Page 270 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

268  ARGENTINA REGION B Y REGION

7 Cruising Antarctica Planning a cruise
The Subantarctic Islands Cruises: (11–13 days) to the
Antarctic Peninsula always
Ice-strengthened cruise ships depart from Ushuaia for the vast, include the South Shetland
white expanse of the Antarctic continent. There are myriad routes Islands. Longer trips (18–20 days)
to choose from but popular ports of call include the Antarctic include South Georgia and the
Falkland Islands.
Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands and, on longer cruises, Ship types: vary, but all are ice-
the rugged island chains of Subantarctica. Trips explore a strengthened. Remote Weddell
breathtaking, silent world of gigantic icebergs, tumbling glaciers, Sea and Ross Sea areas are
dazzling ice shelves, and marine wildlife that includes numerous accessed by icebreaker ships.
Best time: to travel is in summer
species of whales and dolphins, seals and penguins, and millions from November to March: days
of marine birds. A human history is palpable too, in the haunting are longer and warmer, and the
form of abandoned whaling stations and gravesites bearing the wildlife more abundant.
names of Heroic Age explorers. See also pp308–9.

modern history, the Falkland populations of black-browed
Islands (Islas Malvinas) are a albatross. Offshore, elephant
popular stop-off on longer seals, sea lions, fur seals,
Antarctic cruises. An archipelago dolphins, and killer whales
consisting of two main islands, roam the waters.
East and West Falkland, and All cruises to the Falklands
several hundred smaller ones, include a stop at the capital,
the Falklands attract thousands Stanley. Built on a north-
of visitors each year. Their facing slope to catch the sun
marine wildlife is as prolific as throughout the year and lined
Brightly painted houses around Christ it is spectacular, with over 60 with rows of colorful cottages
Church cathedral, Stanley breeding bird species and and well-kept gardens, Stanley,
numerous marine mammals. with a population of some
The Falkland Islands (Islas Easily approached, this fauna 2,000, is more reminiscent of an
Malvinas) is observed in its greatest English village than a capital
310 miles (500 km) NE of Ushuaia. numbers on small offshore city. Tours should start at the
* 3,140. k weekly flights via Punta islands such as West Point Jetty Visitor Center by the
Arenas, Chile, and monthly via Río Island, New Island, and passenger dock before taking in
Gallegos. g from Ushuaia. n Jetty Carcass Island, all essential the main sights, which include
Visitor Center, (00500) 22215. stops on Subantarctic itineraries. the Falkland Islands Museum,
∑ falklandislands.com Star attractions include five with displays on the islands’
Surrounded by the cold South kinds of penguin, the rare natural and human history;
Atlantic Ocean and shrouded in rockhopper penguin included, the cathedral and 1982 War
controversy throughout their and the world’s largest breeding Memorial; and Government
House, which dates from 1845.
The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) The Maritime History Trail
tours Stanley Harbor, once
SOUTH ATLANTIC an important port of call for
OCEAN
Carcass Gladstone vessels crossing Cape Horn
Island
Bay and today dotted with
West Point hulking shipwrecks. At low tide
Island Salvador
Port • Volunteer visitors can explore a number
San Carlos • Port Louis Point
Roy Cove • of ships and dive to see others.
• • San Carlos
• Gypsy Cove
New Port Howard East • Outside Stanley, short
Island Chartres • STANLEY •
West Falkland excursions include visits to
Falkland • • Gypsy Cove and Volunteer
Fox Bay Goose Mount
East • Green Pleasant Point, home to large penguin
Lively colonies, and to Goose Green,
•North Arm Island site of fierce fighting in the 1982
Speedwell Falklands War.
Island
0 km 50
E Falkland Islands Museum
0 miles 50
Holdfast Rd, Stanley. Tel (00500)
27428. @ from jetty. Open 9am–4pm
Key
Main road Track daily. & 8 7 =
∑ falklands-museum.com
For keys to map symbols see back flap
268-269_EW_Argentina.indd 268 05/08/16 10:42 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm