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For the active birder, this trip offers excitement amidst a unique
culture and temperate rainforest ecosystem with bird life not
found anywhere else in the world. Accompanied by a professional
bilingual guide and specialist, it combines several days on the
big island of Chiloe, where the forest dwelling Thinocryptidae,
the Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula), and Magellanic
Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus) live.
Wetlands
excursions will focus on the Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus
chilensis), and the Black-Necked Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus),
among others. One day will be spent visiting the small island
 reserve
of Puduel, home to both Magallanic and Humbolt Penguins (Spheniscus
humboldti and magellanicus) on the majestic Pacific
coast of the island. Then, you and your
guides will meet the boat for the trip over to the wild fjord
region of Continental Patagonia. This is also the home of the
Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) and many other raptors, plus
the Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata), Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle
torquata) and many types of Cormorants (Phalacrocorax
olivaceus, magellanicus, bougainvillii and
gaimardi). We will spend the days in isolated fjords,
traveling by zodiac to quiet beaches and estuaries.
The bird life
is accompanied by an exciting array of mammals as well, including
sea lions, orcas, dolphins, the tiny marsupial Monito del Monte,
and the smallest deer in the world. We will also make sure that we
visit several of the region’s natural hot springs – one bubbling
out of the beach on the Cahuelmo Fjord and another nestled deep in
the native forest of the area. And remember, although you might be
in a wild part of the world, the comfort and the fine food served
on the boat will make every moment a pleasure.
Includes: All transport from Puerto
Montt onwards, all lodging, cabin berth, all meals and snacks
prepared by a professional chef using the freshest the region has
to offer, all excursions, expert bilingual guides (including at
least one ornithologist who is an expert in the area), and
insurance.
Guided Connections is happy to assist you
with all of your travel plans within Chile, from making
reservations to simply giving sound advice.
Sample Itinerary
Arrive to the city of Puerto Montt. Guided
Connections will gladly arrange all domestic Chilean flights,
transfers and hotels.
Day 1
Leaving in the morning from Puerto Montt,
we’ll take the open-air ferry across the Gulf of Ancud to the big
island of Chiloe, known as a South American version of Ireland.
Amidst the sea lions, Humboldt penguins and many gull species, it
becomes apparent that while similar to the Northern hemisphere’s
temperate ecosystems, everything is just a bit different.
Time
permitting, we will take a trip 40 minutes away to the penguin
colony of Punihuil on Chiloe’s Pacific coast where Humboldt (Spheniscus
humboldti) and Magellanic penguins’ (Spheniscus
magellanicus) normally distinct ranges overlap. We will also
have our eyes out to see several northern hemisphere species:
Baird’s Sandpiper (Calydris bairdii), Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus
triolor), Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca), and
Franklin’s Gull (Larus pipixcan) in their summer migratory
habitats.
You will have a room in the elegant Hosteria Ancud, a
lovely hotel decorated with native wood overlooking the bay of
Ancud. A visit to a local chef’s house where we will enjoy local
dishes home cooked to perfection, followed by the first talk by
our ornithologist, Steve McGee, whom for several years has been
doing field work in the area on a number of species.
Day 2 – Chiloe’s Wetlands
After a hearty and healthy breakfast of home
baked delicacies, we will head east from Ancud to the town of
Caulin. Situated on the estuary of the Chacao Canal, Caulin is the
permanent home to over a hundred Black Necked Swans (Cygnus
melancoryphus). Other highlights will hopefully include:
Chilean Flamingo
(Phoenicopterus chilensis) during the winter months,
Cormorants (Phalacrocorax olivaceus, magellanicus,
bougainvillea, and gaimardi), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula),
Great Egret (Casmerodius albus), and White Necked Heron (Ardea
cocoi) among many others.
Then we head west to where the Chepu River joins the Pacific Ocean. After a locally prepared
Curanto lunch (regional specialty) we head upstream on a local
skiff to Coluco Lake. Here are the nesting grounds of the
Brown-hooded gull (Larus maculipennis) where thousands of
nesting pairs may be observed. Other species include the Great
Grebe (Podiceps major), Red-gartered Coot (Fulica
armillata), Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle torquata) and the
Magellanic Flightless Steamer Duck (Tachyeres pteneres)
among others.
The evening and night will be
spent in the island’s quaint capital, Castro with its abundant
local crafts and seafood. Steve will lead the customary nightly
wrap up resuming the day’s sightings and briefing for the next
day.
