Far South Expeditions Trip Catalogue 2024-2025

Inspiring Wildlife Adventures Since 1997

2024/ 2025

Wildlife Journeys in Patagonia, Chile, Argentina, Antarctica and Beyond!

Photo & Nature Journeys • Birding, Mammal and Botanical Trips • Expedition Cruises

Trip Index

This year marks our twentieth year of uninterruptedly attending the Bird Fair, twenty years that have not only seen us grow as a company while still remaining true to our origins as enthusiast birdwatchers and nature lovers, but have also witnessed the exponential growth and dramatic rise in popularity of the birdwatching and nature-oriented travel market across the world, with an ever increasing flow of customers from every corner of the globe.

This growth has seen us branch out into a variety of subjects from birds to flowers to mammals to wildlife photography, and has also inspired us to push the envelope and always keep on the look for new experiences, spots, angles and content to offer to the curious and demanding wilderness explorer of the 21st Century.

How do you survive in a growing and increasingly competitive market that constantly demands new and exclusive products, while at the same time keeping the original spirit of the whole enterprise?

At Far South Expeditions we have tried to address this vital question in a number of different ways, but it is mostly answered by the way we conceive our programmes as interesting and capturing trips and experiences we enjoy doing ourselves, and by the

spirit and love for wildlife that drives our guides and company as a whole.

That´s why, as usual, we have added a number of new tours and opened new destinations that appeal to the wildlife traveller of today, a mixture of wilderness, landscape and cultural aspects that will fulfil the highest of expectations. This year we open Guatemala, with its wonderful wildlife and stunning archaeological treasures as a new destination, and open new tours to South Georgia, Argentina and Brazil, new additions joining our traditional programmes in Chile and southern South America like the Atacama Desert, the Chilean Fjords, Peruvian Amazon, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica.

So, as always, we kindly invite you to browse through this our new catalogue and come with us along the journey to be marvelled by the Far South…

Antarctic Peninsula Air Cruises

International Trips

58 Grand Guatemala

59 Jaguars of the Pantanal

60 Wild Switzerland NEW!

61 The Far South Expeditions

Difference

62 The Far South Expeditions

Difference

63. Our Tour Leaders & Guides

64. Contact Information

The Far South Expeditions Team Punta Arenas, Chile, August 2023

Switzerland

2024-25 Trip Calendar

2024

Pumas, Penguins & Whales:

March 1 to 11 • December 12 to 22

Birding Patagonia: January 22 to 27 • November 5 to 10

Pumas & Birds of Patagonia:

February 18 to 24 • December 14 to 20

Patagonia Photo Expedition: March 19 to 25 • December 10 to 16

Mammals & Birds of Patagonia:

Mar 4 - Mar 17

Patagonia Explorer: January 13 to 22 • October 5 to 14

Aysén & Patagonia Park: April 16 to 24

Patagonia Botanical Tour:

December 9 to 15

Pumas of Torres del Paine: April 18 to 23, 2024 • July 6 to 11, 2024 • October 23 to 28, 2024 •

December 6 to 11, 2024

Baguales Gaucho Camp: January 8 to 10, 2024 • March 11 to 13, 2024 • April 20 to 22, 2024 •

November 8 to 10, 2024

Tierra del Fuego Explorer: April 24 to 28 • December 1 to 5

Quest for the Fuegian Snipe:

November 11 to 13

The Right Whales of the Valdes Peninsula: September 15 to 19

Chile’s Best Wildlife: November 4 to 22

Birding Chile: January 11 to 21•

October 25 to November 4

Birds & Wines of Chile & Argentina: February 18 to

March 1

Birding Northern Chile: January 6 to 10 • October 20 to 24

Birding Around Santiago:

January 11 to 17 • October 25 to 31

Birding Chile’s Lake District:

January 17 to 21 • October 31 to

November 4

Northern Chile Wildlife

Adventure: April 25 to 30 •

November 4 to 9

Small Cats of the High Andes:

April 10 to 17 • December 1 to 8

Atacama Desert Explorer:

January 7 to 12 • September 29

to October 4

Coastal Atacama Desert:

September 23 to 27

Central Chile Botanical Tour:

September 20 to 24

Araucaria Forests: April 29 to

May 4

Chiloé Wildlife Adventure:

November 10 to 15

Robinson Crusoe Island Explorer: November 15 to 19

Easter Island Explorer:

November 21 to 25

Rapa Nui Seabird Adventure:

September 21 to 25

Salta Photography Adventure:

March 13 to 20

Birding Mendoza: January 6 to 10 • October 20 to 24

Falklands Wildlife Explorer:

January 6 to 13

Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica: October 19 to

November 2

Atlantic Odyssey: March 28 to

April 19

Grand Guatemala: September 12 to 21

Jaguars of the Pantanal: October 17 to 24

Wild Switzerland: June 8 to 18

2025

Pumas, Penguins & Whales: March 7 to 17 • December 11 to 21

Birding Patagonia: January 21 to 26

Pumas & Birds of Patagonia: February 16 to 22 • December 13 to 19

Patagonia Photo Expedition: March 18 to 24 • December 9 to 15

Mammals & Birds of Patagonia: Mar 5 - Mar 18

Patagonia Explorer: January 11 to 20 • October 4 to 13

Aysén & Patagonia Park: April 15 to 23

Patagonia Botanical Tour: December 8 to 14

Pumas of Torres del Paine: April 17 to 22

July 5 to 10

Baguales Gaucho Camp: January 8 to 10

11 to 13

Tierra del Fuego Explorer: April 23 to 27

The Right Whales of the Valdes Peninsula: September 17 to 21

Chile’s Best Wildlife: November

3 to 21

Birding Chile: January 10 to 20

Birds & Wines of Chile & Argentina: February 16 to 28

Birding Northern Chile: January

5 to 9

Birding Around Santiago:

January 10 to 16

Birding Chile’s Lake District:

January 16 to 20

Northern Chile Wildlife Adventure: April 21 to 26 •

November 3 to 8

Small Cats of the High Andes:

April 9 to 16 • December 7 to 14

Atacama Desert Explorer:

January 5 to 10 • September 28 to October 3

Coastal Atacama Desert:

September 23 to 27

Central Chile Botanical Tour: September 19 to 23

Araucaria Forests: April 28 to May 3

Chiloé Wildlife Adventure: November 9 to 14

Robinson Crusoe Island Explorer: November 14 to 18

Easter Island Explorer:

November 20 to 24

Rapa Nui Seabird Adventure: November 22 to 26

Salta Photography Adventure: March 12 to 19

Birding Mendoza: January 5 to 9

Falklands Wildlife Explorer: January 4 to 11

Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica: February 26 to March 20

Atlantic Odyssey: March 23 to April 14

Grand Guatemala: September 12 to 21

Jaguars of the Pantanal: October 16 to 23

Wild Switzerland: June 7 to 17

Departures

11-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile

2024: March 1 to 11

• December 12 to 22

2025: March 7 to 17

• December 11 to 21

Trip Code: PAT07

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This programme is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants. Transfers from/to El Calafate, Argentina are available. Available from December until April.

17 to 19

Pumas, Penguins & Whales Itinerary in Brief

The Ultimate Patagonia Wildlife Trip

Frequently praised by visitors from all over the world as one of the most beautiful and majestic wild places in the planet, Torres del Paine National Park is a remote refuge of life where wildlife is normally quite tame and it’s not rare to see relaxed and inquisitive guanacos, foxes and other animals at close quarters; seeing the lone hunter that dwells in the vast and barren hills, the mighty Puma, is something else. This first section of our three-prong quest has been geared to seek out and contemplate this big and elegant cat in one the wildest places throughout its entire range in the Continent. The King Penguin is the second largest species of penguin after the Emperor and certainly one of the most colorful and attractive members of the group. The second part of our journey takes us to see these magni cent seabirds in their natural habitat. Few places in the world offer good access and chances to see them in the wild like Useless Bay in Tierra del Fuego, making this, the only continental American breeding colony, a very special one indeed. The third part of our trip takes us to Carlos III Island, located at the heart of the recently established Francisco Coloane Marine Park in the mythic Straits of Magellan, to find some of its most charismatic and usually elusive

inhabitants, Humpback Whales. We will see these imposing creatures and other marine mammals of the subAntarctic region at close quarters, as well as a good diversity of seabirds. Also, we will visit remote penguin colonies as well as other seabirds’ rookeries. We will be based one night at San Isidro Lodge, located besides the homonymous historic lighthouse, and two nights at the domes of the research facilities at Carlos III Island, the perfect location to see the Humpbacks and marvel at their social behavior and feeding techniques.

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Torres del Paine National Park (4 nights)

Days 2-4 • Exploring Torres del Paine NP – Puma searches

Day 5 • Torres del Paine NP – Transfer to Punta Arenas (1 night)

Day 6 • Ferry to Tierra del Fuego

– Useless Bay for King penguins (1 night)

Day 7 • Tierra del Fuego – Straits of Magellan – Punta Arenas (1 night)

Day 8 • Boat trip to Carlos III Island

– Afternoon looking for Humpback Whales (2 nights)

Day 9 • Carlos III Island – Whale Sound

Day 10 • Carlos III Island – Punta Arenas (1 night)

Day 11 • End of the trip

Departures

6-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile

2024: January 22 to 27 • November 5 to 10

2025: January 21 to 26

Code: PAT03

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This programme is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Birding Patagonia

Discovering the Birds & Landscapes of the End of the World

Join this exclusive birding journey and discover the unique bird diversity in the remote regions and dazzling landscapes of Chilean Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego. Enjoy the pace of a small group and the expertise and skill of our well-seasoned birding guides. Seabirds like Black- browed Albatross, Antarctic Giant Petrel, Magellanic Diving Petrel and Chilean Skua, waterfowl like Upland, Ashy-headed and Ruddyheaded geese, stunning waders including Magellanic Plover, Twobanded Plover, Rufous-chested Dotterel, Tawny-throated Dotterel and several seedsnipes, King and Magellanic penguins, remarkable forest-dwelling birds such as Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Parakeet and Chilean Hawk, will be part of this trip, with the occasional presence of the imposing Andean Condor, largest of terrestrial ying birds, soaring above our heads.

Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful national parks. A large diversity of habitats in the park includes steppes, scrub and sub-Antarctic forests, all set between mountains and glaciers in dramatic landscapes of extraordinary beauty.

Pumas & Birds of Patagonia

Watching Pumas, Mammals, Penguins and Birds in southern Chile

Departures

11-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile

2024: February 18 to 24 • December 14 to 20

2025: February 16 to 22 • December 13 to 19

Trip Code: PAT07

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Flight to Punta Arenas

Day 2 • Ferry to Tierra del FuegoUseless Bay for King Penguins

Day 3 • Laguna Verde - Pali Aike road - Puerto Natales

Day 4 • Torres del Paine National Park

Day 5 • Sierra Baguales – Drive to Punta Arenas

Day 6 • End of the trip

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This programme is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants. Transfers from/to El Calafate, Argentina are available. Available from December until April.

Pumas and Birds of Patagonia is one of our most comprehensive wildlife programs, aimed to discover the rich biodiversity of the remote areas of southern Chile. During trip we will have two full days (with four sessions) to look and photograph Patagonian Pumas, in the stunning area of Torres del Paine National Park and Estancia Laguna Amarga. In addition to that, we offer a very comprehensive birding itinerary, in order to see most of the Patagonian bird specialties: from King Penguins and Andean Condors to Magellanic Plover and Magellanic Woodpecker, among several other unique species. On this week itinerary, we will cover a variety of productive birding habitats, including wind-swept steppes, alkaline lakes and lagoons, channels and fjords, subantarctic woodlands and dramatic mountain regions, all encompassing a fascinating cast of birds and mammals. Besides the charismatic Puma, other mammals will be possible to observe and photograph during this trip, including Guanaco, Southern Huemul, Culpeo and Chilla Foxes, Large Hairy Armadillo, Hog-nosed Skunk, Commerson’s and Peale’s Dolphins, among others.

