CRUISES
TO ANTARCTICA
MALVINAS ISLAND ODYSSEY
(FALKLAND ISLANDS)
The Islas Malvinas (Falkland Islands)
consist of two main islands (East Falkland and West Falkland) and more
than 400 others island and islets. Scattered over a distance of some 160
miles from west to east and 85 miles from north to south, in the remote
South Atlantic, they are best explored by ship.
During this fabulous voyage, we travel the length and breadth of the archipelago
and visit one, two or even three different islands every day.
The wildlife here is exceptional and, not surprisingly, the Islas Malvinas (Falkland Islands) has often been described as the South Atlantic's answer the Galapagos Islands. With half a dozen breeding species of penguin, colonies of Black-browed Albatrosses and Southern Giant Petrels, as well as Falkland Flightless Steamer Ducks, Falkland Diving Petrels, Upland and Kelp Geese, Tussock Birds and many other endemic species and sub-species, it is a bird watcher's paradise. But you don't have to be a bird watcher to enjoy Striated Caracaras, Dolphin Gulls, Snowy Sheathbills, Black-crowned Night Herons and the many other extraordinary (and remarkably tame) birds to be found here in abundance. The archipelago is also home to several different seals and sea lions and a variety of cetaceans ranging from Commerson's dolphins to killer whales.
November 21 - Santiago, Chile
Arrive in Santiago, the busy capital of Chile and transfer independently to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco or similar hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore this colorful town at leisure.
November 22 - Stanley, Falkland Islands
This morning after breakfast fly* to Stanley, the charming capital of the Falkland Islands. Embark the Professor Multanovskiy in the afternoon.
November 23 - Sea Lion & Bleaker Islands
Sea Lion Island
is an important wildlife destination, some 40 species of birds are known
to visit the island, many of them nesting here. Elephant seals and sea
lions also breed here and, because of this, it is not unusual to see orca
patrolling the coastal waters. We will land on the island to enjoy a morning
of walking and wildlife viewing, with a stop for tea at the island lodge.
In the afternoon we sail on to Bleaker Island where the highlight will
be the large Rockhopper Penguin colony containing some 750 pairs. Gentoo
and Magellanic Penguins are also seen on the island and, as we walk along
the beautiful sandy beaches, We expect to see Crested Caracaras and the
occasional Striated Caracara.
November 24 - Beaver Island and Staats Island
We spend today
exploring two neighboring islands: Beaver Island and Staats Island (time-permitting
we may also try to make a landing on Tea Island). Beaver supports a colony
of around 2,800 pairs of Gentoo Penguins and, at this time of year, the
eggs will be hatching. There will be a great deal of activity as the adults
return en masse to feed their young chicks. The area is also excellent
for indigenous wildfowl such a Kelp and Upland Geese and Ruddy-headed
Ducks. Patagonian Crested Ducks, Magellanic Penguins and Striated Caracaras
are also likely and southern sea lions are common at this time of the
year.
On Staats Island we will stroll along beautiful sandy beaches and, hopefully,
observe guanacos as they graze freely on the island. This is also a good
place to look for the Patagonian fox.
Te Island has not been grazed for 30 years and therefore has many native
flowers which will be in full bloom at this time of year. The rare endemic
Felton's flower was recently discovered on Tea Mountain.
November 25 - New Island & West Point Island
New Island is
the most westerly inhabited point of the Falkland Island and is home to
some of the finest scenery and one of the largest concentration of wildlife
in the archipelago. We expect to see Rockhopper Penguins, Black-browed
Albatrosses and Falkland Island fur seals which all abound in this naturalist'
paradise.
The highlight on West Point Island are superb colonies of Black-browed
Albatrosses side-by-side with rookeries of feisty Rockhopper Penguins.
There will be a chance to walk on the rolling moorland of this impressive
island and to have afternoon tea with the hospitable owners at their private
settlement.
November 26 - Saunders Island and Keppel Island
Saunders Island,
name after Admiral Sir Charles Saunders, was the site of the first British
settlement at Port Egmont in 1765. It is now one of the top wildlife attractions
of the archipelago, with huge colonies of Gentoo, Magellanic and Rockhopper
Penguins, as well as small numbers of King and Macaroni Penguins and even
the occasional Chinstrap.
Keppel Island is most famous for its settlement established in the 1850s
by the Patagonian Missionary Society to educate South American Indians
in the ways of Christianity. it had a 50-year history before being sold
as a sheep farm in 1911.
November 27 - Port Howard
Port Howard, with
its green-roofed houses, nestles in a cosy valley, beside a deep creek
filled with fish, and working farm of around 40,000 sheep. If the weather
permits we will Zodiac cruise up the Many Branch River before being collected
by Land Rover for a drive over the "camp" prior to returning
to the settlement of Port Howard.
We have the pleasu re of being shown around the settlement with its school
(which has one pupil) and enjoy a shearing demonstration before joining
the locals for a barbeque and a relaxing evening at their social club.
November 28 - George & Barren Islands
We spend the day exploring George and Barren Islands, lying off the southern coast of West Falkland. These two islands are still worked as sheep farms and are home to an abundance of wildlife. We expect to see Gentoo, Rockhopper and Magellanic Penguins as well as Black-browed Albatrosses and Southern Giant Petrels. We also hope to take a Zodiac cruise around the surrounding smaller islands to look for other birds and seals.
November 29 - Stanley, Falklands
Stanley, the charming capital of these remote South Atlantic Island is dominated by a 19th-century Anglican cathedral. We will have time to explore and to visit the small, but excellent, museum before transferring to the airport for the flight* to Santiago.
*Flights are not
included in the program.
Please note: Read this itinerary as a guide only, our exact route and
program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife
we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.
The Islas
Malvinas Oddysey
