Chile's Lake District is well-known for its incredible mountain landscapes, impressive and ancient rainforests and by being the starting point of a huge archipelagic labyrinth extending southwards to the wild regions of western Patagonia. This is a land connecting two worlds, the mountains and the sea, and the people here inhabits the strip of land between the wet forests and the vast shorelines. This is a comprehensive nature journey to magnificent volcanoes, forests and lakes interspersed along the Andean foothills; here we will have splendid landscape photographic opportunities and we will attempt to discover the flora and fauna of the lush 'Valdivian' temperate forests, a unique ecosystem and a world's biodiversity hotspot. We will dedicate two full days to explore the fascinating and enigmatic Chiloé Island. This island and associated archipelagoes will reveal to us its unique natural and cultural riches, from penguins to otters, from elusive tapaculos to raucous parakeets, from dolphins to sea lions. Also we will have the chance to appreciate the livestyle and customs of the islanders - the 'chilotes', by visiting their towns, wooden churches, fishing boats and stilt houses.
'Thank you for a wonderful tour. We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the time we spent with you. We had a wonderful tour of the Lake District ... Hopefully we will come back and go farther south to Patagonia! Many thanks for the arrangements that you made to made our tour possible.' | Marlene and Roger Harris (United Kingdom) - Trip to Chile's Lake District & Chiloe Island, March 2011
Trip Highlights • Comprehensive day visits to Vicente Perez Rosales and Alerce Andino National Parks. • Ferry rides to Chiloe Island and boat trips for Magellanic & Humboldt penguins and Marine and Southern River otters. • An interesting array of woodland birds, from endemic Slender-billed Parakeet to inquisitive Chucao Tapaculos. • Lush temperate rainforests including a variety of Nothofagus beech, myrtle trees and the ancient and endangered Alerce, one of the world's logest living conifers. • Study and photography of cultural highlights of the main island of Chiloé, its villages and towns, its wooden churches, cemeteries, fishing boats and stilt-houses. 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 FS Expeditions: • Fully flexible, hotel-based trip with private transportation and naturalist guide. • Great 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 great natural history books for Patagonia. • …plus an useful pre-departure information package. Chile's Lake District & Chiloe Island can be combined with one of the following optional extensions: • Atacama Desert Explorer (6 days, 5 nights), unique private photo safari to discover the wildlife and landscapes of the world's most arid desert, • Patagonia Photo Safari (8 days, 7 nights), landscape and wildlife photo trip to mythic Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego, led by resident naturalist guides and photographers, • Expedition cruise to Tierra del Fuego & Cape Horn (4-5 days), follow Darwin's footsteps across the most remote corners of Patagonia on the wake of the 'Beagle'. Day 1 • Full day exploring 'Alerce Andino' National Park After meeting your naturalist guide during the morning, you will be transferred towards the lush and ancient woodlands of Alerce Andino National Park (39,225 hectares | nearly 100,000 acres). This extraordinary nature reserve protects pristine Valdivian temperate forests plus a significant portion of one of the few redwood conifers of Chile, the Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides). This species honors Captain Robert Fitz Roy, Commander of the HMS Beagle, and is one of the world's longest living tree species. Here, we will have enough time to explore the trails and get familiar with the birdlife and the variety of trees, ferns, and flowering plants of these unique woodlands. Among the most conspicuous birds, we will see the curious Chucao Tapaculo and Black-throated Huet-huet as well as Thorn-tailed Rayadito and the odd-looking Des Murs Wiretail. Other intriguing creatures inhabiting the park's trails include the rare marsupial Monito del Monte and the bizarre Darwin's Frog. Do you want to know more about the Valdivian temperate forest Eco-region? Read more... Hotel Bellavista or similar, Puerto Varas (3*).