North Chile Birding Tour

A 4 days birdwatching Chile program exploring the driest region on earth with a very diverse and productive list of birds and wildlife that inhabits between the Pacific coast and the high plateau of the Andean range. This area is the home of specialities as the Giant Coot, Puna, James and Chilean Flamingo, Oasis Hummingbird and the critically endangered Chilean Woodstar, among others.

The city of Arica and the coastal wetlands are the starting point of this trip, which then continues through the fertile valleys that hide spectacular species of birds, to then reach the foothills of the Andes mountain range and finally the altiplano heights in an impressive environment of blue skies and great mountains.

"We truly appreciated and enjoyed our tour today with Carlo. He is extremely knowledgeable, great sense of humor, and very professional. Our box lunch was very generous as well. Thank you BirdsChile!!!" -Beverley Cordukes.

The Atacama Desert and the valleys that run through it are a great destination for birdwatching chile, bird-watchers and nature lovers; the National Park Lauca, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, is maybe the best place in the Chilean Altiplano to observe rich biodiversity surrounded by wonderful landscapes, snowy-caped volcanoes, Andean lagoons and salt flats, staying away from the crowds.

This journey will take us from the coast to over 3.500 meters / 11.500 ft a.s.l. and will give us the chance to add a great list of birds that are not used to be found in other regions of Chile. We will easily end the tour with more than 120 species of birds and some very interesting mammals as the Vicuña and the Northern Andean Deer.

Like the look of this tour but want to see what else is on offer? Have a look at the Chile Birding Tour in Tierra del Fuego & South Patagonia.

Alternative Tour Name: North Chile Birding Tours

Day 1

Day 1 - Welcome to Arica

Reception at the airport of Arica, the northernmost airport in Chile.

We will spend the morning and afternoon to explore the shores of the Pacific coast at the very productive mouth of the Lluta River and then going up the valley to have our first attempt with the endemic and endangered Chilean Woodstar. With only 200 individuals left this is one of the most endangered species in the world. We should end the day with a good list of over 40 species of birds considering the very productive coastal area and the oasis and valleys inland.

Day 2

Day 2 - Arica surroundings: Lluta river mouth, Lluta valley and Putre

Early birding at the mouth of the river Lluta. This area is well known for the abundance of species of shorebirds and gulls and it is not unusual to spot some rarities. Later we will explore the valley of this river to look for specialties of the area. In the afternoon we will drive in direction to the aymara village of Putre (3.400 masl.) taking advantage to do some birding as we approach to the slopes of the Andean range.

Some of the species of the day: oasis hummingbird, chilean woodstar, peruvian meadowlark, slender-billed finch, tamarugo conebill, slender-billed finch, peruvian sheartail among others.

Breakfast, box lunch included. Overnight in Putre (Hotel Q`antati)

Day 3

Day 3 - Lauca National Park

Today is the day of the endemics of the eco-region of the Altiplano or high andean plateau (over 4.000 – 4.500 masl). Surrounded by stunning landscapes we will explore this world biosphere reserve from the first light of the morning to the end of the day to have a full comprehensive experience of this unique eco-system.

Some of the species of the day: chilean, puna and andean flamingo, puna ibis, puna plover, andean lapwing, grey-breasted seedsnipe, diademed sandpiper-plover, andean flicker, cordillera canastero, andean negrito, black sisking among many other species.

Breakfast, box lunch included. Overnight in Putre.

Day 4

Day 4 - Lauca National Park & Putre surroundings / Back to Arica

A dedicated full day exploration of the whole area around Putre, very well known for the abundance of specialties that inhabits the pre-puna shrubs habitats. Transfer to Arica airport.

Wildlife Reviews

5 stars

- based on 1 reviews

Excellent private tour in Alerce Andino national park
Beverley Cordukes01 Mar 2019
5
Overall

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We truly appreciated and enjoyed our tour today with Carlo. He is extremely knowledgeable, great sense of humor, and very professional. Our box lunch was very generous as well. Thank you BirdsChile!!!

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