INTRODUCTION

 Trip Highlights

• A comprehensive 4-day photographic exploration to Torres del Paine National Park.

• Visits to Tierra del Fuego, Mylodon Cave and Otway Sound penguin rookery.

• Views of Andean Condors and Guanacos, Chilean Flamingos, King and Magellanic penguins as well as Sea Lions and Dolphins.

• A study of the rich cultural history and the history of exploration.

• Boat trip to Grey Glacier and ferry crossings to Tierra del Fuego.

• Remarkable forest-dwelling birds such as the Magellanic Woodpecker and Austral Parakeet as well as mammals such as Andean Deer (Huemul) and Guanaco.

• A great array of native flowers as well as the impressive sub-Antartic Nothofagus beech, the southernmost forests of the world.

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:

• Great accommodation, superb dinning cuisine and memorable picnic lunches.

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

• Each of our trips have a maximum of 6 participants.

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

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

• You will receive a free, signed copy of one of our great natural history books for Patagonia.

• …plus an useful pre-departure information package.

Patagonia Photo Safari can be combined with one of the following optional extensions: 

• The Falkland Islands (8 days, 7 nights), penguin encounters and other fascinating wildlife photo opportunities in the 'Galapagos' of the South Atlantic.

• 'Perito Moreno' Glacier & 'El Chalten' (5 days, 4 nights), explore one of the most majestic glaciers of Patagonia and the 'sacred' peak of Patagonia: El 'Chalten' or Mount Fitz Roy in a private and photo journey.

• Expedition cruise to Tierra del Fuego & Cape Horn (4-5 days), follow Darwin's footsteps across the most remote corners of Patagonia on the wake of the 'Beagle',

• Atacama Desert Explorer (6 days, 5 nights), unique private photo safari to discover the wildlife and landscapes of the world's most arid desert.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1 • Reception at Punta Arenas airport (before 10am) - Drive to Torres del Paine National Park - Mylodon Cave Natural Monument

After meeting your guide at Punta Arenas airport (before 10am), you will be transferred in a private vehicle to Torres del Paine National Park. During your journey to the park, you will observe how the strong westerlies (prevailing winds in Patagonia) have sculpted the vegetation of the grassy steppes. We will make several stops for photography and wildlife observation along the way; on route we will spot Andean Condors, Guanacos, southern Grey Foxes (locally known as 'Chillas', and Patagonian Skunks while enjoying our first contact with the Antarctic beech (Nothofagus) forests, world's southernmost woodlands.

At the picturesque coastal town of Puerto Natales, we will enjoy gorgeous vistas of the Chilean fjords with tens of stunning Black-necked Swans feeding along the shoreline. Later we will visit the Mylodon Cave Natural Monument, an outstanding natural formation that sheltered a large array of long-gone Pleistocene mammal species, including the Giant Ground-Sloth or 'Mylodon', about 12,000 years ago when most of the surrounding area was covered by the glaciers.

We will have splendid vistas of the hilly terrain and if is clear, of the Paine Massif at the distance. 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. This evening we can carry out a sunset photo session (before or after dinner).

Distances: From Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales - approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles, approximately 3-hour drive). From Puerto Natales to Hotel Rio Serrano (south-western side of the park) - approximately 90 kilometers (65 miles, approximately 2.5-hour drive, including many scenic and wildlife stops).

Overnight (O/N) at Hotel Rio Serrano or similar, Torres del Paine (B,L)(G).

*We recommend to arrive to Punta Arenas the day before the trip starts, in order to have an earlier start towards the park.

Day 2 • Torres del Paine (western sector) - Grey Glacier boat trip

Each day, we will have an early start in order to be at location to photograph the Paine Massif at dawn. We will concentrate on photographying the 'Horns' and 'Paine Grande', located in the southern face of the Massif.

Today we will explore the southern and western regions of this huge national park, which comprises an extent of 600,000 acres (242,242 hectares). The landscape is dominated by the omnipresent Paine Massif, a magnificent set of rugged peaks, formed out of granite and sedimentary rock. The long-gone Indians of Patagonia gave the name Paine, meaning “blue”, presumably referring to the hazy colouration when observed at a distance.We will have the opportunity to explore the Nothofagus or southern Beech forests and its diversity of plants and animals; we will try to see Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Parakeet and the shy Andean Deer or 'Huemul', if we are lucky. We will be marveled by seen the contrasting mosaic of towering mountains, glaciers, wetlands, steppes and forests.

Lago Grey is certainly one of the highlights of the day. Colosal icebergs are stranded on the southern shore of the lake after a long and slow transit from the glacier front. From this shore we will board our boat (the M/V Grey II) for a 3-hour excursion through the icy waters of the lake towards the impressive and actively calving front of the Grey Glacier. 'Grey' is one of the nearly 50 outlet glaciers which originate from the massive Southern Patagonian Ice Field, world's third largest after Antarctica and Greenland, and is one of the most beautiful and colourful in all Patagonia. The front is full of crevasses and the solid glacial ice colours vary from whitish to deep indigo. The glacier is flanked towards the east by impressive granite walls which are part of the Paine Massif, and towards the west by the eroded and low summits of the older Andes. The photography is great at this particular spot; we will be treated with a glass of 'Pisco Sour' or 'Scotch' containing glacier ice of hundreds, possibly thousand years old!

