This trip is open to the public and Space is Available. For a more detailed itinerary and/or a copy of the initial trip information packet (which also contains trip information such as costing, inclusions/exclusions, airline ticketing etc.) please contact EcoQuest Travel by email at: info@ecoquesttravel.net.
CHILEAN PATAGONIA & the HIGH ANDES 2023
From Pumas to Penguins – the Best of Chilean Wildlife
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 Itinerary – with Optional 7-Day Post-trip Extension to Northern Chile
Day 1) Saturday, March 18: Travel to our US Gateway and on to Santiago, Chile
Day 2) Sunday, March 19: Arrival in Santiago and El Peral Reserve
Day 3) Monday, March 20: El Yeso
Day 4) Tuesday, March 21: Fly to Punta Arenas and the Andean Condors of Estancia Teresa
Day 5) Wednesday, March 22: Ferry to Tierra del Fuego & the King Penguins of Useless Bay
Day 6) Thursday, March 23: Drive to Torres del Paine National Park and Biosphere Reserve
Day 7) Friday, March 24: Torres del Paine National Park: Puma tracking
Day 8) Saturday, March 25:Torres del Paine National Park and Biosphere Reserve
Day 9) Sunday, March 26: Torres del Paine to Punta Arenas
Day 10) Monday, March 27: Boat Trip to Magdalena Island – Magellanic Penguins
Day 11) Tuesday, March 28:Arrival in US and Transfer to Flights Home
* Please note that EcoQuest Travel, Inc. will make every effort to adhere to this itinerary, but dates, times, activities and prices are subject to change depending on scheduling and availability.
Optional Post-trip Extension to Northern Chile: Arica & the High Andes
Day 11) Tuesday, March 28: Santiago to Arica
Day 1) Wednesday, March 29: Pelagic Birding Trip
Day 2) Thursday, March 30: Arica to Putre
Days 3, 4 & 5) Friday – Sunday, March 31 to April 2: Lauca National Park
Day 6) Monday, April 3: Arica to Santiago, Winery Tour and Connect to the Flights to the US
Day 7) Tuesday, April 4: 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.