INTRODUCTION

Birding the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano | 5 days, 4 nights | Trip Code CHL03

 

Trip Highlights

• Comprehensive visit to Chile's birding hotspots: Arica, Putre and Lauca National Park.

• Three species of flamingo (Chilean, Andean, and James') and the stunning Diademed Sandpiper-Plover.

• Spectacular Andean species such as Lesser Rhea, Puna Tinamou, the flightless Giant Coot and Andean Avocet.

• Interesting mammals including Guanacos, Vicuñas and Vizcachas.

• Lauca National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, and one of Chile's finest wildlife reserves.

This program is operated as a custom trip (flexible option which runs on a date you choose, giving you more privacey), available upon request for individuals or small private groups.

The Difference of Traveling with Fantástico Sur Expeditions:

• Fully flexible, hotel-based, all-inclusive trip with private transportation and naturalist guide.

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

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

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

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

• Top-class spotting scopes will be available for the use of our guests for a better observation and study of the wildlife and landscapes.

• You will receive a free, signed copy of one of our natural history book "Atacama Desert, Wildlife and Landscapes" by Enrique Couve and Claudio F. Vidal.

• …plus an useful pre-departure information package (maps, wildlife checklists and more).

Birding the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano can be combined with one of the following optional journeys:

• Birding Chile (14 days | 13 nights), superb birding journey to central Chile, the Lake District, Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego led by experienced local guides;

• Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego (7 days | 6 nights), comprehensive birdwatching tour to discover Patagonia's endemic species and specialties;

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

ITINERARY

Birding the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano | 5 days, 4 nights | Trip Code CHL03

 

Day 1 • Flight to Arica (c. 3 hours) – Transfer to Putre

Today you will take an early flight to Arica, Chile's northernmost city. After some further birding at Arica and along the coast, you shall be transferred to the pre-puna zone, up to 10,500 feet (3,500 m) above sea level. As we travel, we may find Peruvian Thick-knee, Andean Swift and Grayish Miner. The town of Putre will be our base for two nights. Sparkling Violetear, Dark-winged and Canyon Canasteros, Giant Conebill, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Golden-billed Saltator and Hooded and Thick-billed Siskins are among a range of exciting birds that occur here at the southern limit of their range.

Hostería Q’Antati, Putre (3*). (L,D)(G).

 

Day 2 • Putre area

We shall enjoy another day of birding around Putre, in our search for high-altitude species. We hope to locate Aplomado Falcon, Mountain Parakeet, Bare-faced Ground-Dove, Andean Hillstar, White-throated, Plain-breasted and Straight-billed Earthcreepers, White-winged Cinclodes, Black-throated Flower-piercer, Chiguanco Thrush, D'Orbigny's and White-browed Chat-tyrants, Band-tailed Seedeater and Black-hooded, Mourning and Ash-breasted Sierra-Finches.

Hostería Q’Antati, Putre (3*). (B,L,D)(G).

 

Day 3 • Lauca National Park

Established to protect the highest lake in the world, the Lauca National Park supports a great diversity of Andean specialities. Chilean, James' and Andean Flamingoes are found here, together with Puna Ibis, Andean Goose, Puna Teal, Giant and Andean Coots, Rufous-bellied and Grey-breasted Seedsnipes, Andean Avocet, Andean Lapwing, Puna Plover, and Diademed Sandpiper-Plover head an impressive cast. We may also encounter Andean Gull, Andean Flicker, Cordilleran Canastero, Puna and White-fronted Ground-Tyrants, Andean Negrito, White-winged Diuca-Finch and Black Siskin. Later we shall return to the coast at Arica.

Hotel Arica, Arica (4*). (B,L,D)(G)

Day 4 • Azapa, Lluta and Chaca oasis valleys

In the morning we will investigate the rich valleys of Azapa, Lluta and Chaca, the haunt of such specialities as Croaking Ground-Dove, Chilean Woodstar, Peruvian Sheartail, Oasis Hummingbird, Tamarugo and Cinereous Conebills, Vermillion Flycatcher, Peruvian Meadowlark and the strange Slender-billed Finch.

After our arrival we will visit the rocky coast where we expect to see a great array of its endemic seabirds including Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Booby, Guanay and Red-legged Cormorants, the stunning Inca Tern and Band-tailed and Gray Gulls. Along the desert coast we will look for flocks of Willet, Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Surfbird, Franklin's Gull and Elegant Terns.

Hotel Arica, Arica (4*). (B,L,D)(G).

Day 5 • Arica – Flight to Santiago

We will take an early flight to Santiago where our trip ends. (B)

 

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

 

MAP

Birding the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano | 5 days, 4 nights | Trip Code CHL03

 

DATES & RATES

Birding the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano | 5 days, 4 nights | Trip Code CHL03

2010 | 2011 Dates:

Available year-round.

Meet/Depart: Arica, Chile.

NOTE: January and February months are the rainy season in the Altiplano.