Day 3 – The forested Heartland of
Chiloe
We continue south, visiting the forested
environs of Lake Natri where, with patience, we will observe
Davwin’s famous discovery, the Rhinocryptidae Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus
rubecula), the Black Throated Huet Huet (Pteroptrus tarnii),
Des Mur’s Wiretail (Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii), the Buff-necked
Ibis (Theristicus caudatus), and, with a little
luck, the Slender Billed Parakeet (Enicognathus leptorhynchus),
among many others.
With a picnic lunch, we will
explore several forested areas on our way to join the boat. The
evening will be spent aboard in the protected, yet beautiful bay
where our professional staff and chef await your arrival for a
sunset dinner.
Day 4 – Untouched Chiloe
Setting sail early, the boat will take us
ever south amidst the seemingly endless canals and islands of the
Chiloe Archipelago where human presence still has not made its
mark. We will enter the isolated San Pedro Canal winding our way
through the Guamolat Calal to access Chiloe’s southernmost
secrets. Here we will witness nesting Cormorants and Magellanic
Penquins, and even a sea lion colony. By now sightings of the
Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis), Black and Turkey
Vultures (Coragyps atratus and Cathartes aura), and
Chimongo Cara Cara (Milvago chimango) will have become
commonplace and our sights will be on the increasing number of sea
birds. Evening promises a secure cove, a gourmet meal, and sunset
over the Pacific.
Day 5 – The Gulf of Ancud
Glaciers ease into view and the Andes loom
ever larger as we head to the Patagonian mainland during this day
of motor sailing. En route to American conservationist Douglas
Tompkin’s 600,000 acre private park, Pumalin, we will be
accompanied by numerous sea birds, such as: Pink Footed Shearwater
(Puffinus creatopus), Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes
giganteus), Southern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides),
Pintado Petrel (Daption capense) among others. We also will
see Toninas (dolphins) swimming in the boat’s wake, sea lions, and
penguins as we weave among the islands of the gulf. Dinner
includes an authentic local barbecue (“asado”) with a local family
on Chulin island.
Day 6 – Pumalin
 Forest
and mountain birds abound in the old growth temperate rainforest
wilderness of Pumalin Park with its giant stands of the cypress,
Alerce, which at 3600 years of age, is the second longest living
tree on the planet. Born from the endless glaciers, numerous
waterfalls are always within view as we cruise this roadless,
virgin paradise. The Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
dominates the heights while species such as the following forest
dwellers populate the understories; Chilean Flicker (Colaptes
pitius), Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus),
Black Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nictorax), Andean
Tapaculo (Scytalopus magellanicus), Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura
spinicauda), and the White-throated Tree Runner (Pygarrhichas
albogularis). Here we can hike among ancient trees, search for
a glimpse of Torrent Ducks (Merganetta armata) amid the
areas many rapids and bathe in natural hot springs in the Cahuelmo
Fjord, all the while admiring the wildlife whose evolution
includes minimal fear of humans. As expected, a spectacular
gourmet dinner on board the boat and Patagonian sunset will set
the scene for the ocean sounds to coax us to sleep.
Day 7 – Pumalin
As we work our way north along the rugged
green of the Andes as they surge skyward in Comau fjord, we will
test our skills at recognizing formerly unknown raptors such as
the Red-backed Hawk (Buteo polysoma), Brown-chested Buzzard
Eagle (Geranoaectus melanoleucus ), Cinereuos Harrier (Circus
cinereus), and the White Throated Caracuar (Phalcoboenus
albogularis). Despite being the last day, we will still hope
to catch a glimpse of the wary Bicolor hawk (Accipiter bicolor),
or at night the nocturnal Austral Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium nanum),
the Short Eared Owl (Asio flammeus), or the rarely seen
Rufous Legged Owl (Strix rufipes). One last chance for
perfection as our chef and the sunset work together to see if it
is possible to beat the previous night’s show…
Day 8 – Despedida (Goodbye)
Breakfast will be accompanied by a final
discussion led by Steve, your ornithologist, to wrap up your
Patagonian birding adventure. One last hedonistic soak in the hot
springs at Llancahue Island and then lunch in Hornopiren. Here,
the boat’s crew will bid you goodbye as you are met by a van to
take you to Puerto Montt.
Guided Connections will be glad to arrange accommodations,
tours or other activities for you in Chile.
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