Tours and Excursions for Cruise Visitors

A popular way to visit the Falkland Islands, traveling by ship allows visitors to access many sites that remain largely inaccessible to land-based tourists while also enjoying the services and amenities of some of the world’s top cruise lines. While many know the Falklands as the British Military Base of “Mount Pleasant” which was opened by Prince Andrew in 1985, more than 50,000 cruise passengers a year are discovering that it is a unique travel destination that offers an opportunity to get up close with some of the world’s most endangered species. In 2010, cruise arrivals increased by nearly 14 percent with the vast majority – 39 percent - coming from the United States followed by passengers from the UK, Brazil, Canada and Germany.

With unrivalled access to penguins and the rare black-browed albatross and elephant seals, there are opportunities to see hundreds of other species that reside on the 770-plus islands that make up the Falklands archipelago.

Below are just some of the tours and tourism opportunities offered to cruise passengers:

Battlefield Tours
While many people are familiar with the Falkland Islands conflict that took place in 1982 between Britain and Argentina, this four-hour tour is designed to highlight the memorials and monuments that are still visible. This includes evidence that still remains on the ground, such as man-made bunkers and fox holes, used munitions and even an occasional field kitchen. There is also a tour led by a veteran of the conflict that includes stops at positions used by Argentine forces as well as the location honoring lost British soldiers.

Falklands Nature Trek
Geared to the serious nature enthusiast, this three hour tour entails 3.5 miles of walking over uneven terrain and is recommended for those participants who can undertake a more physically challenging excursion. The reward for such efforts is an exclusive opportunity to view Falkland Islands wildlife and flora, including Rock Cormorants and Magellanic Penguins, and various native plants including Vanilla Daisy, Diddle-dee and Pale Maidens (the national flower).

Bluff Cove Lagoon Tour
Winner of the ‘Innovative Shorex Award of the Year’ at the 2009 Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards and nominee for the title “World’s Best Beach for Wildlife Lovers” by the Sunday Times Travel Magazine (UK), Bluff Cove Lagoon Tour offers an off-road driving adventure for an up-close and personal view into the life of 1,000 breeding pairs of Gentoo penguins and a growing colony of King penguins and their chicks. The Sea Cabbage Cafe serves delicious cakes and cookies with local flavours including the teaberry, often to a backdrop of live music and wool spinning demonstrations. In addition, a new Museum and gift shop are open to provide fascinating insight into Falklands heritage.

Stanley History Walk
This two and a half-hour guided walk through Stanley is an ideal opportunity to understand the pioneering history of the tiny capital of the Falkland Islands and its British roots. The walk includes stops at the old town boundary where visitors take a step back in time to understand the origins of the town’s architecture. Other sites include Cartmell Cottage, one of the earliest residential buildings in Stanley, Marmont Row - previously the historic Upland Goose Hotel, the mast of the HMS Great Britain, Whale Bone Arch and Christ Church Cathedral. The tour ends at Jubilee Villas built in honor of Queen Victoria’s Golden jubilee in 1887.

North Pond Penguin Tour
For those passengers wanting to experience the wildlife and natural beauty of the Falklands, the North Pond Penguin Tour provides an up-close experience with penguins, birdlife and flora. The tour includes off-road elements, taking guests to picturesque locations where adventure seekers will have the opportunity to view Gentoo and Magellanic penguins as well other rare breeds including Dolphin and Kelp Gulls, Flightless Steamer ducks, Upland geese, two-banded Plovers, Kelp geese, Grebes, Teal ducks, Oystercatchers and many more species which are indigenous to the area. With pure white sand and crystal blue waters, this tour also provides a great backdrop for photography.

A comprehensive list of tours is available from www.falklandislands.com - click on the cruises tab. Media enquiries should be directed to Suzanne Holiday at Keene on +44 (0)20 7839 2140 or falklandstourism@keenepa.co.uk (UK) or Kylie Robertson at Robertson Solutions +1 212 360 2390 (USA) kylie@robertsonsolutions.com

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p>Notes for Editors:
• The Falkland Islands have a raw, unspoilt quality that entices locals and tourists back time and again. Visitors to the Islands are spoilt for choice with more than 227 species of identified birds (including several of the world’s largest endangered breeding colonies), as well as whales, dolphins, elephant seals, sea lions, delicate flora and rugged geographical formations.
• The best time to visit the Islands and experience the local culture and wildlife is October to April. The average summer temperature (December to March) is 15º Celsius (59º Fahrenheit) and the Falklands has more sunshine hours and less rainfall than the UK.
• There are over 40 international tour operators offering tailor-made packages and escorted tours to the Falkland Islands. See www.falklandislands.com for the latest list.
• Visitors can reach the Falklands on the weekly LAN Airways flight via Chile or the charter flight operated twice weekly from RAF Brize Norton in the UK by the Ministry of Defence.