Compare Southern Patagonia, Torres del Paine & Tierra del Fuego by Birdwatching Chile vs Best of Chile from Atacama to Patagonia 2022 Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 6 days | 11 days |
| Price From | Check price | $ 7,098 |
| Price Per Day | Check price | $ 645 |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included |
54 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 5 Dinners |
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| Description |
Southern Patagonia is a windswept land with a wealth of stunning environments, jagged peaks, glaciers, vast plains and old-growth forests, sprinkled with lakes and ever-changing landscapes. You will be surprised by the variety of views that never repeat themselves as you travel across this wild realm. Some of the bird specialties found here are Darwin´s Rhea, Magellanic Penguin, Chilean Skua, Magellanic Plover, Austral Canastero, Spectacled Duck, Flying Steamer Duck, Dolphin Gull, White-throated Caracara, Kelp Goose, Magellanic Oystercatcher, Austral Parakeet and White-throated Treerunner, among others. Other wildlife includes Grey Fox, Guanaco, a wild relative to Llamas, Patagonian Skunk and Hairy Armadillo. |
Journey across Chile on an immersive 11-Day adventure, from Santiago set against the snow-capped Andes to the UNESCO protected sites of Valparaíso and the llama farms of Torres del Paine. Wine connoisseurs will be in their element at the Kingston Family Vineyard where a private Casablanca Valley Wine Tasting uncorks the finest local tipples—including regional Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In Torres del Paine, join the Patagonia Ranch cultural experience and see the world through the eyes of your local baqueano guides—the cowboy descendants of horsemen who came to work the ranches over a century ago. In Atacama, journey 14,000 feet up into the Andes for a dip in the Puritama Hot Springs before an evening of stargazing under the crystal-clear skies of the Chilean desert. |
Day 1
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Meet at Punta Arenas Airport, then we´ll drive to Tierra del Fuego, including a ferry trip, afterwards we´ll visit the shrubby slopes and moorland of the Baquedano Hills. Birds: Black-browed Albatross, Southern/Northern Giant-Petrel, Southern Fulmar, Cape Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Magellanic Diving-Petrel, Magellanic Horned Owl, Austral Canastero, the spectacular Black-throated Finch and our target species in Tierra del Fuego, the Magellanic Plover, and other interesting shorebirds including Two-banded and Rufous-chested Dotterel. Lodging at Porvenir.
Day 2
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Tierra del Fuego and the huge embayment of Bahia Inutil. Birds: Flightless and Flying Steamer-Ducks, Kelp Goose, Imperial and Rock Cormorants, Kelp, Brown-hooded, and Dolphin Gulls and South America Tern. Along the bay we will have a slight chance of finding King Penguin as well. Lodging at Porvenir.
Day 3
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Tierra del Fuego and mainland Patagonia in search of its specialities and a short ferry ride where we´ll have a chanse to see the striking Commerson´s Dolphin. Birds: Ruddy-headed Goose, Upland Goose, Coscoroba Swan, Silver Teal, Black-headed Duck, Rosy-billed Pochard, Chilean Flamingos, Least Seedsnipe, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Short-billed Miner, Band-tailed Earthcreeper and Chocolate-vented Tyrant. Waders such as Wilson´s Phalarope, Baird´s and White-rumped Sandpipers will be common. Lodging at Punta Arenas.
Day 4
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Torres del Paine National Park. Birds: Great Grebe, Spectacled Duck, Chiloe Wigeon, Speckled Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Cinereous Harrier, Black-chested Buzzard Eagle, Chilean Flicker, Striped Woodpeckar and Austral Pygmy-Owl. We will scan the fast-flowing rivers hoping to find the remarkable Torrent Duck, Andean Duck, Silvery and White-tufted Grebes and with luck the elusive and recently re-discovered Austral Rail. In the surrounding sub-Antartic forest we will have good chance to see Thorn-tailed Rayadito, White-throated Treerunner, Austral Parakeet, Austral Blackbird and the striking Magellanic Woodpecker. Lodging at Torres del Paine.
Day 5
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Sierra Baguales and Punta Arenas. Birds: Patagonian Mockingbird, Gray-bellied Shrike-Tyrant, White-throated Caracara, Gray-breasted Seedsnipe, Cinnamon-bellied and Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrants, Patagonian and Greater Yellow-Finches and the stunning Yellow-bridled Finch. Lodging at Punta Arenas.
Day 6
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Birding around Punta Arenas and drive to the Airport. End of the Tour.