Rates for Custom departures (you choose the date):

 

Trip Length	5 days | 4 nights
Number of people	2-3	4+	Single Supplement
Price per person	1,998	1,548	165

 

Do you also want to go to San Pedro de Atacama? 

Check details of our Atacama Desert Explorer photo tour (6 days).

 

Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Arica?

Domestic flights Santiago – Arica – Santiago (from US$ 268 per person).

Duration of the flight: 3.5 hours (with a stop-over in Iquique).

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, and park entrance fees.

The trip price excludes: Domestic flights (Santiago – Arica – 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.

PHOTOS

Birding the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano | 5 days, 4 nights | Trip Code CHL03

 

Check our sample of images taken during our recent birding tours to northern Chile

 

CHECKLIST

Birding the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano | 5 days, 4 nights | Trip Code CHL03

 

Birds and mammals possible to be seen during this trip

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

 

Rheas | Rheidae

Lesser Rhea Pterocnemia pennata

 

Tinamous | Tinamidae

Ornate Tinamou Nothoprocta ornata

Puna Tinamou Tinamotis pentlandii

 

Swans, Geese and Ducks | Anatidae

Andean Goose Chloephaga melanoptera

Torrent Duck Merganetta armata

Crested Duck Lophonetta specularioides

Speckled Teal Anas flavirostris

White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis

Puna Teal Anas puna

Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera

Andean Ruddy Duck Oxyura ferruginea (jamaicensis)

 

Grebes | Podicipedidae

White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps

Great Grebe Podicephorus (Podiceps) major

Silvery Grebe Podiceps occipitalis

 

Penguins | Spheniscidae

Humboldt Penguin Spheniscus humboldti

 

Albatrosses | Diomedeidae

Waved Albatross Phoebastria irrorata

 

Petrels and Shearwaters | Procellariidae

Southern (Antarctic) Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus

Northern (Hall's) Giant Petrel Macronectes halli

Pintado (Cape) Petrel Daption capense

Westland Petrel Procellaria westlandica

Buller's Shearwater Puffinus bulleri

Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus

 

Storm-Petrels | Hydrobatidae

Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus

Elliot's (White-vented) Storm-Petrel Oceanites gracilis

Wedge-rumped (Galapagos) Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma tethys

Markham's Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma markhami

Hornby's (Ringed) Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma hornbyi

 

Diving-Petrels | Pelecanoididae

Peruvian Diving-Petrel Pelecanoides garnotii

 

Pelicans | Pelecanidae

Peruvian Pelican Pelecanus thagus

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis

 

Gannets & Boobies | Sulidae

Peruvian Booby Sula variegata

 

Cormorants | Phalacrocoracidae

Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Red-legged Cormorant Phalacrocorax gaimardi

Guanay Cormorant Phalacrocorax bougainvillii

 

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns | Ardeidae

Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Great Egret Ardea alba

Snowy Egret Egretta thula

Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea

 

Ibises & Spoonbills | Threskiornithidae

Puna Ibis Plegadis ridgwayi

 

Flamingos | Phoenicopteridae

Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis

Andean Flamingo Phoenicoparrus andinus

Puna (James's) Flamingo Phoenicoparrus jamesi

 

Hawks, Eagles & Kites | Accipitridae

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Harris' Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus

Red-backed (Variable) Hawk Buteo polyosoma

 

Falcons & Caracaras | Falconidae

Mountain Caracara Phalcoboenus megalopterus

Crested Caracara Caracara plancus

American Kestrel Falco sparverius

Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

 

New World Vultures | Cathartidae

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

Andean Condor Vultur gryphus

 

Rails, Gallinules & Coots | Rallidae

Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Giant Coot Fulica gigantea

Slate-colored Coot Fulica ardesiaca

White-winged Coot Fulica leucoptera

 

Plovers & Lapwings | Charadriidae

Andean Lapwing Vanellus resplendens

American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica

Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus

Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus

Puna Plover Charadrius alticola

Diademed Sandpiper-Plover Phegornis mitchellii

Tawny-throated Dotterel Oreopholus ruficollis

 

Oystercatchers | Haematopodidae

American Osytercatcher Haematopus palliatus

Blackish Oystercatcher Haematopus ater

 

Avocets & Stilts | Recurvirostridae

Andean Avocet Recurvirostra andina

 

Thick-knees | Burhinidae

Peruvian Thick-knee Burhinus superciliaris

 

Sandpipers & Allies | Scolopacidae

Puna Snipe Gallinago andina

Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes

Willet Tringa semipalmata

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Surfbird Aphriza virgata

Red Knot Calidris canutus

Sanderling Calidris alba

Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla

Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla

White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis

Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii

Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos

Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor

Red-necked (Northern) Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus

Red (Grey) Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius

 

Seedsnipes | Thinocoridae

Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe Attagis gayi

Gray-breasted Seedsnipe Thinocorus orbignyianus

Least Sandpiper Thinocorus rumicivorus

 

Skuas & Jaegers | Stercorariidae

Chilean Skua Stercorarius chilensis

South Polar Skua Stercorarius maccormicki

Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus

Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus

Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus

 

