Pumas and Birds of Southern Patagonia

Day 1: Ferry to Porvenir, Tierra del Fuego - King Penguin colony

In the morning you'll take a 2-hour ferry ride across the Magellan Straits to Porvenir in Tierra del Fuego. During the journey, you'll enjoy the company of various seabirds, including Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel, Cape Petrel, and more. There's a chance you might spot marine mammals like South American Sea Lions and Peale's Dolphins.

Upon reaching Tierra del Fuego, you'll explore the coastline and spot birds like Crested Duck, Chiloe Wigeon, and various sandpipers. As you head east to Useless Bay, keep an eye out for raptors such as Variable Hawk, Aplomado Falcon, and Peregrine Falcon. Along the way, you might even come across Magellanic Horned Owls in the ravines.

The main focus will be King Penguins at a newly established site where these magnificent birds breed year-round and raise their young. You're guaranteed to see them!

Meals: Lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hostería Tunkelen or similar, Cerro Sombrero.

Day 2: Ferry to the mainland - San Gregorio - Pali Aike road

Witness the sweeping plains of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia which boast a range of distinctive bird species, including Least Seedsnipe, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Rufous-chested Dotterel, Short-billed Miner, Chocolate-vented Tyrant, and White-throated Finch.

A short ferry ride takes you back to the mainland, where you may spot the striking Commerson's Dolphin trailing behind. Along the roadside wetlands, you'll find Chilean Flamingo, Coscoroba Swan, Silver Teal, and numerous waders like Wilson's Phalarope, Baird's Sandpiper, and White-rumped Sandpiper.

While exploring this vast open landscape, you're likely to encounter Lesser Rhea, Cinereous Harrier, Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant, and Patagonian Mockingbird. The entire drive to Puerto Natales is punctuated by herds of Guanacos. Keep an eye out for other possible mammals such as the Southern Grey (Chilla) Fox, Patagonian Hairy Armadillo, and Patagonian Hog-nosed Skunk.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Vendaval or similar, Puerto Natales

Day 3: Torres del Paine - Sierra Baguales

On the third day, Torres del Paine, a Chilean gem in Patagonia, awaits your exploration. You'll spend two days marveling at colossal granite peaks and the park's diversity. Reed-fringed lagoons harbor waterbirds like Grebes, Andean Ducks, Speckled Teal, Pintails, and the elusive Austral Rail. Look to the skies for Andean Condors and Buzzard-Eagles. Scan fast rivers for Torrent Ducks.

Exploring Sierra Baguales, northeast of Torres del Paine, reveals restricted-range Chilean songbirds like Patagonian Mockingbird and Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant. Discover local species like White-throated Caracara, Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, Rufous-banded Miner, Austral Canastero, Earthcreepers, Ground Tyrants, and Yellow Finches.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel El Ovejero or similar, Cerro Castillo

Days 4 & 5: Puma tracking, Laguna Amarga/Torres del Paine National Park 

Prepare to track pumas. You have special access to Estancia Laguna Amarga, one of the best places in the world to get close to wild pumas. You'll use a 4x4 vehicle and do some walking. You need to have moderate fitness because there might be some up and downhill walking, but you'll go at a slow pace, and the highest point you'll reach is 300m above sea level.

Pumas are most active at night, early morning, and late evening. You'll have two sessions each day, one in the morning and one in the evening, lasting about 4 hours each. During the middle of the day, you won't disturb them at rest.

You'll also explore the Nothofagus or southern Beech forests, looking for plants and animals like the Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Parakeet, and, if you're lucky, the Andean Deer or Huemul. The landscape here is filled with towering mountains, glaciers, lakes, and forests.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel El Ovejero or similar, Cerro Castillo

Day 6: Punta Arenas - Laguna de los Palos - San Juan Bay

On the drive south to Punta Arenas you'll birdwatch at Laguna de los Palos, a productive alkaline lagoon. Your focus here will be on the unique Magellanic Plover, a wader that resembles a small dove more than a shorebird, often spotted scratching the mud with its bright pink legs. Other birds in the area include Two-banded Plover, Wilson's Phalarope, White-rumped Sandpiper, Short-billed Miner, and the common Austral Negrito.

Next, you'll explore the coast of the famous Straits of Magellan, searching for Flying Steamer Ducks, Crested Ducks, Kelp Geese, King Cormorants, Rock Cormorants, and Magellanic Oystercatchers. The coastal grasslands may reveal other interesting sheldgeese, including the Upland Goose, Ashy-headed Goose, and the endangered Ruddy-headed Goose.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Diego de Almagro or similar, Punta Arenas

Day 7: Transfer to Punta Arenas Airport

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll be transferred to Punta Arenas Airport for connecting flight or trip extensions.

Meals: Breakfast