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 Nature journey exclusively designed for botanists, plant enthusiasts and flower photographers willing to discover the surprising diversity of flora and vegetation of the southernmost regions of Patagonia. On this trip you will visit southern Chile's Torres del Paine National Park and the wind-swept steppes, sub-Antarctic forests and Andean moorlands of Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego, at the southern extremity of South America's mainland. We will explore a wide range of habitats, amidst stunning landscapes and pristine areas, and will enjoy of the great chances of seeing other remarkable and unique willdife of this part of the world.
7 days, 6 nights from Punta Arenas, Chile. | See or new 2011-2012 dates and rates.
Patagonia Botanical Tour | 7 days, 6 nights | Trip Code PAT04
Join us this southern spring to see the fantastic blooming and the richness of wildflowers of the 'Ends of the Earth': Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego. On this trip we will visit the best spots, with the highest and more representative plant diversity of Patagonia, including habitats such as Deciduous and Evergreen Nothofagus sub-Antarctic forests, pre-Andean scrub communities aorund the impressive Andean peaks, with mesophytic and xerophytic characteristics, the vast and productive windswept Patagonian Steppes and the Andean Desert, which holds many floral surprises. On this programme, you 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 down to the immense island of Tierra del Fuego, searching for species with highly restricted distribution ranges. This botanical trip has been designed to allow plant enthusiasts to achieve an intimate experience with the Patagonian wilderness.
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 FS 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.
Patagonia 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.
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
Dates and Rates for 2011-12 Scheduled Departures:
Patagonia Botanical Tour - Scheduled Departures
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| Season 2011-2012 |
| Trip Length |
7 days, 6 nights ; Saturday through Friday
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| 2011 Dates |
TBA
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| 2012 Dates |
TBA
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| Price per person |
$1,998 |
Single Supplement
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$330
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| Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 4 participants.
Maximum group size 6 participants.
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Rates for 2011-12 Custom Departures (you choose the date): Available from mid-October 2011 through January 2012. Daily departures from Punta Arenas, Chile.
| Patagonia Botanical Tour - Custom Departures |
| Season 2011-2012 |
| Trip Length |
7 days, 6 nights
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| # of guests |
2-3 |
4 |
Single Suppl.
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| Price per person |
$2,298 |
$1,998 |
$330 |
Notes:
- The above price is per person in US$, based in double accommodation.
- Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 2 participants.
Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas?
Domestic flights Santiago (SCL) – Punta Arenas (PUQ) – Santiago (from US$ 350 per person).
Duration of the flight: 3-4 hours.
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, ferry fares to Tierra del Fuego and park entrance fees.
The trip price excludes: Domestic flights (Santiago – Punta Arenas – Santiago or other route), 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 book this tour, please complete our registration form. We will process your booking form and will send you (within 24 hours) a note with space confirmation and a deposit invoice with payment instructions. The deposit amount is US$ 500 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
NOTE: Inquires received on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays will be replied during the following working day.
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.
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Claudio F. Vidal has been exploring and birding since the age of 12 and currently leads birding / nature tours and photo safaris throughout Patagonia, Chile and South America. Claudio has a particular interest in the seabirds and marine mammals occurring in the Humboldt Current, Patagonia and Antarctica. One of his most recent passions involves the photographic documentation of wildflowers of desert and Mediterranean regions of the world. Claudio is now finishing the writing of a Field Guide to the Birds of Chile together a team of accomplished field ornithologists, and is co-author of more than 20 books, featuring 'Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Antarctic Peninsula'. He is actively involved in several ecotourism projects in Chile and is founding partner of FS Expeditions since 1997. He lives in Punta Arenas. You can see his work at his website 'Claudio Vidal Photo'.
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Check out our photo gallery with images from recent botanical trips in Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego
Checklist for the Plants of Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego (possible species to be seen during this trip)
Compiled by Claudio F. Vidal, FS Expeditions
Coming soon! (10 May 2011)
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