Chile
Patagonia and Easter Island
March 12 to 31, 2012
Extensions to Argentina Available

| At a Glance | Itinerary | Costs | Sign-up | Other Details |

Mountain Viscahas - Nursing Young and Mother

Chile is a country of contrast, from the arid High Andes in the north to the sub-Antarctic islands in the south. It includes more than 4,000 kilometers of Pacific Ocean coastline, including Easter Island 3,800 kilometers offshore. The central valleys of Chile are no more than 180 kilometers wide, with the towering peaks of the Andes framing a patchwork of cultivation. Travel to Easter Island for cultural sites and wonderful wildlife, then south to Puerto Montt where the Humboldt Current supports many seabirds and marine mammals. From pelagic trips in the north to the wilderness and mountains of Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park, there is a wonderful diversity of fauna that we hope to encounter.

Extensions: Two extensions to Argentina are available: The Moreno Glacier and Estancia Alice at El Calafate (described below), or the Moreno Glacier and Estancia Alice at El Calafate plus four days with Orcas on the Peninsula Valdes (read itinerary).

At a Glance

Costs: $6,800 per person, double occupancy, not including airfare. Review cost details.

Leaders: Claudio Vidal with Gail and Doug Cheeseman.

Group Size: 10 participants plus leaders.

Days: 19

Conditions: This is a non-smoking safari for people who are very interested in all wildlife and spending the maximum time in the field.

Update: This itinerary was updated in December 2010.

Synopsis:

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Detailed Itinerary

March 12 - 13, Monday - Tuesday: Fly to Santiago for overnight in Santiago
Depart on March 12 and overnight in Santiago at the Hotel Plaza El Bosque on March 13.
Lodging: Hotel Plaza El Bosque in Santiago

March 14, Wednesday: Fly to Easter Island and visit Ahu Tongariki and Rano Raraku Volcano
After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport and take the 8:30 am flight to fly about 3,800 kilometers (2,360 miles) across the Pacific Ocean from Santiago to Easter Island (Rapa Nui), where we will be transferred to our hotel in time for lunch. We'll stay at the Hotel O'Tai, which is very comfortable, pleasant and clean with friendly management and lovely gardens. Later this afternoon, enjoy a full afternoon visiting our first cultural sites, Ahu Tongariki and Rano Raraku Volcano. The distance around the island is short and without stops, only takes about a half hour to drive from one end of the island to the other. The daily itinerary on Easter Island is flexible. We'll visit all the cultural sites and enjoy viewing seabirds on one pelagic trip, plus do two snorkeling trips.

In the early afternoon drive towards the Rano Raraku Volcano. Journey across the skirt of the mountain and visit the largest monolith quarry of the Rapa Nui culture. Rano Raraku is both an extinct volcano and the mine or quarry from which all Moai statues were cut. Moai statues that are half-finished or half-buried lie all around the site. Each one has an individual design or face. One statue has swirls cut into his neck apparently to symbolize the wind. Another statue is kneeling down. Yet another is clearly female – most Moai statues are males. The area is laid out with paths leading between the Moai. Continue to the Ahu (ceremonial platform) of Tongariki for a full appreciation of the standing statues and petroglyphs. On our return route to the hotel, visit the Akahanga Site on the coastal road.

From the main dock in town do a late afternoon boat trip towards the "motus" – nearby volcanic islets located on the southeastern corner of the island. These rocks are home to amazing seabirds, some of which are still poorly known. Five gadfly Pterodroma petrels, including Phoenix, Herald, Kermadec, Henderson's and Murphy's, breed here! Other birds that we hope to see on this short boat trip are Masked Booby, Great Frigatebird, and Grey Ternlet. The late afternoon light should be beautiful and the birds are flying in to roost, so this is the perfect time of day for the boat trip.
Lodging: Hotel O'Tai, Hanga Roa on Easter Island