Gulls & Terns | Laridae

Band-tailed Gull Larus belcheri

Gray Gull Larus modestus

Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus

Andean Gull Larus serranus

Laughing Gull Larus atricilla

Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan

Sabine's Gull Xema sabini

Peruvian Tern Sternula lorata

Inca Tern Larosterna inca

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea

South American Tern Sterna hirundinacea

Elegant Tern Thalasseus elegans

Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis

 

Skimmers | Rhynchopidae

Black Skimmer Rynchops niger

 

Doves & Pigeons | Columbidae

Croaking Ground-Dove Columbina cruziana

Bare-faced Ground-Dove Metriopelia cecilae

Black-winged Ground-Dove Metriopelia melanoptera

Golden-spotted Ground-Dove Metriopelia aymara

Feral Domestic (Rock) Dove Columba livia

Spot-winged Pigeon Patagioenas maculosa

Pacific Dove Zenaida meloda

Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata

 

Parrots, Macaws & Allies | Psittacidae

Mountain Parakeet Psilopsiagon aurifrons

 

Cuckoos | Cuculidae

Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris

 

Barn Owls | Tytonidae

Barn Owl Tyto alba

 

Typical Owls | Strigidae

Magellanic Horned Owl Bubo magellanicus

Peruvian Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium peruanum

Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus

 

Nightjar & Allies | Caprimulgidae

Band-winged Nightjar Caprimulgus longirostris

 

Swifts | Apodidae

Andean Swift Aeronautes andecolus

 

Hummingbirds | Trochilidae

Sparkling Violet-ear Colibri coruscans

Andean Hillstar Oreotrochilus estella

Giant Hummingbird Patagona gigas

Oasis Hummingbird Rhodopis vesper

Peruvian Sheartail Thaumastura cora

Chilean Woodstar Eulidia yarrellii

 

Woodpeckers & Allies | Picidae

Andean Flicker Colaptes rupicola

 

Ovenbirds | Furnariidae

Common Miner Geositta cunicularia

Grayish Miner Geositta maritima

Puna Miner Geositta punensis

Scale-throated Earthcreeper Upucerthia dumetaria

White-throated Earthcreeper Upucerthia albigula

Plain-breasted Earthcreeper Upucerthia jelskii

Straight-billed Earthcreeper Upucerthia ruficaudus

Bar-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus

Chilean Seaside Cinclodes Cinclodes nigrofumosus

White-winged Ciclodes Cinclodes atacamensis

Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura aegithaloides

Streaked Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura striata striata

Canyon Canastero Asthenes pudibunda

Cordilleran Canastero Asthenes modesta

Dark-winged Canastero Asthenes dorbignyi

 

Tyrant-Flycatchers | Tyrannidae

White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps

Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant Anairetes reguloides

Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant Anairetes flavirostris

Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus

Vermillion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus

Andean Negrito Lessonia oreas

Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola maculirostris

Puna Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola juninensis

White-fronted Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola albifrons

Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola flavinucha

Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola rufivertex

Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola maclovianus

Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis montanus

White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis andicola

Gray-bellied Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis micropterus

Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant Polioxolmis rufipennis

D'Orbigny's Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca oenanthoides

White-browed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca leucophrys

Short-tailed Field-Tyrant Muscigralla brevicauda

 

Swallows | Hirundinidae

Peruvian Martin Progne murphyi

Andean Swallow Haplochelidon andecola

Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Bank Swallow Riparia riparia

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

 

Thrushes & Allies | Turdidae

Chiguanco Thrush Turdus chiguanco

 

Wagtails & Pipits | Motacillidae

Yellowish Pipit Anthus lutescens

 

Thraupidae | Tanagers

Blue-and-yellow Tanager Thraupis bonariensis

Cinereous Conebill Conirostrum cinereum

Tamarugo Conebill Conirostrum tamarugense

Giant Conebill Oreomanes fraseri

Black-throated Flowerpiercer Diglossa brunneiventris

 

Buntings, Sparrows & Allies | Emberizidae

Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis

Black-hooded Sierra-Finch Phrygilus atriceps

Mourning Sierra-Finch Phrygilus fruticeti

Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor

White-throated Sierra-Finch Phrygilus erythronotus

Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch Phrygilus plebejus

White-winged Diuca-Finch Diuca speculifera

Slender-billed Finch Xenospingus concolor

Puna Yellow-Finch Sicalis lutea

Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch Sicalis uropygialis

Greenish Yellow-Finch Sicalis olivascens

Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina

Chestnut-throated Seedeater Sporophila telasco

Band-tailed Seedeater Catamenia analis

Golden-billed Saltator Saltator aurantiirostris

 

Troupials & Allies | Icteridae

Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis

Peruvian Meadowlark Sturnella bellicosa

 

Siskins, Crossbills & Allies | Fringillidae

Thick-billed Siskin Carduelis crassirostris

Hooded Siskin Carduelis magellanica

Black Siskin Carduelis atrata

 

Old World Sparrows | Passeridae

House Sparrow Passer domesticus