Friday 3rd October – Friday 24th October 2008

From Snow-capped Mountains
to Rainforest, Desert, and spectacular Glaciers!

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This unique country dominated by the mighty snow-capped Andes stretches from the Atacama Desert in the north, 4000 km to the wind swept plains of Tierra del Fuego and its sub-antarctic bird life in the south. We will bird watch amongst some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery on Earth, from dry desert to rich forests, high altitude paramo, ice-fields, waterfalls and glaciers. With several internal flights we can get to the very best areas allowing us to search for the country’s prized specialties and endemics. The nutrient rich cold Humboldt Current will see us amongst albatrosses, petrels, penguins and dolphins, while huge Andean Condors circle over icy peaks and high grasslands play host to one of the most sought after waders in the world, the exquisite Diademed Sandpiper-Plover. In the temperate rainforest we will be kept busy finding tapaculos, Burrowing Parrot, 2 Huet-huets, and a host of spectacular forest species, and we will also see volcanoes and the highest lake in the world. Simply fantastic!

Our Tour Itinerary

Day 1
We will take an evening flight from London Heathrow to Madrid where we connect with our late evening flight to Santiago, Chile.

Day 2
A morning arrival at Santiago will see us leave the sprawl of the city and set off on the drive to Vina del Mar for a two night stay on the Pacific coast. As we introduce ourselves to the fantastic sights and sounds of Chile we will make several scheduled stops along the way. We will have already seen our first Chilean Swallows, the endemic Chilean Mockingbird and Chimango Caracaras which are everywhere. Beside a small reed-fringed lake we will find a good selection of water birds that should include Red Gartered, Red-fronted and White-winged Coots, Chiloe Wigeon, Yellow-billed Pintail, White-tufted Grebe, Southern Lapwing and possibly the local Black-headed Duck. The edges of the lake may find us other exciting species such as Wren-like Rushbird, Stripe-backed Bittern and the spectacular Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant. After leaving the lake we will drive to Cachagua to see an important breeding colony of Humboldt Penguins alongside many other birds characteristic of the area. The endemic Chilean Seaside Cinclodes will be our main target here, but we shall also look out for Surfbird, Blackish Oystercatcher, Red-legged Cormorant, Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Booby, Inca Tern or a Southern Sea Otter.

Day 3
After an early breakfast we will take a boat out into the cold waters of the Humboldt Current for what can only be described as one of the world’s most spectacular pelagic trips. These waters which are rich in nutrients gathered together by upwellings from the ocean floor play host to huge numbers of seabirds and many marine mammals. Amongst the hordes of Pink-footed and Sooty Shearwaters we will search for Black-browed, Grey-headed and Northern Royal Albatross, with the chance also of Buller’s, Salvin’s, Chatham Island and even Wandering Albatross. Amongst the many petrels, we have good opportunities to see Cape, White-chinned, Wilson’s Storm, White-bellied Storm, Southern and Northern Giant, Westland, Defilippi’s, Juan Fernandez and Peruvian Diving-Petrel. Add to these flocks of Grey and Red-necked Phalaropes, Chilean and South Polar Skuas, Humboldt Penguin and Inca Tern, and there’s little more to say than “Wow”. After the excitement of this we will have lunch and then drive to a river mouth where we will try to find Plumbeous Rail, White-tailed Kite, Common Diuca-Finch, Spectacled Tyrant and Great Shrike-Tyrant. We will also search for wading birds such as Willet and Hudsonian Curlew amongst Black Skimmer, and Band-tailed, Brown-hooded, Franklin's and Kelp Gulls. Later on we will drive to Laguna El Peral Nature Reserve, a special site for interesting rarities such as the Stripe-backed Bittern and Black-headed Duck (the only totally brood parasitic duck in the world).

