Welcome to the Falkland Islands! Arriving at Mount Pleasant Airport you will be met by a KE representative before being transferred to your accommodation in Stanley. The afternoon is free to explore Stanley at your leisure or recuperate from your journey. We will meet for an evening meal in our accommodation where you can meet the group and your tour leader, Andrew, who will deliver a briefing on the adventure ahead.

Andrew will join us on our travels around the Falkland Islands, using his local knowledge, wildlife expertise and photography skills to put us in the best positions to capture some incredible wildlife experiences along the way.

It's time to leave the capital and civilisation behind as we head out to the outer islands on our wilderness adventure. Today we take a short domestic flight on the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) to Sea Lion Island. The air service acts as a taxi service between the islands and exact schedules are confirmed the day before departure - your tour leader will keep you up to date on the check in times for each flight.

Just 17km south of the main East Island, Sea Lion Island is owned by Micky and Sarah Reeves of the Wild Falklands Ltd and one of the premier wildlife havens on the islands. The island is made up of two flat rocky plateaux joined by a broad sandy beach, grass tussocks and no land predators give the ideal habitat for a huge variety of ground nesting birds. The island is also home to elephant seals, southern sea lions, and three species of penguin. During the summer Sea Lion Island is the only location in the Falklands where killer whale pods routinely patrol, hunting penguins and seals on the edge of kelp beds just offshore.

Your lodge hosts on Sea Lion Island (Micky and Sarah) will meet you at the airstrip and transfer your luggage back to the lodge, as the airstrip is located nearby it is just a short walk to the lodge.

Once settled in we embark on a 4x4 tour around the island. We visit Long Pond and will be dropped off at the rockhopper penguin colony for pick up later on. Your hosts will inform you of the relevant timings accordingly.

Today is a free day to explore the island at your leisure, at just 9.5km long and 2.4km at its widest, it is possible to explore much of the island on foot. Your wildlife guide and photographer, Andrew, is on hand to suggest the best spots and times to observe the stunning array of wildlife on offer as well as to give advice on how to capture the best photos in this environment.

The wildlife is within easy walking distance from the lodge, none closer than the colony of gentoo penguins viewable from the lodge's main room, allowing photographers to arrange their time for optimal encounters. After a full day enjoying the South Atlantic solitude and wilderness, return to the lodge to enjoy the hospitality of your hosts and a hearty home-cooked meal.

Bid a fond farewell to your island hosts as we make our way to Carcass Island, lying to the north-west of the archipelago it is one of the most picturesque outer-lying islands. Your hosts will drive your luggage to the airstrip as you make the short walk to connect with your departing flight. (Please be aware your flight may call at other airstrips prior to your destination). After the short and scenic flight you will be met by your new hosts on Carcass Island, with whom you will transfer by 4x4 to their accommodation, 'The Manager's House' - your base for the next 2 nights.

This converted farmhouse is famous for its food, with meals prepared using the island's organically produced vegetables, meats and dairy. Guests dine with the family hosts and are treated to delicious home-cooked meals each evening.

The rest of the day is free to explore the island, its walking trails and yet more native wildlife. As well as gentoo penguins, striated caracara and ruddy-headed geese it is also home to one of two endemic birds found in the Falklands, the Cobb's wren.

Today, when sea conditions allow, we join the 'Seaquest' (a motorised catamaran) to travel to West Point, a small island about an hour southwest of Carcass and lying just off the larger West Island. Formerly known as 'Albatross Island' due to the thousands of nestling black-browed albatross, the island is home to spectacular scenery and impressive wildlife - the albatross using the high rocky cliffs as their protected breeding ground. The crossing can be choppy but we are rewarded with possible sightings of dolphins and sea lions in the water. Upon arrival at West Point we walk on a well-marked trail to the top of the cliffs where the albatross colony is located. We also have chance to observe another large colony of rockhopper penguins that call the island home. After time to explore this remote outcrop we return to the Seaquest and head back to Carcass Island and the comfort of the Manager's House.

Today we leave Carcass Island and fly back to Stanley. Once the flight schedule is known our hosts will drive us back to the airstrip in time for our domestic flight. We will be met at Stanley Airport by a representative and transferred to our hotel in the town.

We will be collected from our hotel to drive by 4x4 to embark on an unforgettable day trip to Volunteer Point where the world's largest accessible colony of breeding king penguins await us. This excursion is, without doubt, the swansong visit of any Falklands itinerary.

Volunteer Point was named after the ship Volunteer which called at the islands in 1815 and is a privately owned nature reserve which forms part of Johnson's Harbour Farm. Being able to experience the sheer abundance of wildlife in their natural environment is beyond compare - there are colonies of gentoo and Magellanic penguins here ;along with over 40 bird species including the South American tern, oyster catchers and rock cormorants to name but a few.

Another jewel in the crown is the remarkably stunning 2 mile long white sandy beach with its rolling waves and clear waters resembling somewhere altogether tropical on a sunny day. You may even get the chance to share the sand with the odd basking sea lion! Exceptional photographic opportunities abound wherever you cast your eye.

The first hour of your journey (approximately 2.5 hours each way) is on undulating gravel roads passing through the mountains lying to the north-west of Stanley. The unusual rock formations locally known as stone runs will not escape your attention as they effortlessly flow down the hillsides. En-route your guide will talk you through the highlights and will be more than happy to answer any questions that spring to mind.

Once you reach Johnson's Harbour Farm the adventurous part begins with the remaining 12 miles (approximately one and a half hours) driven overland on an uneven white grass route. Your driver will expertly navigate the terrain, but please be aware that your vehicle will undoubtedly bump and sway whilst encountering small ditches, streams and peat bogs along the way.

Upon arrival at Volunteer Point, your guide will point out where you are free to roam at your leisure. Although we ask that a distance of at least 6m is observed between wildlife and visitors, it is not unusual for penguins to inquisitively approach you which is a truly indescribable encounter.

We return by the same route for our final evening in Stanley.

Today we say goodbye to the Falkland Islands as we depart for our homeward journey. Transfers to Mount Pleasant International Airport are included. A local representative will confirm your pick up time the day prior to departure.