OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

Trip Highlights

• Explore lush and pristine Valdivian temperate forests, home to many endemic tapaculos and other woodland birds.

• Up to three dolphin species including Peale's, Chilean and Commerson's.

• Two species of local and highly range-restricted otters.

• Boat trip off Quellon looking for Blue Whales and interesting seabirds including many tubenoses.

• Up to three species of fox including Darwin's, Chilla and Culpeo.

• Comprehensive trip to Patagonia's Torres del Paine with a focus on finding Puma.

• Ferry crossings in Chiloe Island and the Magellan Straits, both very good sites for seabirds and marine mammals.

• Stunning waders including seedsnipes, Magellanic Plover, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Rufous-chested Dotterel and Two-banded Plover.

• Up to three penguin species including Humboldt, Magellanic and King.

This program is operated as a scheduled departure, leaving on a set date.

A custom trip (flexible option which runs on a date you choose giving you more privacy) is available upon request for individuals or small private groups.

The Difference of Traveling with Fantástico Sur Expeditions:

• Each of our trips have a maximum of 10 participants.

• Great accommodations at conveniently located hotels and lodges, meaning shorter driving times to the birding sites.

• Superb dinning cuisine and memorable picnic lunches.

• Spacious vehicles that ensure a window seat to each trip participant.

• Each vehicle and driver we use has been authorized by the Chilean Transportation Authority.

• The service and expertise of a professional local birding/naturalist leader, who will look after every logistical aspect of 'your' holiday.

• The use of top-class spotting scopes for our guests for a better observation, identification and study of the birds and other wildlife.

• You will receive a free, signed copy of one of our great birding books for Chile & Patagonia.

• … plus an useful pre-departure information package.

Mammals and Birds of Patagonia can be combined with one of the following optional extensions:

• Tierra del Fuego Photo Expedition (8 days, 7 nights) Photo expedition and nature cruise to the most pristine and remote corners of Tierra del Fuego and the Magellan Straits. Humpack whales galore! plus a great diversity of other marine mammals and seabirds,

• The Falkland Islands (8 days, 7 nights) Private photo safari and wildlife study journey to the Falkland Islands. Fly between the outlying islands and discover the tame wildlife including up to 6 penguins species, albatross colonies, sea lions and elephant seal rookeries, and more,

• Birding Northern Chile (5-6 days) Birdwatching, photo and nature trip to Chile's Atacama Desert and the Altiplano. Explore the breadth of northern Chile from the Pacific coast and oasis valleys up to the lakes of the High Andes.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1 • Puerto Montt - Drive to Ancud - Puñihuil Islets

We start our quest for the mammals and birds of Patagonia from Puerto Montt, Chile's Lake District main city. We recommend to arrive the day before in order to have an early start. From here we will drive towards Chiloe Island, a land of myths and with countless natural and cultural riches. We will take the short 30-minute ferry across the Chacao Channel; this offers great wildlife viewing opportunities and likely that we will see pods of Peale's Dolphins and groups of South American Sea Lion together an interesting array of seabirds including Antarctic Giant Petrel, Black-browed Albatross, Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters, Imperial and Red-legged Shags, Peruvian Pelican and South American Terns. Before reaching the main island we will see tens of Black-necked Swans, actively feeding on algae along the shore. After we set foot we will notice the interesting architecture comprising wooden houses and churches, with characteristic walls and roofs covered with shingles. Later we will aim towards the wild west coast of the island to take a short boat trip to the interesting location of Puñihuil. Here we will circunnavigate one of the islets to see one of the few mixed breeding colonies of Humboldt and Magellanic penguins. We will try to see the always-active Marine Otter, plus Rock Shag, Kelp Goose and Flightless Steamer-Duck.

O/N Hosteria Ancud, Ancud [L,D][G]

Day 2 • Chepu River - Tepuhueico Park

Early in the morning we will explore the Chepu river. This impressive and pristine water course is bordered by very lush and dense rainforests and its clear waters protect a critically endangered species, the Southern River Otter or Huillín. We will attempt to see it and hopefully be rewarded by our patience and efforts to attract its interest. We will also have chances with the rare Rufous-tailed Hawk and the endemic Slender-billed Parakeet. On our way back to Puerto Montt we will stop at the mudflats of Caulin Bay, which holds an important part of the world population of Hudsonian Godwit, which winters here and in other extensive bays of Patagonia togeteher Red Knot and a variety of other shorebirds. During the afternoon we will head south toward the lush woodlands of Tepuhueico where we will do night searches for interesting endemic mammals to Chilean Patagonia.

