Falklands Quest

Arrive at Mount Pleasant Airport in the early afternoon and join a shared minibus or coach transfer to Malvina House Hotel.

Begin the day with a transfer from the lodge, meeting a driver-guide, and setting off in a 4x4 vehicle to explore the historic battle sites of East Falkland. The trip follows gravel roads with short walks at key points of interest.

The first stop is San Carlos, the site of the 1982 British landings, where a major air and sea battle took place. Visit the British Cemetery and learn about the events that unfolded during the conflict. Continue to Darwin to see the Argentine Cemetery, where most soldiers have now been identified with the help of the International Red Cross. The tour then moves to Goose Green, an important site in the war, and concludes with a visit to a small museum dedicated to the 1982 conflict.

A packed lunch is included during the day before returning to the lodge for an evening at leisure.

After breakfast, transfer to Pebble Island, where you'll spend the next two days. 

Pebble Island is one of the larger outlying islands of the archipelago, and the landscape varies greatly from large ponds and moorland to long sandy beaches and rocky cliffs. The deep ponds on the east of the island, many of which are within walking distance of the lodge, are home to Chiloe wigeon, Grebes, Black-necked swans and a multitude of other wildfowl and wading birds. The half and full day guided tours in 4x4 vehicle offer ample opportunity to see the abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery further afield from the settlement, as well as to hunt for the semiprecious stones that give the island its name. Pebble Island also has interest for historians, with some 1982 conflict debris and several memorials.

In the evenings, relax in the comfortable lodge, previously the farm manager's house, which offers views across the island to Elephant Beach.

Morning transfer to Saunders Island, and then overland to The Rookery.

This 30,000-acre island is still an active sheep farm and is important historically for being the site of the first British settlement in 1765. However, the attraction to the wildlife enthusiast is undoubtedly the Black-browed albatross colony, which stretches along the north coast to the narrow sandy isthmus known as The Neck. This is unquestionably one of the Falklands’ best wildlife sites with King and Rock shags, Gentoo, Rockhopper, Magellanic, King, and—if you’re lucky—a few Macaroni penguins to be seen as well as the albatross.

Spend two days on a scenic outer island with hedges and trees that attract small birds like Cobb’s wren, Black-chinned siskins, and Falklands thrush. The sandy beaches, hills, and cliffs are great spots to observe sea and shore birds on Carcass Island. You can explore at your own pace, with no fixed excursions.

Stay at the Manager’s House, where you can interact with Falkland Islanders and enjoy organic vegetables, meat, and dairy. The settlement gardens, featuring Monterey cypress trees, cabbage palms, flax, and colorful flowers, add to the island's charm.

Morning transfer to wildlife-rich Sea Lion Island.

Sea Lion Island is the most southerly inhabited island and one of the smallest in the Falklands archipelago, but it is still a prime destination due to the sheer abundance of wildlife found in such a small area.

Upon arrival, a 4x4 tour and drop-off/pick-up trip is arranged. You visit Long Pond and are dropped off at the Rockhopper colony for pick-up later. Your host arranges a convenient time for this and informs you of the relevant timings.

Forty-seven breeding bird species live on Sea Lion Island, including the endangered Striated caracara, Antarctic skuas, Southern giant petrels, and various passerines. Southern sea lions are in the waters around East Loafers, and elephant seals rest on the beach at Elephant Corner, visible from the lodge bar. You might also spot a killer whale offshore.

You spend two nights on the island at Sea Lion Lodge.

Morning transfer to Stanley on East Falkland. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. 

Today, you have two options to choose from to explore Stanley.

Option One
A full-day guided battlefield will take you around some of the Stanley Mountains such as Tumbledown, Two Sisters, Mt. Harriet, Sappers Hill – some of the places that became household names during the 74 day conflict in 1982 between Argentina and England over the sovereignty of the Falklands. Experienced guides will really bring these events to life.

Option Two
A full-day guided excursion in 4x4 vehicle to Volunteer Point will be a highlight of this trip. With the white sandy beach and turquoise waters this destination has a Caribbeanesque feel to it, but the King and Gentoo penguins will bring you back to the Falklands. There is a host of other wildlife to be seen along the beach and on the lagoons, as well as spectacular scenery as you traverse the north of East Falkland.

Spend another free day to explore Stanley.

This afternoon, transfer to Mount Pleasant Airport by a shared minibus or coach. Your route will take you past many of the 1982 battlefields, and, more historically, relics from the gaucho era of the 1800s. Return to Chile and continue home or on to further South American adventures.