November 1 to 16, 2010
See the trip report pdf – linked under Upcoming Tours on my home page. This was a wonderful trip and I hope to go back soon!
We’ll travel to the pampas in northern Argentina and spend three nights at a wonderful estancia in the heart of the Ibera Marshes. Home to 25% of all of Argentina’s vertebrates, the area abounds with water and land birds, from huge Jabiru Storks to small Strange-tailed and Spectacled Tyrants. Mammals include Marsh Deer, Pampas Deer, Brown Brocket, Black and Gold Howler Monkey, Neotropical River Otter, Maned Wolf, and six species of armadillos. The world’s largest rodent, the Capybara is ubiquitous. Two species of caiman can be seen here as well.
Next we fly south to the Valdes Peninsula in Patagonia. Here we expect to see one of the most endangered whales in the world, the Southern Right Whale, which breeds in the gulf and should be seen with young calves at this time of year. We’ll take boat trips to observe whales, as well as Orcas, Southern Sea Lions, and huge schools of Dusky Dolphins We’ll also visit Bird Island, a breeding ground for gulls, terns, egrets, cormorants and penguins. Land mammals are equally diverse, including Chilla (a small gray fox), Guanaco, Mara (a large rodent), and tiny Cuis (guinea pig) and Hairy Armadillos. Endemic birds of particular interest include Patagonian Canastero, White-throated Cachalote, Carbonated Sierra-finch, and Rusty-backed Monjita.
After a visit to the Chubut River, in search of more marine mammals and birds, we visit Punta Tombo and a huge Magellanic Penguin colony. Then we’ll fly west, stopping at Los Glaciares National Park to enjoy incredible scenery before heading on to our final destination, Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chile. Here the landscape is unequalled, and the wildlife watching is also spectacular. We’ll spend three nights in a wonderful hotel in the park, and the focus of our time here will be tracking Pumas, with one of the most experienced local guides in the region. Aside from Puma, Southern Hog-nosed Skunk, and Patagonian Red Fox, we should see Andean Condor, Chilean Flamingoes, Torrent Duck and a wealth of birds and other creatures found only in this region.
For the entire tour we will be accompanied by Regina Ribeiro, one of the top Latin American naturalist guides, and an expert on both birds and mammals. I hope you can join us!
Land cost: TBA
Group size: 6-10 passengers
Provisional trip date: November, 2014