Day 4
Early in the morning we will leave the coast to drive to La Campana National Park in the coastal mountains. Here amongst the thorny scrub and cacti we will try to find three Chilean endemics: the noisy and elusive White-throated Tapaculo, Dusky-tailed Canastero and Moustached Turca (a large tapaculo). There is also a good chance of seeing the remarkable Giant Hummingbird, as well as Chilean
Tinamou, Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, Fire-eyed Diucon, Tufted Tit-Tyrant and Rufous-tailed Plantcutter. After leaving this wonderful area and en-route to Santiago, we will stop at a site where we have chances to find both Rosy-billed Pochard and South America Painted Snipe. Overnight Santiago.

Day 5
On a clear day the views of the Andes can be breathtaking! After an early breakfast we will set off to check some of the spectacular montane habitats that include boggy grasslands, flower covered rocky slopes, bushy valleys and jagged rocky outcrops. Pausing along the road we will scan the craggy ravines for Crag Chilia, a Chilean Andes endemic. Today offers us an excellent opportunity of finding the majestic Andean Condor, what a sight it is to see this huge bird soaring over the mountain tops! The reservoir and surrounding meadows of El Yeso are a fantastic setting to encounter one of the world’s most beautiful wading birds – the Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, with careful searching we should find this sometimes incredibly tame bird and a variety of other species including Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, White-sided Hillstar, Cinereous, Ochre-naped and Black-fronted Ground-Tyrants, Scale-throated Earthcreeper, Band-tailed Sierra-Finch, Mountain Caracara and Grey-flanked Cinclodes. Overnight Santiago.

Day 6
Today we transfer to Talca, south of Santiago in search of some very special forest dwelling birds of the Andean slopes. Amongst this spectacular scenery we will look for many species but in particular the superb Chestnut-throated Huet-huet, Great Shrike-tyrant, Magellanic Woodpecker and with luck a Rufous-legged Owl.

Day 7
This morning we have the chance to catch up with any species missed yesterday, before visiting Colbun Reservoir where we will not only concentrate on the endemic Dusky Tapaculo, we will also look for the threatened Chilean race of Burrowing Parrot which can often be seen congregating in noisy flocks. Once successful with our target species we will transfer back to Santiago and our usual hotel.

Day 8
Early in the morning we drive to Farellones ski area. Once again we have the opportunity to find the mighty Andean Condor, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Greater Yellow-Finch, Yellow-rumped Siskin, Grey-hooded and Mourning Sierra-Finches, Cinereous, Black-fronted, White-browed and Rufous-naped Ground-tyrants, Band-tailed and the rare and localised Creamy-rumped Miner, as well as a few species hopefully already seen such as Grey-breasted Seedsnipe and White-sided Hillstar. Returning to Santiago for lunch we then take the short flight to Temuco where we stay for the next two nights. This is the entrance to the Chile’s Lake District, and just outside our luxury hotel is the main entrance to the forested Cerro Nielol nature reserve. Walking the trails here we will attempt to find Black-throated Huet- Huet, Des Murs Wiretail, and the rare and local Rufous-tailed Hawk.

Day 9
Today we will be privileged in visiting the fascinating Conguillio National Park, surrounded by the imposing snow-capped Llaima volcano and spectacular monkey-puzzle Araucaria trees. The sight of these magnificent trees amidst the fantastic mountain backdrop is simple breathtaking. Here we will search for Green-backed Firecrown, White-throated Treerunner, White-crested Elaenia, Patagonian Tyrant plus other specialties of the southern temperate Nothofagus forests. Night Temuco.

Day 10
Today we will take a flight to Puerto Montt in south-central Chile where we drive to the village of Pargua, and take the ferry to the Isla Grande de Chiloé. This is a very interesting mini-pelagic crossing with several seabirds including our first chance to see the Magellanic Penguin. Other birds and mammals that will accompany our journey include Common and Magellanic Diving-Petrels, Wilson’s
and occasionally Black-bellied Storm-Petrels, Peale’s and Chilean Dolphins, South American Sea Lions and Southern Fur Seals. We then have a short visit to the bay of Caulín where we expect to see Flightless Steamer Duck, Snowy-crowned Tern, Silvery Grebe, Ringed Kingfisher and wintering flocks of Hudsonian Godwit and Red Knot. This is also one of the best places to look for the endemic Slender-billed Parakeet which we have never missed yet!