O/N Tepuhueico Lodge, Tepuhueico [B,L,D][G]

Day 3 • Tepuhueico Park

We will have the whole day to explore the lush and pristine Tepuhueico woodlands, which are part of the unique ecosystem known as Valdivian temperate rainforest. Tepuhueico Park has the reputation of being the only reliable place to see the critically endangered Chilean endemic, the Darwin's Fox, found only here and in far northern Chile. A few hundred individuals of this fantastic canid survive in this ecotone between the dense temperate forests and the coast. We will have interesting walks in search of Darwin's Fox, as well as Pudu (the second smallest deer in the world) and the Kodkod or Güiña (a very rare woodland cat). While searching for this array of enigmatic and poorly known mammals, we should find several endemic birds of the Patagonian woodlands such as Black-throated Huet-huet, Chucao, Ochre-flanked and Magellanic Tapaculos, Patagonian Tyrant, Des Murs Wiretail, Chilean Pigeon, Magellanic Woodpecker, Chilean Hawk, and Green-backed Firecrown.

O/N Tepuhueico Lodge, Tepuhueico [B,L,D][G]

Day 4 • Boat trip off Quellon

Today's quest for whales, dolphins, and seabirds will include an eight-hour boat trip from Quellon, Chiloé's southernmost town, taking us into waters that are rich with marine mammals. There is a recently discovered nursery area for the world's largest whale, the Blue Whale, in this region and the presence of a few hundred individuals have been documented in the whole archipelago, particularly around Corcovado Gulf. We will look for deep water that contains the richest krill feeding areas for the whales. Blue Whales can be recognized at a distance by their impressive spouts, their bluish-back coloration and their very small dorsal fins. Humpback Whales, Orcas, and Chilean and Peale's Dolphins are also potential cetaceans to encounter. During our trip, we will also see Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrels, and Pink-footed and Sooty shearwaters. We will have the exciting opportunity to see and study the newly-discovered, yet unnamed, storm-petrel that breeds somewhere in Chiloe archipelago. After docking back at Quellon, we will drive back to Ancud.

NOTE: Want to know more about this new seabird species? Read more...

O/N Hosteria Ancud, Ancud [B,L,D][G]

Day 5 • Drive to Puerto Montt - Flight to Punta Arenas - Torres del Paine

From Puerto Montt we will take a 2-hour flight down to Punta Arenas, Chile's most southerly city and from here you will be transferred to Torres del Paine National Park. During our journey to the park, we will try to find guanacos, southern grey foxes, and Patagonian skunks while enjoying our first contact with southern beech (Nothofagus) forests. While visiting the valleys we will be given a geological interpretation of the origins of the dramatic backdrop of Torres del Paine, one of the finest natural spectacles in Patagonia.

O/N Hotel Las Torres, Torres del Paine [B,L,D][G]

Day 6 • Torres del Paine National Park

We have organized a busy schedule of day and night search outings for pumas in the area. We will inspect the immediate surroundings of our hotel at night as well as the puma hunting grounds located in the eastern flank of the park. The area comprised by the northern coast of Sarmiento Lake, Laguna Amarga and Laguna Azul is well known by holding one of the largest concentrations of pumas in the wild. February through April is particularly a good period to attempt to find them as the females are actively hunting to provide food to their growing cubs; at this time they are not active just by night but also during the twilight hours. To see a female puma and its large-sized cubs against this magnificent mountain backdrop and glorious skies is one of the most impressive wildlife spectacles. In company of our guide and puma tracker we will attempt seeing puma family groups at a prudent distance with the help of binoculars and spotting scopes. If we have time, we will also take the opportunity to look for other mammal species including the ubiquitous guanaco, the local Andean Deer or Huemul, Patagonian Hog-nosed Skunk and the two canid species present in the park, Chilla and Culpeo foxes.

O/N Hotel Las Torres, Torres del Paine [B,L,D][G]

Day 7 • Torres del Paine National Park

This morning we will explore the lagoons of the eastern side of the park in search of a wealth of waterbirds including Great Grebe, Spectacled Duck, Chiloe Wigeon, Speckled Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, among others. We also expect to see Cinereous Harrier and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle hovering in these places in search of its prey. Chilean Flicker, Striped Woodpecker and Austral Pygmy Owl will be our tagets around a patch of secondary woodland. We will scan the fast-flowing rivers hoping to find the remarkable Torrent Duck. In the eastern side of the park, we will delight in seeing groups of the most southern representative of the camelid family, the charismatic Guanaco. The reed-fringed lagoons can be very interesting; we hope to find Andean Duck, Silvery and White-tufted Grebes and with luck the elusive and recently re-discovered Austral Rail. We will visit Lake Grey to enjoy the dramatic sight of its southern shore dominated by stunning blue icebergs. Our visits to the surrounding sub-Antarctic forests will provide ample opportunity to observe Thorn-tailed Rayadito, White-throated Treerunner, Austral Parakeet, Austral Blackbird and the striking Magellanic Woodpecker.

