Magellanic penguins, which dive to depths up to 300 feet to capture prey. During the breeding season, these penguins dig deep burrows, often beneath tall grasses. Seabirds in the area include oystercatchers, flightless steamer ducks and two-banded plovers. Long-tailed meadowlarks are commonly spotted in the grasslands, especially the males as their breasts are bright red. The guide may also describe some of the local flora, which includes vanilla daisies, the tallest of all plants native to the Falklands.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a leisurely walk through a setting that provides an excellent habitat for birds.
• Look for birds such as Magellanic penguins, steam ducks and meadowlarks.
• Use the provided birding guide to identify the species.
• Enjoy the serenity of the setting and natural beauty along the trail.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

On arrival into Stanley Harbour the first thing you’ll notice is the fantastic colors of this capital and what better way to get acquainted than with a guided walk through its picturesque streets.

Your walk takes in key sites around Stanley such as Christ Church Cathedral, Whale Bone Arch, the mizzen mast of the SS Great Britain on Victory Green, the 1982 Battle Memorial, Government House with its beautiful gardens, and the 1914 memorial.

Your guide will give you insight into the local way of life whilst showing you the beautiful capital. The tour ends with a visit to the Historic Dockyard Museum, which depicts the local history. The walk takes a leisurely pace and includes a number of opportunities for photographs, giving you plenty of time to make the most of your visit.