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 This journey of discovery will take you to very impressive and unique national parks of southern Chile, which hold the largest population of Araucaria [Araucaria araucana - also known as Monkey-puzzle tree] of the southern Andes. We will also explore the lush rainforests of the Temperate Zone of Chile, dominated by various species of the ancient tree genus Nothofagus. On this private trip [with a minimum of 1-2 participants] you will be able to explore a fascinating region of Chile, dominated by magnificent volcanos and numerous lakes.
5 days, 4 nights from Temuco, Chile @ $1,798 p.p.
On this private nature and photo journey we will visit the region of Chile known as 'The Lake District'. Magnificent temperate woodlands, reminiscent of the distant forests of New Zealand and Tasmania, grow here covering extensive regions of the southern Andes foothills; these forests are very unique due to their geographical isolation and by being very rich in woody species. Between the woody elements we will see species of the genus 'Araucaria', 'Fitzroya', 'Nothofagus' or 'Drimys', as well as a high diversity of members of the Mirtaceae family. The undergrowth is very dense and is also dominated by woody species and several herbs and is the realm for ground-dwelling tapaculos and very rare endemic mammals.
Keen birders and botanists as well as nature photographers will have delightful subjects to observe and study during this comprehensive willdlife tour.The areas to be visited are surrounded by magnificent scenery dominated by spectacular volcanoes and lakes.
Araucaria Forests | 5 days, 4 nights | Trip Code CHL05
Trip Highlights
• Visits to Conguillio National Park and its impressive and active Llaima volcano.
• In-depth explorations to the Valdivian temperate rainforests at Puyehue and Vicente Perez Rosales National Parks.
• Magnificent views of Araucaria forests amidst stunning volcanic slopes.
• Visit to Alerce forests, one of the world's longest living trees.
• A great array of southern orchids of the genus Gavilea and Chlorea.
• Trip suitable for the keen botanist, the nature photographer and the plant enthusiast alike.
This program is operated as a custom trip (flexible option which runs on a date you choose giving you more privacy) and is available upon request for individuals or small private groups.
The Difference of Travelling with Fantástico Sur Expeditions:
• Great accommodation, superb dinning cuisine and memorable picnic lunches.
• Spacious vehicles that ensure a window seat to each trip participant.
• The Chilean Transportation Authority has authorized each vehicle and driver we use.
• 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 for Patagonia.
• Plus an useful pre-departure information package.
Araucaria Forests can be combined with the following optional extensions:
• Patagonia Botanical (8 days, 7 nights), the ultimate botanical program to the southernmost tip of South America.
Araucaria Forests | 5 days, 4 nights | Trip Code CHL05
Day 1 • Temuco - Cerro Ñielol Nature Reserve
After your arrival to the city of Temuco, we will visit 'Cerro Ñielol' Nature Reserve and its splendid temperate forests, starting to familiarize with the wealth of woody species. In surrounding areas of Temuco, we will be delighted by discovering restricted populations of various orchids of the genus Chloraea and Gavilea.
Hotel Terraverde, Temuco (4*). (D)(G).
Day 2 • Conguillio National Park
Today will certainly become one of the finest of our journey finding plant species in southern Chile. From tall trees to small herbs, 'Conguillio' National Park will slowly reveal its floristic secrets. We will have the opportunity to study huge Araucarias (Araucaria araucana), Winter's Bark Tree (Drimys winteri) and Coigues (Nothofagus dombeyi), different species of the genus Berberis o miniature herbs such as Adenocaulon (Adenocaulon chilense), Anemone (Anemone multifida) or Yellow Viola (Viola reichei). The spectacle of our sightings will be enriched by the striking panoramic views of the volcanic surroundings of this incredible park.
Hotel Terraverde, Temuco (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 3 • Transfer to Puyehue National Park
This park holds a great diversity of woody species, having also numerous species on the lower layers such as shrubs, herbs, furns and mosses. One of the main attractions of these forests is the abundance of myrtaceous species such as the Arrayan (Luma apiculata) or the Meli (Amomyrtus meli). Furthermore we will find interesting endemic species including the Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis), Chaquihue (Crinodendron hookerianum), Avellano (Gevuina avellana) or the Fuinque (Lomatia ferruginea). The richness of woody plants of this national park will be the highlight to the botanist.
