2016 Far South Expeditions Catalogue

Inspiring Wildlife Adventures Since 1997

2016

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

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Message from the Founders

T his season finds us again venturing into different new uncharted territories, expanding our horizons in every direction.

We have expanded our staff to cover an ever-increasing demand with the addition of talented and experienced professionals who enjoy showing around the beautiful wilderness of our continent while giving an in-depth view of the natural history and every aspect of the wonders surrounding us.

The same is true regarding our programmes, since we have made several additions to our existant offer, like a new tour that focuses on the largest ever animal on Earth, the iconic Blue Whale, a nautical expedition that takes you to one of the most important feeding grounds for this once almost extinct marine mammal.

Another highlight and one of our specialties for more than 15 years is our Pumas of Torres del Paine tour, one of the favorites among our guests, and a perfect showcase for both our wildlife experience and our genuine concern about conservation of the Patagonian ecosystems in general and of this beautiful cat we know so well in particular.

Besides our main Chile and Patagonia tours, we offer wildlife expeditions in neighbouring countries including Peru, Argentina and Brazil, all adding to the broad palette of colours, landscapes, wildlife, history, cultures and food one can experience in this wonderful continent.

It’s no coincidence that besides running our own tours we double as ground agents for most top naturalist companies in the world, who rely on our experience as local pioneers in wildlife tourism.

Our programmes appeal to a variety of interests, including wildlife watching, birding, photography and history, designed to introduce our visiting friends to our natural treasures in the best possible way, always with an unbound and compelling passion for what we do.

If you’re flicking through the pages of this catalogue, chances are you either met us in the 26th Birdfair or have requested for a printed copy through our website, or maybe browsing through a digital online version of it.

Either way, you just might have been toying with the idea of travelling to southern South America, so now that we’ve been introduced, why not visiting us back home and letting us show you why we love this land and nature so much?

We look forward to this upcoming season and going out in the field once again, with renewed enthusiasm and our renowned standard of doing our best to give you a first-class experience.

Far South, the way to go!

“The tour was fantastic. Our guide, Rodrigo, was excellent. The places Far South Expeditions booked for us were all good quality, with some of them being outstanding, and Rodrigo’s local knowledge meant that we saw many fascinating animals and places that we would not have known about or found for ourselves. It was an unforgettable trip and we highly recommend this tour company and its staff.” Don Gartside, Australia

“We spent two weeks in Patagonia on a trip organised by Far South, including a brilliant day out to the King Penguins, a few days with extreme close ups of humpbacks and best of all walking with pumas in Torres Del Paine. The guides, Christofer and Enrique were fantastic, their field knowledge exceptional and they were excellent travelling companions. “ Paul Cottis, UK “Travelling solo, I spent a week in Torres del Paine with the brilliant guide Enrique and driver Cristian. The scenery was out of this world I have a love of Big Cats and Enrique introduced me to the puma and its environment. They are spectacular and even encountered an adolescent walking across

Testimonials

the road as we stood in absolute awe on the road less than 4m away. Enrique was fantastic.” Jill Hancock, UK “ Just wanted to thank you for organising my trip ... Sebastian and Christian did a wonderful job of showing me around, and I really appreciate it.”. Martin Sharp, Canada “My wife and I did a five day Puma trip with Enrique. Enrique, Sebastian (a second guide) and Ruben (our driver) were all very professional and were willing to go the extra mile to see pumas. We were extremely successful. In 5 days we encountered 9 pumas with 5 of the encounters lasting for over 20 minutes each. The behavior was fantastic. Enrique has been studying the movements of the cats in Torres del Paine for years and knows well their movement patterns and territories”. Art & Alicia Hulse, USA

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Unique JourneysWe 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. Small Groups

Our party sizes do not exceed 10 participants; even in some like our photo safaris for instance, groups have a maximum size of 6 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.

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.

The Far South Expeditions Difference

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Our LodgingOur 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.

Our OfficeBased 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.

Best LocationsThe 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 MaterialsWe’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.

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 and other fauna, show you the rarest orchid

Claudio F. Vidal, Enrique Couve, Rodrigo Tapia, Marcelo Flores, Sebastian Saiter and Cristofer de la Rivera

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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.

Patagonia• Patagonia Wildlife Adventure – p. 13• Patagonia Photo Expedition – p. 14• Pumas, King Penguins and Humpback Whales – p. 15• Mammals & Birds of Patagonia – p. 16• Patagonia Explorer – p. 17• Journey Across Patagonia– p. 18• Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego – p. 19• Patagonia Botanical Tour – p. 20• Patagonia & the Falkland Islands – p. 21• Los Glaciares National Park – p. 22• Torres del Paine Explorer – p. 23• Torres del Paine Hiker – p. 24• Pumas of Torres del Paine – p. 25• King Penguins of Tierra del Fuego – p. 26• Cape Horn Expedition Cruise – p. 27• Tierra del Fuego Photo Expedition – p. 28• Humpback Whales of the Magellan Straits – p. 29Blue Whales of Chiloe Island – p. 30• Day Tours from Punta Arenas, Chile – p. 31• Day Tours from Ushuaia, Argentina – p. 32

Chile • Chile Wildlife Adventure – p. 34• Birds & Wines of Chile & Argentina – p. 35• Chile Birding Adventure – p. 36• Birding Chile – An Easy Tour – p. 37• Atacama Desert Explorer – p. 38• Coastal Atacama Desert – p. 39• Birding Northern Chile – p. 40• Northern Chile Photography Adventure – p. 41

• Birding Central Chile – p. 42

• Mediterranean Chile Botanical

Tour – p. 43• Araucaria Forests – p. 44

• Lake District & Chiloé Island – p. 45

• Chiloé Island & Laguna San Rafael National Park – p. 46

• Albatrosses & Petrels in the Humboldt Current – p. 47

• Day Tours from Santiago,Chile – p. 48

• Day Tours from Puerto Montt, Chile – p. 49

Islands & Antarctica• Easter Island (Rapa Nui) – p. 51• Robinson Crusoe Island – p. 52

• The Falkland Island – p. 53• Grand Antarctica – p. 54

Argentina• Valdés Peninsula & Bahia

Camarones - 56

Peru• Highlights of Peru – p. 57

• Amazon River Cruise – p. 58

Brazil• Jaguars of the Pantanal – p. 59

BRASIL

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Sao Paulo

Our Wildlife Adventures in Patagonia, Chile & South America

Chiloé

2016 Tour Calendar

8 Northern Royal Albatross, Diomedea sanfordi

PATAGONIA

Patagonia Wildlife Adventure: January 2, February 6, March 5, April 2, October 1, November 5, December 3

Patagonia Photo Expedition: January 24, February 28, March 27, April 24, July 23, August 27, September 24, October 22, November 26, December 24

Pumas, King Penguins and Humpback Whales: January 18, February 13, March 5

Mammals & Birds of Patagonia: February 13

Patagonia Explorer: January 16, February 20, March 19, October 15, November 19, December 17

Journey Across Patagonia: March 1

Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego: January 9, February 13, March 12, October 8, November 12, December 10

Patagonia Botanical Tour: January 9, November 12, December 10

Patagonia & The Falkland Islands: March 6, December 4

Pumas of Torres del Paine: January 4, February 8, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 4, August 8, September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5

Tierra del Fuego Photo Expedition: April 16

Blue Whales of Chiloe Island: February 28, March 6

CHILE

Birds & Wines of Chile & Argentina: February 21

Chile Birding Adventure: January 2, October 22

Birding Chile - An Easy Tour: December 10

PERU

Amazon River Cruise: May 13, June 3

BRAZIL

Jaguars of the Pantanal: October 6

Visit Us Online www.farsouthexpeditions.com

Keeping in touch with our customers has always been of paramount importance to the success of our operation, so no matter how far the distance, we are eager to serve you better and connect with you at all times, pre- and post-tour. Continually updated, our website keeps you updated on all our new tours and programmes, special deals and exciting news both from the field and the office, so you can have all the information you need to choose from our varied offer.

Our Wildlife BlogOur naturalists and guides are periodically delivering short notes accompanying photographs taken in our tours, to let you have a virtual peek into the wonders that we experience first-hand in the field. This material, which is shared through our Wildlife Blog into social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Tumblr, is in the format of a brief, easy-to-read “mini-article”, but on the other hand it is intended to be of high quality both visually and in written content, so you can enjoy the photographs while learning a little bit about the natural history of the subject. Join us daily on our glimpses into the awesome wilderness of some of the remotest and most pristine ecosystems in the Planet!

