INTRODUCTION

Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego | 7 days, 6 nights | Trip Code PAT03

 

Trip Highlights

• The magnificent Condor soaring in the Southern Andes.

• Stunning waders including Magellanic Plover, Two-banded Plover, Rufous-chested Dotterel, Tawny-throated Dotterel and seedsnipes!.

• Remarkable forest-dwelling birds such the Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Parakeet and Chilean Hawk.

• Commerson's and Peale's dolphins in the Straits of Magellan.

• Visit to a Magellanic Penguin colony and associated seabirds.

• Striking flora, including three species of Nothofagus beech, the southernmost forests in the world.

This program is operated as a scheduled departure, leaving on a set date.

A custom trip (flexible option which runs on a date you choose giving you more privacy) is available upon request for individuals or small private groups.

 

The Difference of Traveling with Fantástico Sur Expeditions:

• Great accommodation, superb dinning cuisine and memorable picnic lunches.

• Spacious vehicles that ensure a window seat to each trip participant.

• Each of our trips have a maximum of 6 participants.

• Each vehicle and driver we use has been authorized by the Chilean Transportation Authority.

• The service and expertise of a professional local naturalist birding guide, who will look after every logistical aspect of “your” holiday.

• The use of top-class spotting scopes for our guests for a better observation, identification and study of the birds and other wildlife.

• You will receive a free, signed copy of one of our great birding books for Patagonia.

• …plus an useful pre-departure information package, including maps, checklist and more.

 

Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego can be combined with one of the following optional extensions:

• Tierra del Fuego & Cape Horn Expedition Cruise (4 days | 3 nights ; 5 days | 4 nights);

• The Falkland Islands (8 days / 7 nights), penguin encounters in the South Atlantic.

 

ITINERARY

Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego | 7 days, 6 nights | Trip Code PAT03

 

Day 1 • Saturday | Arrival to Punta Arenas – Otway Sound and Rio Verde

After meeting your guide at the airport (before 11am), upon your arrival from Santiago, you will be transferred in a private vehicle to Otway Sound to visit an small breeding colony of Magellanic Penguin colony. We will be able to see our first Lesser Rhea along the road. Later we will visit the inland sound of Skyring and Fitz Roy Channel. Here we expect to see some dolphins (Peale's and hopefully the endemic Chilean Dolphin) and we will be scanning the surrounding cliffs, which hold an Andean Condor roost.

Hotel Diego de Almagro or similar, Punta Arenas (4*). (L,D)(G).

 

Day 2 • Sunday | Ferry to Tierra del Fuego – Laguna de los Cisnes area

During our 2-hour ferry crossing to Porvenir, Tierra del Fuego, we will enjoy the company of tubenoses such as Black-browed Albatrosses, Southern Giant Petrels, Cape and White-chinned Petrels, and Magellanic Diving-Petrels. Among our target species in Tierra del Fuego will be interesting shorebirds including Two-banded and Magellanic Plovers and Rufous-chested Dotterel. Then we will explore the shrubby slopes and moorlands of the Baquedano Hills, as we search for specialties such as Magellanic Horned Owl, Austral Canastero and the stunning Black-throated Finch.

Hostería Yendegaia, Porvenir (2*). (B,L,D)(G).

 

Day 3 • Monday | Birding Tierra del Fuego – Useless Bay

Today we will explore the huge embayment of Bahía Inútil – Useless Bay – where it is likely to find a wealth of seabirds and other aquatic birds. We will concentrate in finding Flightless and Flying Steamer-Ducks, Kelp Goose as well as King, Imperial and Rock Shags. We might find large numbers of gulls such as Kelp, Brown-hooded, and Dolphin Gulls and South American Tern. Along the bay we will have a slight chance of finding King Penguin as well.

Hostería Yendegaia, Porvenir (2*). (B,L,D)(G).

 

Day 4 • Tuesday | Ferry to mainland – Pali Aike road – Drive to Puerto Natales

Today we will cross the windswept steppes of Tierra del Fuego and mainland Patagonia in search of its specialties including Ruddy-headed Goose, Least Seedsnipe, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Short-billed Miner, Band-tailed Earthcreeper and Chocolate-vented Tyrant. A short ferry ride will allow us to be on mainland once again and if we are lucky to see the striking Commerson’s Dolphin following the wake. Chilean Flamingos, Upland Goose, Coscoroba Swans, Silver Teal, Black-headed Duck, and Rosy-billed Pochard will be possible to see. Thousands of waders such as Wilson’s Phalarope, Baird’s and White-rumped Sandpipers will be common at the roadside wetlands while we explore and enjoy of the beauty of this “big sky” open country.

Weskar Lodge or similar, Puerto Natales (3*). (B,L,D)(G).

