Patagonia

South America

Mar 13

Written By Kristen Ruth Smith

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Chilean Patagonia & the High Andes

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 Sample Itinerary
with Optional Extension to North Chile

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

Day 1) Saturday: Travel to our US Gateway and on to Santiago, Chile
Day 2) Sunday: Arrival in Santiago and El Peral Reserve
Day 3) Monday: El Yeso
Day 4) Tuesday: Fly to Punta Arenas and the Andean Condors of Estancia Teresa
Day 5) Wednesday: Ferry to Tierra del Fuego & the King Penguins of Useless Bay
Day 6) Thursday: Drive to Torres del Paine National Park and Biosphere Reserve
Day 7) Friday: Torres del Paine National Park: Puma tracking
Day 8) Saturday: Torres del Paine National Park and Biosphere Reserve
Day 9) Sunday: Torres del Paine to Punta Arenas
Day 10) Monday: Boat Trip to Magdalena Island – Magellanic Penguins
Day 11) Tuesday: Arrival in US and Transfer to Flights Home

Optional Post-trip Extension to Northern Chile
Arica & the High Andes

Day 11) Tuesday: Santiago to Arica
Day 1) Wednesday: Pelagic Birding Trip
Day 2) Thursday: Arica to Putre
Days 3, 4 & 5) Friday – Sunday: Lauca National Park
Day 6) Monday: Arica to Santiago, Winery Tour and Connect to the Flights to the US
Day 7) Tuesday: US Gateway to Home Cities

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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