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https://plus.google.com/+FsexpeditionsChileTours

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Our Social Networking

Conservation Puma Watching activities in Torres del Paine and surrounding areas

As a group of established local Chile and Pa-tagonia wildlife tour companies working in permanent contact and coordination with the National Wildlife Service and the administra-tion of Torres del Paine National Park, we have for decades not only pioneered and developed this particular kind of tourism here, but in do-ing so have always been inspired by and acted according to a strict ethos which puts wildlife well-being first and foremost.

Since we pioneered puma tours more than 15 years ago, we have always had conservation as a major inspiration and concern, and this is reflected not only in the non-invasive way we work in the field, but also in our 20-plus books, field guides and publications with which we have contributed to environmental education and the knowledge and awareness of our wild-life and the threats it faces.

Torres del Paine National Park has for long been regarded as one of the finest places in the world to watch pumas in the wild, and as a local and well-established venture we have met with both the environmental and Park authorities and the private landowners to discuss a special working plan contemplating special permits for our companies and to work out strategies in order to continue with puma watching tours the way we have until now.

Therefore, we can’t stress enough the impor-tance of letting our historical and potential new business partners from abroad know and rest assured that our puma programmes are as alive, healthy and present as ever, and that our company still represents not only the best value, but also the most authoritative, ethical and knowledgeable partner to watch pumas in Patagonia.

Puma, Puma concolor patagonica

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Ornithologist and artist Jorge Ruiz • Chestnut-throated Huet-huet, Pteroptochos castaneus • Moustached Turca, Pteropto-chos megapodius • Inca Tern, Larosterna inca • Chilean Tinamou, Nothoprocta perdicaria • Chucao Tapaculo, Scelorchilus rubecula • Rufous-legged Owl, Strix rufipes

EducationA Guide to the Birds of Chile, Oceanic Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

Since 1997, our commitment to environmental education and conservation as a way of life has encouraged us to produce more than 20 field guides and related publications on the birds, wildlife and natural history of Chile and Patagonia. Over the last 10 years, company founders Enrique Couve and Claudio F. Vidal have teamed up with the accomplished Chilean ornithologist and artist Jorge Ruiz to write and illustrate a thorough field guide to the birds of Chile and offshore dependencies, including Juan Fernandez archipelago, Easter Island and Antarctic Peninsula. The research process has been long but prolific, and we expect this work to be delivered within 2015.

PatagoniaTours

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Patagonia …the very name of this remote region conjures up visions of mystery, remoteness, heroic exploration, well-weathered voyagers, long-gone natives, hardened settlers and vast, windswept plains, bays, mountains, big skies, forests, fjords, lakes, rivers and pristine wilderness. Located in the southern tip of South America, and shared by both Chile and Argentina, it is truly one of the last wild frontiers on Earth, and as such it has retained its appeal to adventurers and travellers from all over the world, a compelling attractive that hasn’t faded since Magellan first explored its coasts and Darwin studied its natural history during his epic voyage aboard the Beagle, introducing Patagonia to the Old World and turning it forever into a magnet for inquisitive an restless spirits across the centuries in the process.

Whether your interests reside in wildlife watching, geology, landscape or wildlife photography, culture or other topics, we kindly invite you to take a look at the many different programmes we have devised to let you become the explorer and discover for yourself the magic of these lands. These tours have been put together with the best possible experience in mind, and depart radically from mass, general tourism programmes in that they are exclusive trips planned specifically for individuals or small groups of up to eight people with private transportation, and mostly to places out of the mainstream tour routes. Our knowledgeable professional guides take care of every aspect of the trips in order to turn them into personalized expeditions where the routes, itineraries and pace are all geared to maximize the quality of your stay and time in the southern wilderness of mythical Patagonia.

Magellanic Penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus

A Nature Journey to the End of the World

Join the ultimate nature and photo journey to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Far South Expeditions

and Hotel Remota have joined efforts in designing and operating this superb wildlife adventure to the world's end, with the single purpose of providing our guests with an authentic and memorable journey of discovery, and outstanding levels of service.We will spend considerable time exploring the surrounding areas of Puerto Natales, including boat trips to the Chilean Fjords and their striking glaciers, plus in-depth visits to Patagonia's premier wildlife destination, Torres del Paine National Park. The focus of this trip is to see as much wildlife as possible, and travelling in a small group (up to 6 participants) will also provide the photo enthusiast with great chances of capturing the grandeur of these awe-inspiring landscapes. Remota Lodge will be our comfortable base during most of this trip; its remarkable architecture and its unique setting are worthwhile exploring and enjoying. The last portion of the trip will be oriented to visit Tierra del Fuego and the only continental breeding colony of the stunning King Penguin. A grand finale for the trip of a lifetime.

8-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile.2016: Jan 2, Feb 6, Mar 5, Apr 2, Oct 1, Nov 5, Dec 3Trip Code: PAT06This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum group size of 8 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.

Departures

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Magellanic penguins – Puerto NatalesDay 2 • Mylodon Cave Natural Monument – Sierra BagualesDay 3 • Bernardo O’Higgins National Park: Boat trip to Last Hope Fjord and Balmaceda GlacierDay 4 • Torres del Paine NP (east) – Lagu-na Amarga & Laguna AzulDay 5 • Torres del Paine NP (west) – Boat trip to Grey GlacierDay 6 • Pali Aike NP – Ferry to Tierra del Fuego – PorvenirDay 7 • King penguins – Ferry to Punta ArenasDay 8 • End of the trip

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[email protected]

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PatagoniaWildlife Adventure

The Horns, Torres del Paine NP - Austral Parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus - Guests with the Towers in the backdrop

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www.farsouthexpeditions.com

Patagonia PhotoExpedition

Photo Safari to the End of the World

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 in-terpretation, and experience the com-fort of travelling in a small group, with a maximum group size of 8 participants.Magellanic and King penguins, flamin-gos, sea lions, glaciers, breathtaking scenery, the mythical Tierra del Fuego Island and Straits of Magellan, the stun-ning Torres del Paine National Park and much more are all part of this, the ulti-mate photo journey to Patagonia.

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Otway Sound – Drive to Torres del Paine National ParkDay 2 • Torres del Paine NP (western sector) – Boat trip to Grey GlacierDay 3 • Torres del Paine NP (eastern sector) – Laguna Amarga & Laguna AzulDay 4 • Torres del Paine NP: Lago Sarmiento – Mylodon Cave Natural Monument Day 5 • Bernardo O’Higgins NP: Boat trip to Ultima Esperanza Fjord & Balmaceda GlacierDay 6 • Pali Aike road – Ferry to Tierra del Fuego – Useless Bay for King penguinsDay 7 • Straits of Magellan: Ferry to Punta ArenasDay 8 • End of the trip

8-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile.2016: Jan 24, Feb 28, Mar 27, Apr 24, Jul 23, Aug 27, Sep 24, Oct 22, Nov 26, Dec 24Trip Code: PAT01This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum group size of 8 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.

Departures

Southern Grey Fox, Lycalopex griseus - Long-tailed Meadowlark, Sturnella loyca - Paine Massif - Photographing Guanaco

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[email protected]

Pumas, King Penguins& Humpback Whales

Wildlife Icons of Patagonia

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 magnificent 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

11-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile.2016: Jan 18, Feb 13, Mar 5 Trip Code: PAT10This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 partici-pants and a maximum group size of 8 guests.This programme is also operated as a cus-tomized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants. Transfers from/to El Calafate, Ar-gentina are available. Available from January until April.

Departures

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Transfer to Torres del Paine National ParkDays 2-4 • Exploring Torres del Paine – Puma searchesDay 5 • Torres del Paine NP – Transfer to Punta ArenasDay 6 • Ferry to Porvenir – Useless Bay for King penguinsDay 7 • Ferry to Punta Arenas – Faro San Isidro LodgeDay 8 • Boat trip to Carlos III Island – Afternoon looking for Humpback WhaleDay 9 • Carlos III IslandDay 10 • Faro San Isidro Lodge – Punta ArenasDay 11 • End of the trip

most charismatic and usually elusive inhabitants, Humpback Whales. We will see these imposing creatures and other marine mammals of the sub-Antarctic 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.

Puma, Puma concolor patagonica - Humpback Whale, Megaptera novaengliae - King Penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus

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Mammals &Birds of Patagonia

Cetaceans & Pumas in Southern Chile

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 significant part of the endemic mammals and birds of the region, several of them very rare and/or difficult 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. Magnificent 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,

11-day trip from Puerto Montt, Chile; ends at Punta Arenas, Chile. 2016: Feb 13Trip Code: PAT07This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 partici-pants and a maximum group size of 8 guests.This programme is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Departures 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 magnificent 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.