O/N Hotel Las Torres, Torres del Paine [B,L,D][G]

Day 8 • Torres del Paine National Park - Sierra Baguales

Early in the morning we will explore the Baguales Range, located north-east of Torres del Paine. Along the road, in the scrubby gullies, we will look for interesting passerines such as Patagonian Mockingbird and Gray-bellied Shrike-Tyrant. As we continue exploring this montane habitat we might find the local White-throated Caracara, Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, Cinnamon-bellied and Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrants, Patagonian and Greater Yellow-Finches and the stunning Yellow-bridled Finch. During the afternoon you will be transferred to Puerto Natales for overnight.

O/N Weskar Lodge, Puerto Natales [B,L,D][G]

Day 9 • Pali Aike Road - Ferry to Tierra del Fuego

Today we will cross the windswept steppes of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego in search of its specialties including Ruddy-headed Goose, Least Seedsnipe, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Short-billed Miner, Band-tailed Earthcreeper and Chocolate-vented Tyrant. A short ferry ride will allow us to be on mainland once again and if we are lucky to see the striking Commerson’s Dolphin following the wake. Chilean Flamingos, Upland Goose, Coscoroba Swans, Silver Teal, Black-headed Duck, and Rosy-billed Pochard will be possible to see. Thousands of waders such as Wilson’s Phalarope, Baird’s and White-rumped Sandpipers will be common at the roadside wetlands while we explore and enjoy of the beauty of this “big sky” open country.

O/N Hosteria Yendegaia, Porvenir [B,L,D][G]

Day 10 • Useless Bay - Ferry to mainland

Today we will explore the huge embayment of Bahía Inútil – Useless Bay – where it is likely to find a wealth of seabirds and other aquatic birds. We will concentrate in finding Flightless and Flying Steamer-Ducks, Kelp Goose as well as King, Imperial and Rock Shags. We might find large numbers of gulls such as Kelp, Brown-hooded, and Dolphin Gulls and South American Tern. We will visit a nature reserve where small numbers of King Penguins are starting to colonize this region of Tierra del Fuego. Later we will drive back to Porvenir to take a 2-hour ferry across the Straits of Magellan towards Punta Arenas. Farewell dinner at our hotel.

O/N Hotel Rey Don Felipe, Punta Arenas

Day 11 • End of the trip

End of services after breakfast. Complimentary transfers to Punta Arenas airport for connecting flights to Santiago and home. [B]

PRICING & RATES

PRICING & RATES

Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas?

Domestic flights Santiago – Puerto Montt – Punta Arenas – Santiago (from US$ 400 per person).

What the trip includes/excludes

Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.

The trip price includes: All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, boat trips, and park entrance fees.

The trip price excludes: Domestic flights, tipping, travel insurance, entrance tax to Chile, excess baggage charges, drinks, à la carte dishes, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

Tour Registration

  To book this tour, please complete the online registration form and pay a deposit of US$ 500 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Cancellation Policy

 Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.

Refunds are made according to the following schedule:

If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 200 is refundable.

If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.

If cancellation is made fewer than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.

This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.

MAP

MAP

Coming soon!

GUIDES

GUIDES

Claudio F. Vidal has been bird-watching since the age of 12 and he leads bird-watching and natural history tours throughout Chile. He is very keen on pelagic birdlife and marine mammals occurring in the Humboldt Current, Patagonia, and Antarctica as well as in photography, being particularly interested in photographying the wild flowers of desert and mediterranean regions of the world. Claudio is currently working on a field guide to the birds of Chile with other Chilean birders, and is co-author of the photographic guide "Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & Antarctic Peninsula". He is involved in several nature-based tourism projects in Chile, and he is also partner and director of Fantastico Sur Expeditions. He lives in Punta Arenas.

Enrique Couve has been birdwatching for over 40 years in his native country of Chile and is the author of the photographic guide "Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Antarctic Peninsula", among several other bird and nature photography field guides and books. He is extremely skilled in finding and identifying birds and is an excellent nature photographer, having one of the most complete portfolios of Chile’s birds and wildlife. Enrique has travelled extensivley throughout Chile, its oceanic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, as well as in other countries of South America. He is partner and director of Fantastico Sur Expeditions and lives in Punta Arenas with his wife and their four children.

SLIDE SHOW

SLIDE SHOW

SPECIES CHECKLIST

SPECIES CHECKLIST

Mammals and Birds possible to be seen during this trip

Compiled by Claudio F. Vidal, Fantástico Sur Expeditions