March 15, Thursday: Orongo, Rano Kao, and Vinapu cultural sites, plus great snorkeling
This morning, snorkel at Motu Nui, one of the "motus" that is the best snorkeling site. Because the Easter Island is so isolated, fish and corals that are not found anywhere else are found here in abundance. One quarter of the fish are endemic to Easter Island and because global warming has not yet had much of an effect on the underwater world here, the Easter Island corals are still healthy and growing. Easter Island is known for its crystal clear waters and fantastic volcanic underwater scenery. Visibility under water can reach 60 meters (about 200 feet) and with an average water temperature of 22°C (72°F). Both diving and snorkeling are very pleasant between September and April when the water temperature is in the mid-20°C (high-70°F) range. It is a two-hour boat and snorkeling trip. Again we will look for seabirds around the three remote islets of Motu Nui, Motu Iti, and Motu Kao Kao at the south side of the island. Motu Nui Islet is where the manutara bird laid its egg for the birdman competition (described below). Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included.

Back onshore, our destination for the afternoon will be the ceremonial site of Orongo and the Birdman's petroglyphs. Here we shall visit the oval stone houses that sheltered those participating in the ancient rituals. Along the cliff, an astonishingly different petroglyph reveals the famous birdman motif, indicating the most sacred place of Orongo. The Orongo Village is at the southwest end of the island adjacent to the islets and is now a rough pile of stone slabs. One house is partially restored to show the way the dwellings were structured. Double-walls of stones were filled with mud and the whole building was covered from outside with earth and grass. There used to be 54 houses in the village, dating back to the 16th century when the Make-Make tribe dominated the island. One house contained the Moai Hoa Haka Nana Ia, a 2.5-meter Moai, engraved with peculiar petroglyphs, which was taken from the island in 1868 and is now in the British Museum. This 16th-century ceremonial village was the scene of the annual "birdman" competition, or tangata-manu, between rival tribes on Rapa Nui. Every year in early spring, when manutara (the Sooty Tern) came to nest on the small outcrop of rock, a chosen member of each tribe raced to be the first to get an egg and bring it back safely to the crowds. The race involved scrambling down an incredibly steep rock face, swimming across to the islet (those who were bleeding from the rock face might be attacked by a shark), waiting there on the islet, often for days or weeks, until a bird laid an egg, taking the egg from under the bird, and then doing the same hard trip in reverse while keeping the egg intact. The winner gained prestige and power as "birdman", had his head shaved, and lived in ceremonial seclusion for a year. The chief of his tribe took overall control of the Rapa Nui people for the year. The last birdman competition took place in 1867. It was part of the wider Make-Make cult which was born in Orongo Village. The Make-Make god was closely related to fertility and migrating seabirds and the cult became the most important on the island. When the Make-Make religious order took over, the huge Moai statues that had previously played such a large part in religious activity on Easter Island were no longer made. Continue our cultural explorations today to the Vinapu site and a little further, visit the restored site of Tahai.
Lodging: Hotel O'Tai, Hanga Roa on Easter Island

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March 16, Friday: Snorkel and boat trip
Today we plan another snorkel opportunity. We'll also have time to visit Anakena Beach, the most idyllic beach on Easter Island, situated on the north side of the triangle. It has white sands and palm trees and, in the background, a row of seven tall Moai statues. At the end of the day, we shall return to our hotel in the city of Hanga Roa.
Lodging: Hotel O'Tai, Hanga Roa on Easter Island

March 17, Saturday: Fly to Santiago
You will have this morning free with a chance to visit the craft market store to get some souvenirs. Fly at 1 pm from Easter Island to Santiago in the afternoon with an early evening arrival and transfer to our hotel, the Hotel Plaza El Bosque.
Lodging: Hotel Plaza El Bosque in Santiago