Day 1 • Puerto Montt – Drive to Ancud – Puñihuil IsletsDay 2 • Chepu River – Tepuhueico ParkDay 3 • Tepuhueico ParkDay 4 • Boat trip off QuellonDay 5 • Drive to Puerto Montt – Flight to Punta Arenas – Torres del Paine National ParkDays 6-8 • Torres del Paine NPDay 9 • Pali Aike road – Ferry to Tierra del FuegoDay 10 • Useless Bay – Ferry to mainlandDay 11 • End of the trip

Patagonian Hairy Arma-dillo, Chaetophractus villosus - Magellanic Woodpecker, Campephi-lus magellanicus

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[email protected]

Patagonia ExplorerExploring 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 Otway Sound 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.

Departures

Day 1 • El Calafate, Argentina – Perito Moreno Glacier & Los Glaciares National ParkDay 2 • Lago Argentino & Estancia ‘Cristina'Day 3 • Drive to Cerro Castillo, Chile – Torres del Paine NPDay 4 • Torres del Paine NP (west) – Boat trip to Grey GlacierDay 5 • Torres del Paine NP (east) – Laguna Amarga & Laguna AzulDay 6 • Mylodon Cave Natural Monument – Gaucho farm – Punta Arenas Day 7 • Ferry to Tierra del Fuego – Useless Bay for King penguinsDay 8 • Flight to Punta Arenas – Otway Sound for Magellanic penguinsDay 9 • End of the trip

9-day trip from El Calafate; ends at Punta Arenas, Chile.2016: Jan 16, Feb 20, Mar 19, Oct 15, Nov 19, Dec 17Trip Code: PAT02This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum group size of 8 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.

Photographing the Horns, Torres del Paine NP - Guanaco, Lama guanicoe - Culpeo Fox, Pseudalopex culpaeus - Lake Grey with icebergs

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Journey AcrossPatagonia

Exploring and Cruising a Land of Legends

This journey of discovery is an invitation to experience the awe-inspiring landscapes and peculiar

wildlife of this vast region called Patagonia, located at the southern tip of South America. Patagonia is a geographical region, a land of myths and legends and nearly a country in its own right, shared by both Argentina and Chile.We have designed this small group trip with the aim to provide our guests with the best possible experience along both sides of the Andes, exploring the highlights of Patagonia but also discovering new and surprising horizons on the remote and seldom visited corners of this dramatic and beautiful part of the world. We will commence our trip visiting the huge Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. Starting at the picturesque town of El Calafate we will cruise the huge Viedma and Argentino lakes, walk the trails around El Chalten to enjoy the panoramic views of Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, and explore the most famous ice formation in Patagonia, the fabulous Perito Moreno Glacier. The middle section of our tour in Patagonia will be devoted to its premier wildlife hotspot, the vast and gorgeous Torres del Paine National Park, in southern Chile. The jagged granite peaks, massive glaciers and multi-coloured lakes are the perfect setting to study its rich wildlife. Herds of tame Guanaco, inquisitive foxes, Andean Condor, a rich birdlife, a myriad of wildflowers and

12-day trip from El Calafate, Argentina. 2016: Mar 1 Trip Code: PAT13 This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum group size of 8 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.

Departures maybe even the secretive Puma will be the subjects to our photography and interpretation of the natural world.Finally, on the third part of our trip we will sail out aboard M/V Skorpios III on our grand finale, a thorough and exciting expedition to the remote and pristine Patagonian Fjords. We will visit unexplored inlets and forests, cruise along seldom-visited channels and islands and visit stunning and yet unnamed glaciers of the wild western region of Patagonia.Join us on this journey of discovery to the heart of southern Patagonia, a quest to its glaciers, fjords and the Patagonian Andes.

Day 1 • El Calafate – Perito Moreno Glacier & Los Glaciares National ParkDay 2 • Lago Argentino & Estancia ‘Cristina'Day 3 • Drive to Cerro Castillo, Chile – Torres del Paine NPDay 4 • Torres del Paine NP (west) – Boat trip to Grey GlacierDay 5 • Torres del Paine NP (east) – Laguna Amarga & Laguna AzulDay 6 • Mylodon Cave Natural Monument – Gaucho farm – Punta Arenas Day 7 • Ferry to Tierra del Fuego – Useless Bay for King penguinsDay 8 • Flight to Punta Arenas – Otway Sound – Board M/V Stella AustralisDay 9 • Tierra del Fuego: Ainsworth Bay – Tucker Islets Day 10 • Beagle Channel: Pia Glacier – ‘Avenue of Glaciers’Day 11 • Cape Horn – Wulaia BayDay 12 • Arrival to Ushuaia

Black-browed Albatross, Thalassarche melanophrys - Menonvillea sp., Fam. Brassicaceae

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[email protected]

Birding Patagoniaand Tierra del Fuego

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 Ruddy-headed geese, stunning waders including Magellanic Plover, Two-banded 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 flying 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

7-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile.

2016: Jan 9, Feb 13, Mar 12, Oct 8, Nov 12, Dec 10

Trip Code: PAT03

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

Departures

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Ferry to Tierra del Fuego – Laguna de los CisnesDay 2 • Useless Bay for King penguinsDay 3 • Ferry to mainland – Pali Aike road – Drive to Puerto NatalesDay 4 • Torres del Paine National ParkDay 5 • Sierra Baguales – Drive to Punta ArenasDay 6 • San Juan Bay – Otway Sound & Rio VerdeDay 7 • End of the trip

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.

Ruddy-headed Goose, Chloephaga rubidiceps - Darwin’s Rhea, Rhea pennata - White-bellied Seedsnipe, Attagis malouinus

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PatagoniaBotanical Tour

Botanizing at the End of the World

Nature journey de-signed exclusive-ly for botanists,

plant enthusiasts and flower photographers willing to discover the surprising diversity of flora and vegetation in the southernmost re-gions 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 moor-lands 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 distri-butional ranges. We will explore a wide range of habitats, amidst stunning land-scapes and pristine areas, and will enjoy the presence of other remarkable and unique wildlife of this part of the world.

8-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile.2016: Jan 9, Nov 12, Dec 10Trip Code: PAT04This programme is 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.

Departures

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Laguna Parrillar Nature Reserve – San Juan BayDay 2 • Otway Sound NR – Drive to Puerto NatalesDay 3 • Cerro BenitezDay 4 • Torres del Paine National Park (western sector)Day 5 • Torres del Paine NP (eastern sector)Day 6 • Sierra BagualesDay 7 • Pali Aike road – Drive to Punta ArenasDay 8 • End of the trip

Chloraea magellanica, Fam. Orchidaceae - Gavilea litoralis, Fam. Orchidaceae- Botanizing in Patagonia

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Patagonia &the Falkland Islands

The Southern Andes & the 'Galapagos' of the South

Combine the best nature and photo journey to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego with a visit to the Falkland

Islands. We’ll spend the first half of this journey exploring the surrounding areas of Puerto Natales, including boat trips to the Chilean Fjords and their striking glaciers, plus in-depth visits to Patagonia's premier wildlife destination, Torres del Paine National Park. Remota Lodge will be our comfortable base during most of this part of the trip; its remarkable architecture and its unique setting are worthwhile exploring and enjoying. The last portion of the trip will be oriented to visit Tierra del Fuego and the only continental-breeding colony of the stunning King Penguin. We’ll then board a plane and fly east into the South Atlantic to discover the wildlife and natural history of a remarkable and remote group of islands, located in the South Atlantic Ocean, the Falklands. The archipelago comprises more than 700 small islands (most of them uninhabited) and is located about 350 miles northwest of Cape Horn, east of 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,


2016: Mar 6, Dec 4

Trip Code: PAT09

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 2 participants and a maximum group size of 8 guests.

Check out our website for updated departure dates.

Departures Rockhopper and King Penguins and marine mammals such as Southern Elephant Seals.

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Magellanic penguins – Puerto NatalesDay 2 • Mylodon Cave Natural Monument – Sierra BagualesDay 3 • Bernardo O’Higgins National Park: Boat trip to Last Hope Fjord and Balmaceda GlacierDay 4 • Torres del Paine NP (east) – Laguna Amarga& Laguna AzulDay 5 • Torres del Paine NP (west) – Boat trip to Grey GlacierDay 6 • PaliAike NP – Ferry to Tierra del Fuego – PorvenirDay 7 • King penguins – Ferry to Punta ArenasDay 8 • Flight to the Falklands – Drive to Port StanleyDay 9 • Volunteer PointDay 10 • Flight to Carcass IslandDay 11 • Carcass Island – Optional boat trip to West Point IslandDay 12 • Carcass Island – Flight to Sea Lion IslandDay 13 • Sea Lion IslandDay 14 • Sea Lion Island – Flight to DarwinDay 15 • Flight to Punta Arenas or Santiago, Chile

Rockhopper Penguin, Eudyptes chrysocome - Black-browed Albatross, Thalassarche melanophrys

Perito Moreno Glacier • Dwarf Armadillo, Zaedyus pichiy • Lake Torre

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Los GlaciaresNational Park

Glaciers and Forests of Argentine Patagonia

Los Glaciares National Park is a world heritage site near the town

of El Calafate, southern Argentina. At the southern tip of South America, the Andes are almost entirely covered by a huge ice-sheet, the Southern Patagonian Ice-Field. 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 reserve and will discover its peculiar flora and fauna adapted to these extreme conditions.

