FALKLAND ISLANDS a Circumnavigation with Blue Planet Expeditions Ltd
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FALKLAND ISLANDS A Circumnavigation with Blue Planet Expeditions Ltd DECEMBERDECEMBER 5th3rd -- 19th17th 20152016 updated from 2015 for Expeditions There’s always more to see… 2016by Auf kurs Inselreisen Contents Expeditions The Falklands Map of the Falklands Itinerary Dear Traveller, RV Hans Hansson Travel Information Our aim is to provide passengers with the best opportunities to experience What to take close encounters with wildlife, admire and explore magnificent landscapes, Dates & Prices and experience the culture and history of our destinations. All while enjoying Expedition Leader comfort, great food and a casual small group setting aboard our vessels. Contact Details If you are interested in expedition-style travel with a strong conservation bias, excellent photographic opportunities, and uncompromising commitment to providing the fullest experience of destinations, then we encourage you to consider travelling with us. The Blue Planet Expeditions team welcomes you aboard for an expedition around the magnificent Falkland Islands, a place that is very close to our hearts. Enjoy reading about this expedition and feel free to contact us with any questions. Warmest Regards Dan Loveridge Director Trip in 2016 will be organized by Blue Planet Expeditions and NozoMojo Juergen Stock Owner Auf Kurs! Inselreisen The Falklands The Falkland Islands are located in the South Atlantic Ocean approximately 300 miles east of the South American coast. The archipelago comprises East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 smaller islands. The capital, Stanley is located on East Falkland and is the only township in the Islands.. The population of nearly 3000 primarily consists of native Falkland Islanders, mostly of British descent. The official language is English and Falkland Islanders are legally British citizens. The climate is mild; even in the winter months temperatures are frequently above freezing, but the high average wind speed keeps apparent temperatures low. With perfect beaches, huge open spaces and a wealth of wildlife, there is a great deal to offer visitors. If you are lucky you can see up to five species of penguin in one place – king, gentoo, rockhopper, magellanic and macaroni. Seals, sea lions and elephant seals, a copious amount of birdlife and even minke whale and killer whale can also be found here. The Falkland Islands are frequented by marine mammals and offshore islands house the rare striated caracara. The Falklands are naturally treeless and have wind- resistant vegetation that, although varied, is dominated by dwarf shrubs. Jason Islands Map of the Falklands Cape Dolphin Saunders Carcass Pebble Island Island Island West Point Volunteer Point Port Howard Berkely sound Kidney New Island STANLEY Island Weddell Mount Pleasant Island Airport FALKLAND SOUND Fox Bay Lively Island Albermarle Speedwell Island Argentina Expeditions George Chile Falkland Sea Lion Island Islands Important reminder: While on an expedition the unexpected is to be expected – this is part of the excitement that only expedition style travel can offer. When operating in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow for the sea, and the weather to guide the itinerary details. The above route is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; but please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. Itinerary Day 1, Arrival – land at Mount Pleasant International Airport where you will be met by a Blue Planet Expeditions representative. You will be transferred to the “Hans Hansson” at the public jetty in Stanley. After safety briefings the vessel will depart from Stanley harbour to begin the circumnavigation by heading south past Cape Pembroke. Day 2 - 13, Circumnavigation -- DurDuringing thethe circumnavigationcircumnavigation we willwill endeavourendeavour toto visitvisit thethe following: Sea Lion Island - TheThe mostmost southerlysoutherly inhabitedinhabited islandisland inin thethe archipelagoarchipelago isis ourour firstfirst plannedplanned destination.destination. TheThe IslandIsland isis eighteight kilometreskilometres longlong byby twotwo kilometreskilometres widewide andand isis abundantabundant inin wildlifewildlife but featuresfeatures a veryvery difficultdifficult landinglanding areaarea dependingdepending on sea conditions. AfterAfter leavingleaving SeaSea lionlion IslandIsland wewe sailsail backback ttoo thethe mainlandmainland coastcoast andand throughthrough thethe EagleEagle Passage,Passage, gettinggetting closeclose toto thethe followingfollowing IslandsIslands beforebefore crossing Falkland Sound to the West: George and Barren Islands - The southernmost and Petrel can be observed offshore. Weddell working farm in the