Birds, Wildflowers and Wines of Central Chile |

Discovering the Natural Riches of the Chile's Mediterranean Coast

Humboldt Penguin © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

This new program brings together three defining elements of Central Chile: birdlife, native flora, and premium wines. Join us to explore the Mediterranean-influenced coastline, where rich wetlands, remarkable plant diversity, and renowned vineyards create a well-balanced and rewarding experience.

The coastal wetlands host a diverse range of bird species. During the excursion, we may observe the Giant Hummingbird, Chilean Tinamou, White-throated Tapaculo, Great Shrike-Tyrant, among many others.

Reserva Puquén in Los Molles protects approximately 300 plant species, many of them endemic to the region. Highlights include Alstroemeria pelegrina, Eriosyce chilensis, and Puya venusta, which are among the most representative species of this unique ecosystem.

The program concludes with a curated wine tasting at a traditional vineyard, providing a relaxed and memorable finish to the day.

This tour is privately operated, ensuring personalized service and maximum flexibility throughout the experience. birds wildflowers wines central chile

Custom Trip (You Choose the Date!)

2-day trip from Santiago, Chile.

Available from September to April.

This program is operated as a customized, private trip.

Click for space request |

Bipinnula fimbriata, Los Molles, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

Itinerary in Brief |

Day 1 • Santiago – Drive to Los Molles and Puquén Nature Reserve – Papudo Wetlands. Overnight at Casa Wilson, Zapallar (Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 2 • Cerro de la Cruz (Zapallar) – Humboldt Penguins off Cachagua – Wine tasting at Casablanca valley – Drive back to Santiago (Breakfast, Lunch) (Guide) birds wildflowers wines central chile

Trip Highlights |

• Exceptional diversity of native bird species in coastal wetlands, rocky shores, and Mediterranean scrub-covered habitats.

• Opportunities to observe wildlife such as South American Gray Fox, Marine Otter, South American Sea Lion, and potentially whales and dolphins.

• Unique Mediterranean-climate flora with a high level of regional endemism.

• Premium wine tasting at a renowned vineyard in the Casablanca Valley.

• Boat excursion to the Humboldt Penguin colony off Cachagua.

• A well-balanced program ideal for birders, photographers, and nature enthusiasts.

• Private guide and vehicle ensuring personalized service and flexibility.

• An excellent extension to itineraries in other regions of Chile. birds wildflowers wines central chile

Trip Map |

dusky-tailed canastero, pseudasthenes humicola

Detailed Itinerary and Activities |

Day 1 • Santiago – Drive to Los Molles and Puquén Nature Reserve – Papudo Wetlands

Your private guide will meet you at your hotel in Santiago in the morning, and you will travel northwest toward the Pacific coast. After approximately two hours, you will arrive in the coastal village of Los Molles to visit the Puquén Nature Reserve, which protects most of the peninsula. This private conservation initiative safeguards the area’s fragile flora and fauna from human impact.

You will explore the reserve at a relaxed pace along easy walking trails, enjoying the coastal scenery and excellent photographic opportunities. The remarkable diversity of native plants is a highlight of the visit, including Puya venusta, several species of Alstroemeria and Leucocoryne, and delicate native orchids including the delightful Moustached Orchid. The area also offers good chances to observe species such as Chilean Mockingbird, Giant Hummingbird, and Chilean Tinamou. Along the coastline, cormorants and gulls are commonly seen, and with some luck, Risso’s Dolphins or a Marine Otter may also be spotted in the surf.

In the afternoon, you will continue to the Papudo Wetlands, an important river delta ecosystem supporting a wide variety of birdlife. Species frequently observed include waders and several species of ducks.

Toward the evening, you will travel south to the coastal village of Zapallar, where you will spend the night in a historic residence overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Overnight: Casa Wilson, Zapallar (Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 2 • Cerro de la Cruz - Humboldt Penguins - Wine tasting at Casa del Bosque - Santiago

Located next to Casa Wilson, the Cerro de la Cruz Nature Reserve offers outstanding coastal views and an exceptional diversity of endemic species. This protected area plays an important role in the conservation of Central Chile’s Mediterranean ecosystems. During a relaxed walk along easy trails, you will observe a variety of characteristic plant species, including Lobelia polyphylla, Bipinnula fimbriata, and Phycella cyranthoides. The reserve also provides good opportunities to observe birdlife such as Giant Hummingbird, Peruvian Booby, Seaside Cinclodes, and Great Shrike-Tyrant.

