Wildlife and Landscapes of Southern Patagonia - Blue Sky Wildlife

Wildlife and Landscapes of Southern Patagonia Argentina’s & Chile’s southern treasures Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine National Parks Season: From October to May This trip combines two outstanding destinations, both in the southern tip of the legendary Patagonia, with charismatic towering granite peaks, active glaciers, verdant beech forest, unique wildlife and pristine lakes that are considered among the World’s most beautiful. This region is the territory of the majestic Andean Condor, the enormous Magellanic Woodpecker, the Patagonian armadillo, the Puma, the Torrent Duck, the Guanaco (wild relative of the Llama) and the Huemul or Andean Deer, for mentioning just few creatures. Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) with its famous Perito Moreno Glacier, a massive “river of ice” still advancing, and the monumental towering granite peaks of Mt. Fitz Roy’s Massif and Cerro Torre, plus the wildlife-rich and stunning landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park (Chile), will be the destination for this special trip. Day 1: BUENOS AIRES Reception at Ministro Pistarini International airport (EZE) and transfer to your hotel in Buenos Aires. Afternoon visit to Costanera Sur Ecological Preserve (IBA and Ramsar Site). Hotel accommodation x 1 night (D) Day 2: BUENOS AIRES – EL CALAFATE transfer to Jorge Newbery Airport to board flight to El Calafate. Arrival and transfer to your hotel with views to the turquoise waters of Argentino Lake, one of the biggest in South America. Afternoon visit to Laguna Nimez Wildlife Preserve, where we might see the endemic Magellanic plover, Upland Goose, Andean Ruddy Duck, Black-necked Swan, Cinereous Harrier, and Long-tailed meadowlark, among many. Hotel accommodation x 2 nights Day 3: PERITO MORENO GLACIER Departure at 06:00 AM for a full day visit to Los Glaciares National Park, where we will admire the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few glaciers on Earth still advancing. The park’s boardwalks and balconies provide unique views of this spectacular glacier. The beech forest around the glacier are the habitat of such fascinating birds as the Black-chested Buzzard-eagle, Southern Crested Caracara, Chilean Flickers, Austral thrush and the Thorn-Tailed Rayadito. (B.BL)

http://www.buenosdiasbirding.com/

Day 4: EL CALAFATE – EL CHALTÉN After breakfast at 07:00 AM drive to El Chaltén across the Patagonian steppes, with stops in route for birding and photography, with chances to see Lesser Rhea, Patagonian Tinamou, Chocolate Vented-Tyrant and Patagonian Armadillos. El Chaltén is a small town at the foot of the stunning Mt. Fitzroy’s Massif, one of the most charismatic mountain landscapes of the Western Hemisphere. Afternoon visit to a waterfall surrounded by Patagonian beech forest located in the northern tip of the Park. Spectacled ducks, Fire-Eyed Diucons, Ashy-Headed Geese, Chilean Swallow and Patagonian Skunks are species that frequent the area. Lodge accommodation x 3 nights. (B.L) Days 3 & 4: EL CHALTEN (FITZ ROY Massif) Sunrise shots of Fitz Roy’s Massif and Cerro Torre from the Las Vueltas River Canyon and drive to Lago del Desierto. Weather permits, hike to Lake Capri to shoot sunrise, where you can photograph Mt. Fitz Roy reflected on the lake’s surface. We will also walk up to Torre’s Lake, from where we can admire the granite “needles” of Mt. Torre and its hanging glacier that descends to the lake. Magellanic woodpecker (The largest New World’s woodpecker), the Patagonian Gray Fox, the Torrent Duck and the endangered Huemul or Andean Deer are usually visible along the kikes. (B.D) Day 5: EL CHALTEN – TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK: A long drive awaits us today. Early departure to Torres del Paine National Park, crossing the border at Cancha Carrera Pass. The drive takes about 9 hours across the Patagonian steppes, and we will stop in route for birding in the windswept grassy steppes, wetlands and rocky formations. Lunch in route. Among many species we will observe lesser rheas, Patagonian tinamous, least seedsnipes, red-backed hawks, Chilean Flamingos, Upland Goose and Lesser Rheas. Hotel accommodation x 4 nights. (B.D) Days 6,7, & 8:TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK Three full days for exploring the different corners of Torres del Paine National Park (the “jewel of the crown” of the Chilean park system), visiting areas such as Paine River Cascades, Laguna Amarga, Lago Grey and the mountain grasslands on the eastern and northern sides of the park. The park is dominated by the stunning view of several peaks of the Paine Massiff, including the iconic “Horns” and “Towers”. The wildlife in Torres del Paine is abundant and varied, and it is one of the best locations for seeing pumas in the wild, together with Huemul or Andean deer, Patagonian red foxes, Patagonian skunks and Patagonian armadillos, among many others. We will also observe birds such as Andean condors, Black-chested Buzzard-eagles, White-throated Caracaras, Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Parakeets, Torrent Ducks, Chilean Flickers, Spectacled Duck, Austral Pygmy Owl and Black-Faced Ibis, for mentioning just a few species. (B, L, D)


Day 9: TORRES DEL PAINE – El CALAFATE Last morning in Torres del Paine National Park. Drive to El Calafate Airport to board the afternoon flight to your next destination (B, L) The cost includes:  Accommodation based in double-room occupancy at hotels and lodges  Private transfers and transportation during the whole trip  Meals as detailed in the program (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner)  Entrance fees to national parks  Local English-speaking naturalist guides Not included:  Air tickets  Airport taxes  Tips  Personal expenses