Day 11
This morning we will visit the penguin colony at Punihuil which supports both Magellanic and Humboldt Penguins. Given enough time we may be able to go in search of Magellanic Woodpecker, Black-throated Huet-Huet and Chilean Woodpigeon before heading back to Puerto Montt to connect with our flight down to Punta Arenas. After our arrival we may be able to visit another active breeding colony of Magellanic Penguins at Otway Sound where we also expect to see the local Austral Canastero.

Day 12
Today after some local birding we will take a ferry across the Magellan Straits, again observing pelagic seabirds such as Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel, Southern Fulmar, White-chinned Petrel and Magellanic Diving-Petrel. We then continue our trip to Porvenir, a small village located on the central coast of Tierra del Fuego Island. After lunch we will try to see the dove-like Magellanic Plover, the delicate Two-banded Plover, and the colourful and elegant Rufous-chested and Tawny-throated Dotterels. In the large salty lakes in the north of Tierra del Fuego, we will try to observe the beautiful Coscoroba Swan, as well as flocks of Baird's and White-rumped Sandpipers, whilst along the roadside we should also be able to see the endemic Short-billed Miner, Red-backed Hawk and the stunning Black-throated Finch. Overnight Porvenir.

Day 13
Driving north we will take another ferry from Punta Delgada crossing a narrow stretch of the straits of Magellan giving us another opportunity to see some pelagic birds plus groups of the small but beautiful Commersson's Dolphin. On our way back to the mainland we will visit the coast and search for species such as the Snowy Sheathbill and the Magellanic Oystercatcher, while also approaching a breeding colony of Rock Cormorants. After lunch in a small restaurant, we will then explore the east side of Chilean Patagonia, and the border with Argentina with its numerous inland lakes. Here on Patagonia's windswept steppes is one of the most unexplored national parks (Palie Aike) of the southern part of this region, offering us the chance to see many different birds. We will look for family groups of Lesser Rhea, Flying and Flightless Steamer Ducks, Two-banded Plover, Chilean Skua, Upland Goose, Dolphin Gull, Chocolate-vented Tyrant, Patagonian Yellow-Finch, Canary-winged Finch, Correndera Pipit, Crested Caracara, Common Miner, Austral Canastero and the remarkable Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant. Along the road it is possible to observe the threatened Ruddy-headed Goose. Night Puerto Natales.

Day 14
This morning we will drive to one of the most stunning and beautiful places on the planet, Torres del Paine National Park. On the way we will have the opportunity to visit some small brackish ponds that are an ideal habitat for small flocks of Chilean Flamingo, the ubiquitous Upland Goose, Red Shoveler, the scarce Silver Teal, Chiloe Wigeon, Black-necked Swan and noisy groups of beautiful
Black-faced Ibis. In Puerto Natales, we will scan the coasts of the Last Hope Inlet, where we should see good numbers of Imperial Cormorant. From this small and pleasant town we will drive to Torres del Paine National Park, a magnificent location. Finally we'll arrive at the Hostería Las Torres, located in the heart of this enormous and very special national park, where we will spend the next two nights.

Day 15
Torres del Paine National Park is a place where mountains, glaciers, wetlands, steppes and forests come together to provide varied habitats for a vast array of birds, many of which are restricted exclusively to these latitudes. We will start by trying to see one of the region's most magnificent birds, the enormous Magellanic Woodpecker. We should also see the remarkable White-throated Treerunner and in the park steppes, we will look for Bar-winged Cinclodes, Scaly-throated Earthcreeper and Patagonian Mockingbird. A nearby wetland is home to Andean Ruddy Duck, Red Shoveler, Black-necked Swan, the beautiful Great and White-tufted Grebes, and we will try our best to spot the recently re-discovered and
very elusive Austral Rail.

