Blue Whales and Pumas in Chile

Naturetrek’s new 16-day Chilean wildlife holiday has two very specific aims. Firstly, to observe the southern summer gatherings of Blue Whales in the cold waters of Corcovado Gulf, and secondly to search out one of South America’s largest Puma populations at its most visible, amongst the wilderness of Torres del Paine National Park.

Blue Whales, though the world’s largest living creatures, have for the most part avoided the glare of publicity accorded many other cetaceans through keeping to the vast expanses of the world’s open oceans. However, in recent years scientists have discovered remarkable regular concentrations of up 100 whales off Chiloe Island in the Gulf of Corcovado, at the edge of Chilean Fjords.

Research suggests that whales are being drawn by swarms of plankton, making the Gulf’s cold waters an ideal nursery for calving females, although this theory remains unproven. Naturetrek’s tour spends 6-nights on Chiloe island, taking an 8-hour whale-watching cruise into the Gulf looking out for the characteristic 9 metre ‘spout’ that announces the presence of adult Blue Whales and accompanying calves. Other cetacean species may also be observed, including Humpbacks and Peale’s Dolphins, whilst onshore Southern River Otter and Darwin’s Fox are notable highlights.

Taking a short flight south to Tierra del Fuego, amongst the jagged peaks and brilliant blue lakes of Torres del Paine National Park the tour’s second mammalian objective is sought out – Puma or Mountain Lion. At this time of year constantly demanding young cubs drive female Pumas to increase their hunting regime, encompassing more daylight hours. However, despite the cats’ earnest activity and their relative abundance, finding this wily predator is no easy task. Expert local trackers are employed to maximise the chances of observing a family group at a discreet distance. Other wildlife highlights in the Park include herds of Guanaco, Andean Deer together with Chilla and Culpeo Foxes.

The tour costs £4,695 p/p including scheduled international flights, domestic flights, transfers, comfortable hotel accommodation and expertly guided wildlife viewing activities.

For more information, log on to Naturetrek.co.uk.