Mammals of Chilean Patagonia

(14 days / 13 nights)

On this journey we will discover the mammal richness of the southern cone of South America. Starting at Chiloe Island, we will look for the world's most endangered canid, the Darwin's Fox and the rare Southern River Otter. We will also have a chance here to see Guigna or Kod-kod, a seldomly seen felid of the gloomy forest undergrowth; but our main target will be to spot Blue Whales off the southern part of this huge island. Traveling south, we will reach the realm of the Puma, Torres del Paine. Here we will have enough time and flexibility to focus our search on this enigmatic yet charismatic cat, among several other mammals, including Guanaco, Culpeo and Chilla Foxes and Andean Deer or Huemul. At the end of our journey we will explore the Magellan Strait and surrounding seaways trying to find both Commerson's and Peale's Dolphins.

Professional in all aspects from organization to superb guides, Fantástico Sur leads the pack for South American travel.

 

- Dr. Noble S. Proctor, USA
Chile trips 2004, 2005, and 2006

CHILOÉ ISLAND

DAY 1-2

Starting at Puerto Montt we will be transferred to Chiloe Island. During the 30-minute ferry crossing we might see Peale's Dolphin and South American Sea Lion.

Hostería Ancud, Ancud (3*).

DAY 3-4

We will explore the exposed western rocky coast of Chiloe looking for Southern Sea Otter while the streams surrounded by pristine forests may produce the rare and local Southern River Otter, locally known as Huillín.

Hostería de Castro, Castro (3*).


DAY 4

Today we will have a 8-hour boat trip in the productive cold waters of Corcovado Gulf, off southern Chiloe Island. The highlight of the trip would be to see the impressive Blue Whale and its 30-feet spouts. A nursery area of this mightly species has been recently found here; important numbers maintain in the area during the southern summer months.
Hostería de Castro, Castro (3*).

DAY 5-6

The hills of western Chiloe are covered by impressive, pristine temperate forests and we hope to find most of its mammal specialties. The main target here will be to see one of the world's most endangered canids, the Darwin's Fox. Night searches may produce Guigna or Kod-kod as well as the world's smallest deer, the Pudu.
Tepuhueico Lodge, Tepuhueico (4*).

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FLIGHT TO
PUNTA ARENAS

Today we will flight to Chile's most southerly city, Punta Arenas. After our arrival we will explore the eastern shores of the Straits of Magellan, looking for the charismatic Commerson's Dolphin. The vast wind-swept steppes ar home of the Patagonian hog-nosed Skunk as well as the Patagonian Hairy Armadillo.

Hotel Diego de Almagro, Punta Arenas (4*).

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TORRES DEL PAINE
NATIONAL PARK

We have organized a busy schedule of day and night search outings for pumas in the area. We will inspect the immediate surroundings of our hotel at night as well as their hunting grounds located in the easten flank of the park. The area comprised by the northern coast of Sarmiento Lake, Laguna Amarga and Laguna Azul is well known by holding one of the largest concentrations of pumas in the wild. March is particularly good to attempt to find them as the females are activily hunting to provide food to their cubs; at this time they are not active just by night but also during the twilight hours. In company of our guide and puma tracker we will attempt seeing puma family groups at a prudent distance with the help of binoculars and spotting scopes. If we have time, we will also take the opportunity to look for other mammal species including the ubiquitous guanaco, the local Andean Deer, and the two canid species present in the park, Chilla and Culpeo foxes.

Hostería Las Torres, Torres del Paine (4*).

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RIO VERDE

In our last in Patagonia we will move to the broken coast of western Patagonia and inspect Fitz Roy Channel where we hope to see the endemic and secretive Chilean Dolphin.

Hostería Río Verde, Río Verde (4*).

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FLIGHT TO
Punta ARENAS

Early in the morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport, where our trip ends.

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Extensions

Mammals of Chilean Patagonia can be combined with the following optional extension:

Whales of the Straits of Magellan (5 days/4 nights), sailing expedition to see a feeding population of Humpbacks in the Straits of Magellan; fantastic nature photography trip aboard the S/S Chonos.

Dates & Prices

This program is operated as a scheduled departure (leaving on a set date).

Main Trip:14 days / 13 nights
Meet/Depart:Puerto Montt, Chile / Depart: Punta Arenas, Chile.
Group Size:Maximum of 10 participants.

Trip A: Sat Mar 8 - Fri Mar 21, 2008

RATES:
$5,195 per person in double occupancy.
The above price is per person in US$, based on double occupancy.
Single supplement (TBA) will be added if single accommodations are requested or forced.

The trip price includes:
All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, two boat trips, plus park entrance fees. Tipping for restaurants and porters is included

The trip price excludes:
Tipping for guides and drivers, domestic flights, travel insurance, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas?
Domestic flights Santiago – Puerto Montt / Puerto Montt – Punta Arenas / Punta Arenas –  Santiago (from US$300 person).
Duration of the flight: Santiago – Puerto Montt (c. 1.5 hours) / Puerto Montt – Punta Arenas (c. 2 hours).



TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for this tour, complete the FANTASTICO SUR registration form and return it (by fax or email) with a deposit of US$ 700 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$ 300 / £ 155 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.