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The islands are wonderful. Sark was a revelation. The two tour leaders made this trip memorable. Their personalities and sense of humour made this trip extra special. Over and above the normal range, we enjoyed moth traps, star gazing and bat observing.
K.P, Cambridgeshire, May '23
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Channel Islands - Guernsey, Herm & Sark
Tour Code: GBR313A peaceful 10-day holiday encompassing the very best of the British Channel Islands of Sark, Guernsey and Herm.
10 days
from
£3,495 (Inc flights)
£3,495 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£3,195
£3,195
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
The British Channel Islands have been little-explored by mainland-based naturalists. This pioneering 10-day holiday explores three of the archipelago's islands, led by a Channel Island resident expert naturalist. Our stay begins on the beautiful island of Sark, which lies 9 miles to the south-east of Guernsey and is described by the Daily Telegraph as one of the 20 most tranquil and most "desirable great escapes on the planet”. Sark is also one of the sunniest places in the British Isles and hosts a wonderful selection of wildlife which we shall seek on serene excursions.
After a most enjoyable 6-day exploration of Sark’s flora and fauna, we’ll take a 50-minute ferry crossing back to Guernsey where we will be based for our next four nights. The picturesque island of Guernsey is the second largest of the Channel Islands and is packed with award-winning beaches, picture-postcard towns, and world-class cuisine. Guernsey hosts an interesting fauna and flora including such specialities as Glanville Fritillary, Loose-flowered Orchid and Short-toed Treecreeper. On one of the days based on Guernsey we shall make a day trip to our third Channel Island of the holiday, Herm, which is just a 15-minute ferry crossing from Guernsey's St Peter Port Harbour. Herm is one of the smallest of the inhabited Channel Islands and with a population of just over 60 is beautifully unspoilt and with no cars, incredibly peaceful.
We'll return from our holiday having had a most restful yet fascinating insight into our most southerly islands.
For detailed information, please download the itinerary document above. Please note that the second departure in each year is usually operated in the reverse direction i.e. starting in Guernsey and ending in Sark.
- Explore three British Channel Islands on one holiday!
- See wonderful species rarely, or not, found on the British Isles mainland including Glanville Fritillary, Loose-flowered Orchid and Short-toed Treecreeper
- Led by a Channel Island resident expert naturalist
- Bird-ringing and moth-trapping demonstrations undertaken
- Visit beautiful habitats such as the Ramsar sites of L’Eree Shingle Bank, Gouliot Headland and Lihou Island
- Ferry option available for those who wish to make this a flight-free holiday
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Guernsey, sail Sark
Day 2/5
Daily excursions in search of the wildlife of the island of Sark
Day 6
Depart Sark, arrive Guernsey
Day 7/9
Daily excursions in search of Guernsey’s wildlife including boat trip and day trip to Herm
Day 10
Depart Guernsey, sail UK
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We’ll stay in one of Sark’s traditional farmhouses, set in extensive, beautiful, sheltered gardens with an indoor swimming pool, dining in the luxurious Georgian hotel next-door each evening. On Guernsey we'll stay in an elegant 4-star hotel in a beautiful secluded valley where upgraded Gold Balcony rooms are used as standard for our tour. All rooms en suite.
- Food:
The tour price includes a wonderful 3-course meal on each of our nine evenings. Lunches are not included in the tour price and will be taken at cafés featuring local produce, and where light lunches such as soups and sandwiches are available, as well as more substantive plates of food.
Reviews
Dates & Prices
2024
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sun 19th May – Tue 28th May
FULL
£3,495
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,195
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£895
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
John Horton
Tour Leader: John Horton
John Horton is the warden of the British Isles' newest bird observatory on Alderney, and he featured on BBC Countryfile in this role in the spring of 2016. Whilst birdwatching is John's forte, since moving to Alderney he has become a proficient all rounder with regards to the fauna and flora and has discovered species of birds, insects, flowers and mammals never before recorded on the island. Prior to his current role, he was a wildlife crime investigator for the Metropolitan police for 15yrs before discovering Alderney and making it his home. He recently represented the British bird observatories delivering a presentation at the 2019 International bird observatories council AGM in Eilat, Israel. He is sponsored by Zeiss optics and features as the Channel Islands representative on the Zeiss website nature blog. He is the Alderney Bird Recorder, a member of the Bailiwick Islands rare birds panel and in 2021 became the chairman of the Channel Islands bird ringing scheme. John's most memorable wildlife moments are sitting amongst a family of Mountain Gorillas in the African Congo and the ringing of a Spoon-billed Sandpiper in South West India on Valentines Day in 1989. John loves leading our tours on Alderney and its neighbouring islands and derives great pleasure from playing his part in bringing attention to this wonderful wildlife haven.
Tue 16th Jul – Thu 25th Jul
4
£3,495
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,195
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£895
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
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