This evening we will have again an optional photo outing for sunset and the dramatic cloud formations.

O/N at Hotel Rio Serrano or similar, Torres del Paine (B,L,D)(G).

Days 3-4 • Torres del Paine National Park (eastern side) – Laguna Amarga and Laguna Azul

This morning we will have again an early start in order to photograph the 'Horns' with the first light. With the right lighting, the mountain base turns into orange colors and the scene become very dramatic with peculiar lenticular clouds moving fast over the peaks.

At the eastern corner of Sarmiento Lake, we will reach a location that commands the most incredible views of the towering peaks of Las Torres or the 'Towers', the pinnacles from which the park takes its name. As we move around the park, you shall observe confiding herds of Guanaco, most southerly camelid, the curious-looking Lesser Rhea and impressive Andean Condors soaring along the road. During the morning we will visit the eastern side of the park to enjoy the views of one of the impressive waterfalls of Paine river and if is clear, of the fabulous granite columns of the Paine massif from Laguna Amarga.

After our picnic, we will keep exploring the alkaline ponds and reed-fringed lagoons located of the eastern part of the park. There are approximately 120 species of birds in the park and we will see a considerable number of them, with the help of binoculars and the spotting scope. Also the flora is a very interesting subject for observation and photography. The park holds probably nearly 500 species of plants; the southern spring and early summer (mid-October through late January) are great to see the myriad of flowers that bloom in these magnificent landscapes. After our return to the hotel and enjoy our delicious dinner, we will have another chance to photograph the mountains and clouds at sunset.

O/N Hotel Las Torres, Torres del Paine or similar, Torres del Paine. (B,L,D)(G).

Day 5 • Lunch at a sheep farm (shearing show and barbecue) – Drive back to Punta Arenas (c. 3 hours)

Early in the morning we will visit the eastern side of the park to enjoy the views of one of the impressive waterfalls of Paine river and if is clear, of the fabulous granite columns of the Paine massif from Laguna Amarga.

From here, we will head back to Punta Arenas, visiting first Estancia Cerro Negro, a typical working sheep-farming station, where we will enjoy of a shearing and sheep dog show and a delicious Patagonian-style barbecue.

O/N Hotel Diego de Almagro or similar, Punta Arenas. (B,L,D)(G).

Day 6 • Ferry trip to Porvenir, Tierra del Fuego (c. 2.5 hours) - Afternoon trip to Bahía Inútil (Useless Bay)

'Tierra del Fuego', the 'Land of Fire' is another landmark coined by the skilled navigator Ferdinand Magellan. In 1520, while crossing the seaways that now honor him, he and his crew spotted a line of bonfires along the coast of a huge landmass. Tierra del Fuego is now a land of endless wind-swept steppes, rolling hills and lush temperate forests; sheep-farming stations, locally known as 'estancias', are interspersed amidst these picturesque and colorful landscapes dominated by dramatic skies. We will start our day with a 2-hour ferry crossing in the mythic Straits of Magellan. This boat trip can surprisingly be very productive for our wildlife photography as we expect to encounter Black-browed Albatrosses, petrels, penguins, sea lions and dolphins. The docking facility at Bahia Chilota, near Porvenir, is very lively and picturesque. We will take some time to photograph the colorful wooden fishing boats, known as 'cutters', which are dedicated to extract local king crab, scallops, sea urchins, among several other sea products.Later we will be transferred to the lovely Hotel Yendegaia, a pioneer house of typical Croatian style and construction.

During the afternoon we will take time to photograph the old buildings of local estancias as well as the impressive shores of the huge Useless Bay. Here, we will have great chances to see and photograph King Penguins. Although their pressence can not be guaranteed, our expert guides will take you to some particular locations where most of the records have occurred in the last seasons.     

O/N Hotel Yendegaia or similar, Porvenir. (B,L,D)(G).

Day 7 • Ferry to Punta Arenas (custom departures) - Flight to Punta Arenas (schedules departures) - Otway Sound penguin colony

We will enjoy of a leisure morning while exploring the surroundings of Porvenir to photograph and learn about the particular wildlife and history of this remote corner of Patagonia. We will visit its alkaline pools where there are large aggregations of migratory birds such as sandpiper and plovers, but the goal will be photograph Chilean Flamingos. Later we will explore the coast to see some of the many ship wrecks that have characterized these seas over the years. After lunch we will be head back to Punta Arenas (by ferry for custom departures / by plane in scheduled departures). During the afternoon we shall visit a Magellanic penguin rookery and enjoy an opportunity to witness one of nature's truly great spectacles as hundreds of birds hasten to complete their breeding cycle during the brief months of summer.

