 Small-group and all-inclusive whale-watching trip to Chile's Straits of Magellan and comprehensive exploration in Patagonia's Torres del Paine looking for puma and other mammals and birds. 9 days, 8 nights from Punta Arenas, Chile. 
Chile's Whales and Pumas is a fascinating journey designed to discover some of the best-kept secrets of this imposing region of southern South America. This is a comprehensive natural history and nature photography to the mythic Straits of Magellan and the awe-inspiring Torres del Paine National Park oriented to find some of its most charismatic and usually elusive animals. On Carlos III Island we will see its transient and conspicuous inhabitants, the Humpback Whales. We will see these grand creatures at close quarters as well as see a large array of seabirds and marine mammals of the sub-Antarctic region. This itinerary also features a 5-day exploration of the World famous National Park of Torres del Paine. We will have dedicated searches for one of its most elusive inhabitants, the puma or mountain lion.
Chile's Whales and Pumas (Trip Code PAT05) Trip Highlights • Dedicated expedition to find, study and photograph Humpback Whales in the Straits of Magellan. • A rich array of seabirds and marine mammals including penguins, albatrosses, petrels as well dolphins, sea lions and fur seals. • The dramatic, unknown and pristine habitats of western Patagonia, seldom visited by tourists and with remarkable wildlife, scenery and historic highlights. • In-depth 5-day photo natural history exploration of Torres del Paine National Park. • Great local food and excellent nature lodges. • Dedicated day and night searches for puma in and around Torres del Paine. This program is operated as a scheduled departure, leaving on a set date. The Difference of Traveling with Fantastico Sur Expeditions: • Each of our trips to the Straits of Magellan have a maximum of 10-12 participants; for the Torres del Paine portion of the trip the maximum group size will be 6 participants. • Great accommodations at conveniently located hotels and lodges, meaning shorter driving times to the wildlife 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. • You will receive a free, signed copy of one of our great natural history books for Chile & Patagonia. • … plus an useful pre-departure information package. Whales and Pumas of Patagonia can be combined with one of the following optional extensions: • The Falkland Islands (8 days / 7 nights), penguin encounters, spectacular photo safari and nature trip to discover the wealth of seabirds and marine mammals of the "Galapagos" of the South Atlantic.
Chile's Whales and Pumas (Trip Code PAT05) 
Day 1 • Punta Arenas | Drive to Port Famine| Zodiac trip to San Isidro Lodge | Hike to Bahía El Aguila (old whaling station remains) and San Isidro historic lighthouseYour guide will pick you up at your hotel during the afternoon and immediately will transfer you to the historic site of Port Famine. Founded in 1580, this was the first settlement on the Straits of Magellan. Unhappily, the extreme nature of the climate proved incompatible with human habitation, and the entire population had perished in a short period of time. 250 years later, a British scientific expedition, aboard the Beagle and the Adventure, spent several months undertaking extensive exploratory journeys in the Chilean Fjords. It was here that Charles Darwin conducted several field trips. From here we will take a short zodiac ride (c. 30 minutes) to San Isidro Lodge, our base for the exploration of this branch of the Straits of Magellan. Depending on our arrival time we will make a short hike towards the remains of the whaling station of El Aguila Bay; this station was fully operational during the early XX century and together with the stations of Antarctica and South Georgia were the responsible of the virtual disappearance of several whale species of the Southern Ocean. Luckily and due to the presence of marine reserves, whales are coming back as we will witness during the following day. This afternoon you will also have the chance of exploring the sheltered and forested shoreline by kayak and learn with your guide about the intertidal creatures of this pristine rocky coastline. San Isidro Lodge, San Isidro Bay (2*) (D)(G). Day 2 • Boat trip to Carlos III Island | Rest of the day looking for Humpback Whales Early in the morning we will board the motor yacht "Esturion" and start our navigation towards “Francisco Coloane Marine Park”, which protects the marine biodiversity of the western branch of the Straits of Magellan. The journey from our lodge to this great whale-watching spot takes between 5-6 hours and will be done using a sturdy and comfortable mortor yacht "Esturion". This magnificent area encloses Carlos III Island, which possesses a vast and unique biological diversity, due in part, to the mixing of the two oceans (Pacific and Atlantic), productive upwellings, the strong winds, the presence of glaciers and the dismembered coastline. This park hold a summer population of humpback whales (and occasionally Sei whale and Orca), which use these waters as feeding grounds. We will spend this night in the biological station, at very comfortable twin-bedded domes. We will have shared bathroom facilities at this location.
