14 days

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We are the UK’s No.1 specialist in travel to Latin As our name suggests, we are single-minded America and have been creating award-winning about Latin America. This is what sets us apart holidays to every corner of the region for over four from other travel companies – and what allows us decades; we pride ourselves on being the most to offer you not just a holiday but the opportunity to knowledgeable people there are when it comes to experience something extraordinary on inspiring travel to Central and South America and journeys throughout Mexico, Central and South passionate about it too. America.

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Most travellers to the Falklands visit for only a day or two as part of a cruise. Our holiday includes a whole week discovering the highlights of the islands. We’ll take you to Port Stanley, the capital, which looks like a small English town fifty years ago. The remains of ships abandoned 100 years ago are still to be seen in the coves, testament to an era when the islands were a safe haven when all ships passed this way before the Canal opened. You’ll also travel to rural outposts by road and light aircraft.

The lie off the coast of in the South Atlantic. However, very few people know about the wilderness beauty of this remote island archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean. The islands have an unpolluted environment with vast open spaces and white sand beaches. A huge variety of wildlife has adopted the Falkland Islands as their home: the bird and animal population (sheep, and ) outnumber the human inhabitants by 10-1. At least 5 species of are found on the Falkland Islands and elephant seals, sea-lions and seals, an abundance of birds and minke and killer whales can be spotted here. The islanders remain British in outlook and descent, adhering to British laws and buying British goods.

The holiday also features a few days in Chilean Patagonia the vicinity of Torres del Paine National Park, exploring this true wilderness where just a few rough roads cut through a frost-bitten landscape of glaciers, luminous lagoons, icy pinnacles and wind-strafed steppe.

Your hotel in Santiago is in the pleasant residential and commercial quarter of Providencia. Santiago is set in a broad valley between ranges of the Andes, with majestic snow-capped peaks, and a smaller coastal range with a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Santiago is a huge metropolis, a mix of the old and the contemporary, with quarters of tree- lined avenues and affluent tranquillity and others full of commercial bustle.

Take a guided day trip to the Pacific port of Valparaiso and the beach resort Viña del Mar. Valparaiso was a commercially important port until the Panama Canal opened.

It has long retained a certain tumbledown charm and plenty of character, making it one of Chile's most interesting and photogenic cities: however nowadays it is having a bit of a renaissance, its peeling façades receiving a colourful facelift. Steps, winding lanes and a series of funicular railways connect the upper and lower city.

From Valparaiso, it's a short drive north along the coastal road to Viña del Mar, the main seaside resort serving Santiago with a very different feel from its larger neighbour. Once a glamorous town attracting celebrities, its charm is now rather parochial but the casinos, resort hotels and the beaches are very popular at weekends.

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Today, you’ll fly from Santiago to Mount Pleasant, the islands’ airport on .

Still most commonly visited as a day’s excursion from Antarctic cruises, the islands are growing in popularity in their own right. A week’s visit allows you to observe a good sample of sub-Antarctic wildlife - enough to satisfy those who do not have the time to cruise to Antarctica. You’ll stay in farmhouses or small owner-operated lodges and travel by light aircraft and 4WD vehicle.

It’s a drive of less than an hour to the old settlement of Darwin, named after naturalist Charles Darwin who visited the islands in the 1830s. The place relates a narrative of the Falkland Islands’ history. There is plenty to see from the 1982 conflict, and there are also vestiges of the gauchos' occupation in the 1800s. While staying at Darwin House, a converted farmhouse built in typical Falkland’s style, you can spot birds from its waterfront location: night heron, blackish oystercatchers, ruddy-headed and upland geese visit the environs of the property.

Darwin was once the largest settlement after Port Stanley but it now has a permanent population of just 7 and serves as a sheep-farming location as is nearby , famous for its role in the 1982 conflict. If available, the owner of the guest house will escort you on an informative tour of the battlefields and memorial sites.

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Fly by the Falkland Islands Government Air Service’s 8- seater Britten Norman Islander to on the tip of (30 mins). On a clear day, the relatively low- altitude flight provides you with exceptional views of the Falkland’s coastlines and inland scenery.