Peale's Dolphin

March 18, Sunday: Fly to Puerto Montt and cross by ferry to Chiloé Island
Today we will take an early flight to Puerto Montt and aim towards Chiloé Island. The area we are going to explore is reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest coastline in terms of landscapes and wildlife. We will take a 30-minute ferry to cross to the main island of Chiloé. Pods of Peale's Dolphin and inquisitive South American Sea Lions are often seen on this passage, as well as Magellanic Penguins, cormorants, and petrels. Black-necked Swans will welcome us to the island. Before heading towards our hotel in the small town of Ancud, we will explore the coastline of Caulin. This is a famous over-wintering station for thousands of shorebirds coming from the Northern Hemisphere, including Hudsonian Godwit, Sanderling, and Red Knot. The birding is truly great on the mudflats here.
Lodging: Hotel Galeon Azul or similar in Ancud

March 19, Monday: Puñihuil Isles and drive to Castro
This morning we will explore the rocky, wild western coast of Chiloé Island, particularly the islets of Puñihuil, which is a 30-minute boat from from Ancud. This is an interesting location holding the only mixed colony of Magellanic and Humboldt penguins. The larger Humboldt Penguins are outnumbered by Magellanic and we'll see the obvious differences in markings. We expect to see Marine Otters as we circumnavigate the islet. This is a rather slim, more elegant otter version as compared to the larger California Sea Otter. Marine Otters feed primarily on crabs. They are very skilled in handling the heavy swell, which characterizes this part of the coast. Elegant Red-legged Cormorants and Rock Cormorants breed by the hundreds around the islands and it is delightful to see their colorful beauty. Territorial couples of Flightless Steamer Ducks are also interesting to study as they dive in search of mollusks and other marine invertebrates. These flightless birds perform an odd-looking series of wing-beats like a paddleboat. We will also keep our eyes on the horizon as spouts are often seen and they may well belong to Blue Whales. After having a taste of the famous local seafood, we will travel south towards Castro, a larger and really picturesque town in the Chiloé archipelago. Before reaching our hotel, we will have a chance to look at the lovely architecture of the wooden houses here, especially the shingles covering both the outer walls and roofs. The stilt houses along the coast are also impressive.
Lodging: Hotel Unicornio Azul or similar in Castro

Black-browed Albatross

March 20, Tuesday: Marine mammal and seabird trip off Quellon; drive to Tepuhueico Park
Today's quest for whales, dolphins, and seabirds will include an eight-hour boat trip from Quellon, Chiloé's southernmost town, taking us into waters that are rich with marine mammals. There is a recently discovered nursery area for the world's largest whale, the Blue Whale, in this region and the presence of a few hundred individuals have been documented in the whole archipelago, particularly around Corcovado Gulf. We will look for deep water, the richest krill feeding areas for the whales. In the process we will see Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrels, and Pink-footed and Sooty shearwaters. Blue Whales can be recognized at a distance by their impressive spouts, their bluish-back coloration and their very small dorsal fin. Humpback Whales, Orcas, and Peale's Dolphin are also potential cetaceans to encounter on this pelagic trip. After docking back at Quellon, hopefully with a big smile because of the marine mammals and seabirds seen, we will head to the delightful private park of Tepuhueico. Here in this marvelous protected rainforest, we expect to see a good deal of lovely birdlife.
Lodging: Tepuhueico Lodge in Tepuhueico

March 21, Wednesday: Tepuhueico Park in a beautiful, well-protected rainforest
The lush Tepuhueico woodlands are truly pristine. Enjoy birding and discovering mammals, as well as the flora of this ecosystem, known as Valdivian temperate rainforest. Tepuhueico Park has the reputation of being the only reliable place to see the critically endangered Chilean endemic, the Darwin's Fox. A few hundred individuals of this fantastic canid, only found here on the Chiloé Island and way up in northern Chile in an isolated Araucaria-covered massif located in the Atacama Desert, survive in the ecotone between the dense temperate forests and the coast. We will have great walks in search of Darwin's Fox, as well as Pudu (the second smallest deer in the world) and the Kodkod or Guiña (a very rare woodland cat). Together with searching for this array of enigmatic and poorly known mammals, we will see several endemic birds of the Patagonian woodlands such as Chucao Tapaculo, Black-throated Huet-huet, Des Murs Wiretail, Chilean Pigeon, Magellanic Woodpecker, Chilean Hawk, and Green-backed Firecrown.
Lodging: Tepuhueico Lodge in Tepuhueico

