Patagonia

Jun 13

This trip is open to the public and SPACE IS AVAILABLE.
Interested in trips to this destination or in seeing a more detailed itinerary? Inquire Now >

Chilean Patagonia & the High Andes
April 7 – 19, 2026; Chloe Island Extension: April 20 -25

EcoQuest Travel, Inc. is proud to offer an exciting trip to Chilean Patagonia. From Chile’s bustling capitalof Santiago we will journey south to Punta Arenas – the gateway to Patagonia. Comprising the southern-most parts of Chile, Patagonia is a vast land of snowcapped mountains, cold oceans, windswept plateaus and unparalleled beauty.

We will begin by crossing the legendary Straits of Magellan looking for Commerson’s and Peale’s Dolphins along the way to the Island of Tierra del Fuego. Here we will search for King Penguins along its wind-whipped shores and Ruddy-headed Geese among the Tussock Grass. From the southernmost point in Chile we will travel north to the spectacular World Heritage Site of Torres del Paine National Park. This vast park nestled in the Andes and scoured by glaciers is home to herds of Guanaco, Patagonian Foxes, diverse birdlife and even the elusive Puma is fairly common. In fact, we will spend a day tracking Puma – and extraordinary experience!

From Chile’s far south we will offer an optional extension to Chile’s remote north and Atacama Desert and high Andes of Lauca National Park. We will begin this portion of our trip in Arica – a seaside city sandwiched between the Atacama Desert and the Pacific Ocean. We will search for hummingbirds in desert oases and Humboldt Penguins among Pacific islands. Leaving Arica we will ascend into the high Andes and the magic of Lauca National Park – home to Vicunas, Lesser Rhea and three species of flamingos This trip is designed to highlight the wildlife of Southern and Northern Chile with a particular emphasis on mammal and bird diversity.

We invite you to join us as we explore the incredible wildlife and breathtaking scenery that makes Chilean Patagonia and Chile’s high Andes such magical places.

11-Day Natural History Trip Itinerary
with Optional Extension to Chiloe Island

CHILEAN PATAGONIA
From Pumas to Penguins – the Best of Chilean Wildlife

Day 1 – Tuesday, April 7: Travel to our US Gateway and on to Santiago, Chile

Day 2 – Wednesday, April 8: Arrival in Santiago and El Peral Reserve

Day 3 – Thursday, April 9: El Yeso

Day 4 – Friday, April 10: Fly to Punta Arenas

Day 5 – Saturday, April 11: Birding San Juan Bay

Day 6 – Sunday, April 12: Ferry to Tierra del Fuego & the King Penguins of Useless Bay

Day 7 – Monday, April 13: Drive to Torres del Paine National Park and Biosphere Reserve

Day 8 – Tuesday, April 14: Torres del Paine National Park and Biosphere Reserve

Day 9 – Wednesday, April 15: Torres del Paine National Park: Puma tracking

Day 10 – Thursday, April 16: Torres del Paine to Punta Arenas

Day 11 – Friday, April 17: The Andean Condors of Estancia Teresa

Day 12 – Saturday, April 18: Flight to Santiago – Winery Tour and Departure for the US

Day 13 – Sunday, April 19: Arrival in US and Transfer to Flights Home

Optional Post-trip Extension to Chiloe Island

Day 13 – Sunday, April 19: Fly to Puerto Montt Drive to Chiloe Island and Tepuhueico Park

Day 1 – Monday, April 20: Tepuhueico Park

Day 2 – Tuesday, April 21: Quellon: Corcovado Gulf

Day 3 – Wednesday, April 22: Boat Trip to Puñihuil and Metalqui Islands: Blue Whales

Day 4 – Thursday, April 23: Chepu River, Caulin Bay and on to Puerto Varas

Day 5 – Friday, April 24: Boat Trip Off Maullin, Fly to Santiago and Fly to the US

Day 6 – Saturday, April 25: Arrival in the US and Flights Home

Please note that EcoQuest Travel will make every effort to adhere to this itinerary, but dates, times, activities and prices are subject to change depending on scheduling and availability.

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