Later in the morning, you will travel to Cachagua for a boat excursion to the Humboldt Penguin colony. This outing offers excellent opportunities to observe and photograph these iconic seabirds both on the island and in the surrounding waters.

In the afternoon, you will continue to the Casablanca Valley to visit the renowned Casa del Bosque vineyard (or similar). Here, you will enjoy a guided wine tasting while learning about the winery’s production methods and the characteristics of the region’s wines. In the late afternoon, you will return to Santiago, where the program concludes.

(Breakfast, Lunch) (Guide)

Important note: The central coast of Chile is a popular destination for domestic travelers during public holidays, and traffic on main routes can be significantly heavier at these times. We recommend considering this when planning your itinerary together with one of our trip designers. birds wildflowers wines central chile

Dates & Rates |

Custom Private Departures. You Choose the Date.

Available from September through April. Departures from Santiago, Chile.

No. of guests	1	2	3	4+
Price per person (USD)	Ask	$TBA	$TBA	$TBA
Single Room Supplement (USD)	$TBA

The above prices are per person in US Dollars (US$), based on double occupancy. All payments are in US Dollars.

A single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.

What the Trip includes/excludes

The trip price includes: All accommodations, meals, and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, boat trip to Cachagua Island, wine tasting, and park entrance fees.

The trip price excludes: Domestic flights, private transfers, tipping, travel insurance, excess baggage charges, à la carte dishes, laundry, telephone calls, and anything else of a purely personal nature.

Tour Registration |

To book this tour, please fill in our online registration form. We will process your booking and will send you a note with space confirmation and a transfer invoice with payment instructions within 24 hours. The transfer amount is 500 USD per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

Note: Inquiries received on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays will be replied to 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 transfer amount minus 200 USD is refundable.

• If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the transfer is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.

• If cancellation is made less 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.

Birds, Wildflowers and Wines of Central Chile |

Discovering the Natural Riches of the Chile's Mediterranean Coast

Custom Trip (You Choose the Date!)

2-day trip from Santiago, Chile. Available from September to April. This program is operated as a customized, private trip.

Click for space request |

Bipinnula fimbriata, Los Molles, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

Itinerary in Brief |

Trip Highlights |

Trip Map |

Alstroemeria pelegrina, Los Molles, Valparaiso, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

Alstroemeria pelegrina

Tweedia stipitata, Los Molles, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

tweedia stipitata, los molles

Diuca Finch, Diuca diuca, Coquimbo, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

diuca finch, diuca diuca

Great Shrike-Tyrant, Agriornis livida, Zapallar, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

great shrike-tyrant, zapallar

Casa Wilson, Zapallar, Valparaiso, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

casa wilson, zapallar

Humboldt Penguins, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

humboldt penguins, chile

Chilean Mockingbird, Mimus thenca, Coquimbo, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

chilean mockingbird, mimus thenca

Liolaemus zapallarensis, Los Molles, Valparaiso, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

liolaemus zapallarensis, los molles

Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas) © Jorge Valenzuela, Far South Exp

giant hummingbird, los molles

Dusky-tailed Canastero, Pseudasthenes humicola, Coquimbo, Chile @ Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

dusky-tailed canastero, pseudasthenes humicola

Visiting the Casas del Bosque winery © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

casas del bosque wine cellar

Nolana paradoxa, Los Molles, Valparaiso, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

nolana paradoxa, los molles

Detailed Itinerary and Activities |

Day 1 • Santiago – Drive to Los Molles and Puquén Nature Reserve – Papudo Wetlands

Day 2 • Cerro de la Cruz - Humboldt Penguins - Wine tasting at Casa del Bosque - Santiago

Dates & Rates |

Custom Private Departures. You Choose the Date.

No. of guests

1

2

3

4+

Price per person (USD)

Ask

$TBA

$TBA

$TBA

Single Room Supplement (USD)

$TBA

What the Trip includes/excludes

White-throated Tapaculo © Jorge Valenzuela, Far South Expeditions

Tour Registration |

Cancellation Policy

2-day trip from Santiago, Chile.

Available from September to April.

This program is operated as a customized, private trip.