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Falkland Islands SAFARI OVERVIEW CHEESEMANS’ ECOLOGY SAFARIS 555 North Santa Cruz Avenue Los Gatos, CA 95030-4336 USA (800) 527-5330 (408) 741-5330 [email protected] cheesemans.com Falkland Islands Seven Island Circuit January 31 to February 17, 2019 Magellanic Penguins SAFARI OVERVIEW Visit seven different islands, the best of Patagonia and Antarctica combined into one, to see penguins, albatross, seals and more. Trek through the most diverse wildlife habitats in the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). Take in the abundant seabird colonies of the western Falklands including Gentoo, Magellanic, and Rockhopper Penguins. Explore Sea Lion Island, the most species-rich site in all the Falklands with time to watch South American Sea Lions and observe Orcas patrolling for unwary Southern Elephant Seals. Witness Magellanic Penguins as they ride the surf in to the beach and then waddle to their underground burrows. With two days on Steeple Jason Island, weather permitting, – a place very few have the opportunity to stay – you’ll have ample time explore on foot and to sit quietly alongside the Black-browed Albatross colony and watch as they take off, land, court, and preen each other. Pebble, Bleaker, and Volunteer Point on East Falkland Island round out this complete Falklands wildlife experience. HIGHLIGHTS • Visit seven diverse islands: Carcass, West Point, Sea Lion, Steeple Jason, Bleaker, Pebble, and East Falkland Islands. • Two days and nights on Steeple Jason Island, weather permitting, for up-close views of the earth’s largest Black-browed Albatross colony. • Discover the largest accessible King Penguin colony outside of South Georgia along the turquoise waters of Volunteer Point. Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris Page 1 of 9 Itinerary Updated: January 2019 LEADER: Hugh Rose. DAYS: 18, including estimated travel time. GROUP SIZE: 8. COST: $9,950 per person, double occupancy, not including airfare (except flights listed as included), singles extra. See the Costs section on page 6. ACCOMMODATIONS: The accommodations vary among the islands and outside communication is limited. Our lodging on Steeple Jason consists of three rooms with various group sleeping arrangements and two bathrooms shared with the other Cheesemans’ travelers and leader. CONDITIONS: This is a non-smoking tour for people who are very interested in spending the maximum time in nature. See the Conditions section on page 8. Date Description Accommodations Meals Jan 31 Depart home. Feb 1 Arrive in Santiago. Santiago Airport ___ Holiday Inn, Santiago, Chile Feb 2–4 Fly to Stanley, Falkland Islands, then fly to Sea Sea Lion Lodge B, L, D Lion Island. Enjoy the most wildlife diverse island in the Falklands. Feb 5–7 Fly to Bleaker Island. Explore Bleaker Island’s Bleaker Island Lodge B, L, D Rockhopper Penguins, King Cormorants, and waterfowl. Feb 8–9 Fly to Pebble Island. Explore its varied Pebble Island Lodge B, L, D landscapes and wildlife habitats. Feb 10–11 Fly to Carcass Island. Sail to Steeple Jason Island Steeple Jason Island B, L, D to explore the world’s largest Black-browed House Albatross colony. Feb 12–13 Discover Carcass Island’s variety of bird species. Managers House, B, L, D One full-day boat excursion to West Point Island. Carcass Island Feb 14 Fly to Stanley for excursion to Volunteer Point The Malvina House B, L, D Feb 15 Stanley city tour and museum visit. Hotel, Stanley Feb 16 Fly to Santiago to connect to flights home or fly to Punta Arenas if B, L continuing on our Antarctic Peninsula voyage. Feb 17 Arrive home, or if continuing on our Antarctic Peninsula voyage, optional day excursions in Punta Arenas. OPTIONS • Continue your trip and join us aboard the Ioffe on our Antarctic Peninsula: Whales, Penguins, and Landscapes expedition from February 16 to March 5, 2019. See full itinerary at www.cheesemans.com/trips/antarctic-peninsula-feb2019 Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris Page 2 of 9 Itinerary Updated: January 2019 LEADER Hugh Rose Expedition and Trip Leader, Naturalist, Geologist, and Photographer, Hugh has over 20 years of professional guiding experience. The vast landscapes and incredible wildlife of Alaska and the Polar Regions are his subject and passion, evident in his inspired leadership and stunning professional photos. Hugh receives unending praise for his amazing knowledge, delightful and accommodating personality, and attention to every trip detail. DETAILED ITINERARY Jan 31 ~ Depart home Feb 1 ~ Arrive in Santiago, Chile Arrive in Santiago, Chile. Transfer to our hotel for a free day to rest or explore historic and colorful Santiago. Feb 2–4 ~ Fly to Falkland Islands, then fly to and explore Sea Lion Island Take the once-weekly flight from Santiago to Mount Pleasant Airport in the Falkland Islands (not included in trip cost). Upon arrival, you will be greeted with a packed lunch and escorted to your flight to Sea Lion Island. Sea Lion Island is one of the smallest in the Falklands archipelago (just five miles long and just over one mile wide at its widest point), and the most southerly-inhabited island. The sheer abundance of wildlife makes it a must on any Falklands itinerary. Sea Lion Island hosts over 47 species of bird, including Rockhopper, Gentoo, and Magellanic penguins; you will be graced by some of the 2,800 breeding pairs of Gentoo Penguins with hatched chicks, and scatterings of Southern Giant-Petrels. Other birds you may encounter are South American Snipe, Rufous-chested Dotterel, the endemic Cobb’s and Sedge wrens, small birds that have recently been afforded protection from the tall grass that has been allowed to grow after the removal of sheep from the island. The biggest attraction is the large number of Southern Elephant Seals that breed here, principally on the white sandy beach at the appropriately named Elephant Corner. In February, the young pups and recently weaned are plentiful on the beach, making for great behavioral watching. South American (or Southern) Sea Lions are found at East Loafers, and pods of Killer Whales are also often seen circling close offshore (usually a treat for the early risers) attracted by the prospect of penguins and seals. Feb 5–7 ~ Fly to and explore Bleaker Island You’ll spend your time on Bleaker hiking along this small, wildlife-rich island, including Long Gulch, which is just one of a number of the dramatic inlets in the rocky cliffs. The top of the cliff-top is bordered with tussock grass where about 9,000 pairs of Imperial (King) Cormorants group together and are joined by a colony of about 750 pairs of Rockhopper Penguins, a Bleaker Island highlight. Other highlights you may experience are a Gentoo Penguin highway, Magellanic Penguin burrows dotted across the island, and waterfowl at Big Pond. Black-browed Albatross Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris Page 3 of 9 Itinerary Updated: January 2019 Feb 8–9 ~ Fly to and explore Pebble Island Pebble Island is the third largest offshore island and is home to the longest sand beach in the Falklands. Pebble was named in the 1760’s after the beautiful semi-precious pebbles that were discovered on its western beaches. The landscape of Pebble Island varies greatly from pristine beaches, moor lands, and rocky peaks to an extensive area of ponds and wetlands, and dramatic coastal cliffs. All of these provide vital breeding habitats for an incredible list of resident bird species. The deep ponds on the east of the island, many of which are within walking distance of the lodge, are home to Chiloe Wigeon, Silvery Grebes, Black- necked Swans, and multitude of other wildfowl and wading birds. Many thousands of Gentoo, Rockhopper and Magellanic penguins breed on Pebble Island each summer. Feb 10–11 ~ Fly to Carcass Island, then sail to and explore Steeple Jason Island Fly to Carcass Island, and weather permitting, sail to Steeple Jason Island. We will do everything in our power to get the group there, but rough seas can delay or cancel this departure. Steeple Jason is the outermost northwest island, now a reserve owned by Wildlife Conservation Society. Albatross are the main attraction, their nests thickly wrapping around the base of the striking island. More Black-browed Albatross nest here than anywhere else on earth, at least a quarter million birds! From a distance, the immense colony on the lower shores looks like freshly fallen snow. As you approach, you’ll see thousands of birds circling in the air and rafting on the water like tiny icebergs, and once ashore, maneuver through the tall, wispy tussock grass to arrive at the colony and experience albatross flying very close overhead. Southern Elephant Seals Feb 12–13 ~ Return to Carcass Island with boat excursion to West Point Island Lying to the northwest of the Falklands archipelago, Carcass is one of the most picturesque outer-lying islands. In its 100+ years of habitation this island has had only three owners, all environmentally conscious, and an absence of cats and rats makes the luxuriant, well established hedges and trees an attractive home to many small birds such as the Cobb’s Wren, Black-chinned Siskins, and Austral Thrush. The sandy beaches, rolling hills and low cliffs are superb platforms from which to view the multitude of birds that either breed or feed on and around this island, which include Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, Yellow-billed Pintails, Falkland (or Flightless) Steamer-Ducks, Magellanic Oystercatchers, and Striated Caracaras. A growing colony of Southern Elephant Seals can be found at the far north west point of the island. Both the north and south of the island provide great hiking opportunities, taking in interesting flora, long white sand beaches (some good beachcombing), penguin colonies, and sheltered dunes which make great picnic spots. The freedom from predation and active habitat restoration work by owner Rob McGill has blessed Carcass with an immediately evident ambiance, different from anywhere else in the Falklands.
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