Hotel Antillanca, Puyehue (3*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 4 • Puyehue National Park – Transfer to Puerto Montt
Today we will continue our exploration of Puyehue National Park concentrating our efforts in discovering the alpine flora occurring in the volcanic slopes around our lodge. Later during the day we will be transferred to Puerto Montt.
Hotel Bellavista, Puerto Varas (4*). (B,L,D)(G)
Day 5 • Nahuel Ñadi Nature Reserve
During the morning we will visit a small private reserve with numerous elements of the temperate Valdivian rainforests of southern Chile. The richness of this park is given by the presence of the endangered conifer Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides). We will finish our tour around noon with a transfer to the airport. (B)(G).
Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide; *=Hotel Category
Araucaria Forests | 5 days, 4 nights | Trip Code CHL05
Araucaria Forests | 5 days, 4 nights | Trip Code CHL05
2010 | 2011 Dates:
Available from October 2010 through March 2011.
Meet: Temuco, Chile /Depart: Puerto Montt, Chile.
Rates for Custom departures (you choose the date):
| Trip Length |
5 days | 4 nights |
| Number of people |
2-3 |
4+
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Single Suppl.
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| Price per person |
$1,798 |
TBA |
$195 |
Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 2 participants.
The above price is per person in US$, based on double occupancy. Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.
Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Temuco / Puerto Montt?
Domestic flights Santiago – Temuco / Puerto Montt – Santiago (approximately US$ 300-350 per person).
Duration of the flight: Santiago - Temuco (1 hour) | Puerto Montt - Santiago (1,5 hours).
What the trip includes/excludes
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, tipping, travel insurance, entrance tax to Chile, excess baggage charges, drinks, à la carte dishes, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.
Tour Registration: To book this tour, please complete the online registration form and pay 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$ 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.
Araucaria Forests | 5 days, 4 nights | Trip Code CHL05
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Claudio F. Vidal has been bird-watching since the age of 12 and he leads bird-watching and natural history tours throughout Chile. He is very keen on pelagic birdlife and marine mammals occurring in the Humboldt Current, Patagonia, and Antarctica as well as in photography, being particularly interested in photographying the wild flowers of desert and mediterranean regions of the world. Claudio is currently working on a field guide to the birds of Chile with other Chilean birders, and is co-author of the photographic guide "Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & Antarctic Peninsula". He is involved in several nature-based tourism projects in Chile, and he is also partner and director of Fantastico Sur Expeditions. He lives in Punta Arenas.
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Enrique Couve has been birdwatching for over 40 years in his native country of Chile and is the author of the photographic guide "Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Antarctic Peninsula", among several other bird and nature photography field guides and books. He is extremely skilled in finding and identifying birds and is an excellent nature photographer, having one of the most complete portfolios of Chile’s birds and wildlife. Enrique has travelled extensivley throughout Chile, its oceanic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, as well as in other countries of South America. He is partner and director of Fantastico Sur Expeditions and lives in Punta Arenas with his wife and their four children.
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Roberto Donoso has been part of our team since 2003, but he has been involved in the process of learning about birding and handling visitors to Chile and Patagonia since 1999. Roberto has an extensive experience leading birdwatching tours throughout Chile and Juan Fernandez islands, and his most recent trips has taken him to the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. During the last couple of years he has developed an increasing interest in mammals, particularly cats, and he is responsible of developing some of the hard-core puma and mammal tours that we are currently carrying out with clients from the US and the UK. Rob is one of the Fantastico Sur favourite guides due to his kind and charismatic personality, his particular attention to detail and his involvement with the goals and interests of our clients. Roberto lives in Punta Arenas with his wife Vjera and their two lovely girls, Vjerita and Florencia.
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Araucaria Forests | 5 days, 4 nights | Trip Code CHL05
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