Join us in 2024 & 2025, on this fascinating journey to the dazzling regions of Chilean Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego to discover its best wildlife, traveling in a small group and enjoying the leadership and skills of our experienced guides.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Morning ferry to Tierra del Fuego – King penguin colony – Cerro Sombrero (1 night)

Day 2 • Ferry to mainland – San Gregorio – Pali Aike road – Puerto Natales (1 night)

Day 3 • Torres del Paine – Sierra Baguales – Cerro Castillo (3 nights)

Day 4 • Puma tracking – Torres del Paine

Day 5 • Puma tracking – Torres del Paine

Day 6 • Laguna de los Palos – San Juan Bay – Punta Arenas (1 night)

Day 7 • Transfer to Punta Arenas airport – End of the trip

Patagonia Photo Expedition

Departures

7-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile

2024: March 19 to 25

• December 10 to 16

2025: March 18 to 24

• December 9 to 15

Trip Code: PAT01

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This programme is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Transfers from/to El Calafate, Argentina are available

Landscape and wildlife photography tour to Patagonia led by resident nature photographers. Discover the best of Patagonia on this exclusively designed, photo-oriented journey; stay at great nature lodges and historic guest houses, learn about nature photography during our photo workshops, enjoy and document the best wildlife encounters, learn from thorough natural history interpretation, and experience the comfort of travelling in a small group, with a maximum group size of 7 participants. Magellanic and King penguins, flamingos, sea lions, glaciers, breathtaking scenery, the mythical Tierra del Fuego Island and Straits of Magellan, the stunning Torres del Paine National Park and much more are all part of this, the ultimate photo journey to Patagonia.

Mammals & Birds of Patagonia

Cetaceans, Penguins and Cats in Southern Chile

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Magdalena Island for Magellanic penguins

–Torres del Paine National Park –Torres del Paine (3 nights)

Day 2 • Torres del Paine NP (western sector) – Boat trip to Grey Glacier

Day 3 • Torres del Paine NP (eastern sector) – Laguna Amarga and Laguna

Azul

Day 4 • Torres del Paine NP (eastern sector) – Lago Sarmiento – Mylodon

Cave Natural Monument – Puerto Natales (1 night)

Day 5 • Pali Aike road – Ferry to Tierra del Fuego – Useless Bay for King penguins – Porvenir (1 night)

Day 6 • Straits of Magellan – Ferry to Punta Arenas – Punta Arenas (1 night)

Day 7 • End of the tour

Departures

14-day trip from Puerto Montt, Chile

2024: Mar 4 - Mar 17

2025: Mar 5 - Mar 18

Code: PAT06

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This programme is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

This comprehensive itinerary presents us with the unique chance of exploring Patagonia and its mammals and birds. Most of the tours coming to the area are focused on beautiful landscapes and on the bigger animals that are the easiest to watch; with us, besides exploring and admiring the landscapes you will see a signi cant part of the endemic mammals and birds of the region, several of them very rare and/or dif cult to observe. Ferry crossings in Chiloe Island and the Magellan Straits are both very good for seabirds and marine mammals: Blue and Humpback whales and other cetaceans such as Chilean and Peale’s dolphins, South American Sea Lion, two species of local and highly range-restricted otters. Magni cent seabirds including several tubenoses like Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel, Southern Fulmar and Wilson’s Storm Petrel, and up to three penguin species including Humboldt, Magellanic and King. In land, up to three species of fox including Darwin’s, Chilla and Culpeo, Puma and Guanaco, Huemul Deer, Hairy Armadillo, Patagonian Hog-nosed Skunk, Patagonian Weasel, and other mammals of the Valdivian temperate rainforest like the tiny Pudu Deer and hopefully Kodkod, one of the world’s rarest cats.

Forest birds such as the magni cent Magellanic Woodpecker and endemic tapaculos, and rare waders including

Magellanic Plover, Tawny- throated Dotterel, Rufous-chested Dotterel, Two-banded Plover and seedsnipes. As you can see, the variety of subjects on this quest for the mammals and birds of Patagonia is almost endless ... like the memories you’ll keep of this memorable experience.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Puerto Montt – Chiloé Island and Tepuhueico Park (3 nights)

Day 2 • Tepuhueico Park for Darwin’s Fox, Pudu deer and woodland birds

Day 3 • Tepuhueico and Tantauco Parks

Day 4 • Yaldad Inlet boat trip for Chilean Dolphin – Castro (1 night)

Day 5 • Chepu river for Southern River

Otter - Puñihuil (2 nights)

Day 6 • Boat trip to Puñihuil and Metalqui islands for marine mammals and seabirds

Day 7 • Caulin Bay – Puerto Montt (1 night)

Day 8 • Boat trip off Reloncavi Gulf for Pincoya Storm-Petrel – Flight to Punta Arenas - Punta Arenas (1 night)

Day 9 • Ferry to Tierra del Fuego – Useless Bay for King Penguins – Porvenir (1 night)

Day 10 • Magellan Straits – Drive to Puerto Natales (1 night)

Day 11 • Torres del Paine - puma searches (3 nights)

Day 12 • Torres del Paine - puma searches

Day 13 • Torres del Paine - puma searches

Day 14 • Torres del Paine – Punta Arenas (1 night)

Day 15 • End of the trip

Photo Safari to the End of the World

Departures

10-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile

2024: January 13 to 22 • October 5 to 14

2025: January 11 to 20 • October 4 to 13

Trip Code: PAT02

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This programme is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Transfers from/to El Calafate, Argentina are available.

Patagonia Explorer

Exploring the Remote Regions of Chile & Argentina

Discover the Best of Patagonia on this in-depth nature tour and photo journey; great nature lodges, the best wildlife encounters and thorough nature interpretation. Experience the comfort of travelling in a small group. This itinerary features visits to Patagonia’s premier wildlife destinations: Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks, in Chile and Argentina respectively, as well as the Straits of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego for King Penguins. Explore colossal glaciers, Perito Moreno in Argentina and Grey in Chile’s Torres del Paine; visit Magdalena Island Magellanic penguin colony, and the fascinating paleontological site of Mylodon Cave. Meet the locals while enjoying a shearing show and shepherd dog demonstration at a typical Patagonian farm.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Punta Arenas - Condor watching

Day 2 • Magellan Straits ferryExploring Tierra del Fuego

Day 3 • King Penguin reserve – Flight to Punta Arenas

Day 4 • Magdalena Island penguin colony - Cerro Negro gaucho farm

Day 5 • Mylodon Cave - Torres del Paine National Park - Hike Nordenskjöld Lake

Day 6 • Western Torres del PaineBoat trip to Grey Glacier

Day 7 • Puma tracking - Eastern Torres del Paine - Visit Laguna Azul

Day 8 • Drive to El Calafate, Argentina

- Visit Laguna Nimez Reserve

Day 9 • Visit Estancia Nibepo - Perito Moreno Glacier Day 10 • End of the trip

Aysen & Patagonia Park

A Nature & Photography Journey to Uttermost Patagonia

Departures

10-day trip from Balmaceda, Chile

2024: April 16 to 24

2025: April 15 to 23

Trip Code: PAT21

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests.

This programme is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Aysén, an intriguing name for a still relatively unknown region of southern Chile. Dense rainforests, myriad of islands, vast steppes and secluded glaciers form a mosaic of habitats, transforming it in one of the most scenic regions of the whole of Patagonia. On this nature photography trip, we will concentrate in documenting these inspiring and beautiful landscapes during a very special time of the year, the southern autumn. The hillsides of the southern Andes, acquire a striking reddish coloration as the beech forests start to lose their foliage. The massive San Rafael Glacier is a highlight of this region on its own right and is always one of our guest’s favorites; massive ice growlers of sensational texture provide the habitat for a scattered colony of Leopard Seal. We will have a dedicated boat outing to photograph the fascinating colors and patterns of the Marble Caves immersed in the torquoise waters of the vast General Carrera Lake. And finally, we will explore the newly established Patagonia National Park and nearby areas, where Guanacos and Huemul Deer thrive in this enormous area devoted to conservation.

We are certain that this comprehensive

natural history and photography itinerary will be a satisfying journey of discovery to the End of the World.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Balmaceda - Cerro CastilloOvernight Coyhaique (2 nights)

Day 2 • Coyhaique Alto

Day 3 • Cerro Castillo - Overnight Puerto Chacabuco (2 nights)

Day 4 • Boat trip to San Rafael Glacier

Day 5 • Cerro Castillo - Puerto Tranquilo (2 nights)

Day 6 • Marble Caves - Exploradores valley

Day 7 • Drive to Cochrane (overnight Hotel Ultima Paradiso)

Day 8 • Patagonia National Park and nearby areas

Day 9 • Baker River - Puerto Tranquilo (1 night)

Day 10 • Drive to Balmaceda - End of the trip

Patagonia Botanical Tour

Botanizing at the End of the World

Departures Itinerary in Brief

7-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile

2024: December 9 to 15

2025: December 8 to 14

Trip Code: PAT04

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants, from late October until early January.

Transfers from/to El Calafate, Argentina are available.

Nature journey designed exclusively for botanists, plant enthusiasts and flower photographers willing to discover the surprising diversity of flora and vegetation in the southernmost regions of Patagonia.

On this trip you will visit Chile’s impressive and world-famous Biosphere Reserve Torres del Paine National Park and the wind-swept steppes, sub-Antarctic forests and Andean moorlands of Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego, at the south end of South America’s mainland, looking for endemic species in the genera Adesmia, Alstroemeria, Gavilea, Nassauvia, Primula or Senecio, and others with highly restricted distributional ranges. We will explore a wide range of habitats, amidst stun-

Day 1 • Laguna Parrillar – San Juan Bay – Punta Arenas (1 night)

Day 2 • Pali Aike road – Puerto Natales (2 nights)

Day 3 • Puerto Natales surroundings

Day 4 • Torres del Paine (western sector) – Torres del Paine (2 nights)

Day 5 • Torres del Paine (eastern sector)

Day 6 • Torres del Paine – Drive to Punta Arenas – Punta Arenas (1 night)

Day 7 • End of the tour

Exploring Patagonia’s Premier Wildlife Destination

Departures

2 to 5-day options from Punta Arenas, Chile

Trip Code: TDP01 This programme is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants. Transfers from/to El Calafate, Argentina are available.

Torres del Paine Explorer Itinerary in Brief

ning landscapes and pristine areas, and will enjoy the presence of other remarkable and unique wildlife of this part of the world.

Discover Torres del Paine, Patagonia’s premier wildlife destination, at its best. This is a completely private wildlife and photo safari, entirely led by a naturalist guide from our company. This custom designed itinerary includes private transportation and guide services throughout the length of the trip, park entry fees, hotel-based accommodation and all meals. This package provides you with privacy and full flexibility to pursuit your particular interests; you will get in-depth nature interpretation and enjoy the best wildlife encounters with your experienced naturalist guide. If you are a nature photographer, a nature enthusiast, a birder, a botanist, a hiker with an interest in the natural world, or simply an adventurer, this journey of discovery is for you!

2-day option

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Drive to Torres del Paine NP

Day 2 • Torres del Paine NP (western sector) – Lake Grey – Drive to Punta Arenas

3-day option

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Drive to Torres del Paine NP

Day 2 • Torres del Paine NP (western sector) – Lake Grey –Boat trip to Grey Glacier

Day 3 • Torres del Paine NP (eastern sector) – Drive to Punta Arenas

4-day option

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Drive to Torres del Paine NP

Day 2 • Torres del Paine NP (western sector) – Lake Grey – Boat trip to Grey Glacier

Day 3 • Torres del Paine NP (eastern sector)

Day 4 • Torres del Paine NP – Drive to Punta Arenas

5-day option

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Drive to Torres del Paine NP

Day 2 • Torres del Paine NP (western sector) – Lake Grey – Boat trip to Grey Glacier Day 3 • Torres del Paine NP (eastern sector)

Day 4 • Torres del Paine NP

Day 5 • Torres del Paine NP – Drive to Punta Arenas

2025: April 17 to 22 • July 5 to 10

Trip Code: TDP02

Maximum group size of 6 guests.

A Quest for the Lord of the Andes

trip committed to watch Puma (Mountain Lion or Cougar) in the remote and stunning Patagonian wilderness of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park and the adjacent Ranch Estancia Laguna Amarga. Far South Expeditions as an entirely local Chile-based tour operator have been conducting puma trips here for more than 16 years; join our expert local naturalist guides and puma trackers, in the best place in the world for watching this magnificent and inspiring predator of the Andes. Patagonian pumas, especially around Torres del Paine, are the largest race of the species in the Americas. With an uncommon higher density rate, this national Park and surroundings have become the most sought-after places to watch and photograph wild pumas on Earth. This is mainly due to the stable growing of Guanaco populations in the Patagonian steppes, and the protection that Puma has been granted in the past years. Join us on this quest, to dis-

Baguales Gaucho Camp

Remote and Rugged Nature in the Land of Legendary Gauchos

Departures

2024: January 8 to

10

• March 11 to 13

• April 20 to 22

December 7 to 9

2025: January 9 to 11

• March 12 to 14

April 17 to 19

Trip Code PAT19

The Baguales Range (Sierra Baguales, in Spanish) is a secluded, remote and seldom visited mountain region of Chilean Patagonia, located quite near from Torres del Paine National Park.

cover the wildlife of Torres del Paine and one of its most secretive and yet most awe-inspiring inhabitants.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Drive to Torres del Paine National Park

Days 2-4 • Exploring Torres del Paine

– Puma searches

Day 5 • An additional day to explore the park searching for pumas plus other interesting mammals such as the elusive Andean or Huemul Deer, Patagonian Hog-nosed Skunk and Patagonian Hairy Armadillo

Day 6 • Torres del Paine – Transfer to Punta Arenas – Optional transfer to El Calafate, Argentina

This programme is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants. Transfers from/to El Calafate, Argentina are available.

