Henderson Birding Tour Itinerary
Falkland Islands & Chile
January 29 to February 13, 2009
Thursday, January 29, and Friday, January 30, 2009:
Fly from the USA on January 29 and arrive in Santiago, Chile, on the morning of Friday, January 30. Get connecting four-hour flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas at the southern tip of Chile. Overnight at Hotel José Nogueria or similar, Punta Arenas (D).
Saturday, January 31:
Free morning in Punta Arenas. Then leave Punta Arenas for the Mount Pleasant Airport where we take a LanChile flight to Port Stanley (about two hours long). Then take a 30-minute flight on Falkland Island Government Air Service (FIGAS) flight to Pebble Island. Pebble Island is the third largest offshore island in the Falklands. It has a combination of coastal cliffs, ponds, wetlands, white sand beaches, and rocky peaks. Birds of the island include Black-necked Swans, and thousands of nesting Gentoo, Rockhopper, and Magellanic Penguins. Overnight at Pebble Island Lodge (B, D) (G)
Sunday, February 1:
On Sunday we will explore freshwater wetlands that are home to Silvery and White-tufted Grebes, Black-necked Swans, Silver Teal, Yellow-billed Pintails, and Chiloe Wigeons. There are also additional colonies of Rockhopper and Gentoo Penguins on our itinerary. Offshore we may see Peale's and Commerson's dolphins. (B,L,D) (G)
Monday, February 2:
Our next destination is Saunders Island which is on west of West Falkland Island. It is a 15-minute flight. One of the distinguishing features of Saunders Island is that it is home to a colony of King Penguins, one of the largest penguins in the world. There are also four species of raptors on this island, including the famous Striated Caracara which is locally referred to as the "Johnny Rook." The highlight of this island is a nesting colony of Black-browed Albatrosses. We will overnight at the Saunders Island Lodge. It has basic but clean rooms and shared facilities (B, L, D) (G).
Tuesday, February 3:
On Tuesday we fly to one of the southernmost and most spectacular islands of the Falkland archipelago, Sea Lion Island. Three kinds of penguins nest there, including Rockhopper, Gentoo, and Magellanic. Tussock grass along the coast is home to rare birds like the Blackish Cinclodes and the endemic Cobb's Wren. Overnight at Sea Lion Lodge (B, L, D) (G).
Wednesday, February 4, and Thursday, February 5:
The highlight of Sea Lion Island is the largest breeding population of Elephant Seals in the region. There are about 1,800 Elephant Seals along the main beach. About 500 elephant seal pups are born there every year. Occasionally an Orca is seen patrolling the beaches in search of unwary sea lion or elephant seal pups. In the afternoon we will fly to the only town in the Falkland Islands, Port Stanley. It has a population of about 2,000 people. Overnight on the 5th at Malvina House Hotel (B,L,D) (G).
Friday, February 6:
From Port Stanley it is possible to visit Volunteer Point which is an impressive peninsula to the north of East Falkland Island. It is home to a colony of King Penguins as well as Gentoo and Magellanic Penguins.
Saturday, February 7:
Today we will have time to explore the Port Stanley museum and area. In the afternoon we return from Port Stanley to Punta Arenas, Chile. After arriving at Punta Arenas we will go to the village of Río Verde on the shores of the Fitz Roy Channel and stay overnight at Hostería Río Verde.
Sunday, February 8:
Our destination for this day will be a lifetime experience. We will have the opportunity and watch and photograph Andean Condors flying through a mountain pass at eye level at Cerro Palomares. It is one of the best condor-viewing sites in South America. Overnight at Hostería Río Verde (B, L, D) (G)
Monday, February 9:
From the Fitz Roy Channel we will travel northward to Torres del Paine National Park, a stunning world heritage site where we can see wild Guanacos, Lesser Rheas, Black-necked Swans, Southern Gray Foxes, and several kinds of wild geese. Overnight at Hostería Las Torres (B,L,D) (G)
Tuesday, February 10:
We will continue our exploration of the land and wildlife of Torres de Paine National Park and beautiful Grey Lake where glaciers and icebergs highlight the landscape. Overnight at Hostería las Torres (B,L,D) (G)
Wednesday, February 11:
On Wednesday we pass through spectacular vistas at Laguna Azul on the east side of Torres Del Paine National Park as we return to Punta Arenas and catch a flight to Santiago. Overnight at Hotel Plaza San Francisco, in Santiago (B,L,D),(G)
Thursday, February 12:
Free morning in Santiago, and evening departure for the USA. (B)
Friday, February 13:
Arrival in Miami, Florida, and continue on to US destinations.