Birding Expedition Juan Fernandez Archipelago

Birding Expedition to the

Quest for Endemic Seabirds & Masafuera Rayadito

Juan Fernandez Archipelago

Birding Expedition to the Juan Fernandez Archipelago

Quest for Endemic Seabirds and the Masafuera Rayadito

November 23-30, 2021 • 8-day expedition from Santiago, Chile

This unique birding and natural history expedition has been especially designed to explore the fascinating and remote islands of Masafuera (Alexander Selkirk) and Masatierra (Robinson Crusoe), both belonging to the Juan Fernandez Archipelago, off central Chile.

Masafuera Island, also known as Alexander Selkirk, is particularly remote and seldom visited by birders and naturalists. We will have access to the island onboard of one of the fishing crab vessels that periodically visit it, in order to supply the fishermen’s cove and park ranger’s station there. This is a long sea journey of 12+ hours, and will ultimately be an extreme pelagic trip which will provide excellent opportunities to look for the endemic seabirds which exclusively breed on this archipelago, including Stenjeneger’s, Juan Fernandez and Masatierra petrels as well as Pink-footed Shearwater and several other tubenoses.

We will have three full days to explore Masafuera. Our main target here, as we ascend its hilly topography and walk through its lush Dicksonia fern forests, is to look for a very special passerine, one which has been seen by very few people, the endemic and critically endangered Masatierra Rayadito. Also we will have great opportunities with Juan Fernandez Hawk, a potential split of Variable Hawk.

Back in Masatierra (Robinson Crusoe) Island, we will enjoy the pleasant accommodation of the village and the opportunities to explore its dense forests, with an outstanding array of endemic and endangered flora. We will look here for the endemic landbirds of this island, including Juan Fernandez Firecrown and Juan Fernandez Tit-Tyrant.

This is an expedition on its own right and as such requires flexibility in terms of the travel schedule and weather conditions. Also requires a good degree of fitness as the participants will be required to walk considerable distances in hilly, rough terrain while exploring both islands. The topography of Alexander Selkirk is particularly demanding as is quite steep; we plan to camp two nights at the top of the plateau, in order to optimize our limited time in the island, while searching for Masafuera Rayadito and other specialties.

Detailed Itinerary and Activities

Day 1 (Tuesday) • Morning flight from Santiago to Robinson Crusoe Island (2 hours) – Boat trip to the village of San Juan Bautista – Overnight at Refugio Nautico or similar, San Juan Bautista (Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 2 (Wednesday) • Departure to Alexander Selkirk Island (pelagic trip of 12+ hours) with splendid seabirding opportunities – Arrival to Masafuera (Selkirk) Island – Overnight at Fishermen’s Cove (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Days 3 & 4 (Thursday & Friday) • Exploring Selkirk Island for Masafuera Rayadito – Overnight at La Cuchara Base Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 5 (Saturday) • Exploring Selkirk Island – Set off back to Masatierra (Robinson Crusoe) in the late evening (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 6 (Sunday) • Arrival to Robinson Crusoe Island during the early morning – Free day – Overnight at Refugio Nautico or similar, San Juan Bautista (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 7 (Monday) • Walk to Plazoleta El Yunco for endemic landbirds – Overnight at Refugio Nautico or similar, San Juan Bautista (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 8 (Tuesday) • Flight back to Santiago – End of the expedition in Santiago, Chile

Important: This trip is an expedition to the remote Juan Fernandez Archipelago, off central Chile, in which we will explore both Masatierra (Robinson Crusoe) and Masafuera (Alexander Selkirk) islands. This expedition outline is tentative and we need some flexibility from trip participants, considering prevailing weather conditions that might affect our boat trip and the flight schedules. We advise to allow some days at the end of the trip in case of delays. We also require from trip participants a good degree of fitness and walking capabilities as we need to explore the rough topography of the islands, especially Masafuera. In addition, we plan to camp at the top of the plateau at Masafuera Island and guests must be prepared to practice a leave-no-trace camp in order to minimize our impact. We will also perform a strict and periodic boot cleaning schedule in order to prevent the accidental introduction of any exotic seed/fruit/plant to the islands.

Trip Map

Dates & Rates

Trip Code
JFI02

Trip Length
8 days, 7 nights

Dates
2021 November 23-30 w/ Enrique Couve

Price per person (USD)
$3,950

Single Supplement (USD)
$100 Only available in Robinson Crusoe Island

Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 4 participants. Maximum group size of 4 participants.

This trip is scheduled and will be operated with a minimum/maximum of 4 guests. We leave Santiago de Chile on Day 1 on the earliest flight and fly back to Santiago de Chile on Day 8 during the early afternoon. The duration of the flight is approximately 2 hours.

The trip price includes / excludes

The trip price includes: Return flight tickets Santiago – Robinson Crusoe Island, boat trip to Masafuera (Alexander Selkirk) Island, transfers from your hotel in Santiago to the airport, full board accommodation at Masatierra Island, full board camping accommodation at Masafuera Island, guide services as stated in the itinerary, and park entrance fees. Bottled water is also provided.

The trip price excludes: Tipping (entirely optional), travel insurance, excess baggage charges, à la carte dishes, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

Note: Availability is limited thus we recommend to book fairly in advance.

Tour Registration

To book this tour, please complete our online 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 $150 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 60 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 60 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 100 is refundable.

• If cancellation is made fewer than 59 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.