Eco-camp Carlos III, Carlos III Island (B,L,D)(G).
Day 3 • Carlos III Island
This morning we will have another whale-watching session aboard the zodiac boats and if we are lucky, we may see the endemic and scarce Chilean Dolphin while sailing these waters. We will also visit large breeding colonies of sea lions, fur seals and Magellanic Penguin. We will have a lecture by the scientist working on long-term population studies on these whales, and we will learn about several marking and identification techniques. We will have the whole afternoon to see these whales at close quarters and with no other visitors. This intimate experience will be enriched by the beautiful mountains, glaciers and pristine forests. Eco-camp Carlos III, Carlos III Island (B,L,D)(G). Day 4 • Faro San Isidro Lodge | Punta Arenas After a successful experience looking for the diversity of marine mammals and seabirds of this park, we will make our journey back to San Isidro Lodge. Along the route we will discover the rich seabird diversity of these seaways; we will see Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrels, Chilean Skuas and cormorants as well as pods of Peale’s Dolphins and the ubiquitous South American Sea Lions. If time permits, we will have a field trip, equipped with hand glasses, to discover the lichen and moss rich biodiversity of the sub-Antarctic forests. During the afternoon we will be transferred back to Punta Arenas for overnight. Hotel Diego de Almagro or similar, Punta Arenas (4*) (B,L,D)(G) Day 5 • Drive to Torres del Paine National Park Early in the morning, we will be transferred to Torres del Paine, Patagonia’s premier wildlife destination. During our journey to the park, we will observe how the strong southerly winds have sculpted the vegetation of the Patagonian steppes, where we will try to find guanacos, southern grey foxes, and Patagonian skunks. 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. During the afternoon and the evening we will be looking for pumas.
Hotel Las Torres, Torres del Paine (4*) (B,L,D)(G). Day 6-7 • Exploring Torres del Paine (eastern sector) 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, 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 our first Andean Condors along the road. If you are really interested and willing to spend a large number of hours scanning in the field, we can arrange day and night searches for pumas in the vast plains and hills of the eastern sector of the park. Hotel Las Torres, Torres del Paine (4*) (B,L,D)(G). Day 8 • Exploring Torres del Paine (western sector) Before dawn, we will be heading towards the eastern part of the park, in order to see a glorious Patagonian sunrise and hopefully to take good shots of the granite peaks with the first light. Today, we will time to photograph the wildlife as well as to bird and botanize in the rich wetlands, steppes and hillsides of the part of the park. The fast-flowing Paine river may produce Torrent Duck. Lago Grey is certainly one of the highlight features of Torres del Paine National Park. Today we will visit Lake Grey to enjoy the dramatic sight of its southern shore dominated by stunning icebergs. Also, we will have time to watch some fauna, like Guanaco, Grey Foxes, and birds. Hotel Las Torres, Torres del Paine (4*) (B,L,D)(G). Day 9 • Torres del Paine | Drive back to Punta Arenas 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 be transferred to Punta Arenas where our trip ends. (B,L)(G) Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide; *=Hotel Category
Chile's Whales and Pumas (Trip Code PAT05)
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.
Chile's Whales and Pumas (Trip Code PAT05) Dates and Rates for scheduled departures: 12% discount for our early 2010 trips applies if you book before December 30, 2009! Trip Code | PAT05 | Trip Length | 9 days | 8 nights | 2010 Dates
| Tour A. March 19-27
| Price per person | $3,386 $2,980 p.p. (app. £1,882, €2,008) | Single Supplement
| Please inquire.
| Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 4 participants. Maximum group size 10 participants. |
The above price is per person in US$, 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, boat trips to Magdalena Island, Balmaceda Glacier and Grey Lake, and park entrance fees.
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.
Chile's Whales and Pumas (Trip Code PAT05) Check out our set of recent images from the Straits of Magellan and Torres del Paine.
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