March 22, Thursday: Return to Puerto Montt; fly to Punta Arenas for overnight
Depending on our flight time to Punta Arenas, we may have time for an early walk in the woodlands before heading back to Puerto Montt and leaving behind the wildlife and the tranquility of Chiloé, one of the best-kept secrets of Patagonia. We will cross the Chacao Channel once again, scanning the water searching for White-chinned Petrel, Magellanic Diving-Petrel, and Wilson's Storm-Petrel. With luck we may see some of the Antarctic seabirds migrating north along the Humboldt Current, including Southern Fulmar and Cape Petrel. Catch a scenic two-hour flight from Puerto Montt, located in Chile's Lake District, to Punta Arenas in the islands of Tierra del Fuego. From the left side of the plane, we may have views of ice fields, glaciers, mountain peaks, colorful lakes and fjords, and even an active volcano! On arrival in Punta Arenas, transfer to a very nice lodge nearby, Hotel Rey Don Felipe.
Lodging: Hotel Rey Don Felipe in Punta Arenas

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March 23, Friday: Drive to Río Verde and explore the coast along the Fitzroy Channel
We will have a full day exploring the eastern shores of the Straits of Magellan searching for one of the most stunning dolphin species, Commerson's Dolphin. This small dolphin is only found at the southern tip of the Americas, the Falkland Islands, and in the South Indian Ocean, where a small disjunct population exists. Small to large pods are usually seen on these waters which are mostly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, especially around Primera Angostura (First Narrows), and the dolphins seem very happy dealing with the strong tidal currents. On our way we will see a great array of Patagonian bird specialties, such as Chocolate-vented Tyrant, Black-throated Finch, Tawny-throated Dotterel, and the endangered Ruddy-headed Goose. Patagonian Hairy Armadillo together with Patagonian Cavy are often seen along the dirt roads. We'll stay on the coast in a very charming bed and breakfast in Rio Verde, about 80 kilometers from Punta Arenas.
Lodging: Posada Río Verde in Río Verde

March 24, Saturday: Drive to Torres del Paine National Park
Today we will drive north to Torres del Paine, our base for the following six nights. Along the way we will explore the coast of the historic Fitzroy Channel and Skyring Sound, looking for the endemic Chilean (or Black) Dolphin. This cetacean belongs to a genus only found in the Southern Hemisphere. They can be seen traveling in small pods close to the shoreline. Chilean Dolphins have a rather reserved behavior, but sometimes they are seen leaping entirely out of the water, allowing us to see their contrasting white underside. South American Sea Lions are usually spotted here as well. Andean Condors are very abundant in this region, as they have communal roosting sites on the surrounding cliffs. It is quite remarkable to see Andean Condors at sea level, and even more, soaring above the seaways while crossing to the remote Riesco Island. In the late afternoon light as we approach the boundary of Torres del Paine, we might have a sensational vista of the mountains from Laguna Azul (the Blue Lagoon) situated on the eastern side of the Torres del Paine.
Lodging: Hotel Las Torres in Torres del Paine

Andean Deer (or Huemul)