Falklands, these islands are Island is also home to other unique inhabitants, the free from introduced species such as rats and as a Patagonian fox and a few reindeer which were result the small bird population thrives. They share introduced to the islands in recent years. the islands with elephant seals, southern sea lions, Southern giant petrel, Gentoo and Magellanic Beaver group – These lie to the west of Weddell penguins. Island and includes, Split, Staats and Tea Islands, Weddell Island - situated to the west of West which all have spectacular west-facing sheer cliffs Falkland is the largest and possibly the wildest of and deeply indented coastlines. There are generally the offshore islands. It is a superb island for hiking, very steep slopes above eastern coasts with rocky both up and around Mount Weddell with miles of shores, a few sand beaches and sheltered coves. spectacular coastline to explore. Weddell is home Inland the islands are mountainous with many to a remarkable range of flora and fauna, including peaks exceeding 150 m and some above 200m. hawks and numerous smaller breeds. Albatross Most of the smaller islands are low lying. Pebble Island – A breeding ground for penguins, skuas, red-backed hawks, vultures, black-necked swans and many other waterbirds. The eastern side of the island has high conservation value due to the presence of large wetlands and ponds, critical habitat for Falkland waterfowl and wading birds. Southern sea lions can often be found resting at secluded spots around the coastline. North Coast – A leisurey sail along the northern coastVolunteer of the Point Falklands - Whether with it’swe beautifulhead clock-wise beaches or andcounter-clock-wise great wildlife, Cape around Dolphin the islands, has three we willspecies begin ofand penguin, end with storm a highlight. petrels, sea If Volunteerlions, the occasionalPoint is our whalelast stop, and it large is not numbers the least. of ducksHere weand find birds. the largest colony of King Penguins in the entire island group, Capeand along Bougainville the beautiful - is abeach picturesque and shores site on we the will northenjoy coastnumerous with rockhopperother breeding penguins, birds, sea flowering lions andplants southern and perhaps giant petrels. more views of sea lions and Berkeleydolphins. sound - affords the opportunity to try to New Island - is located off Weddell Island to the Carcass Island - located in the northwest of the spot whales, with spectacular blows often exhibited far west of the West Falkland mainland. The most Falkland group and one of the most picturesque byAll variousof the abovespecies is weatherof baleen dependant, whale. Peale's tentative and and remote of all the inhabited islands in the Falklands, outlying islands. Thanks to the careful stewardship Commerson'schangeable. Thedolphins goal regularly will be accompany to maximize boats. the New Island is a popular destination for small of its landowners, Carcass is free of invasive opportunity to see and photograph as great a expedition ships who enjoy the stunning scenery, predators, and the resultant profusion of songbirds Kidneydiversity Island of Falkland- an uninhabited wildlife island and ofscenery Tussac as birdwatching, offshore dolphin sightings, as well gives the island a surreal natural ambiance. grasspossible, and withsand extra which focus is theon thenesting grandest grounds of wildlife for as penguins, sea lions and fur seals. The entire Shorebirds, including gentoo and Magellanic Vollargeconcentrations.unt numberseer Poi of nt White-chinned - WeatherOn arri val Petrelsapermittingt Vol uandnte eSootyr be(andach island is a Nature Reserve and is home to over 40 penguins, and marine mammals, including youShearwaters.encouraging), will be someable ofto these emain our siteslarge mayst cbeol allottedony of of the Falklands’ breeding bird species. The island elephant seals, are some of the island’s wildlife brmoreeedi ngtime Ki andng Pesomengui ofns thealong smaller with sitesGent mayoo andbe also features one of the oldest building in the highlights. Magskipped.ellan ic. Falklands, built in 1812-13, which has been Westpoint - Explore Devil's Nose and Mount restored and now houses a small museum. Ararat, where Black Browed Albatross and Day 14, Arrival Stanley - a late afternoon arrival Jason’s - The Jason Island group is a chain of Rockhopper can been seen, discover Mount Ararat marks the end of our circumnavigation. remote islands off West Falkland. Grand Jason, as and if weather is favourable it may be possible to its name suggests, is the largest of the group. Cat circumnavigate the island. Day 15, Departure – After a free morning & some and rat free, it is home to a large number of small Shopping or touring in Stanley we will pick you up birds as well as black-browed albatross, striated Saunders