5-day trip from El Calafate, Argentina.

Trip Code: PAT05This 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.

Departures

Day 1 • El Calafate, Argentina – Laguna NimesDay 2 •Los Glaciares National Park (south): LagoArgentino & Estancia ‘Cristina’Day 3 •Full day at El ChalténDay 4 •Perito Moreno GlacierDay 5 • End of the trip

The Paine Range, Torres del Paine National Park • Culpeo Fox, Lycalopex culpaeus • Laguna Amarga

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Torres del PaineExplorer

Exploring Patagonia's Premier Wildlife Destination

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 to 5-day options from Punta Arenas, Chile.

Trip Code: TDP01This programme is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants. Transfers from/to El Calafate, Argentina are available.

Departures 2-dayoptionDay 1 • Punta Arenas – Drive to Torres del Paine National ParkDay 2 • Torres del Paine NP (western sec-tor) – Lake Grey – Drive to Punta Arenas

3-dayoptionDay 1 • Punta Arenas – Drive to Torres del Paine NPDay 2 • Torres del Paine NP (western sec-tor) – Lake Grey –Boat trip to Grey GlacierDay 3 • Torres del Paine NP (eastern sec-tor) – Drive to Punta Arenas

4-dayoptionDay 1 • Punta Arenas – Drive to Torres del Paine NPDay 2 • Torres del Paine NP (western sec-tor) – Lake Grey – Boat trip to Grey GlacierDay 3 • Torres del Paine NP (eastern sector)Day 4 • Torres del Paine NP– Drive to Punta Arenas

5-dayoptionDay 1 • Punta Arenas – Drive to Torres del Paine NPDay 2 • Torres del Paine NP (western sec-tor) – Lake Grey – Boat trip to Grey GlacierDay 3 • Torres del Paine NP (eastern sector)Day 4 • Torres del Paine NPDay 5 • Torres del Paine NP – Drive to Punta Arenas

The base of the Towers • Anemonae multifida, Fam. Ranunculaceae • Hikers at the “W” Trail

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Torres del PaineHiker

Trekking the W Trail

Ultimate hiking vacation to Torres del Paine, Chile, Patagonia's pre-mier trekking destination.

This hiking package explores the fa-mous 'W' hiking circuit, a fantastic trail for both experienced and novice hikers, keen nature photographers and natu-ralists alike. On this unparalleled trail you will explore the remotest regions of Patagonia, enjoy spectacular views of towering granite mountains, awe-in-spiring glaciers, emerald-colored lakes and breathtaking skies at sunrise and sunsets.The programme includes full-board accommodation at up to 4 of the mountain huts (refugios) found along the trail, and related logistics including bus and boat transport arrangements. A guided option for solo travellers, couples or small private groups is also available.

Trip Code: TDP02This programme is operated as a self-guided trip, with a minimum of 1 participant. Transfers from/to El Calafate, Argentina are available.

Departures

6-day optionDay 1 • Bus journey to Torres del Paine National Park – Transfer to Refugio Torre CentralDay 2 • Full day hike to the base of Las Torres (The Towers) Day 3 • Hike to Los Cuernos (The Horns) – Lake NordenskjöldDay 4 • Full day hike to Valle del FrancésDay 5 • Hike to Grey GlacierDay 6 • Pehoe Lake – Catamaran trip to Pudeto – Bus journey to Puerto Natales – End of the trip

7-day optionDay 6 • Southern Patagonian Icefield | Hike to Pehoé LakeDay 7 • Pehoe Lake | Catamaran boat trip to Pudeto | Bus journey to Puerto Natales – End of the trip

Puma, Puma concolor

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Pumas ofTorres del Paine

A Quest for the Lord of the Andes

A trip committed to watch the Puma in the re-

mote and stunning Pa-tagonian wilderness of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park.Frequently praised by visitors 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 nor-mally 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 expedition 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. Join us on this quest, to discover the wildlife of Torres del Paine and one of its most secretive and yet most awe-inspiring inhabitants.

5- and 6-day options from Punta Arenas, Chile.

2016: Jan 4, Feb 8, Mar 7, Apr 4, May 2, Jun 6, Jul 4, Aug 8, Sep 5, Oct 3, Nov 7, Dec 5

Trip Code: TDP03

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

Departures

Day 1• Punta Arenas – Drive to Torres del Paine National ParkDays 2-4• Exploring Torres del Paine – Puma searchesDay 5• Torres del Paine – Transfer to Punta Arenas – Optional transfer to El Calafate, ArgentinaDay 6• An additional day to explore the park searching for pumas plus other interesting mammals such as the elusive Andean or Huemul Deer, Geoffroy's Cat, Patagonian Weasel and Patagonian Hairy Armadillo.

King Penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus • At Useless Bay

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King Penguins ofTierra del Fuego

Encounters with the Lord of Patagonia

The King Penguin is the second larg-est species of penguin after the Emperor and certainly one of the

most colorful and attractive members of the group. Few places in the world offer good access and chances to see them in the wild, making this, the only conti-nental American breeding colony, a very special one indeed. By joining our pen-guin photo journey, you will be able to see these magnificent seabirds in their natural habitat. You can join our depar-tures, either by plane or ferry across the Straits of Magellan, from the Chilean city of Punta Arenas.Our trips have a maximum of 6 participants, essential to keep the impact on the small colony that we visit to a minimum.

Day trip, or 2-day trip, from Punta Arenas, Chile.

Trip Code: TDF01This programme is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants. Transfers from/to Ushuaia, Argentina, are available.

Departures

Option A: 1-day, by PlaneAvailable any day of the week, except on Sundays.On this option, we leave Punta Arenas on the earliest flight (8.15am) and fly back to Punta Arenas on the afternoon (5.20pm). Flying time approximately 12 minutes. Availability for this option is limited, booking in advance is advised.

Option B: 2-day, by FerryAvailable any day of the week, except on Sundays and Mondays. The ferry normally leaves from Punta Arenas to Porvenir at 9am and returns from Porvenir to Punta Arenas, the following day at 2pm; these timings may be changed / modified by the ferry managing company or due to weather conditions. The ferry crossing takes about 2 hours, either way.

M/V Stella Australis • Leopard Seal, Hydrurga leptonyx • Cruising among icebergs

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Cape HornExpedition Cruise

In the Wake of Explorers & Sailors

The Straits of Magellan, Beagle Channel and Cape Horn are im-portant and highly significant geo-

graphic and historical landmarks in the southern tip of the South American con-tinent. Snow-capped mountains, huge glaciers and magnificent 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 significant 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.

3- & 4-night cruise options from Punta Arenas, Chile or Ushuaia, Argentina aboard M/V Stella Australis and M/V Via Australis

Trip Code: TDF02This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with no minimum of participants.Check out our website for updated departure dates.

Departures

4-night cruise options: Day 1 • Departure from Punta Arenas, ChileDay 2 • Tierra del Fuego: Ainsworth Bay – Tucker Islets Day 3 • Beagle Channel: Pia Glacier – ‘Avenue of Glaciers’Day 4 • Cape Horn – Wulaia BayDay 5 • Arrival to Ushuaia, Argentina

Day 1 • Departure from Ushuaia, ArgentinaDay 2 • Cape Horn – Wulaia BayDay 3 • Beagle Channel: Pia Glacier –Garibaldi GlacierDay 4 • Tierra del Fuego: Piloto, Nena Glaciers – DeAgostini Sound, Aguila GlacierDay 5 • Magellan Straits: Magdalena Island – Arrival to Punta Arenas, Chile

Southern Elephant Seal, Mirounga leonina • Chilean Fire-bush, Embothrium coccineum • M/V Forrest

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Tierra del FuegoPhoto Expedition

Photo Cruise to the Land of Fire

Tierra del Fuego is a huge island territory of Pata-gonia, encompassing the

archipelagos located south of the Straits of Magellan. On this photo journey and nature cruise we will explore it aboard the comfortable 86-ft M/V 'Forrest'.Our programme has been designed for photo and nature enthusiasts of all skill levels willing to travel in a small group (with a maximum of 10 participants) and taking advantage of the great landscape and wildlife photography opportunities.This itinerary offers spectacular wildlife highlights including feeding pods of Humpback Whales, up to 4 dolphin species and 4 seals and sea lions.We will have the chance to visit breeding colonies of penguins, albatrosses and cormorants and during the zodiac landings we will explore the lush sub Antarctic southern beech forests.Join us on this unique journey of discovery and follow the footsteps of Magellan, Darwin and Fitz-Roy among so many explorers, here at the Ends of the Earth.