This rugged land was originally home of long-gone hunter-gatherers tribes and it is also full of tales of legendary gauchos who explored every corner of this formerly unknown territory. The jagged escarpment have multiple and colorful rock layers, containing rich fossil deposits formed some 60+ millions years ago; but the range itself is quite young, resulting from the uplift of magmatic material, which formed this dramatic range. Sierra Baguales is the habitat of vast herds of Guanaco as well as an interesting cast of Andean birds such as Condor, Rhea and White-throated Caracara among many other specialties. The opportunity to observe the top predator of the Andes, Puma, will be always there. During the southern summer months, from November onwards, there is a myriad of alpine flowers, creating a most interesting subject to study and photograph.

The brand-new Baguales Glamping is an exciting operation which allow us to explore this remote gaucho land.

We will be based in comfortable domes, all with en-suite facilities and central heating and will enjoy the exclusivity to have this huge area just for ourselves. With the help of a suitable all-terrain UTV vehicle, we will be able to approach remote corners of this property and walk back, enjoying the biodiversity and the quietness of Sierra Baguales. Additional horseback-riding adventures and fly-fishing trips can be arranged in anticipation and at an extra cost.

Day 1 • Transfer to the Baguales Range – Exploring La Cumbre Ranch (2 nights)

Day 2 • Nature hikes in the Baguales Range: Rodas Lagoon & Verlika Valley Day 3 • Chorrillo Jabon (Soap’s Creek)

– Drive back to Torres del Paine or Puerto Natales – End of the trip

Patagonian Pumas Photography Trip

Departures

5-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile

2024: April 24 to 28 •

December 1 to 5

2025: April 23 to 27

Trip Code PAT20

This program is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Tierra del Fuego Explorer

Exploring Tierra del Fuego | Karukinka: Mammals and Birds of the Sub-Antarctic

Tierra del Fuego, the Land of Fire, was the name coined by Ferdinand Magellan himself while exploring this unchartered and wild territory exactly 500 years ago. On the other hand, Karukinka was the name given to this huge island by its originary inhabitants, the long-gone Fuegians. These bands of hunter-gatherers inhabited this remote archipelago over millennia, but they couldn’t cope the sudden occupation of this territory by Western farmers and miners at the beginning of the 20th century.

This itinerary is devoted to discover the nature and landscapes of Karukinka, exploring its rich history (and pre-history) as well as its fascinating biodiversity and array of ecosystems. We will explore the Magellan Straits searching for playful pods of dolphins and seabirds; we will traverse the wind-swept steppes accompanied by Guanaco herds and flocks of the ubiquitous Upland Goose; we will visit the monarch of the island by visiting the King Penguin park at Useless Bay; we will explore the silent sub-Antarctic

King Penguins of

Departures

Option A: Full day trip (8-10 hours) by plane and led by naturalist guide; available year-round (except June) from Tuesday through Friday.

woodlands in search of the mighty Magellanic Woodpecker. Eventually, we will discover the staggering beauty of the landscapes of the southernmost region of the Andes, the pristine fjords and glaciers of the Darwin Range. Here we will aim to see the Black-browed Albatross nesting grounds as well as to try to see two fascinating seal species: Leopard Seal and Southern Elephant Seal.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Flight to Porvenir - Drive to Karukinka Park

Day 2 • Caleta María - Boat trip

Admiralty Sound

Day 3 • Exploring Lake Deseado

Day 4 • Cameron - King Penguin reserve - Porvenir

Day 5 • Flight back to Punta Arenas

Option B: Scheduled 2-day trip by ferry, special for serious photographers and people looking for more field time with the penguins. Available year-round (except June) only on weekends (Saturday and Sunday).

Trip Code: TDF01a (by plane, Tuesday through Friday) | TDF01b (scheduled, Saturday to Sunday)

Jto discover the magnificent and awe-inspiring King Penguins of Tierra del Fuego. This tour is suitable for nature enthusiasts as well wildlife photographers of all levels of skills. Among wildlife, few groups call our attention as much as birds, and among birds, few families are as attractive and command such interest as penguins. The King Penguin is the second largest species of penguin after the Emperor, and certainly one of the most colourful and attractive members of the group. Not many places in the world offer good access and chances to see them in the wild, making this, the only continental American breeding colony, a very special one indeed. By joining our penguin photo journey, you will be

able to see these magnificent seabirds in their natural habitat and learn about their natural history from our specialized guide.

This programme is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants. Transfers from/to Ushuaia, Argentina, are available.

Our trips have a maximum of 6 participants, essential to keep the impact on the small colony that we visit to a minimum.

Quest for the Fuegian Snipe

A True ‘Bird of Mystery’: Wanted by so many, observed by so few

Departures

3-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile

2024: November 11 to 13

Trip Code: PAT11

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This programme is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Transfers from/to El Calafate, Argentina are available

Join us on this birding expedition to the southernmost reaches of the Americas in a quest for one of the least-known waders of Chile and the Neotropics. An endemic to southern Patagonia, the elusive Fuegian Snipe is a rare, range-restricted and local snipe, confined to seldom-visited islands of the maritime insular western slope of the Andes, from sea level up to 800m., where it nests in the tussock and other windswept patagonian grasslands and flooded peat bogs. On this expedition, we will explore the suitable boggy habitat of the western branch of the Magellan Straits to look for this poorly-known species. Enjoy the pace of a small group and the expertise and skill of our well-seasoned birding guides,

Humpbacks of the Magellan Straits

Departures

3-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile

Trip Code: TDF03

who will also show you other southern Patagonian specialties like Black- browed Albatross, Antarctic Giant Petrel, Chilean Skua, Ashy-headed and Ruddy-headed geese, Magellanic Woodpecker and Austral Parakeet, all with a breathtaking backdrop of islands, channels, forests and snow-capped peaks.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Board M/V

Tanu – Boat ride to Carlos III Island

Day 2 • Full day exploring Carlos III Island searching Fuegian Snipe

Day 3 • Boat trip to Punta Carrera – Transfer to Punta Arenas – End of the trip

Available from December until April. This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with no minimum of participants. Check out the updated calendar in our website.

Humpback Whales of the Magellan Straits is a fascinating journey designed to discover some of the best-kept secrets of this imposing region of southern South America. This is a comprehensive natural history and nature photography journey to Carlos III Island, located at the heart of the recently established Francisco Coloane Marine Park in the mythic Straits of Magellan, to find some of its most charismatic and usually elusive inhabitants, Humpback Whales. We will see these grand creatures and other marine mammals of the sub-Antarctic region at close quarters, as well as a good diversity of seabirds. We will also visit remote penguin colonies as

well as other seabirds’ rookeries. We will be based one night at San Isidro Lodge, located besides the homonymous historic lighthouse, and two nights at the domes of the research facilities at Carlos III Island, the perfect location to see the Humpbacks and marvel at their social behavior and feeding techniques.

Itinerary in Brief

Encounters with the Gentle Giants of Patagonia

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Board M/V Tanu – Boat ride to Carlos III Island Day 2 • Full day exploring Carlos III Island and Seno Ballena

Day 3 • Boat trip to Punta Carrera

– Transfer to Punta Arenas – End of the trip

Departures

Trelew, Argentina

2019: Sep 05-09

Trip Code: PAT12

This program is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

The Right Whales of Valdes Peninsula

The Marine Mammals and Seabirds of eastern Patagonia

Perito Moreno Glacier & Los Glaciares NP

Glacier and Forests of Argentine Patagonia

is located in the Atlantic coast of Argentina, south of Buenos Aires; this location is a magnificent place to watch impressive geology and diverse wildlife such as Southern Right and Killer whales, Southern Elephant Seal, South American Sea Lion, Patagonian Hare, Patagonian Hairy Armadillo, Magellanic Penguin and many others. We will have a comprehensive whale-watching programme around Puerto Piramides, including two boat trips, to enjoy the usually magnificent sightings of the Southern Right Whale population, which occur seasonally (July - December) on the surrounding gulfs. Later, we will head towards Punta Ninfas and enjoy the privacy of Estancia El Pedral. This private nature reserve holds a Magellanic penguin colony and provides access to great breeding rookeries of other seabirds

and mammals. We will have three nights to enjoy this property and its unique wildlife, while experiencing the hospitality of a typical gaucho estancia.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Flight to Trelew – Whalewatching trip – Puerto Piramides (1 night)

Day 2 • Whale-watching trip – Drive to Puerto Ninfas – Estancia El Pedral (3 nights)

Day 3 • Estancia Pedral – Puerto Ninfas

Day 4 • Estancia El Pedral – Puerto Ninfas

Day 5 • Drive back to Trelew – Flight to Buenos Aires or El Calafate

Departures

3-day trip from El Calafate, Argentina

Trip Code: FTE01

This programme is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants. Transfers from/to Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas, Chile, are available.

At the southern tip of South America, the Andes are almost entirely covered by a huge icesheet, the Southern Patagonian IceField. This vast mass of ice feeds many glaciers and massive lakes in this part of Patagonia. Into one of these lakes, Argentino flows one of the most famous glaciers in Patagonia, the grand Perito Moreno. It is by far the most imposing glacier of the whole park, and is a feature of stunning beauty. On this photographic and natural history journey we will explore the temperate forests, wind-swept steppes, emerald-coloured lakes and the ancient glaciers of this incredible nature re-

serve and will discover its peculiar flora and fauna adapted to these extreme conditions.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Drive along the old estancias road – Estancia Nibepo – Perito Moreno Glacier – Boat trip in Lago

Argentino

Optional: Hike to Grande Glacier – El Calafate

Day 2 • Los Glaciares National Park: Full day exploring Lago Argentino and Estancia Cristina

Day 3 • Morning visit to Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve – End of the trip

Departures

4-day trip from El Calafate, Argentina

Code: FTE02

This programme is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Transfers from/to Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas, Chile, are available.

Mt. Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre

The Stunning Surroundings of Patagonia’s Most Famous Peaks

These jagged granite spires, Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, have inspired explorers and climbers from all over the world due to its collosal dimensions, its stunning shapes and colours and by its very dramatic setting, surrounded by the vast Southern Patagonian Icefield. On this nature photography trip, we will take advantage of the unrivaled location of El Chalten village to document the varied landscapes and wildlife of this section of the huge Los Glaciares National Park, in southern Argentina. We will have dedicated sunrise sessions to photograph the dramatic sunrises and sunsets; walk

part of the extensive trail system leading us to some breathtaking viewpoints and cruise the Viedma lake to appreciate the magnificent front of its homonymous glacier. Join us and feel the remoteness and experience some of the best scenery of one of the most pristine corners of Patagonia.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • El Calafate – Boat trip to Viedma glacier – El Chalten (3 nights)

Day 2 • Sunrise at Fitz Roy Mt. viewpoint – Walk to Mirador Laguna Capri or Laguna Torre

Day 3 • Sunrise at Fitz Roy viewpoint

– Lago del Desierto – Walk to Glacier Huemul

Day 4 • Drive back to El Calafate

Cape Horn Expedition Cruise

In the Wake of Explorers and Sailors

Departures

4-night cruise options from Punta Arenas, Chile or Ushuaia, Argentina aboard M/V Stella Australis & the brand new M/V Ventus Australis.

Trip Code: TDF02a

(Punta Arenas –Ushuaia) | TDF02b (Ushuaia – Punta Arenas)

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with no minimum of participants. Check out our website for updated departure dates.

The Straits of Magellan, Beagle Channel and Cape Horn are important and highly signicant geographic and historical landmarks in the southern tip of the South American continent. Snow-capped mountains, huge glaciers and magnicent forests, all add to the peculiar beauty of this landscape of peaks, trees, fjords and remote islands sculpted by the strong westerly winds and the Pacific Ocean. During this journey we will sail through a signicant part of the Straits of Magellan, learning about the fascinating history of the indigenous people and the explorers of the Fuegian fjords and channels, and following in the footsteps of Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle in the 1830s. We‘ll explore the cultural remnants of the world’s southernmost people, the Yamana, and learn how they survived and adapted to this extreme geography and climate. We’ll see active breeding colonies of penguins and sea lions, and enjoy the elegant flight of the majestic albatross. Finally, we shall reach the southernmost part of our journey at the mythical and feared Cape Horn.

Sail with us in the wake of Cook, Darwin, Fitzroy and many other explorers.