O/N Hotel Diego de Almagro or similar, Punta Arenas. (B,L,D)(G).

Day 8 • Transfer to the airport - End of services

Private transfer to the airport after breakfast. End of the trip. (B)

Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide; *=Hotel Category

MAP

DATES & PRICING

Dates and Rates for 2011-12 Scheduled Departures:

Rates for Custom Departures (you choose the date): Available from September 2011 through April 2012. Daily departures from Punta Arenas, Chile.

What the trip includes/excludes

The above price is per person in US$, based on double occupancy. All payments are in US Dollars.

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 to Grey Lake, ferry fares to Tierra del Fuego, domestic flight for scheduled departures (Porvenir, Tierra del Fuego - Punta Arenas - one way) 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 online 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.

GUIDES

	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'.
	Enrique Couve is a Industrial Engineer by profession, although a field naturalist by true passion. He has been birding and studying the natural history of Chile during more than 45 years. He is co-author of more than 20 publications on the nature heritage of Chile and Patagonia, and among his published works is the praised title 'Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Antarctic Peninsula'. Enrique is a very gifted field spotter, and he uses this skill on his nature photography work, as he has one of the most complete and extensive files on the flora and fauna of the country. Enrique has extensively traveled throughout Chile and South America, its oceanic islands and Antarctica. He is the main author of an upcoming and long-waited Field Guide to the Birds of Chile. He is founding partner and manager of FS Expeditions and lives in Punta Arenas with his wife Cecilia.
	Roberto Donoso has been part of our team since 2003, but he has been involved in the process of learning on birding and handling visitors to Chile and Patagonia with us since 1999. Roberto has an extensive experience leading birdwatching tours throughout Chile and his most recent trips has taken him to the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. During the last couple of years he has developed an interest in mammals, particularly cats, and he is responsible of leading some of the hardcore puma and mammal tours that we are currently carrying out with clients from the US and the UK. Rob is one of the FS favourite guides due to his kind and charismatic personality, his particular attention to detail and his involvement with the goals and interests of our clients. Roberto lives in Punta Arenas with his wife Vjera and their two lovely girls, Vjerita and Florencia.

LODGES

	Hotel Rio Serrano, Torres del Paine The hotel gets its name after the sinuous Serrano River, which is born in the waters of Toro Lake and flows into Ultima Esperanza Sound. Its unique location, facing the Torres del Paine Massif and surrounded by an astonishing natural setting, gives the perfect amalgam of design, quality and comfort, keeping in mind the fragile ecosystem. The hotel is surrounded by a breathtaking natural beauty which has spectacular view from all our facilities. The spacious areas give emphasis to elegance and quality assuring a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The hotel has 95 rooms. The decoration of Rio Serrano Hotel is both warm and cosy with architectonical lines that merge fineness and rustic. They have been designed to provide that unique home atmosphere. Wood and stone make the perfect blend, that together with a fireplace set scene of pure relaxation.
	Hotel Las Torres, Torres del Paine Check out our photo gallery of 'Hotel Las Torres'. Click here. This charmingly rustic hotel provides a comfortable base from which to explore the park’s towering mountains, turquoise lakes, glaciers, ice fields and steppes. Las Torres is located 75 miles (120 kilometers) from the town of Puerto Natales and 230 miles (375 kilometers) from the larger city of Punta Arenas. Each of the hotel’s many windows look out over the expansive steppe or snow-capped mountains surrounding it, including the trio of towers that gave the park its name. The hotel features 57 rooms, several sitting areas, two restaurants and a bar. The interpretive center located by the hotel’s reception desk lays out information about the rock formations and wildlife you may encounter on your excursions. In addition, the spa next door offers you the chance to unwind and rejuvenate after you return from your adventures. The rooms of the hotel provide a cozy atmosphere, being the perfect setting to relax and enjoy after a long days excursion. Central heating, box spring beds, telephones and private bathrooms in a rustic yet elegant decoration provide the ideal ambience in our superior rooms for resting and preparing the next days activities. Several services are available in the relaxing environment of your room, with a simple call you have the possibility of enjoying massages, food, wine and drinks.
	Hotel Yendegaia, Porvenir, Tierra del Fuego Check out our photo gallery of 'Hosteria Yendegaia'. Click here. This delightful guest house is located at Porvenir, largest town of the Chilean part of Tierra del Fuego. This old and well-preserved private, patrimonial home, was built by Croatian pioners in 1925, and keeps its authentic athmosphere, being the ideal base for your explorations of the remote areas of the island. This guest house has 7 fully equiped rooms, with private facilities, central heating, an excellent restaurant and free wi-fi access.

PHOTOS

Check our our photo gallery with images from recent safaris to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego

See the latest photo gallery of our 2011 New Year's Photo Tour.