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WILDLIFE AND WAR - A GUIDED TOUR OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS BATTLEFIELDS AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES BY SAILING VESSEL 9 - 22 DECEMBER 2007

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time on Pelagic Australis . The concept of the yacht works extremely well in practice and skipper Steve and his crew inspired confidence from the moment I stepped aboard. Ewen’s detailed knowledge of the Falkland Islands and his affection for the islanders and their unique way of life made every day memorable. It was all enormous fun.” Victor Walker vswalker@compuserve.com

Following the success of our 2004 expedition which took in the principal scenes of action from the Falklands campaign of 1982 and some of the Islands' finest wildlife sites. We are planning a repeat of the 14 day itinerary, guided by Ewen Southby Tailyour (to be confirmed), the author of the definitive guide to the waters of the area "The Falkland Islands Shores", who served on the staff of 3 Commando Brigade during the campaign to repossess the Islands. See also photos from the 2004 expedition

Guests would either fly once weekly to the Mt. Pleasant Airport (MPA) direct from the UK (Royal Airforce Tristar), or every Saturday from Punta Arenas via Santiago Chile. They would be met on arrival and then take Landrover transport with a local service to one of the "Camps" (settlements) on East Falkland to meet either of the vessels. We strongly recommend that international return flights are fully flexible to allow for missed connections due to bad weather.

We recommend International Tours and Travel for specialist advice and arrangements (including international connections). Contact Jennie Forrest on jf.itt@horizon.co.fk

For more information on the Falkland Islands in general, contact: Falkland Islands Government House, 14 Broadway, Westminster, London SW1 HDB11. Tel: 44 (0)207 222 2542

COST

3,000 GBP per person which is all inclusive of food and drink once on board. A maximum of eight guests is envisaged.

This cost includes the use of Musto HPX sailing four weather gear, all personal safety equipment for sailing (lifejacket, harness) and the use of the Inmarsat communications equipment.

Please e-mail Skip Novak for more information or to make a booking.

The provisional itinerary below is both weather dependent and adjustable to the wishes of the charter party.

46 slow land miles but not as slow as it was then!	Day 1: Arrive Mount Pleasant Airport. Transport direct to Pelagic Australis in San Carlos (46 slow land miles). Visit war museum (D-Day landings by Royal Marines Commandos and Parachute Battalion) and British cemetery. If weather is fine sail for night anchorage off Ajax Bay (Field Hospital) - settle in on board.
Pucara destroyed during raid on Pebble Island	Day 2: Sail for Pebble Island (excellent example of settlement life) possibly via Port San Carlos or Jersey Harbour Day 3: Sail through Pebble Sound to Carcass (finest wildlife sanctuary) via Saunders Island (1777 Royal Marines settlement).
Carcass Island	Day 4: Carcass Island. Day 5: Weather and tides permitting, sail for Jason Islands. Anchor off Steeple Jason. If fine, remain for night. (Finest penguin and albatross colonies.)
Black browed Albatross	Day 6: Sail for West Point Island. Night stop. (Finest albatross colonies.)
Black browed Albatross	Day 7: Short sail to Port North Bense Island anchorage. (Fine beaches - possible dolphins and whales.)
Dolphins drawn by Ewen Southby Tailyour	Day 8: Sail for New Island. (Wildlife paradise and wrecks.)
Dolphins drawn by Ewen Southby Tailyour	Day 9: Sail for Port Albermarle via Horse Block Rock - south about Weddell Island. (Possible dolphins and whales?)
	Day 10: Sail for Fox Bay (woollen and knitwear centres), possibly via Port Edgar (site of proposed anchorage for the Royal Family in World War Two - fascinating anchorage).
	Day 11: Sail for anchorage at Bull Cove (penguins).
Bluff Cove looking seaward	Day 12: Sail for either Fitzroy Settlement or Bluff Cove Settlement or if time permits: leave out Fitzroy and Bluff Cove and divert to Goose Green (wrecks and site of Argentine garrison and Parachute Battalion battle).
Stanley	Day 13: Sail to Stanley. Day 14: Overland transport to Mount Pleasant Airport
See Equipment List 1 - For the Falkland Islands recommended kit list. Please e-mail Skip Novak for more information or to make a booking. and finally from 2004 . . .”What can one possibly say of a trip that has such great and remote scenery, wildlife that includes king penguins by the score, albatrosses, seals and dolphins of a type not seen in northern latitudes, the wrecks of old sailing ships left to rot after a stormy rounding of Cape Horn over a century before and the chance to walk across the wreck of the "Vicar of Bray".......a ship used in the 1849 California gold rush? The humour and good nature of all on board and the wit and skill with which Ewen tackled more recent events all made for a memorable trip. If anyone is thinking of going, my advice is book, pack and buy a good camera. Don't just think about it!” Mike Davies annamjd@ukonline.co.uk

See Equipment List 1 - For the Falkland Islands recommended kit list.