A DAY AT THE BEACH WITH ROYALTY

Volunteer Point offers 1200 adult King penguins, plus several hundred chicks, and is the largest colony of King penguins in the world outside of South Georgia. Additionally there are around 1000 Gentoo and several thousand Magellanic penguins nesting along the Point.

Volunteer Point is approximately 50 miles from Stanley, and takes about two and a half hours driving time. The major section of the route is on a gravel road, while the final quarter of the journey is an adventure over a grass track in a 4 x 4 vehicle.

The first part of the tour takes in most of the battle mountains which became synonymous with the Falklands War of 1982 - Tumbledown, Harriet and Longdon.

After a thirty minute drive, you will have a quick stop to view two Argentine helicopters, victims of the War. Further along you will pass the historic settlement of Port Louis. The French first settled here in 1764, followed by the Spanish and finally the British in 1833. Ten years later the settlement was virtually abandoned as the small population moved to Stanley.

After an hour's drive, the gravel road ends at the sheep farm of Johnson Harbour. It is here that the most interesting part of the journey begins, as the route takes in a variety of challenges, which fully test the skill of the experienced off-road drivers. Small streams, bridges, ditches and peat bogs have to be negotiated along the way.

After one and a half hours drive, the King penguin colony is reached. It is situated between a beautiful long white sand beach and a salt-water lagoon. There are wonderful photographic opportunities as the friendly kings elegantly pose, dressed in their superb and unique colouring of gold, yellow and black feathering. From January onwards, newly hatched chicks can be seen peeking out from their parent's brood pouches, while the previous season's chicks are dressed in brown fluffy coats, and can match their parents for size. The higher nesting Gentoo and burrowing Magellanic penguins can also be seen with their chicks throughout the spring and summer months.

A few minutes walk to the sand beach allows you to see all three species mixing and moving, as they head out to see for food or return to their colonies. Again, there are superb photographic opportunities as the penguins dive and swim with amazing agility.

A two-hour stopover at Volunteer Point provides time to see the magnificent Kings and enjoy a snack, before setting off for the return journey to Stanley.

A truly unique experience, taking in three species of penguin, stark and beautiful Falklands countryside, a typical small sheep farm, and the battle mountains of 1982.

This tour is not suitable for people with severe back, hip, neck or mobility problems due to the strenuous overland drive.