8-day trip from Punta Arenas, Chile

2016: April 16

Trip Code: TDF04

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with no minimum of participants.


Departures

Day 1 • Reception at Punta Arenas Airport – Transfer to hotelDay 2 • Otway Sound –Riesco Island – Departure to the Magellan StraitsDays 2&3 • Straits of Magellan & Francisco Coloane Marine Park (Carlos III Island - Seno Ballena - Rupert Island)Day 4 • Tierra del Fuego: Gabriel Pass –Admiralty Sound – Ainsworth BayDay 5 • Tierra del Fuego: Admiralty Sound – Albatross Island – Parry FjordDay 6 • Alberto De Agostini National Park: Tucker Islets – De Agostini Fjord –Aguila GlacierDay 7 • Port Famine – Punta ArenasDay 8 • End of the trip

Humpback Whale, Megaptera novaengliae • Imperial Cormorants, Phalacrocorax atriceps

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Humpback Whales of the Magellan Straits

Encounters with the Gentle Giants of Patagonia

Humpback Whales of the Magellan Straits is a fascinating journey

designed to discover some of the best-kept secrets of this imposing region of south-ern South America. This is a comprehensive natural his-tory and nature photography journey to Carlos III Island, located at the heart of the re-cently established Francisco Coloane Marine Park in the mythic Straits of Magellan, to find some of its most char-ismatic and usually elusive inhabitants, Humpback Whales. We will see these grand creatures and other marine mammals of the sub-Antarctic re-gion at close quarters, as well as a good diversity of seabirds. We will also visit remote penguin colonies as well as oth-er seabirds’ rookeries. We will be based one night at San Isidro Lodge, located besides the homonymous historic light-house, and two nights at the domes of the research facilities at Carlos III Island, the perfect location to see the Hump-backs and marvel at their social behavior and feeding techniques.


Trip Code: TDF03This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with no minimum of participants.Check out our website for updated departure dates.

Departures

Day 1 • Punta Arenas – Afternoon drive to Port Famine (6pm) – Zodiac trip to San Isidro Lodge – Hike to Bahía El Aguila (old whaling station remains) and San Isidro historic lighthouseDay 2 • Boat trip to Carlos III Island – Afternoon trip looking for Humpback Whales Day 3 • Full day exploring Carlos III Island surroundingsDay 4 • Faro San Isidro Lodge – Punta Arenas – End of the trip

This exclusive boat-based trip discovers one of the least explored parts of

South America, the extraor-dinarily beautiful and pristine Chilean Fjords in the west coast of Patagonia, from Aisén into the Guaitecas Islands, north into Gulf of Corcovado and back south to Laguna San Rafael NP, Quitralco fjord and Reloncavi Sound in Lake District.On board our floating lodge you will enjoy all the comfort and great food and wines while admiring the imposing landscape unveiling before your eyes as you sail on, en route to spectacular channels, bays and inlets where you will land to be immerse in a lush forest inhabited by terrestrial birds and fauna and the rich miniature forests of fungi, lichens, mosses and a host of small amphibians and insects and other invertebrates that wait to be discovered. Explore such spectacular places as the calving San Rafael glacier and be marvelled by the wildlife around, including seabirds and marine mammals, among them Blue Whale, the largest animal that has ever lived on the planet.

In land, you will also enjoy repairing thermal baths and contemplate and delight in the unexpected beauty of these magical places.

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Blue Whale, Balaenoptera musculus - M/V Forrest

Blue Whales ofChiloe Island

6-day trip from Puerto Aysén, Chile.

2016: Mar 1

Trip Code: CHL13


Departures

Day 1 • Flight into Balmaceda airport – transfer to Puerto Aisén and boarding Noctiluca floating lodge – sailing to Gulf of CorcovadoDays 2/3 • Tic Toc Bay - Gulf of Corcovado for Blue Whale, Pincoya Storm Petrel and other marine mammals and seabirds.Day 4/5 • Melinka - Gulf of Corcovado for Blue Whale, Pincoya Storm Petrel and other marine mammals and seabirds.Day 6 • Sailing to Puerto Aisén, transfer to Balmaceda airport

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Day Tours fromPunta Arenas, Chile

Penguins and CondorsTrip Code PUQ01 • Full day tour (8-10 hours) from Punta Arenas, Chile • Available from October to March.

Full day nature and photo journey to see two true wildlife icons of the Andes and Patagonia: the Andean Condor and the Magellanic Penguin. Great opportunities to see other wildlife, including rheas, dolphins and guanacos, and to learn about the history (and pre-history) of Patagonia and see the local rural life amidst the magnificent and remote

landscapes in the end of the world. Private transportation and naturalist guide services.

Penguins of Magdalena IslandTrip Code PUQ02 • Half-day tour (6 hours) from Punta Arenas, Chile • Available from October to 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 and playful pods of Peale’s Dolphin.

Birding the Straits of Magellan Trip Code PUQ03 • Full day tour (8-10 hours) from Punta Arenas, Chile • Available from September to March.

On this full day birding journey along the mythical Straits of Magellan, we will explore a great variety of habitats, from the Patagonian coasts and wetlands, to sub-Antarctic woodlands and windswept steppes. We will discover the birdlife of Patagonia and its many endemic species, including the charismatic 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 on a tight schedule in transit at the port of Punta Arenas.

Wildlife & Nature Around the Magellan Straits

Beagle Channel and Estancia HarbertonTrip Code USH01 • Full day tour (8-10 hours) from Ushuaia, Argentina • Available from October until March

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 ill-fated early inhabitants of the island and the first ‘white’ pioneers that colonized this remote part of the world.

Birding Tierra del Fuego National ParkTrip Code USH02 • Full day tour (8-10 hours) from Ushuaia, Argentina • Available from October until March.

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.

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Day Tours fromUshuaiaWildlife & Nature Around the Beagle Channel

Chile Tours

Vizcacha, Lagidium viscacia

Chile, a thin and long country that extends along the Pacific coast of South America for more than 4,000 km, is the longest country in the world on

a North-South direction, but quite narrow from east to west. This geographical fact has played a major part in shaping the country’s diverse landscapes, and makes it a wonderful destination for the restless traveller who wants to experience places as contrasting as the driest desert in the world and the lush sub Antarctic temperate rainforest in a few day’s

time, or being able to be in the heart of the Andes in the morning and enjoy the sunset in the seashore by evening. By taking a look at our Chile programmes below, you’ll have a better idea of what we have to offer in order for you to experience the best this pristine land has to offer, whether your interests reside in wildlife watching, geology, landscape or wildlife photography, culture or other topics, we kindly invite you to take a look at

the many different programmes we have devised to let you become the explorer and discover for yourself the magic of this beautiful country. These tours have been put together with the best possible experience in mind, and depart radically from mass, general tourism programmes in that they are exclusive trips planned specifically for individuals or small groups of up to eight people with private transportation, and mostly to places out of the mainstream tour routes. Our knowledgeable professional guides take

care of every aspect of the trips in order to turn them into personalized expeditions where the

routes, itineraries and pace are all geared to maximize the quality of your stay and

time in Chile, this peculiar, long and thin country in the southern end of

the globe. Here's our updated offer on

Chile trips, check it out and get ready for a breath-taking

experience..!