(L,D)(G). Day 2 • Full day exploration of Vicente Perez Rosales National Park Today we will explore the first national park established in Chile, Vicente Perez Rosales (1926), which honors a leading figure from the colonization times of these territories, back in the late XIX century. The park holds nearly 231,000 hectares (app. 570,000 acres) of pristine temperate forests, lakes and dramatic peaks, including the omnipresent Osorno Volcano (2,652 m | 8,700 ft.). On our vehicle, we will ascend the foothills of this volcano and will see the dramatic vegetation changes as we gain altitude. From the ski resort area of Las Burbujas, we will have an splendid view of Llanquihue Lake, Petrohue river and the distant Calbuco Volcano and even of Reloncavi Fjord. We will study the trees, shrubs and herbs of these woodland trails and along the volcanic slopes. Later we will travel along the fast-flowing waters of Petrohue river to see its dramatic rapids. It is very likely to see the specialist of these turbulent environment, Torrent Duck. By the end of the day we will reach the shores of the stunning Todos Los Santos (All Saints) lake and we will see the distant and imposing peak of Tronador Volcano, which demarks the border with Argentina.Your guide will provide interpretation about the geology and the many volcanic events that have modelled the surroundings. Hotel Bellavista or similar, Puerto Varas (3*).(B,L,D)(G). Day 3 • Chiloe Island: Chacao Channel crossing - Puñihuil Islets penguin colony - Castro Chiloe Island is a land of myths and has countless and outstanding natural and cultural riches. From Puerto Montt we will drive south in order to take the ferry across the Chacao Channel. This short 30-minute journey offers great wildlife viewing opportunities and likely that we will see pods of Peale's Dolphins and groups of South American Sea Lion together a great array of seabirds including Antarctic Giant Petrel, Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters, Imperial and Red-legged Shags, Peruvian Pelican and South American Terns. Before reaching the main island we will see tens and even hundreds of Black-necked Swans, actively feeding on algae along the shore. After we set foot we will notice the interesting architecture comprising wooden houses and churches, with characteristic walls and roofs covered with shingles. Later we will aim towards the wild west coast of the island to take a short boat trip to the interesting location of Puñihuil. Here we will circunnavigate one of the islets to see one of the few mixed breeding colonies of Humboldt and Magellanic penguins. We will try to see the always-active Marine Otter, plus Rock Shag, Kelp Goose and Flightless Steamer-Duck. During the afternoon we will aim to Castro, Chiloé's largest town. Here we will concentrate in studying the cultural features including the famous 'stilt houses' set right on the rocky shore and the wooden churches of the surroundings. Hotel Unicornio Azul or similar, Castro (3*).(B,L,D)(G). Day 4 • Chiloe Island: Chepu River boat trip - Caulín Bay - Drive to Puerto Montt Early in the morning we will head northwards to take our boat trip to explore part of the Chepu river. This impressive water course is bordered by lush and dense rainforests and its clear waters protect a critically endangered species, the Southern River Otter or Huillín. We will attempt to see it and hopefully be rewarded by our patience and efforts to attract its interest. We will also have chances with the rare Rufous-tailed Hawk and the endemic Slender-billed Parakeet. On our way back to Puerto Montt we will stop at the mudflats of Caulin Bay, which holds an important part of the world population of Hudsonian Godwit, which winters here and in other extensive bays of Patagonia togeteher Red Knot and a variety of other shorebirds. Hotel Presidente or similar, Puerto Montt (3*)(B,L,D)(G). Day 5 • Puerto Montt - Transfer to the airport This trip ends after breakfast with a transfer to the airport. (B). Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide; *=Hotel Category Rates for 2011-12 Custom Departures (you choose the date): Available from August 2011 through April 2012. Daily departures from Puerto Montt, Chile. Notes: - The above prices are per person in US$, based in double accommodation. - Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 2 participants. Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Puerto Montt? Domestic flights Santiago (SCL) – Puerto Montt (PMC) – Santiago (from US$ 200 per person). Duration of the flight: 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, boat trips at Puñihuil and Chepu, ferry fares to Chiloe Island and park entrance fees. 