 

Day 5 • Wednesday | Torres del Paine National Park

During our journey to the park, we will observe how the strong southerly winds have sculpted the vegetation of the Patagonian steppes. We will try to find southern grey foxes and Patagonian skunks while enjoying our first contact with southern beech (Nothofagus) forests. This morning we will explore the lagoons of the eastern side of the park in search of a wealth of waterbirds including Great Grebe, Spectacled Duck, Chiloe Wigeon, Speckled Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, among others. We also expect to see Cinereous Harrier and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle hovering in these places in search of its prey. Chilean Flicker, Striped Woodpecker and Austral Pygmy Owl will be our tagets around a patch of secondary woodland. 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 the most southern representative of the camelid family, the charismatic Guanaco. The reed-fringed lagoons can be very interesting; we hope to find Andean Duck, Silvery and White-tufted Grebes and with luck the elusive and recently re-discovered Austral Rail. We will visit Lake Grey to enjoy the dramatic sight of its southern shore dominated by stunning blue icebergs. Our visits to the surrounding sub-Antarctic forests will provide ample opportunity to observe Thorn-tailed Rayadito, White-throated Treerunner, Austral Parakeet, Austral Blackbird and the striking Magellanic Woodpecker.

Hostería Las Torres or similar, Torres del Paine (4*). (B,L,D)(G).

 

Day 6 • Thursday | Sierra Baguales – Punta Arenas

Early in the morning we will explore the Baguales Range, located north-east of Torres del Paine. Along the road, in the scrubby gullies, we will look for interesting passerines such as Patagonian Mockingbird and Gray-bellied Shrike-Tyrant. As we continue exploring this montane habitat we might find the local White-throated Caracara, Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, Cinnamon-bellied and Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrants, Patagonian and Greater Yellow-Finches and the stunning Yellow-bridled Finch. During the afternoon you will be transferred to Punta Arenas for overnight.

Hotel Diego de Almagro or similar, Punta Arenas (4*). (L,D)(G).

Day 7 • Friday | Punta Arenas

Transfer to Punta Arenas airport after breakfast. End of the trip. (B).

 

Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide; *=Hotel Category

 

MAP

Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego | 7 days, 6 nights | Trip Code PAT03

DATES & RATES

Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego | 7 days, 6 nights | Trip Code PAT03

 

Dates and Rates for Scheduled departures:

Trip Length	7 days | 6 nights ; Saturday through Friday
2010 Dates	Oct 16-22 ($1,998)  Nov 20-26 ($1,998)  Dec 11-17 ($1,998)
2011 Dates	Jan 22-28 ($1,998)  Feb 19-25 ($1,998)  Mar 5-11 ($1,998)  Oct 15-21 (TBA)  Nov 19-25 (TBA)  Dec 10-16 (TBA)
Single Supplement	$250.00
Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 4 participants.  Maximum group size 6 participants.

 
Rates for Custom departures (for private groups | you choose the date):

Trip Length	7 days | 6 nights ; Saturday through Friday
Price per person	1 guest @ $3,559, based in single room  2 guests @ $2,266 p.p., sharing 1 twin/double room  3 guests @ $1,898 p.p., sharing 1 triple room  3 guests @ $2,098 p.p., 1 double/twin room + 1 single room  4 guests @ $1,998 p.p., sharing 2 twin/double rooms
Single Supplement	$250.00
Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 2 participants.

 

What the trip includes/excludes

The above price is per person in US Dollars. All payments are in US Dollars.

Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.

The trip price includes: All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, ferry fares to Tierra del Fuego and park entrance fees.

The trip price excludes: Domestic flights (Santiago – Punta Arenas – Santiago or other route), tipping, travel insurance, entrance tax to Chile, excess baggage charges, private excursions, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

 

Tour Registration: To book this tour, please complete our registration form. We will process your booking form and will send you (within 24 hours) a note with space confirmation and a deposit invoice with payment instructions. The deposit amount is $350 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

NOTE: Inquires received on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays will be replied during the following working day.

 

Cancellation Policy: Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.

Refunds are made according to the following schedule:

If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 200 is refundable.

If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.

If cancellation is made fewer than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.

This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.