Chilean Palm, Jubaea chilensis, La Campana National Park • Vizcacha, Lagidium viscacia - Chilean Flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis

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Chile WildlifeAdventure

A Geographical Extravaganza

On this trip you will discover the wildlife 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 mold-ed contrasting habitats that will be evi-dent as we move in latitude; from oasis valleys to puna bogs in the northern An-dean plateau, from lakes, snow-capped volcanoes and lush rainforests to calv-ing 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

14-day trip from Santiago, Chile

Trip Code: CHL10This programme is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Departures

Day 1 • Flight to Arica – Azapa ValleyDay 2 • Boat trip Arica harbor – Drive to PutreDay 3 • Putre and SocoromaDay 4 • Parinacota – Lauca National ParkDay 5 • Flight to Puerto Montt – Puerto VarasDay 6 • Alerce Andino National Park – Coihuin BayDay 7 • Chiloe Island – Puñihuil isletsDay 8 • Chepuriver – Caulin BayDay 9 • Flight to Punta Arenas – Otway SoundDay 10 • Ferry to Tierra del Fuego – Useless Bay for King penguinsDay 11 • Ferry to mainland – PaliAikeroad – Puerto NatalesDay 12 • Torres del Paine – Grey GlacierDay 13 • Torres del PaineDay 14 • Drive to Punta Arenas – Flight to Santiago – End of the trip

teeming with wildlife in spite of the altitude. Further south, the land breaks into hundreds of islands and fjords. 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 • Santiago – Lampa marshes – Visit to Viña Concha & ToroDay 2 • El Yeso ReservoirDay 3 • Drive to Talca – Altos de Lircay NRDay 4 • Lake Colbun – Visit to Viña Santa CruzDay 5 • Santa Cruz Valley visiting Viñas Montes, Viu Manent & Casa SilvaDay 6 • Drive to San Antonio – Maipo river mouth & Laguna El Peral NR – Visit to Viña Matetic – Viña del MarDay 7 • Pelagic off Valparaiso – Cachagua (Humboldt penguin colony)Day 8 • La Campana NP – Visit to vineyard of Casablanca valleyDay 9 • Crossing the Andes via Portillo – Uspallata and birding in the ValleyDay 10 • Drive to Mendoza – Visits to Viña Cobos & NortonDay 11 • Birding lowlands towards San Luis – Afternoon visit to Viña Velasco de BaquedanoDay 12 • Drive to Santiago over the Andes (Paso Libertadores) – Birding en routeDay 13 • End of the trip

Vineyard in Central Chile • Southern Lapwing, Vanellus chilensis • Wandering Albatross, Diomedea exulans

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Birds & Wines ofChile & Argentina

A Unique Adventure Across the Andes

On this fascinating trip we’ll discov-er the birdlife and the winesoccurring 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’ll 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!


2016: February 21

Trip Code: CHL08

This program is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum group size of 10 guests.

Departures

Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, Phegornis mitchellii • Peruvian Sheartail, Thaumastura cora • Inca Tern, Larosterna inca

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Day 1 • Flight to Arica – Arica coastal areas Day 2 • Boat trip off Arica – Azapa, Lluta and Chaca valleysDay 3 • Drive to Putre – Putre surroundingsDay 4 • Parinacota and Lauca NPDay 5 • Flight to Santiago – Batuco – La Dormida PassDay 6 • La Campana NP– Aconcagua estuary – Cachagua Day 7 • Pelagic trip off Valparaiso –Cajon del MaipoDay 8 • El Yeso Reservoir &Baños MoralesDay 9 • El PeralNR – Maipo estuary – Drive to VilchesDay 10 • Altos del Lircay NR – Drive to TemucoDay 11 • Conguillio NP – Llaima VolcanoDay 12 • Drive to Puerto Montt – Boat trip off Reloncavi Sound Day 13 • Alerce Andino NP – Coihuin BayDay 14 • Flight to Punta Arenas – San Juan Bay Day 15 • Ferry to Tierra del Fuego – Useless Bay for King Penguins Day 16 • Ferry to mainland – Pali Aike roadDay 17 • Torres del Paine NPDay 18 • Sierra BagualesDay 19 • Drive to Punta Arenas – Flight to Santiago – End of the trip

ChileBirding Adventure

A Quest for the Birdlife of a Land of Extremes

Join this exciting birdwatching jour-ney to discover the endemics and specialties of this long and narrow,

3,000-mile long biogeographical island and explore (and enjoy) its marvelous landscapes, excellent infrastructure, great cuisine and fabulous wines. Chile is a land of huge contrasts, truly a ge-ographic extravaganza. On this birding adventure we will get intimate with tapaculos, canasteros, tinamous, sand-piper-plovers, condors, tubenoses and many interesting species, some with very restricted distributional ranges and some that are barely known outside of Chile, as we explore Chile’s incredibly diverse habitats and marvel at some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth. From arid desert to lush rainforests, the windswept steppes of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia to the impressive lakes and volcanoes of south-central Chile, from the heights of the Andes to the cold waters of the Humboldt Current in our search for the avian specialties of this thin strip of a country.


2016: January 2, October 22

Trip Code: CHL09


Departures

Chilean Flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis, Puna Flamingo, Phoenicoparrus jamesi & Andean Flamingo, Phoenicoparrus andinus • Ornate Tinamou, Nothoprocta ornata

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Birding Chile -An Easy Tour

Bird Chile at a Relaxed Pace

Birding Chile is an exciting bird-watching journey aimed to discov-er the endemics and specialties of

this 3,000-mile long and narrow biogeo-graphical island and explore and enjoy its marvelous landscapes, excellent in-frastructure, great cuisine and fabulous wines at a relaxed, laid-back 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.


2016: December 10November

Trip Code: CHL01


Departures Day 1 • Santiago – FarellonesDay 2 • Lampa & Batuco – Aconcagua river mouthDay 3 • La Campana National Park – Central coastDay 4 • Pelagic trip from Valparaíso – Laguna El Peral NRDay 5 • El Yeso ValleyDay 6 • Drive to Talca & Vilches– Altos de Lircay NRDay 7 • Altos de Lircay NR –Colbun Lake – Drive to SantiagoDay 8 • Flight to Puerto Montt–Llanquihue Lake – Drive to Puyehue NPDay 9 • Puyehue NPDay 10 • Drive to Puerto Montt– Coastal mudflatsDay 11• Flight to Punta Arenas – San Juan BayDay 12 • Ferry crossing to Tierra del Fuego – Laguna Verde and Useless BayDay 13 • Ferry crossing to mainland –Pali Aike roadDay 14• Otway Sound –Flight to Santiago – End of the trip

Mount Licancabur • Giant Coot, Fulica gigantea • Photographing Vicuña, Vicugna vicugna

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Atacama DesertExplorer

The Wildlife & Scenery of the World's Driest Desert

This private nature and photo itin-erary reveals the 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 photo safari will deliver very differ-ent and exciting highlights every day of your journey, from geyser fields to life-less sand dunes, from flamingo-filled saltpans to an amphitheatre of volca-noes, 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 photog-rapher alike.



Departures

Day 1 • Flight to Calama – Drive to San Pedro de Atacama – Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)Day 2 • Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley) – Chaxa and Tebiquinche Salt LakesDay 3 • Miscanti and Miñiques Lakes – Salar de TalarDay 4 • Pacana Monks – Salar de Tara – Salar de PujsaDay 5 • El Tatio Geyser Fields – Vado de Putana – Puritama RiverDay 6 • Pucara de Quitor – Catarpe – Drive to Calama – Flight to Santiago – End of the trip

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Coastal AtacamaDesert

Day 1 • Flight to Antofagasta – Drive to TaltalDay 2 • PaposoDay 3 • Pan de Azucar National Park – Bahia InglesaDay 4 • Llanos de Challe National ParkDay 5 • Flight to Santiago – End of the trip

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 pla-teau 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,


Departures

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.

Blooming Calandrinia, Llanos de Challe N.P., Atacama • Garra de León, Leontochir ovallei • Copiapoa cacti at coastal desert

Torrent Duck, Merganetta armata - Giant Coot, Fulica gigantea • Puna Flamingo, Phoenicoparrus jamesi

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BirdingNorthern Chile

Birding the Atacama Desert & Altiplano

Our journey to the north of Chile will

take us to the fringes of the driest desert in the world, the inhospitable 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-

5- and 6-day trip from Santiago, Chile


Departures

Day 1 • Flight to Arica– Drive to PutreDay 2 • Putre & SocoromaDay 3 • Parinacota & Lauca NPDay 4 • Azapa, Lluta and Chaca oasis valleys Day 5 • Arica – Flight to Santiago – End of the tripAdditional day at Salar de Surire (highly recommended)

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).

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Giant Hummingbird, Patagona gigas • Andean Gull, Chroicocephalus serranus • Birding the Chilean Central Andes

Northern Chile Photography Adventure

Photo Safari to the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano

Get a unique glimpse into the land, wild-life and people of

northern Chile, the Atac-ama Desert and the Alti-plano. 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


Departures

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.

Day 1 • Flight to Arica– Drive to PutreDay 2 • Putre & SocoromaDay 3 • Parinacota & Lauca NPDay 4 • Azapa, Lluta and Chaca oasis valleys Day 5 • Arica – Flight to Santiago – End of the tripAdditional day at Salar de Surire (highly recommended)

Mountain Caracara, Phalcoboenus megalopterus • Inca Tern, Larosterna inca • Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, Phegornis mitchellii

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Day 1 • Santiago – El Yeso Valley & Baños MoralesDay 2 • Drive to the Pacific coast: Maipo Estuary – Laguna El Peral NR – QuinteroDay 3 • La Campana NP – Cachagua (Humboldt penguin colony)Day 4 •Lampa & Batuco – FarellonesDay 5 • End of the trip

BirdingCentral Chile

From the Heights of the Andes to the Pacific Coast

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 Sandpiper-Plover 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



Departures

Mockingbird and the skulking White-throated and Dusky tapaculos, Moustached Turca, Crag Chilia and Dusky-tailed Canastero.

