Chile Andes & Tierra del Fuego
Saturday 8th to Wednesday 26th November 2008
AA8035
Enormous yet
graceful Andean Condors soar above beautiful, snow-capped Andean peaks - but
Grey Gulls breed in the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth. On the
outskirts of Chile’s bustling capital, Santiago, Chimango Caracara,
Long-tailed Meadowlark, Southern Lapwing and Austral Thrush are common
birds, but this country also has some rare and fascinating species -
Diademed Sandpiper-plover, Magellanic Woodpecker and Giant Hummingbird. To
the west lies the coastal resort of Viña del Mar, home to Humboldt Penguins
and vast seabird colonies; further south, Spectacled &
Torrent Ducks can be found amidst the stunning waterfalls, glaciers and
massifs of the Torres del Paine National Park. Wonderful Patagonian wetlands
support ducks, flamingos, geese and rheas; and amidst the dramatic scenery
of the Magellan Strait and Tierra del Fuego, we have the opportunity to
encounter Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel, Magellanic Penguin
and marine mammals such as dolphins and sea lions. This Avian Adventure is
crammed with excitement - breathtaking landscapes and a species list to
tempt even the most experienced birdwatcher.Days 1 & 2: We fly from London to Santiago (arriving Day 2), and transfer to our hotel on the outskirts of the city. We will do some local birdwatching if time allows.
Overnight – Santiago
Days 3 & 4: Domestic flight on Day 3 from Santiago to Arica, a coastal town in the north. From here, we will travel into the high Andes (Lanca National Park), where amidst beautiful scenery and Puna habitat we should see specialities such as Andean Condor, Giant Coot, Andean Gull, Andean Avocet, Torrent Duck, Giant Hummingbird - and, if we are lucky, Diademed Sandpiper-plover.
Overnights – Putre
Days 5 & 6: As we descend from the high zone through the Atacama Desert, we shall make a 2-night stay in Arica. On Day 6 we will explore the varied local habitats, from lush valleys to the coast, looking for Giant Conebill, Peruvian Meadowlark, Chestnut-throated Seedeater, Band-tailed & Kelp Gulls and Inca Tern.
Overnights – Arica
Days 7 & 8: We fly from Arica to Santiago and then drive to Viña del Mar, possibly visiting some wetlands en route. The pelagic trip into the Humboldt Current can be quite outstanding, with chances of Black-browed & Grey-headed Albatrosses, Pink-footed & Sooty Shearwaters, Wilson’s & Cook’s Petrels. Later at Pituma Lake we could see Yellow-billed Pintails and Chiloe Wigeon amongst many other species.
Overnights - Viña del Mar
Days 9 & 10: In Puyehue National Park, a dramatic contrasting landscape of snow-capped peaks, blue lakes and volcanoes, we shall search for many Andean specialities, such as Black-throated Huet-huet, Austral Pygmy-Owl, Chilean Flicker, Chucao & Andean Tapaculos, Yellow-bridled Finch and Fire-eyed Diucons.
Overnights – Antillanca
Days 11 & 12: We fly to Punta Arenas and then drive to the Torres del Paine National Park, a magnificent location. Here, amidst glaciers, wetlands, steppe and forest, is a wealth of birdlife.
Overnights - Torres del Paine
Days 13 - 15: The ferry crossing to Tierra del Fuego should produce sightings of Southern Fulmar, Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel and Magellanic Diving Petrel. We will explore the superb scenery in search of its splendid birdlife: Blackish Oystercatcher, Magellanic Plover, Austral Parakeet, Magellanic Woodpecker, Thorn-tailed Rayadito and White-throated Treerunner - just a few we may see.
Overnights - Punta Arenas
Days 16 & 17: After a morning’s birding at Parrillar Forest Reserve, we fly to Santiago. On Day 17 we shall visit El Yeso Reservoir, looking for Andean Condor, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Mountain Parakeet, Greater Yellow-finches and Mourning Sierra-finches and Diademed Sandpiper-plover. Overnights – Santiago
Days 18 & 19: Return flight to London, arriving on Day 19.