Falkland Islands & South Georgia
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The Falkland Islands & South Georgia: Located some 490kms 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. Unpolluted, with fantastically clear skies and crystal white beaches, here is a holiday of a lifetime, 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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Travelling to the Falklands is easier than believed, by air and sea. Most visitors arrive with LATAM who operate a flight every Saturday from Santiago (SCL), Chile, returning the same day via Punta Arenas (PUQ) in southern Chile where customs are completed. Occasionally, flight connections can also be made via Rio Gallegos, in Argentina. Plans were announced late 2018 to launch a weekly LATAM service from Sau Paulo (GRU) to Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN) on East Falklands, with a monthly stop each way in Cordova (COR), Argentina. This could reduce current UK - MPN fares by as much as a half*, but start dates are still to be published**. LATAM connects with ONE WORLD partners to and from Europe, the Americas, Australasia and Africa. Flights also leave from UK twice a week, from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, via a refuelling stop at Cape Verde. They leave the UK on Sundays and Wednesdays, 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 can only do so by sea. (* Approx US$ 2,800/pax Econ Return/** as @ Jun '19)
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Unique Destinations has a shortlist of cosy accommodation in the Falklands capital, Stanley, and in delightful rural settings in East and West Falklands. Set amongst sublimely peaceful surroundings and plenty of nature, our list includes opportunities to experience a stay in the country or 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 (2019/20 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 4-star Waterfront 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$182/night in April.
Due to the logistics required to travel to the Falklands, most visitors will require accommodation from Saturday to Saturday, unless arriving on UK MOD flights from the UK. The HIGH season period is October to March (Austral summer), when better accommodation particularly is at a premium. Accordingly, visitors should plan well ahead and seek our assistance to make tentative accommodation bookings that fit with travel arrangements. Most of the accommodation on the Falklands has been assessed by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board Accommodation Accreditation Scheme, and given a star rating for service, comfort, cleanliness, etc, from 1 - 5. As an example of pricing, the 4-star Waterfront Boutique Hotel in Stanley quotes a rate of US$ 202/night for two persons sharing a double luxury room, including breakfast. This reduces to US$182/night in April.