Pumas, although widespread throughout the Americas, are extremely elusive and difficult to see in the wild. Following the continued success of our Brazilian Jaguar tours, we decided to see if we could repeat our success with Pumas in Chile and have now run two tours seeing Pumas on no fewer than eight days. In 2007 we saw a female plus three cubs and another female on four consecutive days, twice catching Brown Hares in front of us and twice with a large youngster in tow! In 2008 we saw a female and four cubs on three consecutive days, on a kill on two days, in addition to two single Pumas.

 

Our 2010 departure is a condensed version of our previous departures, led by a leading Chilean naturalist guide and employing a tracker in the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park in our further quest for the big cat and much more. The park is also home to other mammals such as Culpeo Fox, Chilla, Guanaco and Southern Huemel, and many birds including the spectacular Andean Condor and the unique Torrent Duck. Elsewhere in southern Patagonia we will look for Humpbacks, Peale’s and Chilean Dolphins, fur seals, sea lions and birds such as Magellanic Penguins and Black-browed Albatross.

 

This is a tour dedicated to looking primarily for mammals, and then birds, and we will therefore spend long days in the field to maximise our chances of success. In Torres del Paine there are likely to be a number of longish walks over sometimes difficult terrain to enable us to spend as much time as possible in prime Puma habitat, although it should be noted that several of the sightings on the first tour were from vehicles, and that Richard Webb (who conceived our original tours) has seen a family of four Pumas from a vehicle during our first recce. The photographic opportunities will be superb throughout, mammals, birds and scenery.

 

 

Itinerary

 

Day 1: Depart London Heathrow early evening for Santiago via Madrid.

Day 2: Arrive Santiago and onward internal flight to Punta Arenas. Transfer to hotel and overnight.

Day 3: Morning drive south for Peale’s Dolphins and birding. Early afternoon transfer to Port Famine. Zodiac ride (c30 minutes) to San Isidro Lodge on the shores of the Strait of Magellan. Afternoon hike and kayak exploration of nearby shorelines.

Day 4: Board our motor yacht for our 5-6 hour journey to the Francisco Coloane Marine Park in the western part of the straits. Pacific and Atlantic waters meet here and the area is the summer home of Humpback Whales (and Sei Whales and Orcas are also sometimes present). We sail past forested mountains and glaciers as we whale and seabird watch. We will spend two nights at the comfortable Eco-camp sleeping in twin bedded domes (shared facilities), with views directly over the water and whales.

Day 5: Much of today we will spend on the water in Zodiacs with the Humpbacks, the local scientists will brief us about their work here. We have great chances of seeing Chilean Dolphins and will visit fur seal, sea lion and Magellanic Penguin colonies too.

Day 6: We will sail back to Port Famine today, and expect to see Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrels Chilean Skuas, cormorants, more sea lions and good chances of more Peale’s and other dolphins. Overnight Punta Arenas.

Day 7: Long drive to Torres del Paine looking for birds and mammals en route. Arrive Torres del Paine late afternoon and then commence our first search for Pumas. Overnight in the park.

Days 8-9: Two full days searching for Pumas and other mammals and birds in the eastern part Torres del Paine including night drives. (e.g. Guanaco, Southern Andean Deer, Culpeo and Argentinian Grey Fox, Patagonian Skunk, Lesser Rheas etc). Overnights in the park.

Day 10: Today we will explore the western sector of the park and look for Torrent Ducks and visit Lago Grey with it’s icebergs. At least once during our visit we will be at key spots by dawn to try and witness and photograph the sun rising over the famous peaks.

Day 11: Early morning back in east of the park before the long drive back to Punta Arenas. Overnight.

Day 12: Morning flight from Punta Arenas to Santiago to connect with early afternoon flight to London via Madrid.

Day 13: Arrival back at London Heathrow.

 

Holiday Information

Dates: 6th – 18th March 2010

Leader:  TBC and local tracker and scientists.

Cost: £3599 per person sharing a twin room.

Single supplement: £339 (Punta Arenas and TDP only)

Deposit: £500

Group size: 6-10

Price includes: International and internal economy class flights including pre-paid taxes, all ground transportation, boat trips, all accommodation and meals from dinner on day 2 to breakfast on day 12, park entry fees, services of leader and other local guides, pre-trip information package plus mammal and bird checklist.

 

Price excludes: Travel insurance, laundry bills, drinks, gratuities and other items of a personal nature.

 

Our 2007 and 2008 trip reports plus mammal and bird species lists are here or available from us along with a potential species list for this itinerary. (Please note the 2010 tour will not be visiting Chiloe Island but Carlos III Island in the Strait of Magellan instead)