Falkland Islands & South Georgia
(COVID-19 Update as @ 26 Sep 2020): The Falkland Islands authorities have issued guidance that complies with UK Health policy on COVID-19, including social distancing and quarantine where required. Cruise vessels may visit if everyone has been aboard for a minimum of 10 days and no-one is suffering from potential COVID-19 symptoms.
UK FCO Travel Advice - Falkland Islands ARE on the list of countries exempt from "all but essential" travel, but visitors must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival;
US State Travel Advice - Level 3; "Reconsider Travel".
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The Falkland Islands & South Georgia: Located some 480kms east of Patagonia at latitude 52°S, the Falklands Archipelago and associated British Overseas Territory of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands are a haven for travellers looking for peace and seclusion, and heaps of stunning marine life and birds. With the majority of the Falklands' 3,500 population being based in the capital, Stanley, life here is delightfully tranquil and uncluttered! Also unpolluted, with fantastically clear skies and crystal white beaches, you can enjoy a special holiday of a lifetime here, far from the madding crowd! |
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The Falklands, and further flung South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands (located some 1,500kms further east), teem with the wonders of nature and wildlife. With vast open spaces, and many spots where nature can be observed in quiet contemplation, the islands are a natural paradise. In the main towns or tiny settlements, locals welcome guests with unabashed warmth. There are many sights and activities to enjoy, and the on-island air service - FIGAS - can be used to visit these locations with ease and simplicity. With more than forty different cruise ships also including the isles on austral summer sailings, routing via the Falklands is a great way to get more out of a trip to South American Patagonia or start your Antarctic adventure. Click on the link to visit the range of cruise companies that currently route via the Falklands.
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NB. During the COVID-19 Crises LATAM have suspended
their flights to MPN via PUQ, using instead a weekly service on Tues/Weds from SCL to MPN via GRU (approx US$ 2,500/ pers; 20 hr/overnight flight). First flight ETD SCL @ 1650 hrs Tue 14 Jul 2020; ETA MPN @ 1400 hrs Wed 15 Jul. LATAM hopes to reopen the route SCL-PUQ-MPN & return from 1 Aug. |
Travelling to the Falklands is easier than first imagined, but there are also glitches that should be avoided (see our Tour Report)! Most visitors arrive with LATAM who operate a flight every Saturday from Santiago (SCL), Chile, to Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN) on East Falklands, via Punta Arenas (PUQ) in Southern Chile where customs procedures are completed. This returns to SCL on the same day via PUQ. Once a month, these flights also route via Rio Gallegos (RGL), in Argentina.
A NEW Austral summer service with LATAM since November 2019, is a weekly Wednesday flight out of Sau Paulo (GRU) in Brazil to MPN, with a stop in Cordova (COR), Argentina, once a month. This may reduce the current UK - MPN fares* by as much as 50%! LATAM connects with ONE WORLD partners to and from Europe, the Americas, Australasia and Africa. UK MOD (air tanker) flights with passenger capacity also leave the UK twice a week from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire via a refuel stop at Ascension Island. They leave the UK on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, returning on Tuesdays and Fridays. Visitors can book seats on these UK MOD flights via the FI Government Office in London*. On arriving at MPN, a bus service offers easy transfer into Stanley. Travellers going on to South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands can only do so by sea, by yacht charter from Stanley. (* Approx US$ 2,800/pax Econ Return; +44 (0)20 7222 2542) |
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Unique Destinations has a shortlist of cosy accommodation in the Falklands capital, Stanley, and in delightful rural settings on East and West Falklands. Set amongst sublimely peaceful surroundings and plenty of nature, our list includes opportunities to experience a stay in the country at a local farm, seeing how the locals work, and sharing good home-cooking with them at the end of the day. A few opportunities also exist to venture out into more remote parts, including stays at unique locations such as on Sea Lion Island just off the southern coast of East Falklands. |
PRICING (2020 Season)
Due to the logistics required to travel to the Falklands, most visitors will require accommodation from Saturday to Saturday, unless arriving on UK MOD flights from the UK. The HIGH season period is October to March (Austral summer), when better accommodation particularly is at a premium. Accordingly, visitors should plan well ahead and seek our assistance to make tentative accommodation bookings that fit with travel arrangements. Most of the accommodation on the Falklands has been assessed by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board Accommodation Accreditation Scheme, and given a star rating for service, comfort, cleanliness, etc, from 1 - 5. As an example of pricing, the 3-star Waterfront Inn boutique hotel in Stanley quotes a rate of US$ 202/night for two persons sharing a double luxury room, including breakfast. This reduces to US$182/night in April.
Due to the logistics required to travel to the Falklands, most visitors will require accommodation from Saturday to Saturday, unless arriving on UK MOD flights from the UK. The HIGH season period is October to March (Austral summer), when better accommodation particularly is at a premium. Accordingly, visitors should plan well ahead and seek our assistance to make tentative accommodation bookings that fit with travel arrangements. Most of the accommodation on the Falklands has been assessed by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board Accommodation Accreditation Scheme, and given a star rating for service, comfort, cleanliness, etc, from 1 - 5. As an example of pricing, the 3-star Waterfront Inn boutique hotel in Stanley quotes a rate of US$ 202/night for two persons sharing a double luxury room, including breakfast. This reduces to US$182/night in April.