CHILE

Our long-running comprehensive itinerary is Chile: The Classic Tour, which traverses this dramatic country north to south, visiting major parks and reserves across a range of habitats—from high-elevation Lauca National Park in the far north, to the rich waters of the Humboldt Current off Valparaiso, to ancient Nothofagus beech forests and puna grasslands and the legendary Strait of Magellan. It is like visiting four countries in one trip.

Birders can expect to record more than 250 species, including southern specialties and sought-after endemics like Crag Chilia, Moustached Turca, and the charismatic tapaculos—Chucao, Huet-Huet, and Dusky Tapaculo. The tour also offers chances to see the regal Andean Condor soaring above mountain valleys, the striking Magellanic Woodpecker in Patagonian forests, and rare gems such as Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, Magellanic Plover, and Austral Rail. A pelagic trip off Valparaiso reveals a parade of albatrosses and petrels, while ferry crossings and coastal birding bring encounters with penguins, steamer-ducks, and other seabirds. From the flamingos and rheas of the high Andes to the King Penguin colony on Tierra del Fuego, Chile’s birding is as varied as its landscapes.

Our other itinerary is Birds & Wines of Chile and Argentina, another one of our special combination tours for birders and wine-lovers. This route travels from Santiago and the nearby coast at Viña del Mar across the Andes to the wine country of Mendoza, with some great birding along the way, from Moustached Turcas and Inca Terns to Burrowing Parrots, gallitos, White-tipped Plantcutter, and perhaps even Andean Condor.

Comfortable travel, clean and safe cities, and a fine park system make exploring Chile's avian wonders both easy and unforgettable.

Photo credit: Our thanks to participant Rick Woodruff for the scenic image from Patagonia at the top of this page.

We offer many other SOUTH AMERICA birding tours, too!