Itinerary in Brief

Option A: Fjords of Tierra del Fuego (4 nights)

Punta Arenas, Chile – Ushuaia, Argentina | 4-night cruise aboard M/V Stella Australis or M/V Ventus Australis

Day 1 • Punta Arenas

Day 2 • Ainsworth Bay – Tuckers Islets (*)

Day 3 • Pía Glacier – Glacier Alley (**)

Day 4 • Cape Horn – Wulaia Bay Day 5 • Ushuaia

Option B: Patagonian Explorer (4 nights)

Ushuaia, Argentina – Punta Arenas, Chile | 4-night cruise aboard M/V Ventus Australis (Available from January 2018)

Day 1 • Ushuaia

Day 2 • Cape Horn – Wulaia Bay

Day 3 • Pía Glacier – Garibaldi Glacier

Day 4 • Agostini Sound – Águila

Glacier – Cóndor Glacier

Day 5 • Magdalena Island (*) – Punta Arenas

Departures

4-night small expedition cruises from Puerto Natales, Chile aboard M/V Skorpios III

Trip Code: PAT09

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with no minimum of participants from October until April. Check out our website for updated departure dates.

Journey to the Patagonian Fjords

Aboard M/V Skorpios III

On this adventure we will explore the remote fjords and archipelagos, located in the wild and pristine western regions of Chilean Patagonia. Aboard the Skorpios III, a family-owned and especifically-built ice-class vessel, we will leave the picturesque town of Puerto Natales towards the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, world’s third largest ice formation after Antarctica and Greenland. This 3-night cruise traverse these remote regions every Tuesday and Friday to return to Puerto Natales every Monday and Thursday, between the months of October and April. We will cover over nearly 400 nautical miles to discover the most beautiful, and least known, tide water glaciers of the area, including Amalia, El Brujo, Bernal and Herman glaciers, and those located in the area of the impressive Calvo Sound. We will follow the footsteps of many sailors and explorers, learn about the long-gone hunter-gatherer tribes that inhabited

Navarino Island & Cape Horn

Epic Journey to the End of the Americas

the fjords since 6,000+ years ago and experience the rich natural history of the fjords, channels, sounds, forests and moorlands. Indeed a journey of discovery in one of the few truly pristine areas on Earth.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Kirke Narrows - Morla Vicuña and Sarmiento Channels

Day 2 • Guillard Fjord and Glacier

Day 3 • Amalia & El Brujo GlaciersCalvo Fjord

Day 4 • Fjord of the MountainsAlsina & Bernal Glaciers - White Narrows

Day 5 • End of the cruise

Departures

4-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile

Trip Code: PAT10 This programme is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

On this trip we explore Navarino Island, right on the shores of the Beagle Channel, and the stunning and pristine surroundings of the world’s most southerly village, Puerto Williams. Commencing from Punta Arenas, Chile, we will take a short, scenic flight over the huge and beautiful island of Tierra del Fuego and the Darwin Range, southernmost portion of the Andes. Based at Lakutaia Hotel, we have many activities to carry out, including interpretation trails into the southern beech woodlands, back-horse riding options, hikes to the moors with commanding views of the surrounding waterways and mountain scenery, and short walks to discover the abundant and peculiar birdlife and flora occurring in one of the most southerly island of the American continent. Something you can consider to do is a scenic flight over the feared Cape Horn and the vast Drake Passage

extending southwards. Follow the footsteps of many explorers and join us on this adventure of a lifetime.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Flight to Puerto Williams – Beagle Channel

Day 2 • Omora Park – Walk to Punta Gusano

Day 3 • Walk to Cerro Bandera

Day 4 • Flight to Punta Arenas – End of the trip

Optional: Sightseeing flight to Cape Horn

Day Tours from Punta Arenas, Chile

Wildlife & Nature Around the Magellan Straits

Birding the Magellan Straits

Trip Code: PUQ03 • Day tour from Punta Arenas, Chile • Available year-round.

On this full day birding journey along the mythical Straits of Magellan, we will explore a great variety of habitats; from the Patagonian shorelines and wetlands, to sub-Antarctic woodlands and wind-swept steppes. We will discover the birdlife of Patagonia and its many endemic species, including the Lesser Rhea, Andean Condor and Magellanic Woodpecker plus a large array of waterfowl and range-restricted passerines. This trip includes private transportation and the services of an experienced birding guide. This tour is highly recommended for cruise passengers with restricted time at the port of Punta Arenas.

Birding the Patagonian Steppes

Trip Code: PUQ01 • Day tour from Punta Arenas, Chile • Available year-round.

On this full day photography and wildlife excursion to the picturesque Chiloé Island, with its old customs and peculiar villages, boats and churches, we’ll take a boat trip to have close views of a mixed colony of Magellanic and Humboldt penguins, plus some marine waterfowl like Flightless Steamer Duck and Kelp Goose and some marine mammals and other wildlife. Later we’ll visit a bay, which is an important stop for migrating shorebirds. This trip includes private transportation and the services of an experienced guide. This tour is highly recommended for cruise passengers on a tight schedule at the port of Puerto Montt.

Mount Tarn: Birding & Nature Hike

Trip Code: PUQ05 • Day tour from Punta Arenas, Chile • Available from November until March.

A moderately demanding but very rewarding hike up Mount Tarn, a conspicuous peak south of Punta Arenas. Located in the south-eastern edge of the Brunswick Peninsula, literally at the end of the southernmost road in the American continent, it was climbed by none other than Charles Darwin in 1834, and it was here that he found the first Ammonites fossils known to South America. This hike will present us with fantastic vistas of the Magellan Straits, the southernmost shores of the Americas and the nearby islands, and we´ll enjoy a great sample of Patagonian flora, from sub Antarctic temperate forest to alpine bogs and other open mountain habitats. Above the snowline we will look for one of the least known birds of the area, the rare White-bellied Seedsnipe, plus other Andean specialties like Yellow-bridled Finch.

Day Tours from Punta Arenas, Chile

Wildlife & Nature Around the Magellan Straits

Penguins of Magdalena Island

Trip Code: PUQ02 • Half-day tour from Punta Arenas, Chile • Available from October through March.

This trip is an excellent opportunity to observe penguins in their natural habitat and learn more about their natural history and breeding strategies. We will sail the mythic waters of the Straits of Magellan, in Patagonia, towards Magdalena Island. This protected area holds a huge Magellanic Penguin colony, holding more than 120,000 individuals. Besides the penguins, several other species of seabirds such as King Cormorant, Chilean Skua and South American Tern nest here. En route to the island, we will be escorted by magnificent Black-browed Albatross

Condors of Patagonia

Trip Code: PUQ04 • Half-day tour from Punta Arenas, Chile • Available year-round.

Olga Teresa Ranch features the most accessible location in the world to see and photograph the world’s heaviest flying creature: the famous and majestic Andean Condor. Reachable by car in only 60-70 minutes from Punta Arenas, Chile, the ranch protects, researches, and showcases a population of 100 Andean Condors that soar, socialize, and sleep at a 20-meter-tall, vertical rock face that itself is embedded in a steep, 200-meter-high (700-foot-high) hill.

Punta Arenas Nature & History Tour

Trip Code: PUQ06 • Day tour from Punta Arenas, Chile • Available year-round.

Oldest and largest settlement in Patagonia, Punta Arenas is also the southernmost city in Chile. A medium-sized, friendly city, it offers glimpses into the past through its impressive, well-preserved old mansions from mid-19th and early 20th centuries, as well as through its interesting museums. On this day tour, we will dip ourselves into the rich history and pre-history dating back to times when bands of hunter-gatherers roamed the vast steppes and sailed the icy archipelagos, to the several ages of exploration and famous names such as Magellan, Drake and Fitz Roy. We will also learn about impressions from conspicuous visitors from both the past and contemporary times, such as Charles Darwin and travel writer Bruce Chatwin.

Day Tours from Ushuaia, Argentina

Wildlife & Nature Around the Beagle Channel

Birding Tierra del Fuego National Park

Trip Code: USH02 • Day tour from Ushuaia, Argentina • Available from October through April.

Beagle Channel & Estancia Harberton

Trip Code: USH01 • Day tour from Ushuaia, Argentina • Available from September through May.

Full day nature and photo journey to the famed Beagle Channel, in southern Tierra del Fuego. On this trip we will follow the wake of Charles Darwin and Captain Robert Fitz Roy’s Beagle and its survey of the area in the 1830s. We will visit sea lion and seabird breeding colonies, including cormorants and penguins. The highlight of the trip will be Estancia Harberton, a historic location that will tell us about the origins of the illfated early inhabitants of pioneers that colonized this remote part of the world.

During this full day birding journey we will explore the sub-Antarctic forests and montane grassland ecosystems of Tierra del Fuego National Park, searching for a wealth of specialties of southern Patagonia. We will spend several hours looking for woodland birds such as Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Pygmy Owl, Austral Parakeet, Magellanic Tapaculo, White-throated Treerunner and Fire-eyed Diucon, among several others. The alpine moorlands above Ushuaia are the ideal habitat for range-restricted and special birds such as White-bellied Seedsnipe, Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant and Yellow-bridled Finch. This trip includes private transportation and the services of an experienced birding guide. This tour is highly recommended for cruise passengers on a tight schedule in transit at the port of Ushuaia.

The Ultimate Wildlife Photography Adventure in a Thin Country

Chile’s Best Wildlife Itinerary in Brief

Departures

19-day trip from Santiago, Chile

2024: November 4 to 22

2025: November 3 to 21

Trip Code: CHL10

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This programme is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

On this trip you will discover the widlife riches of this long and narrow country, extending along the west coast of South America. You will have the unique chance to explore the magnificent Andes and to see how these impressive mountains have molded contrasting habitats that will be evident as we move in latitude; from oasis valleys to puna bogs in the northern Andean plateau, from lakes, snow-capped volcanoes and lush rainforests to calving glaciers and wind-swept steppes in Patagonia. These varied ecosystems hold a unique set of wildlife and we will be privileged to observe an iconic array of animals; from guanacos and vicuñas to foxes and dolphins plus a great variety of birds ranging from the mighty Andean Condor to King Penguin. We will explore the world’s driest desert, the Atacama, and Lauca National Park, one of Chile’s gems. This impressive park is also a World Biosphere Reserve and teeming with wildlife in spite of the altitude. Further south, the land breaks into hundreds of islands and fjords. We will have a comprehensive exploration of Chile’s Lake District and the picturesque and diverse Chiloé Island. Finally Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, a remote land crowned with granite peaks, colossal glaciers and mythic waterways, is home to penguins, cetaceans and the impressive Puma.

Day 1 • Fligth to Arica – Azapa Valley

Day 2 • Boat trip to Arica harbour –Drive to Putre

Day 3 • Parinacota & Lauca National Park

Day 4 • Surire salt flat

Day 5 • Parinacota – Drive to Arica

Day 6 • Flight to Santiago and Puerto Montt – Puerto Varas

Day 7 • Ferry to Chiloé Island – Boat trip off Puñihuil

Day 8 • Boat trip off Chiloé Island –Caulin Bay

Day 9 • Boat trip Chepu River – Drive to Tepuhueico

Day 10 • Tepuhueico Park

Day 11 • Tepuhueico Park – Drive to Castro

Day 12 • Flight to Punta Arenas

Day 13 • Magdalena Island – Drive to Torres del Paine

Day 14 • Torres del Paine for pumas and other wildlife

Day 15 • Torres del Paine for pumas and other wildlife

Day 16 • Grey Glacier – Drive to Puerto Natales

Day 17 • Pali Aike NP – Ferry to Tierra del Fuego – Porvenir

Day 18 • King penguins – Ferry to Punta Arenas – Condors of Rio Verde

Day 19 • End of the trip

Birds & Wines of Chile & Argentina

A Quest for Endemics and Specialties of Chile

21 • October 25 to November 4

2025: January 10 to 20

Trip Code: CHL01

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests.

Birding Chile is an exciting birdwatching journey aimed to discover the endemic and specialties of this 3,000-mile long and narrow biogeographical island and explore and enjoy its marvelous landscapes, excellent infrastructure, great cuisine and fabulous wines at a relaxed pace. Chile is a land of huge contrasts, truly a geographic extravaganza’. On this birding adventure we will explore Chile’s incredibly diverse habitats and marvel at some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth, while enjoying top-class hotels, cuisine and wines.