Pebble Island is one of the larger outlying islands, with a varied landscape of large ponds, moorland, long sandy beaches and rocky cliffs. The western side of the island is mountainous and the eastern side flat with wetlands and tussock grass. The only settlement is located on a narrow isthmus close to Elephant Beach, the longest sand beach on the Falklands at just over 7km.

Pebble Island is renowned for its wildlife: it is home to large gentoo, rockhopper and Magellanic penguin colonies. It is one of the premier bird-watching destinations in the Falklands: thanks to the wetlands, it is a major wildfowl breeding site; not only are there 42 Falklands species, but also many visiting birds from South America and beyond. Species include king cormorants, giant petrels and black- necked swans.

Pebble was used by Argentina as an airbase during the 1982 war and was made famous after a successful SAS raid to destroy aircraft. There is no material evidence of this today but there are 2 Argentine crash sites which can be visited and a memorial to HMS Coventry sunk by the Argentines with 11 fatalities.

It’s a very picturesque island with a beautiful 7km stretch of white sand (Elephant Beach), perfect for hiking. The island is named after the translucent colourful pebbles found on some of the beaches and used to make jewellery.

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Fly to Sea-Lion Island, one of the smallest in the Falklands archipelago, a top destination owing to the sheer mind- boggling abundance of easily observed wildlife. The endangered striated caracara, Antarctic skuas, southern giant petrels, and a host of passerines can be spotted.

Not to be missed are the southern sea lions at East Loafers, and the elephant seals which bask on the white sandy beach at the appropriately named Elephant Corner. The latter are close enough to be seen from the Lodge bar! Keep an eye open as there is the odd killer whale to be spotted off shore as well.

The island was formerly a sheep-farm but farming activities are no longer practised. Being small and flat it is easily explored on foot. The settlement consists of your friendly lodge (the only purpose-built Lodge in the Falklands, close to the airstrip) plus a few other old farm buildings which now accommodate staff from the lodge and research scientists. There are two landing strips (1 earth and 1 grass).

There is a memorial to HMS Sheffield which was sunk by Argentine forces in 1982 as well as graves of one of the 3 civilians killed during the Conflict.

Fly to Port Stanley and proceed to your hotel overlooking the harbour.

Port Stanley is the capital of the Falklands and the only settlement on the island of a substantial size, with over 2,000 inhabitants. There are several places of interest easily explored on foot including the 1982 Liberation Memorial, Falkland Islands Museum and Lady Elizabeth shipwreck in .

Alternatively, wander around and admire the unique Anglo- Falklands architecture which dominates the centre and harbour front, Victorian-style brick or stone houses with brightly painted woodwork and corrugated iron roofs (known affectionately locally as 'wriggly tin'). This is the best place to shop or buy gifts.

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The 3hr drive by 4WD to (mostly off-road) can be bumpy, but the scenery is very interesting.

You pass minefields, through 'stone runs' (geological features resembling giant dry river beds descending from near the mountain peaks), small farm settlements (including Port Louis, the first settlement on the islands), round beautiful Barclay Sound and alongside some of the many ponds which are a typical feature of the Falkland’s landscape.

Volunteer Point has a white sandy beach and is home to large colonies of king, Magellanic and gentoo penguins.

There is a host of other wildlife to be seen along the beach and on the lagoons.

Fly to Punta Arenas, southern Chile. Continue (3hrs) by lonely road to Puerto Natales, a small town with a memorable setting, right on the shores of photogenic Last Hope Sound. The road takes you across inhospitable plains, battered by perpetual winds.

Puerto Natales looks out over icy sea and snow-capped peaks. The grids of one-storey wooden houses and small shops still have a frontier-town feel.

Your luxurious and innovative hotel, the Singular, retains parts of the original abandoned structure of an early 20th century refrigeration plant, built in what is now called Post Victorian Industrial style. The lofty ceilings, bits of restored machinery and little museum keep alive the memory of when the sheep was King.