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 US$ 500 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. IMPORTANT NOTICE 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. Claudio F. Vidal has been exploring and birding since the age of 12 and currently leads birding / nature tours and photo safaris throughout Patagonia, Chile and South America. Claudio has a particular interest in the seabirds and marine mammals occurring in the Humboldt Current, Patagonia and Antarctica. One of his most recent passions involves the photographic documentation of wildflowers of desert and Mediterranean regions of the world. Claudio is now finishing the writing of a Field Guide to the Birds of Chile together a team of accomplished field ornithologists, and is co-author of more than 20 books, featuring 'Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Antarctic Peninsula'. He is actively involved in several ecotourism projects in Chile and is founding partner of FS Expeditions since 1997. He lives in Punta Arenas. You can see his work at his website 'Claudio Vidal Photo'. Enrique Couve is a Industrial Engineer by profession, although a field naturalist by true passion. He has been birding and studying the natural history of Chile during more than 45 years. He is co-author of more than 20 publications on the nature heritage of Chile and Patagonia, and among his published works is the praised title 'Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Antarctic Peninsula'. Enrique is a very gifted field spotter, and he uses this skill on his nature photography work, as he has one of the most complete and extensive files on the flora and fauna of the country. Enrique has extensively traveled throughout Chile and South America, its oceanic islands and Antarctica. He is the main author of an upcoming and long-waited Field Guide to the Birds of Chile. He is founding partner and manager of FS Expeditions and lives in Punta Arenas with his wife Cecilia. Check out our photo gallery with images from recent trips to Chile's Lake District & Chiloe Island Checklist for the Birds and Mammals of Chile's Lake District & Chiloe Island (possible species to be seen during this trip) Compiled by Claudio F. Vidal, FS Expeditions Tinamous | Tinamidae Chilean Tinamou Nothoprocta perdicaria Penguins | Spheniscidae Humboldt Penguin Spheniscus humboldti Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus magellanicus Grebes | Podicipedidae Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland Great Grebe Podiceps major Silvery Grebe Podiceps occipitalis Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris Antarctic Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus Southern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialoides White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis Pink-footed Shearwater Puffinus creatopus Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus Storm-Petrels | Hydrobatidae Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus Diving-Petrels | Pelecanoididae Magellanic Diving-Petrel Pelecanoides magellani Pelicans | Pelecanidae Peruvian Pelican Pelecanus thagus Gannets & Boobies | Sulidae Peruvian Booby Sula variegata Cormorants | Phalacrocoracidae Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus Rock Shag Phalacrocorax magellanicus Guanay Cormorant Phalacrocorax bougainvillii Imperial Shag Phalacrocorax atriceps Red-legged Cormorant Phalacrocorax gaimardi Herons, Egrets & Bitterns | Ardeidae Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi Great Egret Ardea alba Snowy Egret Egretta thula Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Stripe-backed Bittern Ixobrychus involucris Ibises & Spoonbills | Threskiornithidae Black-faced Ibis Theristicus melanopis Flamingos | Phoenicopteridae Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis Ducks, Geese & Swans | Anatidae Black-necked Swan Cygnus melanocorypha Kelp Goose Chloephaga hybrida Ashy-headed Goose Chloephaga poliocephala Flightless Steamerduck Tachyeres pteneres Flying Steamerduck Tachyeres patachonicus Torrent Duck Merganetta armata Chiloe Wigeon Anas sibilatrix Speckled Teal Anas flavirostris Spectacled Duck Anas specularis Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica Silver Teal Anas versicolor Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera Rosy-billed Pochard Netta peposaca New World Vultures | Cathartidae Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Andean Condor Vultur gryphus Hawks, Eagles & Kites | Accipitridae White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus Cinereous Harrier Circus cinereus Chilean Hawk Accipiter chilensis Harris' Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus Variable Hawk Buteo polyosoma White-throated Hawk Buteo albigula Rufous-tailed Hawk Buteo ventralis Falcons & Caracaras | Falconidae Southern Crested Caracara Caracara plancus Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango American Kestrel Falco sparverius Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus Spot-flanked Gallinule Gallinula melanops White-winged Coot Fulica leucoptera Red-gartered Coot Fulica armillata Red-fronted Coot Fulica rufifrons Oystercatchers | Haematopodidae Magellanic Oystercatcher Haematopus leucopodus Blackish Oystercatcher Haematopus ater American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Collared Plover Charadrius collaris Two-banded Plover Charadrius falklandicus Rufous-chested