S E E U S O N T H E W E B AT wildlifeworldwide.com 157 South America / Ecuador & Galapagos Alta The Alta is a first class 42-metre ketch-rigged motor sailer carrying sixteen passengers in eight cabins each with a private bathroom (shower and toilet). Four of the cabins have twin beds and four have double beds. Facilities include fresh hot/cold water, air-conditioning throughout, lounge, bar, dining room and two sun decks. Meals are taken in the dining room or ‘al fresco’ on the foredeck. There are eight crew on board together with a naturalist guide. The Alta usually visits San Cristobal, Genovesa, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, Bartolome, Santa Cruz, Floreana and Espanola. Kayaking is also possible. La Pinta Starting operations in March 2008, this will be the most luxurious expedition vessel in the Galapagos, with a capacity of 40 guests, in 24 spacious cabins with large windows. La Pinta will be a family-friendly operation (with an minimum age of six years old), with a few triple cabins available, as well as connecting cabins. It has a sitting room, well stocked library, lecture area with cinema screen, separate dining areas both inside and outside with a choice of deck bars. Samba The Samba is a first class 23-metre traditional steelhulled motor yacht, offering comfortable and spacious accommodation for fourteen passengers. There are six air-conditioned double/twin cabins each with private bathroom (toilet and shower), and one air-conditioned double/twin cabin with external bathroom facilities. There is also a lounge, bar and dining area together with ample open and shaded deck space. There are six crew on board. The Samba usually visits Plaza, Puerto Ayora, Espanola, Floreana, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, and Bartolome, before returning to Baltra via Caleta Tortuga Negra. La Pinta Samba Alta Parranda The Parranda is an elegant, spacious first class 38-metre motor yacht carrying sixteen passengers in eight cabins each with private bathroom (shower and toilet). There are five cabins with a double bed (one superior cabin) and two cabins with twin beds. Facilities include a lounge, bar, and dining area, together with a long and spacious outside deck where you can read, sleep or just relax. There is air-conditioning throughout and stabilisers fitted to make cruising more comfortable. The Parranda is a fast vessel, allowing for less travel time between islands and more time on visits. There are eight crew on board, including a naturalist guide. The Parranda usually visits San Cristobal, Genovesa, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, Bartolome, Santa Cruz, Floreana, and Espanola. Kayaking is also possible. Cachalote The Cachalote is a tourist class 21-metre ketch-rigged motor sailer, carrying sixteen passengers in eight double/twin cabins each with private facilities (shower and toilet). The public areas include a bar and dining area, together with ample deckspace spread over three decks. There is air-conditioning throughout. There are six crew on board, including a naturalist guide. The Cacholote usually visits Baltra, Santa Cruz, Espanola, Floreana, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago and Bartolome. Cachalote Parranda

F O R R E S E R V A T I O N S C A L L U S O N 0845 130 6982 The Falkland Islands 158 The Falkland Islands 15 days London to London Days 1 & 2.Depart London Depart RAF Brize Norton for the overnight flight to Mount Pleasant where you arrive early afternoon and spend the night at the Darwin House in Stanley. Days 3 to 5. Carcass Island [B, L, D] Today you fly to Carcass Island, on a Falkland Island Government Air Service (FIGAS) flight in a 9-seater aircraft (your mode of transport between all islands). Your accommodation here will be at a small settlement, run by the owners who have lived on the island for nearly 30 years. Within walking distance of the settlement you will find Magellanic Penguins and Striated Caracaras, to the north Elephant Seals, and to the south a colony of Gentoo Penguins. During your stay you take a boat excursion to West Point Island. West Point Island, formerly known as Albatross Island, lies to the north-west of the Falkland Island group, and is well worth a visit to see the dramatic Devil’s Nose and Cliff Mountain together with Black-browed Albatross, Rockhopper, and Magellanic Penguins, Striated Caracara and Turkey Vultures. Devil’s Nose is a rocky outcrop which juts out into the sea in a spectacular fashion from steep cliffs, which are home to over 2,000 breeding pairs of Black-browed Albatross. With 500 pairs of Rockhopper Penguins also in the area, it makes for one of the most amazing sights in the Falkland Islands. Days 6 to 8. Pebble Island [B, L, D] Today you fly on to Pebble Island, which is 38 kilometres long and is one of the largest islands in the West Falkland’s group. It has white sand beaches, ponds and wetlands, tussock plantations, moorlands and rocky cliffs which offer shelter and protection to sealions and thousands of penguins, and is in fact the only place in the Falkland Islands where all six species of penguin known to visit the islands have been seen: Magellanic, Gentoo, Rockhopper, Macaroni, King, and Erect-crested. Pebble Island Hotel, where you will be based, used to be the Farm Manager’s house, but now caters for visitors offering six twin rooms, each with en-suite facilities. It is situated in the middle of the farm settlement and although now ideally adapted to the needs of guests, it retains the warm and friendly atmosphere of a large farm house. Falklands sunset Elephant Seal