From arid deserts and salt lakes in the high Andean plateau to lush rainforests and coastal marshes, from the windswept steppes of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia, to the impressive lakes and volcanoes of south-central Chile, our search for the avian specialties of

this long and narrow country will take us from the high Andes to the cold and productive waters of the Humboldt Current in the Pacific. We will find many interesting species, some of them with very restricted distributional ranges and some endemic to the country.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Batuco marshes - Farellones

Day 2 • El Yeso Valley

Day 3 • Maipo Estuary - Laguna El Peral - Quintero

Day 4 • Pelagic trip - Cachagua

Day 5 • La Campana - Drive to Vilches

Day 6 • Altos de Lircay - Lake Colbun

Day 7 • Flight to Temuco

Day 8 • Conguillio National Park

Day 9 • Cerro Ñielol - Alerce Andino National Park

Day 10 • Ferry to Chiloé Island –Puñihuil boat trip

Day 11 • Pelagic trip off Reloncavi Sound - End of the trip

A Unique Adventure Across the Andes

Departures

13-day trip from Santiago, Chile

2024: February 18 to March 1

2025: February 16 to 28

Trip Code: CHL08

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests.

On this fascinating trip we will discover the birdlife and the wines occurring on both slopes of the majestic Andes, by exploring the central regions of Chile and Argentina. Pelagic seabirds in Chile and terrestrial endemics in both countries are only a fraction of the birds you will find. We have prepared an in-depth wine tasting programme, visiting the most remarkable and traditional wineries of Maipo, Casablanca and Colchagua valleys in Chile as well as around Mendoza, in Argentina. This trip has been designed for the nature enthusiast wishing to combine some time in the field with wine tasting activities and for the birder alike. The landscapes and the culture of both countries are equally fascinating and you will have the opportunity to learn a lot about Chile and Argentina from your local leader. Salud! Cheers!

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Batuco marshes - Cousiño Macul and Concha & Toro vineyards

Day 2 • El Yeso Reservoir and Termas del Plomo

Day 3 • Drive to Talca - Altos de Lircay Nature Reserve – Vilches

Day 4 • Colbun Lake - Santa Cruz vineyards

Day 5 • Colchagua Valley: Montes, Viu Manent and Montgrass vineyards

Day 6 • Maipo rivermouth - Matetic vineyards - Isla Negra (Pablo Neruda’s home)

Day 7 • Pelagic trip - Cachagua for Humboldt penguins

Day 8 • La Campana National Park

– Emiliana and Casas del Bosque vineyards

Day 9 • Andes Crossing - Birding Uspallata and Potrerillos

Day 10 • Mendoza – Zuccardi and Escorihuela Gascon vineyards

Day 11 • Birding around MendozaKrontiras vineyards

Day 12 • Drive back to Santiago

Day 13 • End of trip

10 • October 20 to 24, 2024

2025: January 5 to 9, 2025

Trip Code: CHL02

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Birding Northern Chile

Departures

Birding Around Santiago

hospitable Atacama, on the border with southern Peru. Our base locations will be Arica and Putre, Chile’s northernmost cities. This unique area is home to highly diverse species such as the flightless Giant Coot and tiny and threatened Chilean Woodstar. We will explore the Azapa, Lluta and Chaca valleys and then drive to Putre, situated in the Altiplano at more than 10,500 feet (3,500 m) above sea level. The altiplano grasslands of Lauca National Park support wild Vicuña and Northern Huemul grazing in small herds, PunaTinamou and Lesser Rhea. Specialties such as all three Chilean species of flamingoes (Chilean, Andean and James’s), Andean Avocet, Giant and Andean coots, Chilean Woodstar, White-throated Earthcreeper, Black throated Flowerpiercer and Tamarugo

Conebill will be our main targets. There is an optional trip to Surire, one of the most impressive saltpans of the whole Chilean altiplano (highly recommended).

Itinerary in Brief

• Azapa & Lluta valleys - Arica

Day 4 • Pelagic trip - Chaca and Camarones valleys

Day 5 • Flight to Santiago - End of the trip

5-day trip from Santiago, Chile • Optional 2-day extension to the beech forests of Altos de Lircay

2024: January 11 to 17, 2024 • October 25 to 31, 2024

2025: January 10 to 16, 2025

Trip Code: CHL04

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

We will explore a fascinating and contrasting region of Chile holding most of the endemic bird species of the country. In the Andes we’ll look for Diademed SandpiperPlover and Andean Condor while in the coast we will concentrate in the many specialties of the Humboldt Current such as Inca Tern and Humboldt Penguin. In the scrub gullies covered by cacti, Puya bromeliads plus other xeric vegetation, we will look for Chilean Tinamou, Chilean Mockingbird and the skulking White-throated and Dusky tapaculos, Moustached Turca, Crag Chilia and Dusky-tailed Ca-

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Batuco marshes - Farellones

Day 2 • El Yeso Valley

Day 3 • Maipo Estuary - Laguna El Peral - Quintero

Day 4 • Pelagic trip - Cachagua

Day 5 • La Campana National ParkDrive to Vilches

Day 6 • Altos de Lircay - Lake Colbun

Day 7 • Drive to Santiago - End of the

The Impressive Wildlife of the Atacama and the Altiplano

From the Heights of the Andes to the Pacific Coast

Departures

5-day trip from Puerto Montt

2024: January 17 to 21 • October 31 to November 4

2025: January 16 to 20

Trip Code: CHL06

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Birding Chile’s Lake District

The Ultimate Wildlife Photography Adventure in a Thin Country

Comprehensive birding and nature tour to Chile’s Lake District. This trip features in-depth visits to the lush temperate forests of the scenic Puyehue and Vicente Pérez Rosales National Parks, where we will bird amid magnificent snow-capped volcanoes, ancient trees and blue lakes interspersed along the Andean foothills; here we will look for the specialties and endemics of the lush Valdivian temperate Forest, a unique ecosystem and a world’s biodiversity hotspot. The woodlands of these protected areas will offer good chances to spot Rufous-tailed Hawk, Chilean Pigeon, Austral Parakeet, Magellanic Woodpecker, together with a variety of Patagonian songbirds such as Black-throated Huet-huet, Chucao, Ochre-flanked and Magellanic Tapaculos, Des Murs’s Wiretail, Fire-eyed Diucon, Patagonian Tyrant, Austral Blackbird and Black-chinned Siskin.

Northern Chile Wildlife Adventure

Photo Safari to the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano

Departures

6-day trip from Santiago, Chile

2024: April 25 to 30 •

November 4 to 9

2025: April 21 to 26 •

November 3 to 8

Trip Code: CHL07

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Flight to Temuco

Day 2 • Conguillio National Park

Day 3 • Cerro Ñielol Nature ReserveAlerce Andino National Park

Day 4 • Ferry to Chiloe IslandPuñihuil

Day 5 • Pelagic trip off Reloncavi Sound - End of the trip

Get a unique glimpse into the land, wild- life and people of northern Chile, the Atacama Desert and the Altiplano. Vast landscapes of strange and imposing beauty, unique birds, mammals and plants, and a cultural heritage that goes back thousands of years beyond the Inca empire, reflected in archaeological treasures like giant geogliphs that were left by the ancient natives in the slopes of hills dominating the valley, mostly depicting scenes reflecting the semi-nomadic life of these ancient herders, like llama caravans, shepherds, birds and other wildlife and hunting scenes. Ethnic and cultural aspects of everyday life like agricultural methods, house building and food, all more than make for superb photography and a travelling experience that will treat your senses. But it‘s not only wildlife photographers that will be delighted, for this site offers superb landscape photography as well, with its salt flat, mountains and rock formations, some of the gems of the high Andes that will probably be one of the most enduring memories from your trip to Northern Chile.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Flight to Arica – Drive to Putre

Day 2 • Parinacota & Lauca National Park

Day 3 • Surire salt flat

Day 4 • Putre – Azapa Valley – Arica

Day 5 • Boat trip to Arica harbour –Chaca & Camarones valleys

Day 6 • End of the trip

Departures

8-day trip from Arica, Chile

2024: April 10 to 17 • December 1 to 8

2025: April 9 to 16 • December 7 to 14

Trip Code: XXXX

This trip is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Small Cats of the High Andes

Quest for Andean and Pampas Cats in the Chilean Altiplano

Atrue expedition to the High Andes of northern Chile, looking for two species of a poorly-known and seldom-seen lineage of South American cats, the mythic Andean Cat (Leopardus jacobita) and the taxonomically controversial Puna Pampas Cat (Leopardus garleppi).

On this dedicated 8-day trip, mostly geared up to aim to see these elusive mammals, we will explore the vast, desert-like high plateau of the Andes, known as puna or altiplano.

At altitudes varying from 12,000 up to 16,000 ft. (3,500-4,500 m) above sea level, we will carry out day and night searches, in previously and successfully scouted areas. We will cover considerable distances on 4×4 vehicles and our guests have to be able to walk on hilly and rocky terrain, looking for these cats, accompanied and led by our highly experienced guides. The accommodation is basic and rustic, although clean, comfortable and hospitable; meals are also quite basic, although our guides will ensure to have good and fresh provisions in order to supplement the meals, both in the field and back to the comfort of the lodge.

The high altitude is an important fac-

Atacama Desert Explorer

The Wildlife & Scenery of the World’s Driest Desert

Departures

6-day trip from Santiago, Chile

2024: January 7 to 12 • September 29 to October 4

tor to consider if you are willing to join us on the trip as well as the extended periods of time in the field, looking for the cats and other wildlife. Temperatures in the altiplano can vary from 20°C/68°F down (daytime) to -10°C/14°F (in the night), so is imperative to have suitable clothing for such temperature range as well as sturdy walking boots to deal with the rugged terrain.

This trip has a maximum group size of just four participants.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Morning flight from Santiago to Arica – Drive to Putre – Night at Putre

Days 2-7 • Six full days exploring Lauca National Park and Las Vicuñas Nature Reserve, including several locations around Guallatire and the scenic Surire salt flats – Nights at Lauca

Day 8 • Drive back to Arica – Evening flight to Santiago – End of the trip

2025: January 5 to 10 • September 28 to October 3

Trip Code: CHL03

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

This nature and photo itinerary reveals the dramatic scenery, wildlife and cultural riches of the world’s most arid desert, the mythic Atacama, a mosaic of habitats and an open book of rewarding explorations. This nature and photographic journey will deliver very different and exciting highlights every day of your journey, from geyser fields to lifeless sand dunes, from flamingo-filled saltpans to an amphitheatre of volcanoes, from highland lakes teeming with wildlife to seldom-visited canyons and ridges. Join us on this trip to northern Chile, with countless highlights for the nature enthusiast and the keen photographer alike.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Drive to San Pedro de Atacama – Valle de la Luna (Moon’s Valley) – San Pedro de Atacama (5 nights)

Day 2 • Petrogliph Field – Valle del Arcoiris (Rainbow Valley) – Chaxa and Tebiquinche lagoons

Day 3 • Miscanti and Miñiques

Lagoos – Salar de Talar

Day 4 • El Tatio geyser fields – Vado de Putana – Puritama river

Day 5 • Pakana Monks – Salar de Tara

– Salar de Pujsa

Day 6 • Pukara (fortress) de Quitor –

Catarpe – Drive to Calama

Departures

5-day trip from Santiago, Chile

2024: September 24 to 28

2025: September 23 to 27

Trip Code: CHL12

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Coastal Atacama Desert Itinerary in Brief

Central Chile Botanical Tour

Rich Seas, Mist and Cacti

The Atacama Desert is the driest desert on Earth, and in some inland places there is no record of rain or precipitation of any kind in historical times. There is a strip of desert between the Coastal range and the Andean plateau where there is barely, if any life at all. However, everything changes in the narrow band where the desert meets the Pacific. There is a combination of two main factors that make this a very special habitat; on one hand there is the influence of the cold Humboldt Current that condenses the moisture from the ocean and on the other the topography of the coast, steep cliffs that retain this moisture in the form of a dense mist which crawls inland and makes it possible for the growth of abundant vegetation in the form of many endemic species of cacti and flowering plants. This in turn allows for the presence of insects and other life and of course, birds such as endemic and range-restricted forms of White-throated Tapaculo and Common Diuca Finch, and many other Passerines, raptors and coastal seabirds associated with the Humboldt cold

stream like Inca Tern and Humboldt Penguin. Other fauna here includes foxes, Guanaco and Marine Otter. The weather here is warm and nice, the light is superb for photography and the landscape is of an austere beauty, the perfect framing for your nature trip.