Bipinnula fimbriata, Fam. Orchidaceae • Alstroemeria pelegrina, Fam. Alstroemeriaceae • Puya berteroana, Fam. Bromeliaceae

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Mediterranean Chile Botanical Tour

Botanizing Endemics from the Andes to the Pacific

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.

5-day trip from Santiago, Chile.

Trip Code: CHL11This programme is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants. Available from September until December.

Departures

Day 1 • Santiago – Farellones and Yerba Loca Nature ReserveDay 2 • El Yeso Reservoir & Baños MoralesDay 3 • La Campana National ParkDay 4 • Los MollesDay 5 • End of the trip

Araucaria, Araucaria araucana, Conguillio N.P. • Green-backed Firecrown, Sephanoides sephaniodes • Liolaemus nigroviridis

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Day 1 • Flight to Temuco – Drive to Conguillio National ParkDay 2 • ConguillioNPDay 3 • Drive to Puyehue NPDay 4 • Puyehue NP – Drive to Puerto VarasDay 5 • Lahuen Ñadi Nature Reserve – Flight to Santiago – End of the trip

Araucaria ForestsThe Magical Forests of the Southern Andes

On this private nature and photography journey we will visit

Chile's Lake District. Magnif-icent temperate woodlands, reminiscent of the distant forests of New Zealand and Tasmania, grow here cover-ing extensive regions of the southern Andes foothills; these forests are very unique due to their ancient geo-graphical isolation. Between the woody elements we will see species of the genera Ar-aucaria, Fitzroya, Nothofagus or Drimys, as well as a high diversity of members of the Mirtaceae family. The un-dergrowth 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 mam-mals.Keen birders and botanists as well as nature photographers will have delightful subjects to observe and study during this comprehensive wildlife tour. The areas to be visited are surrounded by magnificent scenery dominated by spectacular volcanoes and lakes.



Departures

Petrohue falls with Osorno Volcano in Vicente Perez Rosales N.P. • Asteranthera ovata, Gesneriaceae • Green-backed Firecrown, Sephanoides sephaniodes

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Lakes, Volcanoes & Island Traditions

Lake District &Chiloé Island

Chile’s Lake District is well known for its incredible mountain landscapes, impressive and

ancient rainforests and by being the starting point of a huge archipelagic labyrinth extending southwards to the wild regions of western Patagonia. This is a land connecting two worlds, the mountains and the sea. This is a comprehensive nature journey to magnificent volcanoes, forests and lakes interspersed along the Andean foothills; here we will have splendid opportunities for landscape photography and to discover the flora and fauna of the lush Valdivian Temperate Forest, a unique ecosystem and a world’s biodiversity hotspot. We will dedicate two full days to explore the fascinating and enigmatic Chiloé Island. 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. We’ll also have the chance to appreciate the lifestyle and customs of the islanders - the Chilotes, by visiting their towns, wooden churches, fishing boats and stilt houses.



Departures

Day 1 • Flight to Puerto Montt – Alerce Andino National ParkDay 2 • Vicente Perez Rosales NPDay 3 • Chiloe Island: Chacao Channel –Puñihuil Islets – Drive to CastroDay 4 • Chepu River – Caulin Bay – Drive to Puerto MonttDay 5 • Flight to Santiago – End of the trip

M/V Skorpios II with San Rafael Glacier in the Background • Lobelia bridgesi - Darwin’s Fox, Lycalopex fulvipes

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Chiloe Island & Laguna San Rafael National Park

Magical Islands & Stunning Glaciers

Get on board the comfortable M/V Skorpios II and enjoy a spectacular, scenic and com-

fortable cruise to the mythic Chiloé Island and 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 Is-land, to land at Puerto Aguirre and continue navigating the maze of channels and fjords to enter the gla-cial lake which is the gateway into Laguna San Rafael National Park, to contemplate the huge glacier front and witness the active calving of huge icebergs.After this we’ll visit some natural hot springs at Quitralco Fjord, to later depart for Chiloé Island and navigate upstream to the picturesque town of Castro, 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.

5-night cruise from Puerto Montt, Chile.

Trip Code: CHL14This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with no minimum of participants.Check out our website for updated departure dates.

Departures

Day 1 • Puerto Montt – Chiloe IslandDay 2 • Moraleda Channel – Puerto Aguirre – Pilcomayo ChannelDay 3 • Tempanos Channel – Laguna San Rafael – Fiordo QuitralcoDay 4 • Uitralco hotspings – Moraleda ChannelDay 5 • Corcovado Gulf – Chiloe Island – CastroDay 6 • Puerto Montt – End of the trip

Salvin’s Albatross, Thalassarche salvini - Southern Giant Petrel, Macronectes giganteus • Northern Royal Albatross, Diomedea sanfordi

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Albatrosses & Petrels in the Humboldt Current

Pelagic Trips off Valparaiso

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 Pe-lagic 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 Is-

Day trip (c. 8 hours) from Valparaiso or Quintero, Chile

Trip Code: CHL07This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum group size of 20 guests.


Departures

land and Antipodean albatrosses are regularly recorded as well as Southern Royal Albatross. We should also find Southern and Northern Gi-ant Petrels, Southern Fulmar, White-chinned, Westland and Pintado petrels, Pink-footed, Sooty and Buller's shearwaters, and Pterodro-ma 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) Phal-arope.

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Day Tours fromSantiago, Chile

Birding Chile’s Central AndesTrip Code SCL01 • Full day tour (10-12 hours) from Santiago de Chile • Daily departures from October to 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 hillstars - this comprehensive birding trip will surely be a rewarding experience for both the seasoned and novice birder alike.

Wildlife & Nature Around the Heart of Chile

Condors in the Andes above SantiagoBirding and nature photography trip exploring the imposing and scenic Andes above Santiago de Chile, to discover its wealth of birdlife specialties, among them one of the Andean highlights, the majestic Andean Condor.Covering most of the bird families originated around the Andes - from canasteros to ground tyrants, from seedsnipes to hillstars - this comprehensive birding trip will surely be a rewarding experience for both the experienced and novice birder alike. 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 (8-12 hours) from Santiago de Chile or Valparaiso • Daily departures from September to 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.

Penguins and Chile EndemicsTrip Code SCL02 • Full day tour (10-12 hours) from Santiago de Chile or Valparaiso • Daily departures throughout the year.

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.

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Lake District – Birding & Photo TourTrip Code PMC01 • Full day tour (8-10 hours) from Puerto Montt, 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 Ochre-flanked 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.

Day Tours fromPuerto Montt, Chile

Chiloé Island – Birding & Photo TourTrip Code PMC02 • Full day tour (8-10 hours) from Puerto Montt, Chile • Available from September until 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 important stop for migrating shorebirds. This trip includes private transportation and the services of an experienced guide. This tour is highly recom-mended for cruise passengers on a tight schedule at the port of Puerto Montt.

Wildlife & Nature Around Chile's Lake District

Islands &AntarcticaTours

p. 47: Striped Woodpecker, Veniliornis lignarius • Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, Phegornis mitchellii • Moustached Turca, Pteroptochos megapodius • White-cheeked Pintail, Anas bahamensis

p. 48: Southern River Otter, Lontra provocax • Humboldt Penguin, Spheniscus humboldti • Fire-eyed Diucon, Xolmis pyrope

This page: Antarctic Fur Seal, Arctocephalus gazella

Ahu Tongariki - Masked Booby, Sula dactylatra

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Easter Island(Rapa Nui)

Unveiling the Mysteries and Heritage of the 'Navel of the World'

This is our comprehensive cultural, archaeological and photography journey to Earth's most remote in-

habited location, Rapa Nui.During this trip you will study and expe-rience the unique archaeological heri-tage 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, re-searchers 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 lo-cations 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 dis-covery into an island of mysteries!

3- to 5-day trip from Santiago, Chile or Lima, Peru.

Trip Code: ISL01This programme is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 1 participant.

Departures 3-day optionDay 1 • Fly to Easter Island (Rapa Nui) – Half day tour to Ahu Tahai and AkiviDay 2 • Full day tour to Moai quarry of Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki and Anakena beach – Optional afternoon trip to the 'motus'Day 3 • Morning tour to Orongo village and Vinapu – Fly to Santiago or Lima

4-day optionDay 1 • Fly to Easter Island (Rapa Nui) – Half day tour to Ahu Tahai and AkiviDay 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 PauDay 4 • Free morning – Fly to Santiago or Lima

5-day optionDay 1 • Fly to Easter Island (Rapa Nui) – Half day tour to Ahu Tahai and AkiviDay 2 • Full day tour to Moai quarry of Rano Raraku and Ahu TongarikiDay 3 • Full day tour to Orongo village and Vinapu – Optional boat trip to the 'motus'Day 4 • Half day tour Anakena and Puna Pau – Optional boat trip to the 'motus'Day 5 • Free morning – Fly to Santiago or Lima

Rugged coastline of Robinson Crusoe Island • Juan Fernandez Firecrown, Sephanoides fernandensis

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Robinson Crusoe Island

An Island of Castaway Natural Treasures

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

3 and 5-day trip from Santiago, Chile.

