Day 1: Travel day to Punta Arenas

Land in the world’s southernmost large city, Punta Arenas. Although this day is dedicated to travel, settling in, and resting after the travel day, our accommodation will be a stone’s throw away from restaurants serving traditional food, beautiful city plazas, and a coastal walk along the Magellan Strait. There is also the option to explore local museums detailing Patagonian history, wildlife, and culture. 

---------------------------------------------

Day 2: Penguin Expedition 

Today we take to the seas to photograph Magellanic Penguins. First discovered by explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1520, these pint sized penguins have a colony of 60,000 nesting pairs on Magdalena Island off the coast of Punta Arenas. This boat ride to the island is a wonderful opportunity to get on land with the penguins and photograph them up close and personal. Apart from penguins, we will have the chance to see dolphins, sea lions, sei whales, and cormorants. Due to the uncertain weather conditions of the Magellan Strait, we have scheduled another day to search for the penguins at the end of this itinerary as well in case the boat is unable to leave on this day.  After spending our morning and afternoon with the penguins, we will take in the scenery of Patagonia as we travel to our next accommodation. We will cross open grasslands and hills that will truly make you feel like you are at the end of the earth. During our two and a half hour drive we will keep our eyes open for condors, rhea, a large flightless bird reminiscent of African ostriches, and  Guanacos, a wild cousin of the llama as we wind through the Patagonian countryside. 

---------------------------------------------

Day 3 & 4: Puma Tracking

On day 3 and 4, we will have the opportunity to track pumas beneath the iconic peaks that Patagonia is famous for. With a 97% puma viewing rate, this private, fenceless ranch gives unprecedented access to seeing wild pumas up close in their natural habitat. Running Wild guide Michael first heard of this opportunity from his colleagues who filmed the puma segments you may have seen in “Our Planet 2,” and National Geographic's “Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory.” This is widely considered the greatest location to photograph wild pumas on Earth. We will use experienced puma trackers to find the pumas in 4wd trucks, spending time with these animals to ensure amazing photographic opportunities. 

---------------------------------------------

Day 5, Exploring a glacier

Today we explore the Grey Glacier. Being over three and a half miles wide, the Grey Glacier is one of more than 40 glaciers that are part of the Southern Ice Field of Patagonia. We will first approach the glacier by boat, crossing a glacial lagoon, before continuing on foot,  hiking 40 minutes to one hour to access the ice. We then strap crampons onto our boots, and continue our journey, exploring the glacier’s shapes and colors while marveling at the beauty of Torres del Paine around us. 

---------------------------------------------

Day 6: Condor Expedition

Today we will set out to photograph the world’s heaviest flying creature, the Andean condor. Using local wildlife guides, we will explore one of the most accessible locations in the world to see and photograph these animals. The Olga Teresa Ranch protects, researches, and showcases a population of 100+ Andean Condors that soar, socialize, and sleep at a 20-meter-tall, vertical rock face that itself is embedded in a steep, 200-meter-high (700-foot-high) hill. In the Patagonian Andes, Andean Condors are a common sight but the conditions at Ranch Olga Teresa are quite extraordinary to document them. We will look for them in the field, watch them while flying or resting on the cliffs, and have excellent photographic opportunities of fly-bys and perched individuals. That night we will drive the hour back to Punta Arenas.  

---------------------------------------------

Day 7: Penguin back up day

Due to the unpredictable weather of the Magellan Strait, today is scheduled to be an extra day to search for penguins in case of cancellation on the first penguin day. If we were able to conduct the penguin tour earlier in the week we will take a game drive in the grasslands in search of Guanaco, rhea, and condor, or explore the town of Punta Arenas

---------------------------------------------

Day 8: Depart from Punta Arenas

What is included:

• All in-country transportation including to and from the airport

• All in-country accommodation

• Road snacks

• In-country planned tours and excursions

• Professional wildlife guides/photographers

• Photography lessons

• Lots of fun and good memories

• Park entrance fees

• Opening dinner

What is not included:

• International airfare to and from the International Airport

• Baggage fees

• Unplanned or extra excursions

• Tips and gratuities

• Immunizations or medications

• Alcohol and most meals

Additional information:

Participants should carry their own health and travel insurance.

Deposits are non-refundable as they are used to pre-book all reservations and accommodation, unless the trip is canceled by us, in which case, deposits will be returned.

Liability waivers and supporting documentation must be submitted with final payment. Papers will be issued upon deposit or earlier upon request via email.

*Chile is open for travel to anyone, regardless of COVID vaccination status. However, we recommend having both Covid-19 vaccine doses and the booster before participating in international travel.

Visa information: Check with the US Embassy for regular updates regarding travel to Chile.

$4,800.00 per person

$500.00 deposit due upon registration. Deposit price goes towards full trip cost and holds your spot.