March 25 - 29, Sunday - Thursday: Torres del Paine National Park
During our daily and nightly searches for Pumas in the area, we will inspect the immediate surroundings of our hotel as well as the Puma hunting grounds located in the eastern flank of the park. The area comprised by the northern coast of Sarmiento Lake, Laguna Amarga, and Laguna Azul holds one of the largest concentrations of Pumas in the wild. March through July are the best months to attempt to find Puma as females are continually hunting to provide food for their almost fully grown cubs. At this season they are active at night and during the twilight hours. To see a female Puma and her cubs against this magnificent mountain backdrop and glorious skies is one of the most impressive wildlife spectacles. In the company of Claudio and our Puma tracker, we will attempt to find Puma family groups with the help of binoculars and spotting scopes. We will also take the opportunity to look for other mammal species, including the ubiquitous Guanaco, the local Andean Deer (or Huemul), Patagonian Hog-nosed Skunk, Mountain Viscahas (Lagidium wolffshohni), a favorite prey of Puma, and the two canid species present in the park, Chilla (also called Grey Zorro or South American Grey Fox) and Culpeo (a larger fox than the Chilla). Each evening we will go out night spotting.

One morning we will have an early departure to be at a great location to photograph the Paine Massif at dawn and concentrate on the beautiful three Towers, also a good area to search for Puma. Explore the southern and western regions of this huge national park, which comprises in total 600,000 acres (240,964 hectares). The rugged peaks of the Paine Massif, dominate the surroundings. The long-gone Indians of Patagonia gave the name Paine, meaning "blue", presumably referring to its remarkable coloration when observed at a distance. Evenings are also a great time here for photographing sunsets and the dramatic cloud formations.

Between Puma searches, we will have the opportunity to explore the Nothofagus, or southern beech forest, and its diversity of plants and animals. The Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Parakeet, and the shy Andean Deer are beech forest species we'll hope to watch and photograph. The mosaic of towering mountains, glaciers, wetlands, steppes, and forests of this area offer a wonderful diversity of both mammals and birds.

Lago Grey is certainly one of the highlights in Torres del Paine. Colossal icebergs are stranded on the southern shore of the lake after a long and slow transit from the glacier front. From this shore we will board a boat for a three-hour excursion through the icy waters of the lake towards the impressive and actively calving front of the Grey Glacier. Grey is one of the nearly 50 outlet glaciers that originate from the massive Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the world's third largest after Antarctica and Greenland, and is one of the most beautiful and colorful glaciers in all Patagonia. The front is full of crevasses and the solid glacial ice colors vary from whitish to deep indigo. The glacier is flanked to the east by impressive granite walls, which are part of the Paine Massif, and on the west by the eroded and low summits of the older Andes. The photography is splendid at this particular location.

Guanaco

We may photograph the Towers or the Horns with the first light on the last morning if it's good and if we have had good luck encountering Puma action. With the right lighting, the mountain base turns orange and the scene becomes very dramatic with peculiar lenticular clouds moving fast over the peaks. At the eastern corner of Sarmiento Lake, we will reach a location that commands the most incredible views of the towering peaks of Las Torres, the pinnacles from which the park takes its name. As we move around the park, we'll encounter confiding herds of Guanaco, the Lesser Rhea (a ratite like Ostrich and Emu) and impressive Andean Condors soaring along the roads. During the morning, perhaps we will visit the eastern side of the park to enjoy the views of one of the impressive waterfalls of Paine River and, if it is clear, of the fabulous granite columns of the Paine Massif from Laguna Amarga. There are approximately 120 species of birds in the park and we'll see a considerable number with the help of binoculars and spotting scopes. The flora is also very interesting; the park is estimated to hold nearly 500 plant species.
Lodging: Hotel Las Torres in Torres del Paine

March 29 - 30, Thursday - Friday: Drive to El Calafate, Argentina for flights home
Depart from Torres del Paine for the drive to El Calafate, just over the border in Argentina. Connect with a direct flight from El Calafate to Buenos Aires in time for an evening flight from Buenos Aires homeward, arriving home on March 31. Alternately, choose to extend your stay with one of the extensions to Argentina.

