We offer you a trip to the ends of the world in southern Patagonia. Although the diversity is less than in northern Patagonia, and the costs are higher, many observers still prefer to reach this distant point in search of its endemic species and the experience of having visited the southernmost city in the world.
The southern part of Patagonia has several points of interest. We can design different circuits that may include glaciers on the Andes, the southern Atlantic seacoast, the Patagonian steppe and forest, and Tierra del Fuego, with its canals and islands. The trip we offer includes the Glaciers National Park, the Tierra del Fuego National Park, the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel up to Penguin Island, the southern Atlantic seacoast and a visit to a typical anglo-argentine “Estancia” (extensive farm ranch).
The stop at Península Valdés allows us to visit this important natural reserve and also the largest colony of penguins during spring (September to November). There, we also have the Atlantic coast, in the north of Patagonia, where the experience can be enriched by adding some species of seabirds and wildlife.
We can also organize special outings in search of some target birds, such as the Hooded Grebe or Austral Rail.
Calafate to Tierra del Fuego
Day 1: Arrival in Trelew and drive to Valdés Peninsula for a day birding in bushy steppes and salt flats. Accommodation in a lodge.
Day 2: Second day for birding in the Valdes Peninsula, visiting Punta Delgada and Riacho San José for birding along South Atlantic coasts and steppes. Boat trip looking for whales and dolphins. Night in a Patagonian Estancia
Day 3: Visit Punta Tombo magellanic penguin colony and other interesting animals. An optional boat trip to the ocean looking for pelagic birds and dolphins. Then, we spend the afternoon visiting the Welsh colony of Gaiman and testing amazing cakes and teas.
Day 4: Birding in ponds and in the Patagonian "Monte'', finding some endemic birds of Argentina and great opportunities for mammals. Transfer to the airport and flight to El Calafate.
Day 5: Visit to Laguna Nimez and Lago Roca's area for observing birds in wetlands and ponds of the Patagonian steppes, plenty of interesting birds.
Day 6: Birding in Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonian beech forest habitat and transitional areas. Forest birds.
Day 7: Ponds in tablelands looking for hooded grebes and other specialities. Afternoon drive to El Chaltén, a small town.
Day 8: Drive to La Angostura Estancia looking for the extremely rare Austral Rail.
Day 9: Transfer to Río Gallegos and crossing of the Strait of Magellan to Tierra del Fuego. Night in Río Grande
Day 10: Birding in Rio Grande Reserve, hotspot of migratory and local shore birds. Looking for the Ruddy-headed Goose. In the afternoon, birding to Ushuaia. Night in Ushuaia
Day 11: Full day in Tierra del Fuego National Park
Day 12: Boat trip to the Beagle Channel, to Penguin islands and visit to Estancia Harberton, a typical British Ranch of the Island.
Day 13: Birding in High Mountain Andes looking for some specialities.
Day 14: Morning in the urban reserve and other places to complete the list. Afternoon transfer to the airport. End of the trip.
