South American Natural Adventures

Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego. Birding at the End of the World.

9days/8nights

In Brief

On this journey we will discover the southernmost birdlife of the American continent amidst one of the wildest landscapes on Earth, Patagonia.

Beginning in Punta Arenas, we will cross the Strait of Magellan, enjoying the company of Peale’s Dolphin and the graceful flight of Black-browed Albatrosses and Antarctic Giant Petrels. In the windswept steppes of Tierra del Fuego, there is a great diversity of ducks and geese, including both Flying and Flightless Steamer Ducks, the beautiful Black-necked Swan, and Chilean Flamingos.

Torres del Paine, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is considered one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. A great diversity of habitats, comprising steppes, shrublands and Nothofagus woods, are encompassed by the extraordinary and dramatic beauty of a mountain backdrop and surrounding glaciers. Our group will be continually observed by the magnificent Andean Condors soaring overhead.

Highlights

• The magnificent Andean Condor soaring in the Southern Andes
• Stunning waders including Magellanic Plover, Two-banded Plover, Rufous-chested Dotterel and Tawny-throated Dotterel
• Remarkable forest-dwelling birds such the Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Parakeet and Chilean Hawk
• Commerson’s and Peale’s Dolphins in the Strait of Magellan
• Striking flora, including three species of Nothofagus beech, in the southernmost forests of the world
  

Itinerary

Day 1: Santiago / Punta Arenas
Fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas, and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your flight there may be time to look around this small city. The cemetery holds considerable interest, and all travelers should visit the Plaza de Armas, where legend has it if you kiss (or rub) the foot of the Indian on the statue of Magellan, you will return to Patagonia.

Days 2 & 3: Punta Arenas & Tierra del Fuego
Starting from Punta Arenas, we will cross the Strait of Magellan to the windswept steppes of Tierra del Fuego. Here we explore the saline ponds of the area searching for the rare and odd-looking Magellanic Plover and other endemic species of Patagonia. Then we will explore the shrubby slopes of the Baquedano Hills, searching for specialities such as Rufous-chested Dotterel, Austral Canastero and the stunning Black-throated Finch.

Days 4-7: Torres del Paine National Park
We will spend four days searching for birds and other wildlife within this extraordinary national park. Our visits to subantarctic woods will provide plenty of opportunities to see Thorn-tailed Rayadito, White-throated Treerunner and Austral Parakeet. We will explore mountain slopes looking for specialties such as White-throated Caracara, Grey-breasted Seedsnipe and Yellow-bridled Finch. We will scan the fast-flowing rivers hoping to find the remarkable Torrent Duck. In the eastern side of the park, we will delight in seeing groups of Lesser Rheas and the most southern representative of the camelid family, the Guanaco.

Day 8: Punta Arenas
Today we return to Punta Arenas, where depending on flights either overnight in Punta Arenas or fly to Santiago to overnight.

Day 9: Punta Arenas or Santiago
Transfer today to your next flight, or continue your stay in Chile.

Tour Details

What is included: all guiding, flights Santiago-Punta Arenas-Santaigo, airport transfers in Santiago and Punta Arenas, ground transportation, flight Porvenir - Punta Arenas, 8 nights accommodation, all meals with the exception of dinner Day 8, from dinner Day 1 to breakfast Day 9, service charges, boat and ferry trips, entrance fees, and local guide services. Tipping at restaurants and for porters is also included. This is a very inclusive tour.

What is not included: flights to/from Chile, entrance tax to Chile, tipping for drivers and local guides, travel insurance, private excursions, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

Departures: tours depart with a minimum of two guests, and operate on demand September to March.

Cost: $2625 per person based on double occupancy (2004).

Please call for current international airfares to Chile - there can be distinct price advantages when we combine US domestic, international and internal Chilean air using LAN, the national carrier of Chile and one of the world's premier airlines - a Oneworld Member.

For more information call toll free on 1 877 9CHILE9, or email us