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Optional Extension 1
Moreno Glacier and Estancia Alice in El Calafate
March 30 to April 3, 2012
($875 per person, double occupancy)

March 30, Friday: Drive to Estancia Alice Lodge near El Calafate, Argentina
Depart from Torres del Paine to the Argentina border to meet Luis Seguro. Enjoy the birding around the comfortable Kau-Yatún Hotel in El Calafate this afternoon, where we will have dinner and overnight.
Lodging: Kau-Yatún Hotel

March 31 - April 1, Saturday - Sunday: Moreno Glacier, Estancia Alice and Laguna Nimes
The Moreno Glacier is one of the few glaciers on this continent that advances and recedes constantly. One huge vertical five-kilometer ice wall of this glacier sinks into the Canal de los Témpanos (Channel of the Icebergs), which connects one of the arms of Lake Argentino, called Rico, with its main body. Once every four to ten years, the Moreno Glacier fully crosses the channel, turning into an actual impounding dam that prevents water passage and causes an unusual rise in the waters of the Rico Arm. The pressure of the water finally ruptures the ice dam. This spectacular show attracts hundreds of glacier enthusiasts the world over. The glacier was named after Francisco P. Moreno, a famous Argentine explorer, well known as the father of the national parks in this country. One of his greatest achievements was the discovery of Lake Argentino. The 1,770 acres (717,800 hectares) of Los Glaciares National Park harbor this amazing glacier, at present the only advancing glacier in Argentina, and another 47 huge glaciers. Los Glaciares National Park has been declared a Worldwide Natural Heritage Site. Guanacos and Lesser Rheas are likely to be seen while we are in this area. By watching carefully along the edge of rocky cliffs and up above the snow-covered peaks of the majestic Andes, the "Master of the Sky", the Andean Condor, should be visible. Other special birds inhabiting this region include Spectacled Duck, Lesser Horned Owl, Patagonian Tinamou, and Magellanic Woodpecker. We'll have a full day at the Moreno Glacier, a morning at the estancia marshes and an afternoon at Laguna Nimes in El Calafate with Black-necked Swan, Chilean Flamingo, Andean Ruddy-Duck, South American Snipe, Upland Goose and Magellanic Plover.
Lodging: Estancia Alice Lodge

April 2 - 3, Monday - Tuesday: Fly from El Calafate to Buenos Aires and homeward
Choose a flight from El Calafate to the international airport in Buenos Aires (EZE) in time for an evening flight from Buenos Aires homeward on April 2, arriving home on April 3.

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Optional Extension 2: Moreno Glacier and Estancia Alice plus Orcas on the Peninsula Valdes
March 30 to April 8, 2012
($5,550 per person, double occupancy)

Orca Lunges onto the Beach ©Adam Riley

March 30 - April 8, Friday - Sunday: Moreno Glacier, Estancia Alice and Laguna Nimes plus Orcas in Argentina
We'll focus on Orca action when the sea lion pups, the favorite prey for these huge acrobatic dolphins, are about to go to sea for the first time. Orcas have learned how to use wave action to lunge onto the beach. It's challenging to get photos and only eight beach permits are available per day. Our entry to Argentina will be over the Chilean border from Torres del Paine to El Calafate at the end of the Chile Easter Island and Patagonia tour. In this lovely area we'll stop at the Moreno Glacier, Estancia Alice and the Laguna Nimes before flying from El Calafate to Trelew and driving north to Peninsula Valdes. We'll have four full days of Orca photography permits on the beach of Argentina's Valdes Peninsula.

Please read the complete description for this extension in the separate itinerary.

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Costs

Payments and Cancellations: All reservations require a deposit due at the time of making the reservation. Upon receiving your deposit and reservation form, we will send trip materials with additional information to help you prepare for your safari. Until the final payment due date, deposits are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person. This fee may go toward another tour if reserved within six months of the cancelled trip's departure date. There are no refunds given after the final payment due date. We reserve the right to charge for cost increases that occur between now and the date of travel.

