CHILE: Puma of Torres del Paine
TOUR FOCUS
BIRDS & WILDLIFE
SCHEDULED TOURS
TRIP LEADERS
TOUR COST
From: $2,600 (See details)
Cost is per person, double occupancy from El Calafate, Argentina (FTE)
GROUP SIZE
6-10 Participants
AVAILABILITY
10 spaces available
PRIVATE TOUR OPTION
This tour is available as a private trip for any size group. The tour cost will vary with the number of people and any custom requests.
TESTIMONIALS
Highlights of CHILE: Puma of Torres del Paine
Description of CHILE: Puma of Torres del Paine
This 6-day tour will focus on observing the famous Puma population found in and around scenic Torres del Paine National Park in the Andean foothills of southern Chile! Our adventure begins in El Calafate, Argentina where Chilean Flamingoes, Black-necked Swans, Upland Geese, Long-tailed Meadowlarks, and many other waterfowl can be found in the bay near town. From there, we will then head west to the Andes to explore Torres del Paine National Park, with 3 days on a private ranch searching for Pumas and other regional specialties!
Combine this 11-day Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego tour with our CHILE: Puma of Torres del Paine Extension, for a total of 16 exciting days of exploring in South America!
Length of Tour
6-Days/5-Nights
Brief Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival to El Calafate, Argentina. Drive to the Chilean border. Night at Cerro Castillo.
Day 2. Full day exploring Puma territory with an expert tracker. Night in Cerro Castillo.
Day 3. Full day exploring Puma territory with an expert tracker. Night in Cerro Castillo.
Day 4. Full day exploring Puma territory with an expert tracker. Night in Cerro Castillo.
Day 5. Early drive back to Argentina. Night in El Calafate, Argentina.
Day 6. Departures from El Calafate, Argentina.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival to El Calafate, Argentina. Drive to the Chilean border. Night at Cerro Castillo.
Today we will drive from El Calafate to Cerro Castillo, Chile. Birding opportunities along the road, vast views of Patagonian steppe. Once in Chile we will stay at a nice hotel at Cerro Castillo. This location offers will position us at a short distance of the puma territory we are going to explore during the following days. Night in Cerro Castillo.
Day 2 – Full day exploring Puma territory with an expert tracker. Night in Cerro Castillo.
Three full days will be spent primarily searching for Pumas with an expert tracker (and his team). Usually we have an early start each day, spending the morning hours looking for Pumas before returning to the hotel for a midday siesta, and then setting out for another Puma cruise in the evening, followed by dinner at the hotel. Each night we will reposition to a new hotel in order to explore a new region the following day!
In addition to the Pumas, we will also have good opportunities to enjoy the stunning scenary of Torres del Paine National Park, where waterbirds are present in great numbers and Torrent Duck can be found on fast-flowing rivers! Andean Condors also possible!
Day 3 – Full day exploring Puma territory with an expert tracker. Night in Cerro Castillo.
See day 2 itinerary.
Day 4 – Full day exploring Puma territory with an expert tracker. Night in Cerro Castillo.
See day 2 itinerary.
Day 5. Early drive back to Argentina. Night in El Calafate, Argentina.
We return to El Calafate, Argentina, with birding stops along the way. Night in El Calafate.
Day 6. Departures from the International Airport.
Departures from El Calafate, Argentina.
Cost
Cost is $2,600 per person, based upon double occupancy, from El Calafate, Argentina (Airport code FTE).
This trip ends in El Calafate, Argentina (Airport code El Calafate, Argentina).
Primary Tour – Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego
Additional $7400 per person (minimum 4), double occupancy.
Single Supplement
If a single room is preferred, or we are unable to find a suitable roommate for you, a single supplement fee of $600 will be assessed.
Deposit Requirements
A $1,000 deposit per person is required to hold each space on this tour. Deposit may be made online by clicking the "Book Your Trip Now" button and using any credit card. If you prefer, you may call us at 888-875-9453 to pay by phone. You may also mail us a check, however, remember that all space is held on a first come-first served basis as deposits are received.
Minimum Number
If fewer than the minimum number of required participants are registered, we may still be able to run the trip by adding a small-group supplement fee, per person, determined by the number of participants registered.
How to Book
In order to hold your space, click the "Book Your Trip Now" button above and complete the deposit process, including payment of the deposit through our Paypal portal using ANY CREDIT CARD. Upon completion of deposit, please visit our secure, online CLIENT INFORMATION FORM to complete your registration.
Final Payment
For all land-based tours: full payment by check is due 120 days prior to the departure date.
For all boat-based adventure cruises of 7-days or longer: full payment by check is required 180 days prior to departure.
NOTE: If you prefer to use credit card for final payment, a 3% fee may be added to cover the credit card merchant fees we incur.
This trip includes standard hotels.
Activity Level Rating: 3 (Note: 1 is easy and 5 is difficult)
Most walks will be on easy terrain, but with some rocky trails and some altitude change throughout the tour. The wind can be quite strong at times and participants should plan on cool to cold days.
This is a remote stretch of the World, and while phone service may be available based on your plan, we will be out of contact much of the time. Most hotels do have WiFi.
Trip insurance is highly recommended.
Purchasing Flights
Do not purchase your flights until the trip has been confirmed to go.
Detailed Trip Information
Upon notification that final payment is due (120 days prior to departure for land based tours / 180 days for boat based tours), you will receive a trip package of detailed information for your tour.
Any additional information about the trip, including lodgings, contacts, participants, meeting locations, etc., will sent about 2 weeks prior to the trip departure, or after final payment is received for late registrants.
Travel Insurance
As with all tours, we recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to help cover your investment, for covered reasons. Please see our section on Travel Insurance.
Passport & Visa
US Citizens may require a visa to enter certain foreign countries. See above for any required visa information.
Participants arriving to the USA from a foreign country may need to get a travel visa to enter the United States. Be sure to check the requirements for your country of origin.
Itinerary Changes
The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.
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