Pumas and/or Commerson’s Dolphins
Dear Colleagues, I am seeking your opinions. I have 8 scheduled safaris scheduled at Torres del Paine – mostly searching from the roads for Puma (not rich enough for the estancias). Basically 4 days searching for Pumas in the mornings and afternoons, with midday searching for armadillos and other critters. Now I dipped on Commerson’s Dolphins in August in Argentina and I am very tempted to trade 3 of my safaris to head for the dolphins and king penguins. I am curious to hear from experienced travelers to that part of the world. 1) How successful are those “from the road” safaris for the puma? 2) How successful are the Commerson’s dolphins from the ferry down to the king penguin colony? Unfortunately I have to make my decision before going as reservations are required evidently so a spur of the moment attempt is no practical. Thanks in advance for any information you can provide! Cheers, Coke
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5 Comments
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Coke Smith
Thanks so much! Just read your report – beautiful. I am encouraged. I am tempted to go for my 5-safari option and try for the commerson’s too (as well as the king penguins)… I’m a bit nervious about the armadillos however. Hit or miss I know…I wonder where that special place Raphael knew about is… Thanks again!
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Samuel Marlin
Hi Coke
You can see more details in my trip report but when we were in Chile and the Patagonia area in 20222, observing pumas was successful and fairly easy from the road. We got 8 pumas in total in 3 days including great interactions between a mother and 2 cubs. We also searched one day for the armadillo and we saw several very well quite easily on the vast plain between Torres del Paine NP, Cerro Guido and our hotel in Cerro Castillo. Regarding Commerson’s Dolphin and like everybody else I believe we could see some every time we crossed by ferry the Punta Delgada straight. We weather conditions were bad at that time and photo opportunities not good but dolphins were there. -
Sjoerdvanbh
As to the Commerson Dolphins in Argentina. There are several local touroperators in Puerto Rawson, south of the Peninsula Valdez. A boattrip last about 90 minutes and the cost are around 80 to 110 US dollars depending on high or low season. There’s a nice pod of these dolphins in the bay in front of Puerto Rawson.
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Andreas Jonsson
No experience with the Commerson´s Dolphin but regarding “from the road safari” for Puma it´s easy to see them.
I did a trip report in 2024 from this experience.
I saw 6 different individuals in 2 full days from the public roads. There is quite alot of cars going back and forward and everyone sharing information if asked.