Comprehensive journey exclusively designed for botanists, plant enthusiasts and flower photographers to discover the diveristy of flora and vegetation of the southernmost regions of Patagonia, visiting Chile's Torres del Paine and the temperate forests and moorlands of the Brunswick Peninsula, at the southern extremity of America's mainland. A post-extension to the Beagle Channel, southern Tierra del Fuego, is also available for those interested in exploring the most pristine areas of the southern Andes.
8 days, 7 nights from Punta Arenas, Chile. | $ 2,448 p.p.
On this trip we have selected the places with the highest and more representative plant and landscape diversity of Patagonia, including the southernmost habitats of the Americas such as Deciduous and Evergreen Nothofagus forests, pre-Andean scrub with mesophytic and xerophytic characteristics, the windswept Patagonian Steppes and the Andean Desert. Through this programme, we will be amazed by finding endemic species of the genus Adesmia, Alstroemeria, Gavilea, Nassauvia, Primula or Senecio. We will visit the impressive and world-famous Biosphere Reserve of Torres del Paine and will extend our journey along the coast of the Straits of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, searching for species with highly restricted distribution ranges. From the species to the landscapes, this botanical trip has been designed to allow plant enthusiasts achieve an intimate experience with the Patagonian nature.
Chilean Patagonia Botanical Tour (PAT03)
Trip Highlights
• A wealth of endemic species to Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego.
• Orchid species with very restricted distribution ranges.
• The southernmost forests of South America, the Nothofagus.
• A comprehensive visit to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Torres del Paine National Park.
• Program designed and led by botanists.
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 Fantastico Sur Expeditions:
• Each of our trips have a maximum of 8 participants.
• Great accommodations at conveniently located hotels and lodges, meaning shorter driving times to the nature 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 botanist leader, who will look after every logistical aspect of “your” holiday.
• You will receive a free, signed copy of one of our great flora books for Chile & Patagonia.
• … plus an useful pre-departure information package.
Chilean Patagonia - The Botanical Tour can be combined with one of the following optional extensions:
• Araucaria Forests (5 days | 4 nights), exploring the Ancient monkey-puzzle forests amidst impressive lakes and volcanoes.
Chilean Patagonia Botanical Tour (PAT03)
Day 1 • Sat | Arrival to Punta Arenas, Chile – Exploring the Brunswick Peninsula
After our arrival, we will investigate some localities south of Punta Arenas and along the coast of the Straits of Magellan, which will be a truly interesting experience as we will be able to discover several species present in the wet shrubbery and deciduous forests. Visit to Laguna Parrillar Nature Reserve.
Hotel Diego de Almagro or similar, Punta Arenas (4*). (L,D)(G).
Day 2 • Sun | San Juan Bay
Exploration of peat bogs and deciduous and evergreen Nothofagus forests. We will go in search of truly botanical targets such as Sundew (Drosera uniflora), Geum parviflorum, Sea Cabbage (Senecio candidans) and the local and endangered and local King's Orchid (Gavilea kingii). We will appreciate this highly restricted assemblage of species, only praised by truly "botanical" souls.
Hotel Diego de Almagro or similar, Punta Arenas (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 3 • Mon | Drive to Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine NP
After our arrival to Punta Arenas we will drive though the vast Patagonian steppes and look for a great array of plants endemic to this dry region of Patagonia as well as surrounding regions of southern Argentina and the Falkland Islands.
Hotel Las Torres or similar, Torres del Paine (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 4 • Tue | Torres del Paine National Park
Our first encounter with this stunning place will lead us to find striking species such as various Lady's Slippers of the genus Calceolaria including C. biflora and the striking C. uniflora. We will visit low-growing patches of Antarctic Beech (Nothofagus antarctica) and arid sectors with the presence of the endemic shrub Paramela (Adesmia boronioides). We will find a very interesting array of species.
Hotel Las Torres or similar, Torres del Paine (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 5 • Wed | Patagonian steppes
Along this journey we will discover highly representative species of the Patagonian steppes. We will try to find, among several others, the tiny Patagonian Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria patagonica) or the conspicuous Oxalis (Oxalis enneaphylla), both of which having very restricted range. Also along this hike we will enjoy of seeing the abundance of wildlife including Andean Condors, camel-like Guanacos and Southern Grey Foxes.
Hotel Las Torres or similar, Torres del Paine (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 6 • Thu | Mesophytic Scrub
Today we will travel across vegetation formations with the highest plant diversity of the whole region of Magallanes, in southern Chile. This is the Pre-Andean Mesophytic Scrub. Extensive shrubby areas hold stunning species such as the Chilean Fire-Bush (Embothrium coccineum) or the fragrant Escallonia (Escallonia rubra). Here we will be delighted in trying to find the most beautiful array of orchids of the region including Chloraea magellanica, Codonorchis lessonii and Gavilea littoralis. The grandeur of the scenery around this vegetation community will transform this day in one of the most sublime of our whole expedition to this magnificent Biosphere Reserve.
Hotel Las Torres or similar, Torres del Paine (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 7 • Fri | Drive to Punta Arenas
After exploring during the whole morning the eastern flank of the park, we will head towards Punta Arenas for overnight.
Hotel Diego de Almagro or similar, Punta Arenas (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 8 • Sat | Punta Arenas – End of the trip
End of the trip after breakfast. Connecting flight to Santiago de Chile for extensions or flight back home. (B).
Post-Extension | Beagle Channel & Navarino Island (Trip Code PAT04)
Day 1 • Sat | Flight to Navarino Island
This spectacular journey will allow us to discover the floristic and vegetational diversity of one of the southernmost spots on the Americas. Visit to Omora Ethno-botanical Park. The Magellanic Deciduous forest is a tree community dominated by a remarkable and tall tree, the Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio). This vegetation formation contains numerous floristic elements including herbs, shrubs, trees and epiphytic plants. We will try to find species such as Senecio smithii, Chiliotrichium difusum or Valeriana (Valeriana lapathifolia).
Hostal Coirón or similar, Puerto Williams (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 2 • Sun | Cerro La Bandera
We will survey evergreen forests, Sphagnum peat bogs, coastal shrubbery and the Andean steppes, the latter above the timberline, having the opportunity to study a number of highly specialized plants including Gavilea australis, Hamadrya (Hamadryas magellanica), Nasauvia (Nassauvia lattisima) or Magellanic Primula (Primula magellanica). Join us on this exploration journey to enjoy the specialist flora of one of the remote corners on Earth.
Hostal Coirón or similar, Puerto Williams (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 3 • Mon | Drive to Punta Arenas
During the morning we will explore the coastal areas in route to Mejillones Bay. Later we will fly back to Punta Arenas for overnight.
Hotel Diego de Almagro or similar, Punta Arenas (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 4 • Tue | Punta Arenas – End of the trip
End of the trip after breakfast. Connecting flight to Santiago de Chile for extensions or flight back home. (B).
Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide; *=Hotel Category
Chilean Patagonia Botanical Tour (PAT03)
Dates and Rates for scheduled departures:
Trip Code
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PAT03 |
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Trip Length
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8 days | 7 nights ; Saturday through Saturday
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2010 Dates
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Nov 20-27
Dec 11-18
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2011 Dates
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Jan 8-15
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Price per person
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$2,448
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Single Supplement
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$350
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Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 4 participants.
Maximum group size 8 participants.
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Rates for custom departures (you choose the date):
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Trip Length
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8 days | 7 nights
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Price per person
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$2,892 $2,458)
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Single Supplement
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$504 (app. £308, €352) |
Post-extension price
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$1,838 $1,563 (app. £954, €1,090) |
Extension Single Suppl.
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$86 (app. £52, €60) |
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Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 2 participants.
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The above price is per person in US$, based on double occupancy. NOTE: Rates in GBP (£) and Euros (€) are only for reference.
Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas?
Domestic flights Santiago – Punta Arenas – Santiago (from $150 per person).
Duration of the flight: 3 hours (direct) / 4 hours (with a stop-over in Puerto Montt).
What the trip includes/excludes
The above price is per person in US$, based on double occupancy.
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, and park entrance fees. Flights between Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams for the post-extension are also included.
The trip price excludes: Domestic flights (Santiago – Punta Arenas – Santiago), tipping, travel insurance, entrance tax to Chile, excess baggage charges, private excursions, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.
Tour Registration: To register for this tour, complete the Fantástico Sur Expeditions registration form and return it (by fax or email) with a deposit of $350 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
Cancellation Policy: Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.
Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 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.
Chilean Patagonia Botanical Tour (PAT03)
Have a look on our dedicated gallery to the flora of Chilean Patagonia here!
and check our sample of images taken during our recent botanical tours in Patagonia:
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