Wildlife Cruises
Both Patagonia’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts are teeming with wildlife, and the best way to put yourself in the action is by taking the water on an adventure cruise ship or a …
Discover MoreDeep roots in Patagonia: We are ex-guides, tour leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, & adventurers.
We’ve got our feet on the ground: Impartial advice, a bespoke service, and at no extra cost.
For the ends of the Earth: Sustainability is more than our carbon footprint (but we’re reducing that too).
Patagonia is an area of fabulous biodiversity, home to many species classified as endangered or vulnerable. We work with carefully selected local partners to get you close to the animals in the wild without risk to their environment. The season and the region will determine what Patagonian wildlife you'll encounter.
This beautiful big cat is the largest predator in Patagonia and the southern-most dweller of all its relatives. The Chilean government made puma hunting illegal in 1980, and numbers have since increased. Pumas take full advantage of the varied terrain in Torres del Paine and are able to live in the cold, warmth, forest & mountains. They are most often seen at dusk and dawn when out hunting for one of their favourite dishes...guanacos! Our dedicated puma tracking experts know these areas like the back of their hands, and give you the very best chances of observing pumas in their natural habitat.
There are four main type of whales to be found in Patagonia: the Orca or 'Killer whale', the Humpback whale, the Southern Right whale, and the Blue Whale. Peninsula Valdes is the place to go for both Southern Right Whales (June-December) and Orcas (September, March & April). Humpback whales can be seen in southern Patagonia, for example on a whale watching adventure cruise, and blue whales can be spotted off of the Island of Chiloe.
Penguin reserves can be found throughout Chilean Patagonia, from Punta Arenas and Ushuaia to Peninsula Valdes, and Chiloe Island. Magellanic penguins are the most widespread of the breeds to be found in Patagonia, but it is also possible to see Humboldt penguins, gentoo penguins, and even king Penguins.
As well as the famous pumas, penguins and whales, Patagonia has an abundance of other wildlife. From over-sized rodents to chicken-brain eating cats, any animal lover will be in their element in this area of Chile and Argentina.
The waters around Patagonia are home to an abundance of marine life. Along with the magnificent whales there are playful dolphins, sunbathing sea lions and seals and endangered marine otters.
Patagonia is home to over 460 species of birds, making a trip to Chile or Argentina an unforgettable experience for any birder. From the famous and dominating Andean Condor swooping high above you to the tiny Austral Pygmy-Owl's screeching call at dusk, there are birds to find everywhere.
Patagonia is home to some incredibly unusual and diverse wildlife, from clumsy penguins to enormous whales and elusive big cats. Our expert naturalist guides and trackers responsibly and respectfully help you to to get up close and personal with these amazing animals.
Patagonia Wildlife trips scored 4.2/5 from 89 reviews
Wildlife spotting opportunities were truly amazing. We had seen herds of Guanacos in multiple locations throughout the visit - within Torres del Paine and also while driving along Useless Bay in Torres del Fuego region. We were lucky enough to spot a Puma! Read the full review
Travelled: December 2023
Kalyan Peri - USA
Standing close to the penguins was very moving. They are such gentle creatures and as you watch them their quirky ways bring smiles to the face. We were lucky to see whales on our way back and it is impossible to forget the face of the bull sea lion standing there in all his glory. To see as many Condors as we did, 10 came out to bid us farewell, was an awesome sight. Read the full review
Travelled: March 2023
Chris Gibbs - UK
The highlight of the trip was the wildlife. Just being in their land knowing that you are just visiting is an experience beyond words. Read the full review
Travelled: March 2019
Eduardo Marin - United States Of America
We were lucky enough to see a male and female huemul deer, 4 different puma, a skunk, red and grey fox, of course lots of guanacos, condors and shore birds. Read the full review
Travelled: February 2019
Paul Miller - United States Of America
The wildlife was fantastic. We were extremely lucky in seeing several endangered, endemic species, the southern river otter, the pudu deer, the huemel deer. Read the full review
Travelled: February 2019
Paul Miller - United States Of America
The nature of Torres del Paine is like a miracle. We saw 7 pumas during our stay! Read the full review
Travelled: December 2018
Galina Polshakova - Russian Federation
The wildlife we saw was incredible – giant woodpeckers, huemuls, caracaras, condors, guanacos, and rheas. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2018
Dindy Pawlinger - United States Of America
Sebastian spotted a puma for us which was a great excitement and beyond what we could have expected. Amazingly enough, this particular puma is featured in the latest issue of National Geographic! Read the full review
Travelled: December 2018
Elizabeth Parker - South Africa
The highlight was probably the whale watching and the penguin colony on Peninsula Valdes. The wildlife, landscape, people were amazing as usual! Read the full review
Travelled: September 2018
Melanie Marin - United States Of America
Watching condors circling overhead as we were being blasted by the wind on rocky cliffs was memorable. Stumbling across a family of upland geese feeding and seeing a family of huemul were real treats. I could go on and on about rheas, guanaco, mara, king penguins, torrent ducks etc. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2017
Jo McGrouther - Australia
The wildlife was crazy, we saw condors, eagles, guanacos, giant hares, wild horses and more bird varieties than we could imagine.
Travelled: October 2017
Richard & Susan - Canada
The wildlife was surprisingly abundant and all around us, from Guanacos, Pumas (spotted while on bus!), Andean Foxes, Condors, Carpintero Gigante, Caracara, Flamingos, Ibis, Falcons which followed us to Grey Glacier, and the ubiquitous Southern Lapwing.
Travelled: March 2017
Andy - UK
There is so much to see, you have to go to experience it. The wildlife such as the Rea, Condors, various species of Lama, the whales, all just beautiful.
Travelled: December 2016
Steve - UK
We had such an amazing (if exhausting!) time. Thank you for all you all have done for us; you make it all work so well and have given us more than I could ever have hoped for.
Travelled: October 2015
Margy -
Review:
It was around 6am, and creeping along a ridge in the dusky morning light was a female puma with two cubs. My guide and I gazed up at them in awe as they went about their usual business, then silently slipped over the ridge.
Swoop Expert
Both Patagonia’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts are teeming with wildlife, and the best way to put yourself in the action is by taking the water on an adventure cruise ship or a …
Discover MoreThe Valdes region is the number one destination for wildlife in Patagonia. The peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the most important areas for marine mammals …
Discover MoreThe unique geography of the Valdes Peninsula has made it a haven for whales, and this is now one of the best places in Patagonia to see them. Rarely do whales make it quite so easy…
Discover MorePatagonia is a vast and varied region, with a wealth of things to see and do, a range of places to stay and a limited transport network.
Why not let us do the hard work for you? Our team of experts will work with you to design an adventure to your exact requirements, from hiking and horse-riding trips to wine-tasting tours and undiscovered lodges.
We’ll work around your budget and arrange flights, transfers and buses, to create your perfect trip.
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.
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