Trip Code: ISL03This programme is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 1 participant.Check out our website for updated departure dates.

Departures

3-nights programme (leaving every Tuesday)Day 1 • Santiago – Flight to Robinson Crusoe Island – Boat trip to San Juan BautistaDay 2 • Forests of Robinson Crusoe I. – Walk to Alexander Selkirk viewpointDay 3 • Pelagic trip off Cumberland BayDay 4 • Boat trip to El Padre Bay – Flight back to Santiago

4-night programme (leaving every Friday)Day 1 • Santiago – Flight to Robinson Crusoe Island – Boat trip to San Juan BautistaDay 2 • Forests of Robinson Crusoe I. – Walk to Alexander Selkirk viewpointDay 3 • Pelagic trip off Cumberland BayDay 4 • Walk to Plazoleta El YunqueDay 5 • Boat trip to El Padre Bay – Flight back to Santiago

and we hope to find Defillipi'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!

Brown Skua, Catharacta antarctica & Gentoo Penguin, Pygoscelis papua • South American Fur Seal, Arctocephalus australis • Gentoo Penguins, Pygoscelis papua

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Day 1 • Flight to the Falklands – Drive to Port StanleyDay 2• Volunteer PointDay 3 • Flight to Carcass IslandDay 4 • Carcass Island – Optional boat trip to West Point IslandDay 5 • Carcass Island – Flight to Sea Lion IslandDay 6 • Sea Lion IslandDay 7 • Sea Lion Island – Flight to DarwinDay 8 • Flight to Punta Arenas or Santiago, Chile

The Falkland IslandsEncounters with Penguins in the 'Galapagos' of the South

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. The archipelago comprises more than 700 small islands (most of them uninhabited) and is locat-ed 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, Rock-hopper and King Penguins and marine mammals such as Southern Elephant Seals and Orcas.

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

Trip Code: ISL02This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with no minimum of 1 participant. Check out our website for updated departure dates.

Departures

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Day 1 • Arrival to Punta Arenas, Chile – Introductory briefing – Overnight at Punta ArenasDay 2 • Flight over the Drake Passage to King George Island, South Shetlands – Board M/V Ocean NovaDays 3-6 • Exploring along the western Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands aboard M/V Ocean NovaDay 7 • Flight back to Punta Arenas – End of the trip

Grand AntarcticaUnique Air - Cruise to the White Continent

The Antarctic Penin-sula 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 Amer-ica. Therefore, the Penin-sula 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 68-passenger 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.


Trip Code: ISL04This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with no minimum of participants. Check out our website for updated departure dates. Available from Dec 2013 until Feb 2014 & Dec 2014 until Feb 2015.

Departures

Icebergs with Adèlie Penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae • Wandering Albatross, Diomedea exulans • Humpback Whale, Megaptera novaengliae

SouthAmerica

Tours

Monk Saki, Pithecia monachus

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Argentina: Valdés Peninsula& Bahia Camarones

Day 1 • Buenos Aires – TrelewDays 2-3 • Valdés PeninsulaDays 4 • Drive to Bahia CamaronesDays 5-6 • Bahia CamaronesDay 7 • Buenos Aires

Whales & Penguins in the Atlantic CoastPeninsula Valdes

Located in the Atlantic coast of Ar-gentina 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, Mag-ellanic Penguin and many others.Enjoy our programme to this unique place with the expert guidance of our tour leaders, and let them unveil all these natural wonders for you.

Bahia Camarones

Located in the Atlantic coast of Ar-gentina south of Peninsula Valdes, this location is great for watching

wildlife such as Southern Right and Kill-er whales, Dusky Dolphin, Southern El-ephant Seal, South American Sea Lion, Patagonian Hare, Patagonian Hairy Ar-madillo, Magellanic Penguin and many others.Take advantage of the relative isolation of this spot, which is seldom visited, meaning that with our programme you can practically have the place for yourself and enjoy at your own pace.

7-day trip from Buenos Aires, Argentina

Trip Code: ARG02

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

Departures

Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis • Carbonated Sierra-Finch, Phrygilus carbonarius • Chubut Steamer-Duck, Tachyeres leucocephalus

The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu • Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Rupicola peruviana • Birding in a canopy trail

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[email protected]

Day 1 • Lima - Pantanos de Villa - Lima (1 night)Day 2 • Lima - Flight to Puerto Maldonado - Reserva Amazonica (3 nights)Day 3 • Reserva AmazonicaDay 4 • Lake Sandoval - Reserva AmazonicaDay 5 • Puerto Maldonado - Flight to Cusco - Machu Picchu (3 nights)Day 6 • Machu PicchuDay 7 • Machu PicchuDay 8 • Train to Cusco - Flight to Lima - End of the tour

Peru: Highlightsof Peru

The Heart of Peru & the Ancient Inca Empire

Far South Ex-peditions has joined forces

with Inkaterra, owner of some of the best nature lodges in South America, to de-velop an all-new programme aimed to offer an unfor-gettable journey to the heart of one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity and richest bird life in the world: Peru, cradle of the ancient Inca Empire and the perfect mixture of lush wildlife and cultural heritage.This trip will take you from the Pacific coastal marshes to the gateway of Am-azonia and the heights of the Andes to witness and enjoy both nature and his-tory at their best, while indulging your-self in the comfort of world-class nature lodging.Lima, Pantanos de Villa, Puerto Maldo-nado, Reserva Amazónica, Cusco and Macchu Picchu are the main attractions of this exciting tour to the heart of Peru and the ancient Inca Empire.

8-day trip from Lima, PeruTrip Code: PER01This programme is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Departures

M/V Estrella Amazónica in the Amazon River • Peruvian Night Monkey, Aotus miconax • Blue-and-yellow Macaw,

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Day 1 • Flight to Lima, Peru – Lima Day 2 • Flight to Iquitos – Embark M/V “La Estrella Amazonica” (7 nights)Days 3-8 • Exploring the Amazon river and tributariesDay 9 • Iquitos – Flight to Lima – End of the trip

Peru: Amazon River Cruise

A Pristine Rainforest Frozen in Time

Join us on a fan-tastic journey experiencing

the natural history and cultural high-lights of the largest wilderness in Earth, the Amazon.Traverse the Peruvi-an Amazon on board the fine Estrella Am-azonica, with natu-ralist and photogra-pher Claudio F. Vidal in this epic nature journey offered joint-ly with International Expeditions, world leader in nature travel.The Amazon Basin ignites the imagina-tion of explorers, hinting at an adventure like no other.After originating as a trickle high in the Andes Mountains, the Amazon River winds more than 4,200 miles through South America, playing host to 3,000 fish species — more than described for the entire Atlantic Ocean.Be amazed in this wilderness beyond the untamed frontier along the river’s edge,

9-day trip from Lima, Peru

2016: May 13, Jun 3

Trip Code: PER02

This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 participants.

Departures

walk jungle paths and discover the secrets hid-den along narrow tributaries as you cruise the calm waters of Earth’s most legendary river.

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[email protected]

Day 1 • Sao Paulo – Flight to Cuiabá– Drive to the PantanalDays 2&3 • First lodge in the Pantanal photographing birds and animalsDay 4 • Transfer to second lodge in the PantanalDays 5-8 • Boat trips and Jaguar searchesDay 9 • Drive back to Cuiabá – Flight to Sao Paulo – End of the trip

Brazil: Jaguars of the Pantanal

The Spirit of the South American Jungle

The Northern Pantanal is the loca-tion for the first half of this amaz-ing trip, more specifically at the

very end of the famous Transpantaneira road, where the Cuiabá River meets the Piquiri, TrêsIrmãos 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, kingfish-ers, 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

9-day trip from Sao Paulo, Brazil 2016: Oct 6Trip Code: BRA01This programme is operated on a fixed departure date, with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum group size of 8 guests.

Departures the boat, finely adjusting position for the best angle. On some occasions 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.

Juaguar, Panthera onca © Octavio Campos Salles

Huemul Deer, Hippocamelus bisulcus

Far South ExpeditionsP.O. Box 920, Punta Arenas, CP 6202473, CHILE

Phone: +56 61 261 [email protected] www.farsouthexpeditions.com

All texts and photographs © Far South Expeditions, unless otherwise indicated. No photographs may be reproduced in any form without permission.

Documents

2016 Far South Expeditions Catalogue