Botanizing Endemics from the Andes to the Pacific

Departures

5-day trip from Santiago, Chile

2024: September 20 to 24

2025: September 19 to 23, 2025

Trip Code: CHL11

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Day 1 • Flight to Copiapó - Bahia

Inglesa - Caldera

Day 2 • Llanos de Challe National Park

Day 3 • Pan de Azucar National Park

Day 4 • Paposo Nature Reserve

Day 5 • Drive to Antofagasta - End of the trip

On this journey we will enjoy botanizing one of the areas with the highest degree of plant endemism of the world: Mediterranean Central Chile. This area holds a wealth of species that are not only unique to the country, but are in many cases very restricted in range and threatened due to loss of habitat, as this part of Chile is the most densely populated. Part of the plant rich diversity of this region is due to the different microclimates found across the country as one moves from the coastal plain to the Coastal Range to the central valley up to the Andes, with contrasting conditions and landscapes that rival in beauty with each other. Coastal communities, mountains with a strong maritime influence, plains and high Andean bogs all harbour unique vegetation formations. A great array of endemic plant genera such as Beilschmiedia, Jubaea, Echinopsis, Mutisia, Rhodophiala or Schizanthus, makes of a botanical tour in Central Chile a great choice if you have an interest in plants.

Departures

6-day trip from Temuco, Chile

2019: Dec 02-05

2024: April 29 to May 4

2025: April 28 to May 3

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Araucaria Forests

The Magical Forests of the Southern Andes

On this private nature and photography journey we will visit Chile’s Lake District. Magnificent temperate woodlands, reminiscent of the distant forests of New Zealand and Tasmania, grow here covering extensive regions of the southern Andes foothills; these forests are very unique due to their ancient geographical isolation. Between the woody elements we will see species of the genera Araucaria, Fitzroya, Nothofagus or Drimys, as well as a high diversity of members of the Mirtaceae family. The undergrowth is very dense and is also dominated by woody species and several herbs and is the realm for ground-dwelling tapaculos and very rare endemic mammals. Keen birders and botanists as well as nature photographers will have delightful subjects to observe and study during this comprehensive wildlife tour. The areas

Chiloé Wildlife Adventure

The Magical Green Island

Departures

6-day trip from Puerto Montt or Castro, Chile.

2024: November 10 to 15

2025: November 9 to 14

Trip Code: CHL15

to be visited are surrounded by magnificent scenery dominated by spectacular volcanoes and lakes.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Flight to Temuco - Drive to Conguillio

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

boats using the materials and ancient techniques passed from one generation to the next, and live off fishing, collecting seafood and farming cattle and sheep and growing crops like potatoes, of which this island is one of the main centers of origin and dispersion in the world, with dozens of varieties grown here.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Ferry to Chiloé IslandPuñihuil

Day 2 • Boat trip off Chiloé Island –Caulin Bay

Days 2 & 3

• Exploring Conguillio National Park

Day 4 • Drive to Puerto Varas

Day 5 • Vicente Perez Rosales

National Park

Day 6 • Alerce Andino National ParkEnd of the trip

Chiloé is a land of myths, legends and history, with countless and outstanding natural and cultural riches. It’s still a well-kept secret located across a channel south of Puerto Montt, in Chile’s Lake District, in the north-western corner of Chilean Patagonia. A magical realm with its own traditions, customs, legends, food and music where time has stood still since the first Spaniard settlers arrived and mixed with the native people back in the XVI (16th) century. We will dedicate five full days to explore the fascinating and enigmatic Chiloé; this island and associated archipelagoes will reveal their unique natural and cultural riches, from penguins to otters, from elusive tapaculos to raucous parakeets, from dolphins to sea lions. This green island is filled with picturesque countryside and maritime landscapes, colourful stilt houses, fishermen’s boats and wooden churches in scattered villages and small towns nestled among the fields and rolling hills; everything framed in beautiful and dramatic natural settings, a place where people still build houses, churches and

Day 3 • Boat trip Chepu River – Drive to Tepuhueico

Day 4 • Tepuhueico Park

Day 5 • Tepuhueico Park – Drive to Castro

Day 6 • End of the trip

Departures

4-day trip from Castro, Chile.

Trip Code: CHL19

Fixed departures: Monday through Thursday. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants. Ask for custom departures.

The Tepuhueico Woodlands

Stronghold of Chile’s Most Endangered Mammals

On this specially-crafted wildlife adventure, we will explore the pristine and secluded woodlands of the western regions of Chiloé Island, specifically at one of its largest and most important parks, Tepuhueico. Our base during the whole length of the program, will be the award-winning, shingle-sided, homonymous wooden lodge. Here, we will thoroughly enjoy the island’s local flavors and hospitality; also we will have the opportunity to discover the unique array of wildlife that few visitors to Chiloé have the privilege to watch. Mammals such as Pudu Deer, Kodkod Cat and Darwin’s Fox are the main cast of poorly-known and endangered mammals which frequent the surroundings of the lodge –they all are very rare and challenging to spot, but we will do our very best in finding them. The birdlife is also unique and varied, and we expect to see most of Chile’s tapaculos plus

Seabirds & Whales of Chiloé Island

Departures

The

Trip Code: CHL13

This trip is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

intriguing species such as the endemic Slender-billed Parakeet, Rufous-legged Owl, Magellanic Woodpecker and Chilean Pigeon.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Flight to Castro – Drive to Tepuhueico – Tepuhueico Lodge (3 nights)

Days 2/3

• Exploring the Tepuhueico woodlands

Day 4 • Drive back to Castro – End of the trip

Chiloé Island is located in the north-western corner of the vast territory called Patagonia. The surrounding seas are very productive and its dramatic coastline is affected by the nutrient-rich waters of the north-bound Humboldt Current, hence its rich diversity of seabirds and marine mammals. On this dedicated itinerary we will have ample opportunities to study and photograph a great array of seabirds, including Humboldt and Magellanic Penguins, Flightless Steamer-Duck, Kelp Goose, and Peruvian Pelican. While exploring the rugged coast we will have great chances of interesting marine mammals such as Peale’s and Chilean Dolphin, Marine Otter and large numbers of South American Sea Lion. The highlight of this programme is a pelagic trip aim to find the recently-split Pygmy Blue Whale, which occurs around the archipelago during the southern summer months (December through February); Humpback Whales and often see as well as a great diversity of tubenoses such as Black-browed Albatross, Southern Gi-

ant Petrel, Pink-footed and Sooty Shearwaters and the poorly-known Little (Subantarctic) Shearwater, which probably breeds along this remote, heavily forested part of the island. If you are a pelagic birder or a dedicated whale-watcher, this trip is for you!

Itinerary in Brief

diverse marine wildlife of Northern Patagonia

Day 1 • Puerto Montt (or Castro) –Ferry to Chiloé Island – Boat trip off Puñihuil

Day 2 • Boat trip off Chiloé Island –Caulin Bay

Day 3 • Boat trip off Puñihuil – Drive to Puerto Montt (or Castro) – End of the trip

3-day trip from Puerto Montt or Castro, Chile

Departures

5-night cruise from Puerto Montt, Chile

Trip Code: CHL14

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with no minimum of participants. Check out our website for updated departure dates.

Laguna San Rafael & the Chilean Fjords

Exploring Patagonia’s Northern Archipelago

Get onboard the comfortable M/V Skorpios II and enjoy a spectacular, scenic and comfortable cruise to the gorgeous Laguna San Rafael National Park, in the heart of the Chilean Fjords. Departing from Puerto Montt, capital of Chile’s Lake District, we sail through Llanquihue Archipelago and abeam Chiloé Island, to land at Puerto Aguirre and continue navigating the maze of channels and fjords to enter the glacial lake which is the gateway into Laguna San Rafael National Park, where we can contemplate the huge glacier front and witness the active calving of huge icebergs. After this we’ll visit some natural hotsprings at Quitralco Fjord, to later depart for Chiloé Island and navigate upstream to the picturesque town of Dalcahue, where you’ll land and visit its most typical corners to get an impression of the island’s culture, peculiar architecture and tradition. Back on board we’ll navigate through the channels back to Puerto Montt, where the trip ends after our arrival at the port.

Robinson Crusoe Island Explorer

An Island of Castaway Natural Treasures

Departures

3 and 4-night trip from Santiago, Chile 2024: November 15 to 19

2025: November 14 to 18

Trip Code: CHL18

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Puerto Montt – Chiloé Island

Day 2 • Moraleda Channel – Puerto Aguirre – Pilcomayo Channel

Day 3 • Tempanos Channel – Laguna San Rafael – Fiordo Quitralco

Day 4 • Quitralco hotsprings –Moraleda Channel

Day 5 • Corcovado Gulf – Chiloé Island – Dalcahue

Day 6 • Puerto Montt – End of the trip

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Juan Fernandez is a fascinating archipelago of volcanic origin, situated about 400 miles off Valparaiso, central Chile. Robinson Crusoe, the main island of the group, is a 2-hour flight journey from Santiago, Chile. Its rich history dates back to its discovery by Portuguese explorer Juan Fernandez in 1574, but its fame relates to the prolonged residence of the Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk who was marooned there between 1704 and 1709. His epic survival story served as an inspiration source for Daniel Defoe’s famous novel. The critically endangered temperate sub-tropical woodlands of the island, the Fernandezian forests, holds a large, diverse and rich array of flora represented by more than 130 endemic species, most of them regarded as Critically Endangered. During this trip, we shall explore these forests searching for its endemic landbirds: the remarkable Juan Fernandez Firecrown and the Juan Fernandez Tit-tyrant. We will also have the opportunity to explore the rugged coastline by boat, where we will look for its rare seabirds, including the petrels and shearwaters that nest in burrows in the secluded forests. The sub-tropical waters are very productive and we hope to find Defilippi’s, Stejneger’s,

Kermadec and Juan Fernandez petrels as well as Pink-footed Shearwater. Join us on this birding and natural history journey to this unique and special destination, to seek the natural treasures of the island of Robinson Crusoe!

Itinerary in Brief

3-night program (leaving every Tuesday)

Day 1 • Flight to Robinson Crusoe Island (c. 2 hours) – Boat shuttle to San Juan Bautista (c. 1.5 hours)

Day 2 • Forests of Robinson Crusoe Island – Walk to Alexander Selkirk viewpoint

Day 3 • Pelagic trip off Cumberland Bay

Day 4 • Boat shuttle to El Padre Bay –Flight to Santiago

4-night program (leaving every Friday)

Day 1 • Flight to Robinson Crusoe Island (c. 2 hours) – Boat shuttle to San Juan Bautista (c. 1.5 hours)

Day 2 • Forests of Robinson Crusoe Island – Walk to Alexander Selkirk viewpoint

Day 3 • Pelagic trip off Cumberland Bay

Day 4 • Forests of Robinson Crusoe Island – Walk to Plazoleta El Yunque

Day 5 • Boat shuttle to El Padre Bay –Flight to Santiago

Departures

3- to 5-day trip from Santiago, Chile

2024: November 21 to 25

2025: November 20 to 24

Trip Code: CHL17

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Easter Island Explorer Itinerary in Brief

Rapa Nui Seabird Adventure

Unveiling the Mysteries & Legacy of Rapa Nui

This is our comprehensive cultural, archaeological and nature photography journey to Earth’s most remote inhabited location, Rapa Nui. During this trip you will study and experience the unique archaeological heritage of this island. This small triangle of volcanic rock, located in Polynesia, right in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, has always been subject of curiosity, study and speculation. Many explorers, researchers and travellers have attempted to unveil its secrets, but still important missing pieces remain to be discovered. What are the origins of the islanders? How did they transport their massive moai stone heads from the quarry locations to the their platforms? Why is Rongo Rongo the only written language in Oceania? You will have extraordinary local guides, who will show you the best locations and provide all the known scientific background and interpretation. You will also have the rare chance of sharing their points of view and expectations about the future of the island and its people. Rapa Nui - past, present and future ... join us on this journey of discovery into an island of mysteries!

3-day option

Day 1 • Fly to Easter Island – Welcome at Mataveri – Half day tour to Ahu Tahai and Akivi

Day 2 • Full day tour to Moai quarry of Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki and Anakena beach –optional afternoon trip to the islets or motus

Day 3 • Morning tour to Orongo village and Vinapu – Fly to Santiago

4-day option

Day 1 • Fly to Easter Island – Welcome at Mataveri – Half day tour to Ahu Tahai and Akivi

Day 2 • Full day tour to Moai quarry of Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki and Anakena beach – optional afternoon boat trip to the ‘motus’

Day 3 • Full day tour to Orongo village, Vinapu and Puna Pau

Day 4 • Free morning – Fly to Santiago

5-day option

Day 1 • Fly to Easter Island – Welcome at Mataveri – Half day tour to Ahu Tahai and Akivi

Day 2 • Full day tour to Moai quarry of Rano Raraku and Ahu Tongariki

Day 3 • Full day tour to Orongo village and Vinapu – Optional boat trip to the islets or motus

Day 4 • Half day tour Anakena and Puna Pau – Optional boat trip to the ‘motus

Day 5 • Free morning – Fly to Santiago

Departures

5-day trip from Santiago, Chile

2024: September 21 to 25

2025: November 22 to 26

Trip Code: CHL04

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Moai Heritage & the Pacific Gadfly Petrels

Join world’s seabird authority and photographer Hadoram Shirihai on a unique quest for the gadfly petrels of eastern Polynesia and the extraordinary moai heritage of the breathtaking Easter Island (Rapa Nui), one of world’s most remote islands. In the company of Hadoram Shirihai and Enrique Couve, one of Chile’s foremost ornithologists, we will look for five “mega rarities” of the eastern Pacific, including Henderson, Herald, Kermadec, Murphy’s and Phoenix Petrels plus several other oceanic birds visiting or breeding at Rapa Nui. We will also have the opportunity to visit the many extraordinary archaeological sites of this superlative island, in company of our seasoned and knowledgeable local guides.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Fly to Easter Island (*) – 1st pelagic (**)

Day 2 • Exploring Easter Island – 2nd pelagic

Day 3 • Exploring Easter Island – 3rd pelagic

Day 4 • Exploring Easter Island

Day 5 • Free morning – Flight back to Santiago

(*): Guests should arrive to Santiago the day before the trip starting date and overnight at a Santiago airport hotel.