Choice of excursions from the hotel.

A choice of excursions is included such as glacier cruises, guided trekking, kayaking, biking and bird watching.

A highlight will surely be a visit to Torres del Paine National Park, dominated by a granite massif of smooth rock towers and icy pinnacles. Milky blue and gem-sharp emerald lakes, sinuous rivers, glaciers and wind-scoured steppes have created a remarkable and unique environment. The area is a natural habitat of over 150 species of birds (flamingos, condors, eagles and ostriches) and 25 species of mammal (including guanacos, armadillos, silver foxes and pumas).

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Transfer back to Punta Arenas airport (3hrs) and fly to Santiago (4hrs), overnight.

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Services of our team of Santiago: Valparaiso and Insurance experts in our London office Viña del Mar Tips and gratuities Services of Journey Latin Excursions to observe America local wildlife and visit sites of Meals other than specified representatives and guides historical interest in the Falklands Islands Optional excursions All land and domestic air transport Patagonia: Guided excursions from your hotel Accommodation as specified

Meals as specified Excursions as specified, with entrance fees

5 flights (longest 7hrs); 2 road journeys in Patagonia, short road journeys in the Falklands Islands.

You stay in a well located mid range hotel in Santiago, cosy family-run guest houses in the Falkland Islands and a first class hotel with excellent facilities just outside Puerto Natales, Patagonia.

Breakfast daily, dinner day 3, 10; full board days 3-8, 11, 12.

We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English- speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.

14 days, 13 nights: Santiago 2; Falkland Islands: Darwin 1, Pebble Island 2, Sea-Lion Island 2, Port Stanley 2; Patagonia 3; Santiago 1.

The unit of in Chile is the peso. In the Falklands it is the Falkland Islands . The is accepted throughout the islands.

It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but a budget of around US$40 per day should cover the cost of meals not included in the holiday itinerary, drinks and the odd souvenir. Eat at the best restaurants and you will pay considerably more.

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In South America, tips are welcomed and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.

Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 - 12% in restaurants.

Travel insurance is essential.

Details of our recommended policy can be found at Travel Insurance page.

With the exception of flights from Port Stanley to South America, if you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket. A departure tax of £25 is payable in cash by all passengers on flights departing Port Stanley to South America.

This is a fully comprehensive holiday with travel or excursions on most days but none are especially arduous.

This holiday is suitable for all able-bodied, reasonably fit visitors. In other cases, e.g. if you have a disability or other special requirements, please call us.

In the Santiago area expect a Mediterranean type climate though it can snow in winter (June-August). In October, November, March and April temperatures range between 15°C and 25°C and there’s a good deal of sunshine. January and February are hot, around 30°C or higher.

The Falkland Islands have a chilly climate characterised by strong winds, particularly in the spring (Sep-Oct). Rain falls on approximately 180 days per year, but totals are small. Expect daytime highs of around 10°C in Sep-Oct and Mar-Apr, whilst the islands are at their warmest in Jan, the mid-point of the southern summer, when daytime temperatures hover in the range of 15-20°C. . A little-known fact is that the islands are bathed in the same number of sunshine hours as southern England. Visitors benefit from long hours of daylight October to March.

The weather in Chilean Patagonia is notoriously unpredictable throughout the year. During the southern hemisphere summer (October to March), be prepared for everything from a blizzard to a heat wave. Strong winds and rain are possible at any time but especially in spring and autumn and it can get very cold with snow in winter, but seldom much below freezing.

For day-to-day wear you should go prepared to encounter all seasons. Warm clothing, a sun hat and a hat to protect against cold and wind are essential. A wind proof fleece jacket and a Gore-Tex (or similar) outer shell make a good combination. Trousers, skirt or shorts made from light, quick-drying synthetic materials work well. Strong, comfortable footwear is essential. You might take swimwear for the hotel pools or Jacuzzi at the Patagonia hotel.

Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in South America.

Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements.

You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.

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Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.

If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.

10:33 01-09-2021 14 days

10:33 01-09-2021