Penguins & Chile Endemics |

Birding trip and penguin watching tour to the Coastal Range and the Pacific Coast of Central Chile.

This trip is aim to search the bird endemics and specialties of Chile’s Mediterranean region. We will explore its native broad-leaf woodlands, its Espino (Acacia caven) scrubland and cacti-covered slopes, looking for skulking tapaculos, canasteros and other specialties. Along the shore we will concentrate in finding the endemic coastal seabirds of the Humboldt Current, including Guanay Cormorant, Inca Tern and Humboldt Penguin. Seaside Cinclodes is also one of our target species.

North of Viña del Mar, at the locality of Cachagua we will visit its breeding colony of Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldtii) where we will also have chances of seeing Peruvian Pelican and Marine Otter (Lontra felina).

This moderate tour is suitable for cruise passengers with restricted time at the ports of call.Penguin watching tours

Early in the morning, we will leave for La Campana National Park. The park holds an interesting array of native vegetation including impressive stands of the native and odd-looking Chilean Palm (Jubaea chilensis). At this World Biosphere Reserve we will look for interesting passerines, including some striking endemic species to Chile including Dusky-tailed Canastero, Moustached Turca, White-throated Tapaculo, Dusky Tapaculo and Chilean Mockingbird. We are also likely to encounter the remarkable Giant Hummingbird, Austral Pygmy Owl, Chilean Pigeon and Great Shrike-Tyrant, the largest New World tyrant-flycatcher.

In the afternoon, we will continue exploring the coastal areas visiting Cachagua and its protected breeding colony of Humboldt Penguin; here we hope to see the scarce and range-restricted Marine Otter.

To end the day we will stop in a coastal marsh to see a variety of waterfowl including Red Shoveler, Yellow-billed Pintail, Speckled Teal and Chiloe Wigeon, all three lowland coot species, Spot-flanked Gallinule and Plumbeous Rail, which, surprisingly for a rallid, is quite easy to spot as it often walks in the open. Penguin watching tours

Rates for Custom Private Departures (you choose the date)

Available from September through April.

Daily departures from Santiago de Chile.

What the trip includes/excludes

The above prices are per person in US Dollars. All payments are in US Dollars.

The trip price includes: Private transportation, birding guide services during the tour, park entrance fees, lunch and snacks, and bottled water. VAT of the tour is also included.

The trip price excludes: Tipping (entirely optional), travel insurance, á la carte dishes, alcoholic drinks, and anything else of a purely personal nature.  Bng El Yeso Reservoir.