Day 1: Arrive in Santiago
Welcome to Santiago. A picturesque city back dropped by the spectacular, snow-capped Andes, it offers a metropolitan world of museums, top restaurants and historic finds. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening meet your Travel Director and fellow guests at the hotel and enjoy a Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: Valparaiso and the Casablanca Wine Country
Begin your day with a visit to the coastal city of Valparaiso. Explore the UNESCO protected site with a Local Expert as you discover its church-dotted hillsides and unique ampitheatre-like layout.After lunch, visit the Kingston Family Vineyard for a private wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley. Recognised as one of the best wineries in Chile, its varieties have been featured on the wine lists of top restaurants including Aureole in New York.The evening is yours at leisure to relax or have a night out on the town.
Day 3: On to Atacama
Take a transfer to the airport for your flight to Calama, a city based in the Atacama Desert. On arrival you'll head to San Pedro.You’ll then be driven to the Moon Valley for a guided visit. A nod to its name, this moon-like area is made up of dunes, caves and caverns. Learn more about its history and the land formations from a Local Expert.
Day 4: Explore Atacama
This morning, take a guided visit to the Atacama Geysers known as El Tatio Geysers, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Located in the Andes Mountains, you'll be 14,170 feet (4,230 metres) above sea level. Enjoy a visit to the Puritama Hotsprings before taking a scenic drive back to your hotel.
Day 5: Atacama Salt Flats
Explore the Atacama Salt Flats, the largest in Chile. One of the driest parts of the world, the area stretches for over 40,000 square miles (103,600 kilometres). Keep your eyes open for species of wild birds including the Andean and James flamingos on the shores of the Chaxa, Miscanti and Minque Lagoons. This afternoon, make your way to Toconao, a traditional colonial village known for is volcanic rock architecture. Take a stroll through the main square and visit the handicraft stands that sell alpaca textiles.
Day 6: Atacama to Santiago
Wake up for your transfer and flight back to Santiago.Enjoy lunch at El Galeon restaurant, located in the heart of the Central Market.Continue to the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral, traveling to the heart of the city along the famous Alameda, Santiago's vibrant main avenue. Continue your tour by crossing the Mapocho River to reach the bohemian Bellavista district on your way to the San Cristobal Hill.
Day 7: On to Puerto Natales
Fly to Punta Arenas where you'll then drive to Puerto Natales, a port city, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and starting point for explorers in search of the Patagonian fjords. This afternoon, you’ll have leisure time in the day to rest and rejuvenate before heading to dinner.Famous for its spiced meat and seafood dishes, tonight's meal will have you savouring typical Patagonian dishes.
Day 8: Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Excursion
Wake for a scenic breakfast before starting your day. Torres del Paine National Park boasts jaw-dropping landscapes filled with turquoise lagoons, glaciers, and towering granite horns. Head out on a Balmaceda & Serrano Glacier Cruise to view these majestic ice formations. On return, the rest of your day is at leisure.
Day 9: Torres del Paine National Park
Join your local expert on an excursion of the Torres del Paine National Park. Situated in Chile's Patagonia region, this park is famous for its glaciers, grasslands, imposing mountains and the three granite towers it is named after.This afternoon, explore Torres del Paine with Insight Choice. Choose to join a Patagonian Ranch Cultural Experience and learn about the baqueano (cowboy) way of life. During your time with them, you will learn about their special clothing, saddles and other horse tack. You'll also be shown how to properly saddle a horse, nail a horseshoe and of course how to ride. Alternatively, choose to join a tour of the region's oldest gardens at Resrva Cerro Paine which produces seasonal fruits and vegetables using bio-intensive sustainable methods.Tonight, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you enjoy dinner at your hotel. All the ingredients are produced onsite utilizing sustainable farming techniques.
Day 10: Sightseeing in Torres del Paine
Today you'll spend the day sightseeing in Torres del Paine as you keep a look out for the park's guanacos, a rare creature similar to the llama, as well as Andean condors. Witness the sharp peaks of Cuernos del Paine and marvel at the emerald waters of the park’s lakes. These include Dickson Lake, Lake Pehoé, Sarmiento Lake, Del Toro Lake and Nordenskjöld Lake.After a day exploring, join your Travel Director and new friends as you toast to your travels at a Celebration Dinner with wine.
Day 11: Back to Santiago
It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your trip comes to an end. Head to Punta Arenas where you'll fly to Santiago International Airport for your flight home.