Day 16
Today we will visit a high-altitude habitat in the Southern Andes, where we will try to find some characteristic species, many of them consistently hard to spot. Along the road we should see Cinereous Harrier, Andean Condor, Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail and the delicate Eared Dove. We will try to find the beautiful and remarkable Torrent Duck, a bird that is characteristic of the Andes and explore the surrounding area in search of species such as Mountain Caracara, Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant, Scaly-throated Earthcreeper, Austral Thrush and Austral Negrito, Least Seedsnipe, and if we are lucky Darwin’s Rhea. This is an excellent place to see Andean Condor, Southern Caracara, and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle. We may
also get a chance to look for Peruvian Pygmy Owl.

Day 17
Today we take an early flight to Arica, Chile's northernmost city where we will visit the interesting Chaca Valley, located a short distance south of Arica. We will explore this cultivated region located in the middle of the desert, trying to find the last two specialties of this region, the local and scarce Tamarugo Conebill and the Chilean Woodstar. Night Arica

Day 18 - 19
Early this morning we will drive to the Altiplano or Puna Zone, more than 10,500 feet, or 3,500 meters above sea level, birding along the way to find the rare Greyish Miner, plus flocks of Greenish Yellow-Finch. Our destination is Putre, a pleasant hamlet where we will overnight. In the afternoon we will explore the surrounding area in search of species such as Sparkling Violet-Ear, Andean
Hillstar, Bare-faced Ground-Dove, Spot-winged Pigeon, Mourning Sierra-Finch, Greenish Yellow-Finch, Plain-breasted Earthcreepers, Chiguanco Thrush, Streaked Tit-Spinetail, Dark-winged Canastero, White-browed Chat-Tyrant, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Golden-billed Saltator and Hooded Siskin that are found here at the southern limit of their range. Other species we hope to find here include Aplomado Falcon, Mountain Parakeet, the very scarce White-throated Earthcreeper, Straight-billed Earthcreeper, Black-throated Flowerpiercer and another chance of D'Orbigny's Chat-Tyrant. The following morning we will be searching for Ornate Tinamou, and whilst looking through the vast areas of grassland we hope to find Puna Tinamou. We will then visit Surire, an excellent spot for seeing the three species of flamingo: Chilean, Andean and the rare and local Jame's.

Day 20
On our last full day we will visit Lauca National Park, established to protect the highest lake in the world and a Biosphere Reserve that encompasses a great diversity of Andean specialties and all within stunningly beautiful scenery. Some of the spectacular species we will search for include Andean Avocet, Puna Ibis, Puna Teal, Giant and Andean Coots, Andean Lapwing, Puna Plover, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and Andean Swallows. We might also spot Andean Flicker, White-fronted Ground-Tyrant, Andean Gull, Cordilleran and Canyon Canasteros, as well as getting a second opportunity to see the superb Diademed Sandpiper-Plover.

Day 21 - 22
We will bird the nearby Azapa Valley looking for specialties such as Peruvian
Sheartail, Oasis Hummingbird, Slender-billed Finch, Peruvian Meadowlark and Peruvian Thick-knee. The coastal areas around the city will find us huge flocks of Guanay Cormorants, Peruvian Pelicans, Gray Gulls and other seabirds that characterize the Humboldt Current. Later we fly to Santiago connecting with
the overnight flight back to Madrid and London where this incredible tour will conclude on day 22.

CHILE 3rd October – 24th October 2008  Booking Form>> Leaders: Steve Bird and Enrique Couve TOUR PRICE £3595.00 per person Single supplement: £395.00 Deposit: £300.00 Maximum group size: 14 Excluding leaders Included in cost: Return flight from London to Santiago, accommodation in twin rooms en-suite, all meals including picnic lunches, all entrance fees, transport and all internal flights and services of local guides and leaders. Not included: Insurance, drinks, optional tips for the local guide and items of a personal nature. Pre & Post Tour Extensions: Check out the following pre & post tour extensions which make this the most comprehensive tour of Chile ever!