Included:

• All lodging and meals chosen from the regular menu starting with breakfast on March 14 to breakfast on March 30
• Land transportation and boat trips described in itinerary.
• Baggage handling for one medium-sized, soft-sided bag per person.
• All entrance fees to national parks.
• Services of our guides.

Not Included:

• International and internal airfare. International airfare is approximately $1,000-1,400 from the US, depending on origin. The internal flights within Brazil and Argentina are approximately $1,000, including the round trip to Easter Island (subject to change, quoted November 2009).
• The two optional trip extensions to Moreno Glacier, Estancia Alice, and the Peninsula Valdes.
• Separate airport transfers.
• Gratuity – Tipping is, of course, discretionary, however we suggest budgeting a total of $300 per participant for the trip, plus extra if you are taking an extension.
• Bottled beverages, except for one daily bottle of mineral water (500 ml).
• Items not on the menu of included meals (if you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your reservation form).
• Reciprocity tax of $132 (entrance tax to Chile for US, Canadian and Australian citizens only).
• Travel insurance.

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Sign-up

To Make a Reservation: Please contact us (there are many methods of contacting us) to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, print our reservation form, fill out one form per person, and post it to us in the mail with your deposit. Or fill out our handy online information request and we will send you more information.

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Other Details

Gail and Doug Cheeseman

Leaders: Doug and Gail Cheeseman find leading safaris to be a fresh way of blending a desire to observe nature with a wish to inspire travelers towards the values of conservation and education. Doug turned on biology majors with zoology and ecology at De Anza College in Cupertino, California during his long career. Gail is an avid birder and naturalist, plus a meticulous coordinator of trip logistics. Gail and Doug lead as many trips as their schedule can accommodate, including Antaractica, Africa, and Bhutan.

Claudio Vidal

Claudio Vidal lives in Punta Arenas and has been a birder and keen observer of all Patagonia wildlife since the age of twelve. His areas of expertise include pelagic birds and marine mammals occurring in the Humboldt Current. He is also an expert on the botany of southern Chile and is working on a field guide of all the birds of this region. One of his main concerns is saving habitats in Southern Chile.

Flights: Please contact us for more information or if you would like assistance booking your flights.

Arrive in Santiago, Chile (SCL) sometime on March 13 for overnight.

Depart from El Calafate, Argentina (FTE) on March 30 or on April 2 if you are on Extension 1 to connect with a night flight homeward from the international airport in Buenos Aires (EZE). Allow extra time between flights to take a taxi between the domestic and international airports in Buenos Aires. See the separate itinerary for flight information if you are on Extension 2.

Internal Flights: The internal flights described in this itinerary are not included and you should book them along with your international flight tickets. We will let you know what flights to book when the flights schedules are firmed up about eleven months before the return flights home.

Travel Insurance: Emergency Medical Insurance is optional, but encouraged, for this tour. Read about travel insurance and our recommendations and requirements.

Non-smoking Policy: We have a strict non-smoking policy - smoking is not permitted at any time or any place during our tours.

Mailing List: If you would like to be on our mailing list or request information, please use our online information request form or contact us to give us your name, address, email address and phone number. Please note we will never share your personal information with anybody!

Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage, or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. We reserve the right to cancel the tour prior to departure in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited. Baggage is at the owner's risk.

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is registered as California Seller of Travel #2063050-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC). In event of a client canceling where a refund is applicable in accordance with the schedule above, or in the event that CES needs to cancel the trip, all payments for transportation or travel service not provided to the client shall be promptly refunded, unless the client instructs us otherwise in writing. All client payments are deposited into a trust account in accordance with California law. If for any reason a valid refund is not forthcoming, the client may request reimbursement from the TCRC within six months of the scheduled end of the tour. Please feel free to ask us for more information.

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All material © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris.
All photos © Doug or Ted Cheeseman, unless otherwise credited.
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