Puma
PUMAS AND PENGUINS PHOTO TOUR
Southern Patagonia - Argentina & Chili
14 days
Best months: October and March
DATES
Contact us to arrange your preferred travel dates.
OVERVIEW
South Patagonia is one of the world’s best places wildlife and landscape photography. We have designed an ideal two-week itinerary to have the best possible photo opportunities for two iconic animals: the famous Pumas of Torres del Paine, Chile and different species of penguins in the beautiful and dramatic landscapes of Argentinian Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
Photographing different species of penguins (Magellanic Penguin, Southern Rockhopper Penguin, Gentoo Penguin and with a bit of luck King Penguin), without visiting Antarctica, plus one of the largest felines in the world, the Puma, is the main goal of this tour. Additionally, there will also be great chances of photographing some of the most representative Patagonian bird species such as Lesser Rhea, Magellanic Woodpecker, Giant Petrel, Andean Condor, different species of tinamous, albatrosses, seedsnipes, and ducks. As well as other attractive wildlife such as Guanaco, Patagonian Mara, different species of foxes, armadillos, whales, and dolphins.
The landscapes are magnificent too: endless steppes, impressive mountains, such as Torres del Paine, the stunning Perito Moreno glacier, the Beagle Channel, and Southern Beech Forests. It will be difficult to choose where to point your camera first. This tour will provide you with enough time to take advantage of your visit to Patagonia and enjoy all what there is to see.
This tour will be guided by wildlife photographer Steve Sánchez and tour leader/designer Marcelo Gavensky.
For more information about this tour, you can read our Photo Trip Report Pumas and Penguins.
More photo impressions of this tour you can find in the Argentina & Chile photo gallery at www.stevesanchezphoto.com.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Morning flight from Buenos Aires to Comodoro Rivadavia, followed by a road transfer to Puerto Deseado. Overnight at a hotel in Puerto Deseado.
Day 2: Early morning photography around Puerto Deseado, followed by a boat trip on the Ría Deseado and a visit to a Magellanic Penguin colony in the afternoon. Overnight at a hotel in Puerto Deseado.
Day 3: Morning boat trip to Isla Pingüino to visit a colony of Southern Rockhopper Penguins, followed by afternoon photography around Puerto Deseado. Overnight at a hotel in Puerto Deseado.
Day 4: Road transfer to Puerto San Julián, with photographic stops along the Patagonian steppe. Overnight at a hotel in San Julián.
Day 5: Early road transfer to El Calafate. In the afternoon, photography around El Calafate by car. Overnight at a hotel in El Calafate.
Day 6: Full-day tour to Los Glaciares National Park, with a photography stop at La Hoya del Chingue. Overnight at a hotel in El Calafate.
Day 7: Full-day transfer to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, with scenic views along the way. Overnight in Torres del Paine National Park.
Days 8–10: Full-day puma tracking and photography with a specialized local guide. Overnight in Torres del Paine National Park.
Day 11: Full-day transfer to El Calafate (with a border crossing back into Argentina), followed by photography around El Calafate. Overnight at a hotel in El Calafate.
Day 12: Morning flight to Ushuaia, followed by a road transfer to Estancia Harberton and a boat trip to Isla Martillo, home to Magellanic and Gentoo Penguin colonies. Return to Ushuaia with photographic stops in the Patagonian forest. Overnight at a hotel in Ushuaia.
Day 13: Visit Tierra del Fuego National Park, followed by a boat trip on the Beagle Channel. Overnight at a hotel in Ushuaia.
Day 14: Short visit to a landfill site near Ushuaia to photograph various raptors, such as the White-throated Caracara. Transfer to Ushuaia airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires, marking the end of the tour.
KEY BIRD SPECIES
Lesser Rhea, Elegant Crested Tinamou, Patagonian Tinamou, Magellanic Woodpecker, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, White-throated Caracara, Andean Condor, White-throated Treerunner, Patagonian Mockingbird, Long-tailed Mockingbird, Rufous-chested Dotterel, Tawny-throated Dotterel.
Magellanic Penguin, Southern Rockhopper, Gentoo Penguin.
Magellanic Cormorant, Red-legged Cormorant, Imperial Cormorant, Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel, Chilean skua, Southern Fulmar, Snowy Sheathbill, Dolphin Gull, Magellanic Oystercatcher, Blackish Oystercatcher, Black-necked Swan, Coscorova Swan, Upland Goose, Kelp Goose, Crested Duck, Flying Steamer-Duck, Chiloe Wigeon, Chilean Flamingo.
Mammals: Puma, Guanaco, South American Gray Fox, Patagonian Mara, Humboldt’s Hog-nosed Skunk, Large Hairy Armadillo, South American Sea Lion, South American Fur Seal, Southern Elephant Seal, Commerson’s Dolphin, Peale’s Dolphin, Dusky Dolphins, Humpback Whales.
TOUR DETAILS
Group Size: Maximum 6 participants + tour guide
Physical Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Accommodation: 3-star hotels and comfortable lodges in beautiful locations
Transportation: Private vehicle with driver (car or minivan), plane, and boat
Climate: During this tour we will be visiting cold areas that even in the summer can have temperatures around zero degrees Celsius. The wind is almost constant in Patagonia, and can be strong at the steppes.
Altitude: 0 – 1000 meters / 0 – 3,281 feet above sea level
Guide: Experienced English- and Spanish-speaking wildlife photography guide
Suggested Equipment:
– Digital SLR or mirrorless camera
– Telephoto lens of at least 300 mm
– Wide-angle lens
– Macro lens (for those interested in macro photography)
– Tripod or monopod
– Flash
Possible extensions:
– Buenos Aires: Ceibas Natural Reserve
– Iguazu Waterfalls Photo Tour
For the detailed itinerary, prices, or if you have questions, please get in touch with us.
Si desea recibir el itinerario detallado en español, no dude en hacérnoslo saber.
PHOTO GALLERY
Company Address:
Kuntur Nature and Adventure EIRL
Av. Industrial Conj. Hab. FOVIPOL. Nr 104
Santiago – Cusco – Peru
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