Dotterel Charadrius modestus South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Surfbird Aphriza virgata Red Knot Calidris canutus Sanderling Calidris alba White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Skuas & Jaegers | Stercoraridae Chilean Skua Stercorarius chilensis Gulls | Laridae Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus Brown-hooded Gull Larus maculipennis Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan Elegant Tern Sterna elegans South American Tern Sterna hirundinacea Common Tern Sterna hirundo Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea Snowy-crowned Tern Sterna trudeaui Skimmers | Rhynchopidae Black Skimmer Rynchops niger Rock Dove Columba livia Chilean Pigeon Columba araucana Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata Parrots, Macaws & Allies | Psittacidae Austral Parakeet Enicognathus ferrugineus Slender-billed Parakeet (E) Enicognathus leptorhynchus Barn Owls | Tytonidae Barn Owl Tyto alba Typical Owls | Strigidae Magellanic Horned Owl Bubo magellanicus Rufous-legged Owl Strix rufipes Austral Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium nanum Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Nightjars & Allies | Caprimulgidae Band-winged Nightjar Caprimulgus longirostris Hummingbirds | Trochilidae Green-backed Firecrown Sephanoides sephaniodes Kingfishers | Alcedinidae Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata Woodpeckers & Allies | Picidae Striped Woodpecker Picoides lignarius Chilean Flicker Colaptes pitius Magellanic Woodpecker Campephilus magellanicus Ovenbirds | Furnariidae Dark-bellied Cinclodes Cinclodes patagonicus Gray-flanked Cinclodes Cinclodes oustaleti Bar-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus Des Murs' Wiretail Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii Thorn-tailed Rayadito Aphrastura spinicauda Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura aegithaloides Wren-like Rushbird Phleocryptes melanops White-throated Treerunner Pygarrhichas albogularis Tapaculos | Rhinocryptidae Black-throated Huet-huet Pteroptochos tarnii Chucao Tapaculo Scelorchilus rubecula Ochre-flanked Tapaculo Eugralla paradoxa Magellanic Tapaculo Scytalopus magellanicus Plantcutters | Phytotomidae Rufous-tailed Plantcutter Phytotoma rara Tyrant Flycatchers | Tyrannidae White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus Many-colored Rush-Tyrant Tachuris rubrigastra Patagonian Tyrant Colorhamphus parvirostris Fire-eyed Diucon Xolmis pyrope Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis montana Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola macloviana White-browed Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola albilora Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola flavinucha Austral Negrito Lessonia rufa Spectacled Tyrant Hymenops perspicillatus Swallows | Hirundinidae Chilean Swallow Tachycineta meyeni Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Wagtails & Pipits | Motacillidae Correndera Pipit Anthus correndera Wrens | Troglodytidae House Wren Troglodytes aedon Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis Mockingbirds & Thrashers | Mimidae Chilean Mockingbird (E) Mimus thenca Thrushes & Allies | Turdidae Austral Thrush Turdus falcklandii Old World Sparrows | Passeridae House Sparrow ( I ) Passer domesticus Siskins, Crossbills & Allies | Fringillidae Black-chinned Siskin Carduelis barbata Buntings, Sparrows & Allies | Emberizidae Gray-hooded Sierra-Finch Phrygilus gayi Patagonian Sierra-Finch Phrygilus patagonicus Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor Yellow-bridled Finch Melanodera xanthogramma Common Diuca-Finch Diuca diuca Grassland Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteola Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis Troupials & Allies | Icteridae Yellow-winged Blackbird Agelaius thilius Long-tailed Meadowlark Sturnella loyca Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis Austral Blackbird Curaeus curaeus MAMMALS Old World Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Nutria Myocastor coypus Peale's Dolphin Lagenorhynchus australis Chilean Dolphin Cephalorhynchus eutropia Darwin's Fox Pseudalopex culpaeus Marine Otter Lontra felina Southern River Otter Lontra provocax Southern Sea Lion Otaria byronia Pudu Pudu puda
Last Updated on Wednesday, 31 August 2011 10:20 |
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Browse our 2011 Online Digital Catalog here or use the link below to request a print catalog.
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![Lake District & Chile Island - Discovering Volcanos, Rainforests and Islands [CHL06] - www.fsexpeditions.com](/images/stories/bandera-espana.jpg "Lake District & Chile Island - Discovering Volcanos, Rainforests and Islands [CHL06] - www.fsexpeditions.com"){kind=small}