(**): The schedule and duration of the boat trips need to be flexible due to weather and ocean conditions.

Trip Code: SCL01 • Full day tour from Santiago de Chile • Available from October until March.

Birding and nature photography trip, exploring the imposing and scenic Andes dominating Santiago de Chile to discover their wealth of avian specialties. Covering most of the bird families originated around the Andes - from miners and canasteros to ground tyrants, from seedsnipes to hillstarsthis comprehensive birding trip will surely be a rewarding experience for both the seasoned and novice birder alike.

Penguins and Chile

Trip Code: SCL02 • Full day tour from Santiago de Chile or Valparaiso • Available year-round.

Birding and nature photography trip to the Coastal Range and the Pacific Coast, in search of the endemics and specialties of Mediterranean Chile. We will explore the broad-leaf woods, scrubland and cacti-covered slopes, looking for skulking tapaculos, tinamous and canasteros. Along the shore we will concentrate in finding the endemic Seaside Cinclodes and coastal seabirds of the Humboldt Current, including Guanay Cormorant, Inca Tern and Humboldt Penguin. This moderate tour is suitable for cruise passengers on a tight schedule at the ports of call.

Day Tours from Santiago or Valparaiso, Chile

Wildlife & Nature Around the Heart of Chile

Condors of Farellones

Trip Code: SCL04 • Full day tour from Santiago de Chile or Valparaiso • Daily departures from August to May.

We will have a full day exploring the road to Farellones and Valle Nevado that winds up the Andean foothills, where we’ll hopefully be rewarded with sightings of the Chile endemics Crag Chilia, Moustached Turca and Chilean Mockingbird plus our first Andean Condors, up in the mountain valleys we’ll look for Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Mountain Caracara and several other Andean specialties such as Black-winged Ground-Dove, Grey-flanked Cinclodes, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, Yellow-rumped Siskin, Mountain Parakeet and many others.

Coastal Marshes & the Pacific

Trip Code: SCL03 • Full day tour from Santiago de Chile or Valparaiso • Available from September until April.

Birding and nature photography tour, visiting the lowland marshes and the Pacific coast south of Valparaiso. On this tour you will discover the wealth of waterfowl and aquatic birds of Chile plus a good sample of the specialties and endemics of the coastal region of Mediterranean Chile. This easy to moderate tour is suitable for cruise passengers on a tight schedule at the ports of call.

Day Tours from Puerto Montt, Chile

Wildlife & Nature Around Chile’s Lake District

Chiloé Island Nature Trip

Trip Code: PMC02 • Full day tour from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas, Chile • Available from September to March.

On this full day photography and wildlife excursion to the picturesque Chiloé Island, with its old customs and peculiar villages, boats and churches, we’ll take a boat trip to have close views of a mixed colony of Magellanic and Humboldt penguins, plus some marine waterfowl like Flightless Steamer Duck and Kelp Goose and some marine mammals and other wildlife. Later we’ll visit a bay, which is an import-

Lake District Nature Trip

Trip Code: PMC01 • Full day tour from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas, Chile • Available from September to March.

On this full day birding journey to AlerceAndino National Park and the Temperate Rainforest, we will discover the birdlife of Chile’s Lake District and its avian specialties, like Chucao and Ochreflanked tapaculos and Black-throated Huet-huet, all framed in snow-capped volcanoes and serene, blue lakes. Stopping on our way back at the exposed sandy beach of Coihuin Bay we’ll look for flocks of migrating shorebirds. This trip includes private transportation and the services of an experienced guide. This tour is highly recommended for cruise passengers on a tight schedule at the port of Puerto Montt.

Humboldt Current Pelagics

Pelagic Trips off Valparaiso, Chile

Departures

Day trip (c. 6 hours) from Valparaiso or Quintero, Chile

Trip Code: CHL16 This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum group size of 10 guests. Check out our website for updated departure dates.

The Humboldt Current draws cold water from the Antarctic and pumps it north along the west coast of South America, lifting nutrients from the deep sea bottom in the form of upwelling and making these waters not only the richest, most productive marine ecosystem in the Planet, but also one of the top destinations for Pelagic Birding in the world, too. On this pelagic trip, we expect to see a great variety of tubenoses such as Northern Royal, Antipodean, Salvin’s, Buller’s and Black-browed albatrosses. Chatham Island and Antipodean albatrosses are regularly recorded as well as Southern Royal Albatross. We should also find Southern and Northern Giant Petrels, Southern Fulmar, White-chinned, Westland and Pintado petrels, Pink-footed, Sooty and Buller’s shearwaters, and Pterodroma or gadfly petrels, including Juan Fernandez and Masatierra petrels. Small tubenoses of other families include Wilson’s Storm Petrel and Peruvian Diving Petrel. Other seabirds we may encounter are Guanay Cormorant, Red-legged Cormorant, Humboldt Penguin, Inca Tern, Chilean Skua and Grey (Red) Phalarope.

Pelagic Birding off Puerto Montt

Trip Code: PMC03 • Day trip (c. 8 hours) from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas, Chile • Available year-round.

Early morning with the first light of the day, we will take a boat trip into the Reloncavi Sound to look for seabirds, particularly the recently discovered Pincoya Storm Petrel, a new species to science, overlooked during many years because of its strong similarities to sympatric Wilson’s Storm Petrels. The range of this species seems to be very local and restricted to the nearby waters south of Puerto Montt and between Chiloé Island and the Continent.

Pelagic Birding off Arica

Trip Code: ARI01 • Half-day trip (c. 6 hours) from Arica, Chile • Available year-round.

Early morning we will take a boat trip off Arica to continue our search for the endemic seabirds of the Humboldt Current. We will look for Peruvian Diving Petrel and we may also find Elliot’s and Markham’s Storm Petrels. The delightful Inca Tern will be a common sight around the harbour plus Common and South American Terns. The endangered and local Peruvian Tern is another potential species for the morning.

Departures

8-day trip from Salta, Argentina

2018: Sep 9 – 16

Trip Code: ARG01

This program is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum group size of 10 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Salta & Jujuy

Photographic Journey to the north-west of Argentina

On this photographic expedition we will aim to capture the grand landscapes and intriguing wildlife of one of the most scenic regions of Argentina, the spectacular North-West. The geology of these vast and remote Andean regions is overwhelming and provides fantastic opportunities for landscape photography. We have a unique pre-extension to explore the locality of El Peñón and its unusual and surreal ash deposits and pumice fields; we will also explore the picturesque town of Cafayate, its colourful canyons and fantastic vineyards. During the main trip we will visit one of the most northerly regions of Argentina, the colourful Jujuy province, the dramatic and colourful gorges of Humahuaca valley and the vast salt flats of Salinas Grandes. Later we will explore the remote salt flat of Arizaro and the most unusual highly eroded setting of Los Colorados for spectacular sunrise and sunset shooting sessions. Join us on a truly unique photographic trip to the wild North Western regions of Argentina!

Itinerary in Brief

Pre-extension: Cafayate - El PeñónPumice fields

Day 1 • Fly to Salta – Drive to Cafayate

Day 2 • Drive to El Peñón Day 3 • Pumice field

Day 4 • Drive to Cafayate – Wine tour

Day 5 • Drive to Salta

Main Trip: Salta & Jujuy

Day 1 • Fly to Salta - Overnight Salta

Day 2 • Drive to Purmamarca –Sunset at Salinas Grandes

Day 3 • Explore the Humahuaca valley – Sunset at Salinas Grandes

Day 4 • Drive to San Antonio de Los Cobres

Day 5 • Drive to Tolar Grande - Sunset at Los Colorados

Day 6 • Explore Arizaro salt flatDrive to San Antonio de Los Cobres

Day 7 • Drive to Salta

Day 8 • End of the trip

Departures

5-day trip from Mendoza, Argentina.

2024: January 6 to 10 • October 20 to 24

2025: January 5 to 9

Trip Code: ARG01

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Discovering the Bird Riches of the Cuyo region

Birding Mendoza Itinerary in Brief

Mendoza province holds a fascinating mosaic of habitats with a fantastic bird diversity. It is located at the heart of the Cuyo region in western Argentina, and is renowned all over the world for the excellent quality of its wines. On this trip we will explore the Monte ecosystem, looking for specialties such as Chaco Eagle, Spotwinged Falconet, and a delightful cast of passerines including Chaco Earthcreeper, Salinas Monjita, Sandy Gallito, Crested Gallito, White-throated Cacholote, Rufous-warbling Finch and the endangered Yellow Cardinal. We will also explore the impressive foot-

hills of the Andes mountains to look for White-collared Swift, the striking Redtailed Comet, White-winged Black-Tyrant, Steinbach’s Canastero, Patagonian Mockingbird and White-tipped Plantcutter among several other species.

Day 1 • Mendoza – General Alvear (1 night)

Day 2 • San Rafael – Mendoza (2 nights)

Day 3 • Tulumaya

Day 4 • Potrerillos – Uspallata (1 night)

Day 5 • Potrerillos – Mendoza – End of the trip

Departures

8-day trip from Santiago or Punta Arenas, Chile.

2024: January 6 to 13

2025: January 4 to 11

Trip Code: FKI01

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum group size of 7 guests. This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Falklands Wildlife Explorer

Encounters with Penguins

On this journey we will discover the wildlife and natural history of a remarkable and remote group of islands, located in the South Atlantic Ocean, the Falklands / Malvinas. The archipelago comprises more than 700 small islands (most of them uninhabited) and is located about 350 miles northwest of Cape Horn, in mainland South America. The Falklands are simply the most accessible place in the world to observe breeding colonies of sub-Antarctic wildlife such as tame Black-browed Albatrosses, Rockhopper and King Penguins and marine mammals such as Southern Elephant Seals and Orcas. Exceptional nature photography and wildlife tour, featuring visits to huge penguin colonies and other seabirds including cormorants and albatrosses; elephant seal and sea lions rookeries; dolphin and possibly orca sightings; land-rover tours to remote wildlife spots in the outlying islands of the archipelago, scenic flights within the archipelago and the remarkable hospitality of the Kelpers, our hosts

throughout the trip. If you are a nature photographer, a birder, a botanist, or simply a nature enthusiast or hiker, this journey of discovery is for you!

The Superb Wildlife of the Southern Ocean

Day 1 • Flight to the Falklands –Transfer to Port Stanley (2 nights)

Day 2 • Volunteer Point

Day 3 • Flight to Carcass Island (2 nights)

Day 4 • Carcass Island – Boat trip to West Point Island

Day 5 • Carcass Island – Flight to Sea Lion Island (2 nights)

Day 6 • Sea Lion Island

Day 7 • Sea Lion Island – Flight to Darwin (1 night)

Day 8 • Flight to Punta Arenas or Santiago, Chile

Departures

Cruise 1 • South Georgia Through the Camera Lens

2024: October 19 to November 2

15-day cruise

Starts/Ends: Santiago, Chile

Vessel: M/V Sea Spirit

Cruise 2 • Antarctic Wildlife Adventure

2025: February 26 to March 20

23-day cruise

Starts: Ushuaia, Argentina / Ends

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Vessel: M/V Sea Spirit

Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica Itinerary in Brief

We have added two exciting and very special expeditions to our 2024-2025 trip portfolio, exploring the sub-Antarctic islands along the Scotia Arc and the always awe-inspiring Antarctic Peninsula. The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are always a great introduction to the Southern Ocean marine wildlife and we will have the opportunity to explore Carcass and Saunders with its Rockhopper and Gentoo penguins and its Black-browed Albatross rookeries. Right after that, a couple of days sailing over the Scotia Sea will offer encounters with outstanding seabirds and cetaceans before reaching everybody’s favourite, the South Georgia Islands! This is truly one of the world’s greatest nature spectacles as every corner of their coasts is literally teeming with wildlife. Vast penguin colonies, albatrosses, petrels and elephant seals will be a true delight as we explore Prion Island, Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews and Fortuna Bays and the historic whaling station of Grytviken. The last portion of these expeditions will be devoted to explore the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and its mind-blowing pristine landscapes. We will have several days to sail from the

South Shetland Islands all the way south to the scenic Lemaire Channel, in the company of penguins and other seabirds, whales and hopefully Orcas.