Pre-tour Extension:
Juan Fernandez Archipelago & Robinson Crusoe Island
Tuesday 30th Sept – Saturday 4th October

Juan Fernández is a fascinating archipelago of volcanic origin, which is situated about 1,000 miles off Chile. Robinsoe Crusoe, the main island of the group, is famous for the prolonged residence of the Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk who was marooned there between 1704 and 1709. His experiences served as the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's famous novel. Temperate forests constitute an exclusive eco-system on the islands, supporting a rich and diverse flora with more than 100 native species, of which a great number are endemics. During this trip, we shall hope to find the endemic Juan Fernandez Firecrown and the Juan Fernández Tit-tyrant. Rare seabirds that nest in burrows in the forests, include Defillipi's, Stejneger's, Juan Fernandez and Kermadec Petrel as well as
Pink-footed Shearwater. We will enjoy excellent opportunity to observe them during our sailing trips around the island. Join us on this birding trip to this unique destination, to seek the specialties of the island of Robinson Crusoe!

Day 1
We will take a Lan Chile evening flight from London Heathrow to Madrid where we connect with our late evening flight to Santiago, Chile, arriving early morning on day 2.

Days 2 - 4
We begin our journey with a flight from Santiago to Robinson Crusoe Island. After our arrival we will take a ninety-minute boat trip to Cumberland Bay where we shall land at the village of San Juan Bautista, the only settlement on the islands. During these two first days we will explore the forests and hills, looking for the two endemic land birds of the island, the gorgeous Juan Fernandez Firecrown
and the Juan Fernandez Tit-Tyrant. Also we will look for Austral Thrush, Short-eared Owl and the endemic race of the American Kestrel and Juan Fernandez Hawk. The views from the vantage lookouts on the island are simply breathtaking and we will enjoy our many observations of the diversity of the endemic plants as we walk the island trails. The next day we go on a Pelagic. This remote archipelago immediately attracts the attention of the experienced sea birder, as it is renowned as the nesting location of some rare petrels and shearwaters. We will be looking for pelagic birds including four species of Pterodroma or gadfly petrels including the Juan Fernandez, De Filippi's, Stejneger's and Kermadec. To seek the Kermadec, we shall visit a coastal cliff during the afternoon when these birds return from their long daily feeding trip to attend to their nestlings. Other seabirds will include Southern Giant Petrel, Black-browed Albatross and White-bellied Storm-Petrel. Our regular trips along the coasts will provide excellent opportunity to observe the endemic, and formerly almost extinct Juan Fernandez Fur Seal. On
our last day after visiting the village and learning more about the interesting history of pirates, explorers and sea battles, we will return to the air strip by boat to join our afternoon flight to Santiago, where we overnight.

Day 5
Transfer to airport to meet up with group arriving for main tour.

PRE-TOUR EXTENSION PRICE £1225.00 per person

Included in cost: Island flights, 2 pelagics, meals & 4 nignts accommodation.

Days 1 - 2
As the rest of the group depart for their journey back home, we will make our way from Arica to Iquique where we will search for Tamarugo Conebill and Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant. The next day will see us on a 8 – 10 hour pelagic trip in search of Elliot’s, Wedge-rumped, Markham’s, Hornby’s and White-bellied Storm-Petrels, as well as Juan Fernandez and Stejneger’s Petrels and Buller’s Shearwater. 2 nights Iquique.

Days 3 – 4
We will fly back to the UK arriving the next morning.

POST-TOUR EXTENSION PRICE £495.00 per person

Included in cost: (8-10 hour) Pelagic, all meals & 2 nights accommodation.