 

GUIDES

Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego | 7 days, 6 nights | Trip Code PAT03

 

	Claudio F. Vidal has been bird-watching since the age of 12 and he leads bird-watching and natural history tours throughout Chile. He is very keen on pelagic birdlife and marine mammals occurring in the Humboldt Current, Patagonia, and Antarctica as well as in photography, being particularly interested in photographying the wild flowers of desert and mediterranean regions of the world. Claudio is currently working on a field guide to the birds of Chile with other Chilean birders, and is co-author of the photographic guide "Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & Antarctic Peninsula". He is involved in several nature-based tourism projects in Chile, and he is also partner and director of Fantastico Sur Expeditions. He lives in Punta Arenas.
	Enrique Couve has been birdwatching for over 40 years in his native country of Chile and is the author of the photographic guide "Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Antarctic Peninsula", among several other bird and nature photography field guides and books. He is extremely skilled in finding and identifying birds and is an excellent nature photographer, having one of the most complete portfolios of Chile’s birds and wildlife. Enrique has travelled extensivley throughout Chile, its oceanic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, as well as in other countries of South America. He is partner and director of Fantastico Sur Expeditions and lives in Punta Arenas with his wife and their four children.
	Roberto Donoso has been part of our team since 2003, but he has been involved in the process of learning about birding and handling visitors to Chile and Patagonia since 1999. Roberto has an extensive experience leading birdwatching tours throughout Chile and Juan Fernandez islands, and his most recent trips has taken him to the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. During the last couple of years he has developed an increasing interest in mammals, particularly cats, and he is responsible of developing some of the hard-core puma and mammal tours that we are currently carrying out with clients from the US and the UK. Rob is one of the Fantastico Sur favourite guides due to his kind and charismatic personality, his particular attention to detail and his involvement with the goals and interests of our clients. Roberto lives in Punta Arenas with his wife Vjera and their two lovely girls, Vjerita and Florencia.

 

PHOTOS

Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego | 7 days, 6 nights | Trip Code PAT03

 

Check out our set of images from recent birding trips in Chilean Patagonia.

 

CHECKLIST

Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego | 7 days, 6 nights | Trip Code PAT03

 

Checklist for the Birds and Mammals of Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego (possible species to be seen during this trip)

Compiled by Claudio F. Vidal, Fantástico Sur Expeditions (2010)

 

B I R D S

 

Rheas | Rheidae 

Lesser Rhea Rhea pennata

Penguins | Spheniscidae 

Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus magellanicus

Grebes | Podicipedidae 

White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland 

Great Grebe Podiceps major 

Silvery Grebe Podiceps occipitalis

Albatrosses | Diomedeidae 

Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris

Shearwaters & Petrels | Procellariidae 

Antarctic Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus 

Southern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialoides 

Cape Petrel Daption capense 

White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis 

Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus

Storm-Petrels | Hydrobatidae 

Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus

Diving-Petrels | Pelecanoididae 

Magellanic Diving-Petrel Pelecanoides magellani

Cormorants | Phalacrocoracidae 

Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus 

Rock Shag Phalacrocorax magellanicus 

Imperial Shag Phalacrocorax atriceps

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns | Ardeidae 

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 

Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Ibises & Spoonbills | Threskiornithidae 

Black-faced Ibis Theristicus melanopis

Flamingos | Phoenicopteridae 

Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis

Ducks, Geese & Swans | Anatidae 

Black-necked Swan Cygnus melanocorypha 

Coscoroba Swan Coscoroba coscoroba 

Upland Goose Chloephaga picta 

Kelp Goose Chloephaga hybrida 

Ashy-headed Goose Chloephaga poliocephala 

Ruddy-headed Goose Chloephaga rubidiceps 

Flightless Steamerduck Tachyeres pteneres 

Flying Steamerduck Tachyeres patachonicus 

Chiloe Wigeon Anas sibilatrix 

Speckled Teal Anas flavirostris 

Spectacled Duck Anas specularis 

Crested Duck Anas specularioides 

Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica 

White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis 

Silver Teal Anas versicolor 

Red Shoveler Anas platalea 

Black-headed Duck Heteronetta atricapilla 

Andean Duck Oxyura ferruginea 

Lake Duck Oxyura vittata

New World Vultures | Cathartidae 

Andean Condor Vultur gryphus

Hawks, Eagles & Kites | Accipitridae 

Cinereous Harrier Circus cinereus 

Chilean Hawk Accipiter chilensis 

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus 

Variable Hawk Buteo polyosoma

Falcons & Caracaras | Falconidae 

Southern Crested Caracara Caracara plancus 

Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango 

American Kestrel Falco sparverius 

Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis 

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Rails, Gallinules & Coots | Rallidae 

Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus 

White-winged Coot Fulica leucoptera 

Red-gartered Coot Fulica armillata 

Red-fronted Coot Fulica rufifrons

Oystercatchers Haematopodidae 

Magellanic Oystercatcher Haematopus leucopodus 

Blackish Oystercatcher Haematopus ater 

American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus

Plovers & Lapwings Charadriidae 

Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis 

American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica 

Two-banded Plover Charadrius falklandicus 

Rufous-chested Dotterel Charadrius modestus 

Tawny-throated Dotterel Oreopholus ruficollis

Magellanic Plover | Pluvianellidae 

Magellanic Plover Pluvianellus socialis

Sandpipers & Allies | Scolopacidae 

South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae 

Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica 

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Red Knot Calidris canutus

Sanderling Calidris alba

White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis

Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii

Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor

Seedsnipes | Thinocoridae

Gray-breasted Seedsnipe Thinocorus orbignyianus

Least Seedsnipe Thinocorus rumicivorus

Sheathbills | Chionidae

Snowy Sheathbill Chionis alba

Skuas & Jaegers | Stercoraridae

Chilean Skua Stercorarius chilensis

Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus

Gulls | Laridae

Dolphin Gull Larus scoresbii

Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus

Brown-hooded Gull Larus maculipennis

Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan

South American Tern Sterna hirundinacea

Doves & Pigeons | Columbidae

Rock Dove Columba livia

Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata

Parrots, Macaws & Allies | Psittacidae

Austral Parakeet Enicognathus ferrugineus

Barn Owls | Tytonidae

Barn Owl Tyto alba

Typical Owls | Strigidae

Magellanic Horned Owl Bubo magellanicus

Austral Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium nanum

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus

Hummingbirds | Trochilidae

Green-backed Firecrown Sephanoides sephaniodes

Kingfishers | Alcedinidae

Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata

Woodpeckers & Allies | Picidae

Striped Woodpecker Picoides lignarius

Chilean Flicker Colaptes pitius

Magellanic Woodpecker Campephilus magellanicus

Ovenbirds | Furnariidae

Common Miner Geositta cunicularia

Short-billed Miner Geositta antarctica

Scale-throated Earthcreeper Upucerthia dumetaria

Band-tailed Earthcreeper Eremobius phoenicurus

Dark-bellied Cinclodes Cinclodes patagonicus

Gray-flanked Cinclodes Cinclodes oustaleti

Bar-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus

Thorn-tailed Rayadito Aphrastura spinicauda

Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura aegithaloides

Wren-like Rushbird Phleocryptes melanops

Lesser Canastero Asthenes pyrrholeuca

Cordilleran Canastero Asthenes modesta

Austral Canastero Asthenes anthoides

White-throated Treerunner Pygarrhichas albogularis

Tapaculos Rhinocryptidae

Magellanic Tapaculo Scytalopus magellanicus

Plantcutters Phytotomidae

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter Phytotoma rara

Tyrant Flycatchers | Tyrannidae

White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps

Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus

Patagonian Tyrant Colorhamphus parvirostris

Fire-eyed Diucon Xolmis pyrope

Chocolate-vented Tyrant Neoxolmis rufiventris

Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola macloviana

Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola capistrata

Austral Negrito Lessonia rufa

Swallows | Hirundinidae

Chilean Swallow Tachycineta meyeni

Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Wagtails & Pipits | Motacillidae

Correndera Pipit Anthus correndera

Wrens | Troglodytidae

House Wren Troglodytes aedon

Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis

Mockingbirds & Thrashers | Mimidae

Patagonian Mockingbird Mimus patagonicus

Thrushes & Allies | Turdidae

Austral Thrush Turdus falcklandii

Old World Sparrows | Passeridae

House Sparrow ( I ) Passer domesticus

Siskins, Crossbills & Allies | Fringillidae

Black-chinned Siskin Carduelis barbata

Buntings, Sparrows & Allies | Emberizidae

Gray-hooded Sierra-Finch Phrygilus gayi

Patagonian Sierra-Finch Phrygilus patagonicus

Mourning Sierra-Finch Phrygilus fruticeti

Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor

Canary-winged Finch Melanodera melanodera

Patagonian Yellow-Finch Sicalis lebruni

Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis

Troupials & Allies | Icteridae

Long-tailed Meadowlark Sturnella loyca

Austral Blackbird Curaeus curaeus

 

M A M M A L S

 

Armadillos | Dasypodidae

Big Hairy Armadillo Chaetophractus villosus

Pichi Zaedyus pichiy

 

Rabbits & Hares | Leporidae

Old World Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus

Brown Hare Lepus capensis

 

Nutrias | Myocastoridae

Nutria Myocastor coypus

 

Camels | Camelidae

Guanaco Lama guanicoe

 

Dolphins | Delphinidae

Peale's Dolphin Lagenorhynchus australis

Chilean Dolphin Cephalorhynchus eutropia

Commerson's Dolphin Cephalorhynchus commersonii

 

Eared Seals | Otariidae

Southern Sea Lion Otaria byronia

 

Deer | Cervidae

Southern Andean Deer Hippocamelus bisulcus

 

Cats | Felidae

Puma Puma concolor

 

Dogs | Canidae

Southern Grey Fox Pseudalopex griseus

Culpeo Fox Pseudalopex culpaeus

 

Skunks | Mephitidae

Patagonian Hog-nosed Skunk Conepatus humboldti