Cruise 1 • South Georgia Through the Camera Lens

2024: October 19 to November 2

15-day cruise

Starts/Ends: Santiago, Chile

Vessel: M/V Sea Spirit

Cruise 2 • Antarctic Wildlife Adventure

2025: February 26 to March 20

23-day cruise

Starts: Ushuaia, Argentina / Ends

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Vessel: M/V Sea Spirit

Atlantic Odyssey

Departures

2024: March 28 to

April 19

2025: March 23 to

April 14

22-night cruise

Starts: Ushuaia, Argentina

Ends: St Helena

Vessel: M/V Hondius

Trip Code: ANT05

Texpedition, a fantastic exploration of the Southern Ocean and some of its more formidably seabird-rich islands: South Georgia, Gough and Tristan da Cunha. Enjoying the company of Far South Expeditions Founder and Chilean ornithologist/ author Enrique Couve, we will explore and discover the nutrient rich waters of the Antarctic and Sub-antarctic to look for a wealth of rare tubenoses and penguins as well as seldom-seen cetaceans. South Georgia will deliver a great sample of Antarctic seabirds including delicate Light-mantled Sooties, Wanderers, prions and Blue Petrels. Heading north, we will explore some of world’s most remote islands, including Gough and Tristan da Cunha for its Northern Rockhopper penguin and Yellow-nosed Albatross rookeries.

Antarctic Peninsula Air Cruises

A Unique Cruise to the White Continent

Days

Departures

8-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile

Trip Code: ANT01

Vessels: M/V Ocean Nova, M/V Hebridean Sky or brand new M/V Magellan Explorer

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with no minimum of participants. Check out our website for updated departure dates.

Available from Dec until Feb.

The Antarctic Peninsula is a promontory of land and ice that breaks the apparent radial symmetrical shape of the White Continent. It begins approximately at 75°S, extending northwards to 62°S, almost reaching the southern tip of South America. Therefore, the Peninsula is the most accessible region of the Antarctic and until recently one needed to navigate for two whole days and nights through the rough seas of the infamous and feared Drake Passage. This was before this programme was designed! We now offer you the chance of visiting the most pristine corner on Earth via this unique itinerary, which combines a short and comfortable 2-hour flight from Punta Arenas (southern Chile) to the South Shetland Islands, and the comfort of a small expedition cruise across the calm waters of the Antarctic Peninsula. Join us on the most innovative circuit to discover the landscapes and wildlife of the White Continent.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Arrival to Punta Arenas, Chile

– Introductory briefing – Overnight at Punta Arenas

Day 2 • Flight over the Drake Passage to King George Island, South Shetlands

– Board Antarctic vessel (5 nights)

Days 3/6 • Cruising and exploring along the western Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands

Day 7 • Flight back to Punta ArenasOvernight at Punta Arenas

Day 8 • End of the trip

The Ultimate Seabird Cruise to the world’s remotest islands!

Departures

10-day trip from Guatemala City, Guatemala

2024: September 13 to 22

2025: September 12 to 21

Trip Code: GUA01

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum group size of 8 guests.

Grand Guatemala

Birds, Nature & Archaeology

Guatemala is such a fascinating, intriguing and diverse country in many respects. Its northely location in Middle America has provided Guatemala with an extraordinary and unique biodiversity, additionally enriched by its ancient Mayan heritage. During this trip we will aim to discover the natural riches and cultural highlights of Guatemala, in terms of its amazing birdlife, diverse ecosystems and unique archaeology. During the first half of this trip we will explore its lush rainforests, volcanoes, coffee plantations and ancient towns and markets. Later we will devote ourselves to explore the most secluded regions of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve, at the remote Las Guacamayas Biological Station, to visit one of the least known Mayan sites, El Peru-Waka’, - which is still been excavated! Later we will have a comprehensive visit to explore the breathtaking Mayan citadel of Tikal, a grand finale to our journey of discovery to this extraordinary and friendly nation.

Jaguars of the Pantanal

The Spirit of the South American Jungle

Departures

8-day trip from Sao Paulo, Brazil

2024: October 17 to 24

2025: October 16 to 23

Trip Code: BRA01

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Guatemala City – Drive to Antigua

Day 2 • Antigua – Drive to Los Tarrales

Day 3 • Exploring Los Tarrales – Drive to Santiago Atitlan

Day 4 • Walk to San Pedro Volcano

Day 5 • Drive to Antigua

Day 6 • Flight to Flores – Drive to Las Guacamayas Biological Station

Day 7 • Walk to El Peru-Waka’ ruins

Day 8 • Las Guacamayas Biological Station – Drive to Tikal

Day 9 • Tikal citadel

Day 10 • Drive to Guatemala City –Connecting flights – End of the trip

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum group size o

We will explore the vast northern section of the Pantanal on our quest for Jaguar, America’s largest cat. We will explore the very end of the famous Transpantaneira road, where the Cuiabá meets the Piquiri, Três Irmãos and some other smaller rivers. This meeting of waters coming from varied areas create a mix of different ecosystems and an incredibly rich food chain. As a result you will see wildlife everywhere: hawks and ospreys, king vulture, toucans, macaws, kingfishers, colourful birds, herons, egrets and other waders, the gigantic jabiru stork, families of giant otters, peccaries, tapirs, capybaras, caimans and, of course, the enigmatic Jaguar, the third largest cat in the world, our main target species. But before heading deep into jaguar territory we will spend a couple days at a comfortable lodge at the Transpantaneira, where we will have the opportunity to photograph numerous birds, monkeys and other mammals. All of the real action, however, happens at the river, shooting from our spacious and very stable boats. Once a cat is found you can start shooting right away while the driver positions and anchors the boat, finely adusting position for the best

angle. On some occassions you will find a jaguar resting at the riverbank, especially on hot days when the riverbank is cooler, and you will be able to photograph that cat for several hours! On other occasions you will find what we call a “roaming cat”, one that is just walking along the shoreline, appearing here and there once in a while and providing different photo opportunities. With a bit of luck you may also find a pair of mating jaguars, or a female jaguar with cubs. But the Northern Pantanal has many things to offer besides jaguars, and the hours spent looking for one are not empty for there are numerous other photo opportunities just waiting at the next river bend.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Sao Paulo – Flight to Cuiabá – Drive to the Pantanal Days 2 & 3 • First lodge in the Pantanal photographing birds and animals

Day 4 • Transfer to second lodge in the Pantanal Days 5-7 • Boat trips and Jaguar searches

Day 8 • Drive back to Cuiabá – Flight to Sao Paulo – End of the trip

from Geneva, Switzerland

2024: June 8 to 18

2025: June 7 to 17

Trip Code: SWI01

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum group size of 8 guests.

The Alps - Nature and Tradition

his unique itinerary was designed to explore the nature and culture of this extraordinary and beautiful alpine nation. The trip focuses on photography and easy hikes, accompanied by a naturalist, multilingual guide, originate from Switzerland.

The beginning of the northern autumn invites us to enjoy landscapes immersed in incredible lights and many different colors.

The Alps are habitat for many animals, adapted to the mountains. Amongst others, we shall see ibexes, marmots and birds such as the mythic bearded vulture (Lammergeier), nutcrackers and the stunning wallcreeper. Thanks to the cable cars, we’ll get over remarkable differences in altitude in an easy and diverting way, while enjoying spectacular views. We’ll renew our energies savoring regional food in rustic but welcoming, charming mountain huts.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Lake Neuchâtel | Fanel

Natural Reserve | Bienne

Day 2 • Jura hills | Camille Bloche

chocolate factory and Tête de Moine

cheese factory

Day 3 • Wine tasting on a traditional Jura vineyard | Lucerne

Day 4 • Mount Pilatus

Day 5 • Mount Rigi

Day 6 • Engelberg | Melchsee-Frutt

Day 7 • Swiss Ornithological Institute

(Vogelwarte) | Zernez

Day 8 • Swiss Nationalpark | Margunet

Day 9 • Swiss Nationalpark | Trupchun Valley

Day 10 • Upper Engadin

Day 11 • Engadin | Transfer to Zurich

Our Tour Leaders & Guides

Being the people who work directly in the field with our customers, and therefore the ones who show them around and interpret for them, the leaders should not just be knowledgeable, enthusiastic, great naturalists and easy-going people, but also careful planners. Our trips have a strong educational component and our guides are truly passionate about wildlife and the natural world; they will be delighted to get out there with you and look for new birds, mammals a nd other fauna, show you the rarest orchid on a botanical trip, or take you to the best spot, in the right light, for your landscape or wildlife photography and telling you about the bird you’re looking at, or the geology of the place, while throwing in any relevant historical or cultural accounts. This is your holiday and our guides will do their best in planning ahead and avoiding any potential trouble, while sorting any inconvenience that could come up the road. You will make the most of the experience by sharing through the eyes of your local, experienced tour leader.

Rodrigo Tapia, Jorge Valenzuela, Sebastián Saiter, David Couve, Matías Ballarini, Ana María Venegas, Flavio Martínez, Cecilia Vedelago, Victor Vega, Susanne Widmer.

The Far South Expeditions Difference

Since 1997, we’ve been sharing with our guests what we’ve learned all this time while exploring the wonders of southern South America, Patagonia, Antarctica and Polynesia. Because it’s not just the places, it’s equally about experiencing the feelings it conveys and the intimate contact with the land, the wildlife and the culture.

Small Groups

Our party sizes do not exceed 8 participants; even in some like our photo safaris and birding groups for instance, have a maximum size of 7 guests, and we use spacious, comfortable and safe vehicles. We take pride on offering a carefully detailed operation to fulfil your expectations, which is our permanent goal.

Unique Journeys

We aim to introduce you to the nature and culture of southern South America and adjacent regions through our unique educational travel experiences with the highest standards of professional service from an expert staff and with superior comfort, with a focus on nature and local culture. As a result of our carefully planned logistics and excellence of our guides, we also plan and operate trips to this region for the most important.

Best Locations

Our Lodging

Our accommodations are special places, chosen for their quality of services as for their commitment to personalized attention and detail. We have a long partnership with most of them, which facilitates communication, and although a few are in cities, most of them are located in remote locations, islands of comfort in the wilderness, a concept that we always privilege. Sometimes these cosy lodges in remote locations are the most special and the hardest to leave behind, and all of our lodges and hotels offer fine cuisine, local flavours and, of course, excellent wines. excellent wines.

The places we have chosen for our programmes always stand out for their natural and contrasting beauty, from the Atacama Desert to the evergreen Patagonian woods, from Easter Island to Tierra del Fuego and from tropical South American rainforest to the glaciers of Antarctica, always looking for the greatest diversity and richness in both natural history and cultural heritage.

Our Nature Books & Trip Materials

Helder, Cecilia and Rodrigo

Our Office

Based in Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost city, in the shores of the mythical Straits of Magellan, at 53°S and 70°W, the long distance is no obstacle in keeping close contact and providing you with assistance in any requirements. Our office staff will be delighted to assist you in planning your trip, and available for any further discussion of details.

We’re proudly involved in the authorship and publication of our own nature resource books and field guides for Chile and Patagonia, having produced more than 20 titles on birds, flora, other wildlife, landscapes and culture of southern South America. We also provide our customers with field checklists and other useful material to enhance their learning experience during our trips.

“Working at Far South Expeditions during these eight years has been an interesting experience which has motivated me to face the personal challenge of putting in my best efforts to help all our costumers with any queries they may have every day. One of the most important tasks that I’m in charge of is to communicate directly with our costumers, by email or phone, and I like to be as clear as possible in providing them with the accurate and up-to-date information they need. From the beginning I have had wonderful experiences with travellers from all around the world, and we still keep frequent communication until today with some of them. I’m a fan of details and I’m convinced that everything counts when it comes to achieve a complete client satisfaction.” -

Cecilia Faundez, Operations Dept.

Far South Expeditions

P.O. Box 920, Punta Arenas, CP 6202473, CHILE

Phone: +56 61 261 5793

tours@farsouthexpeditions.com www.farsouthexp.com

Cover photographs Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, Phegornis mitchellii | Back cover photograph: Humboldt’s Hog-nosed Skunk, Conepatus humboldtii © both by Jorge Valenzuela, Far South Expeditions. All texts and photographs © Far South Expeditions, unless otherwise indicated. No photographs may be reproduced in any form without permission

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