Day 1 |
DAY
1
 Sat | 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 lighthouse
Your guide will pick you up at your hotel (before 10am) during the morning 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. After our memorable lunch 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*) (B,L,D)(G) |
Day 2 |
DAY
2
 Sun | Boat trip to Carlos III Island | Rest of the day looking for Humpback Whales
Early in the morning we will take a trip 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 about 3 hours and will be done using a sturdy, fast and go-anywhere rigid boat (RIB). Waterproof special gear as well as life jackets will be provided. 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 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. We will spend this night in the biological station, at very comfortable twin-bedded domes.
Eco-camp Carlos III, Carlos III Island (B,L,D)(G) |
Day 3 |
DAY
3
 Mon | Carlos III Island | Faro San Isidro Lodge
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. 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.
San Isidro Lodge, San Isidro Bay (2*) (B,L,D)(G) |
Day 4 |
DAY
4
 Tue | Hike to Mount Tarn | Return to Punta Arenas
For this morning we have an interesting exploratory hike to the near Tarn Mount. Darwin climb up this hill in the 1830s, and did a number of discoveries of new plant and bird species on this journey. We will pass through dense Nothofagus beech forests and we will aim towards the snow line and explore the moorland all the way up to the top. From here we will have an extraordinary commanding view of the Straits of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego. This area holds a number of interesting bird species such as the ptarmigan-like White-bellied Seedsnipe; the opportunities of botanizing this montane habitat are also great. During the afternoon we will return to our hotel in Punta Arenas.
Hotel Diego de Almagro, Punta Arenas (4*) (B,L,D)(G) |
Day 5 |
DAY
5
 Wed | Río Verde | Mylodon Cave | Drive to Torres del Paine National Park
Today, we will be transferred to Puerto Natales. 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. We will visit the inland sound of Skyring and Fitz Roy Channel. Here we expect to see some dolphins and we will be scanning the surrounding cliffs, which hold an Andean Condor roost. Later will visit Mylodon Cave, an outstanding natural formation that sheltered a wide variety of Pleistocene mammal species about 12,000 years ago. 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.
Hotel Las Torres Patagonia, Torres del Paine (4*) (B,L,D)(G) |
Day 6 |
DAY
6
 Thu | Exploring Torres del Paine (eastern sector)
Today we will travel north towards Torres del Paine, Patagonia’s premier wildlife destination. 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 Patagonia, Torres del Paine (4*) (B,L,D)(G) |
Day 7 |
DAY
7
 Fri | 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 Patagonia, Torres del Paine (4*) (B,L,D)(G) |
Day 8 |
DAY
8
 Sat | 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 we will have our farewell dinner.
Hotel Diego de Almagro, Punta Arenas (4*) (B,L,D)(G) |
Day 9 |
DAY
9
 Sun | Transfer to Punta Arenas Airport
Transfer to the airport and connecting flights to Santiago and abroad. End of the program. (B)(G)
Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide; =Hotel Category
|
Departures, Rates & Conditions
“Whales, Dolphins and Pumas of Patagonia” (9 days / 8 nights)
Sat through Sun
Meet | Depart: Punta Arenas, Chile.
2009 Departures
Trip A: Feb 28 – Mar 8| Trip B: Mar 28 – Apr 5 | Trip C: Apr 18 – 26
US$ 3,698 per person in double occupancy.
Single supplement (TBA) will be added if single accommodations are requested.
Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 4 participants. Maximum group size 8 participants.
Custom departures (From mid-Dec through May; you choose the date): Please inquire.
A custom trip (flexible option which runs on a date you choose giving you more privacy) is available upon request for couples or individuals.
Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas?
Domestic flights Santiago – Punta Arenas – Santiago (approximately US$ 300-350 per person).
Duration of the flight: 3 hours (direct) / 4 hours (with a stop-over in Puerto Montt).
What the trips includes/excludes
The above prices are per person in US$, on double occupancy.
The fee for the tours includes all meals, accommodations and guide services as stated in the itinerary, park entrance fees, transfers and private transportation during the tour. One bottle of mineral water per day.
The trip price excludes domestic flights, tipping, personal medical and travel insurance, passport, excess baggage charges, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.
Cancellation Policy: Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.
Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 300 is refundable. If cancellation is made between 120 and 90 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 90 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.
© FS Expeditions August 2008 |
“Whales, Dolphins and Pumas of Patagonia” 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 4-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.
