 Dedicated birding trip to discover the bird specialties of the oasis valleys of northern Chile as well as coastal areas affected by the Humboldt Current. Comprehensive visit to Putre surroundings and Lauca National Park to explore the wealth of birdlife in the puna grasslands, lakes, bogs and scrubby slopes. Departures from Arica, Chile's northernmost city. 
Our trip to the north of Chile will take us to the fringes of the driest desert in the world, the inhospitable Atacama, on the border with southern Peru. Our base locations will be Arica and Putre, Chile's northernmost cities. This unique area is home to such diverse species as flightless Giant Coots and the tiny Chilean Woodstar. We will explore the Azapa, Lluta and Chaca valleys and then drive to Putre, situated in the Altiplano at more than 10,500 feet (3,500 m) above sea level. The altiplano grasslands support wild Vicuñas grazing in small herds, Puna Tinamous and Lesser Rheas. Specialties such as all three Chilean species of Flamingoes (Chilean, Andean and James'), Andean Avocet, Giant and Andean Coots, Chilean Woodstar, White-throated Earthcreeper, Black-throated Flowerpiercer and Tamarugo Conebill will be our principal targets.
Birding the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano - Trip Code: CHL03 Trip Highlights • Three species of flamingo (Chilean, Andean, and James'). • 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 privacy), 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 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. • You will receive a free, signed copy of one of our great natural history books of Chile. • …plus an useful pre-departure information package. Birding the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano can be combined with one of the following optional extensions: • Birding Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego (8 days | 7 nights); comprehensive birdwatching tour to discover Patagonia's endemic and specialties;
• Tierra del Fuego & Cape Horn Expedition Cruise (4 and 5 days) expedition cruise to the uttermost regions on Earth; • The Falkland Islands (8 days / 7 nights), penguin encounters in the South Atlantic.
Birding the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano - Trip Code: CHL03 Day 1 • Arrival to Arica – Transfer to Putre Today we will take an early flight to Arica, Chile's northernmost city. After some further birding at Arica and along the coast, we shall ascend to the pre-puna zone at more than 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
Birding the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano - Trip Code: CHL03 2009 | 2010 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 | 1,250 | 215 |
Do you also want to go to San Pedro de Atacama? Check details of our Grand Atacama Desert photo tour (4 and 5-days). Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Arica? Domestic flights Santiago – Arica – Santiago (from US$ 200 per person). Duration of the flight: 3.5 hours (with a stop-over in Iquique). Tour Registration: To register for this tour, complete the Fantástico Sur Expeditions registration form and return it (by fax or email) with a deposit of US$ 350 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure. 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$ 250 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.
Birding the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano - Trip Code: CHL03 Check our sample of images taken during our recent birding tours to northern Chile
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