Chile’s Best Birding Updated Feb 2016 Featuring the Explora Patagonia Lodge in Torres del Paine
Explora Patagonia Lodge and Waterfall © Royal Adventures
October 27 - November 7, 2016 Wayne Petersen, Director of the Important Bird Areas program
Chile is a beautiful country bordered by the Pacific coast and the magnificent Andes. We will explore the birds and wildlife of the Humboldt Current, the Strait of Magellan, the ancient beech forests, grasslands, the peaks of the highest Andes, and the wilds of Patagonia.
The tour ends in Torres del Paine National Park - truly one of the most emblematic national parks on the planet. Here, mountains, glaciers, wetlands, steppes, and forests come together in an astonishingly beautiful landscape that is comprised of diverse habitats and a wonderful array of birds, many of which are restricted exclusively to these latitudes. We will stay at the world- famous Explora Patagonia Lodge within the park.
Chile is also home to some fantastic wineries, and our accommodations and meals will be excellent. This is a comfortable birding trip with a focus on seeing a broad cross section of Chile’s birds and landscapes with reasonable logistics and length of tour.
208 South Great Road ▲ Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773 ▲ 800.289.9504 ▲ 781.259.2165 ▲ [email protected]
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
Thursday, October 27 - Day 1 • USA / CHILE (Overnight flight)
Friday, October 28 - Day 2 • Santiago
We will arrive in Santiago, Chile in the morning and be greeted at the airport by our local guide. Then, we'll transfer to our comfortable hotel. Please note that flights from the US to Chile leave at night. Since there is only a minimal time change, jet lag is not a problem.
After a few hours of rest, we will take a walk to enjoy the beautiful vista of Santiago and the Andes Mountains from Cerro San Cristóbal. We'll then take the funicular to visit La Chascona, one of three charming house museums devoted to Chilean poet-diplomat and Noble Prize Santiago Skyline © Royal Adventures winner, Pablo Neruda. Welcome dinner. Overnight Hotel Torre Mayor in Santiago (D) http://www.hoteltorremayor.cl/en-us/
*Please note that dinners in Chile frequently do not begin until 8 pm.
Saturday, October 29 - Day 3 • Santiago / Central Andes / Farellones and Yeso Valley
This morning, after breakfast, a full day of birding will be in order. Santiago is Chile’s largest city and the capital of the country. It sits at the base of the Andes at 1500 feet in elevation. It is a large metropolitan area, but there are good birding spots, both in the unique Chilean Matorral habitat (like the shrubland ecoregions of Mediterranean climate zones in southern Europe) and in Andean Mountain passes close to the city.
Our local bird guide will be Eduardo Whitaker, who has been birding and guiding in this area his whole life. During the day, we will stop at Yerba Loca Reserve, a stunning mountain valley seldom visited by US tourists, where there are easy trails with breathtaking panoramic views. The habitat is a mix of cypress, pines, and poplar forests surrounded by high mountains and valleys cut by fast-moving rivers.
We will explore this spot either on the way up or down from Farellones. A ski resort, Farellones has snow-covered peaks and central-Chilean specialties such as Grey-flanked Cinclodes, Lesser and Cordilleran Canasteros, Mustached Turca, and assorted ground-tyrants and sierra- finches. The unusual Crag Chilia (a species of the ovenbird family) can also be found here, and Andean Condors, Chile’s national bird, are likely to be spotted overhead. After a full day of birding, we will head back to our hotel and a fine dinner. Overnight Hotel Torre Mayor in Santiago (B,L,D)
Austral Pygmy Owl © Carol Passera
208 South Great Road ▲ Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773 ▲ 800.289.9504 ▲ 781.259.2165 ▲ [email protected]
Sunday, October 30 - Day 4 • Santiago / Valparaíso
Today, we will start very early for the coastal area, taking a box breakfast with us. En route, we'll visit some top notch birding sites at the mouth of the Maipo River, the San Antonio-Caragena Lagoon, and more. Target birds here: Black-necked Swan, Stripe-backed Bittern, three species of coots, and maybe even a Black Rail, Chiloe Wigeon, Red Shoveler, Lake Duck, Spot-flanked Gallinule, Grey, Kelp, and Brown-hooded Gulls, South American and Elegant Terns overhead, and Baird’s Sandpiper along the shoreline.
Midday, if time allows, we will make a stop at Isla Negra, the location of Pablo Neruda’s wonderful coastal house museum and where he is buried. We will have a chance to see several waterbirds here, including Inca Tern. The house museum also has a nice restaurant, El Rincon del Poeta (The Poet’s Corner), and a good gift and book store.
Next, we’ll continue north along the coast to Chile´s number one port, the historic city of Valparaíso.
Target birds along the road include the ubiquitous Chimango Caracara, which fills the niche of the crow in Chile, Chilean Swallow, and the endemic Chilean Mockingbird. In the ponds, we should see birds such as the Red-gartered Coot, Chiloe Wigeon, Yellow-billed Pintail, Cinnamon Teal, and Southern Lapwing.
After we check into our luxurious hotel, we will have some free time to relax and enjoy the area. Overnight at Hotel Diego de Almagro in Valparaíso.(B,L, D)
Monday, October 31 - Day 5 • Valparaíso
Our day will start early as we head to port for our half-day pelagic trip through the cold waters of the Humboldt Current. This biologically productive ocean current, whose nutrients are further enriched by upwellings from the ocean floor along the entire Chilean coast, is considered one of the world’s best pelagic birding locations. It is also frequented by many marine mammals. We will expect to see a great array of tubenoses such as Black-browed, Grey-headed, and Wandering Albatrosses. We should also find Southern Giant-Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Pink-footed and Sooty Shearwaters, Cape Petrel, Juan Fernández Petrel, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, and Peruvian Diving-Petrel. Other seabirds we may encounter include Red and Red-necked Phalaropes, Humboldt Penguin, Inca Tern,and Chilean and South Polar Skuas.
We will have lunch near the docks, then head up the coast for more birding along a lake (near a copper refinery). Dinner and overnight at Hotel Diego de Almagro in Valparaíso (B,L, D)
Tuesday, November 1 - Day 6 • Valparaíso / Santiago
After breakfast, we will bid farewell to Valparaiso and head northeast towards La Campana National Park in the coastal mountains. We'll explore the Ocoa Valley and one of the last forests of Chilean Wine Palm (Jubaea chilensis). Two Chilean Torres del Paine Horns and Lake © Royal Adventures
208 South Great Road ▲ Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773 ▲ 800.289.9504 ▲ 781.259.2165 ▲ [email protected] endemics can be found here: the noisy White-throated Tapaculo and Dusky-tailed Canastero. There is also a good chance of seeing the remarkable Giant Hummingbird.
We will continue our birding near San Felipe – Rinconada de Los Andes where we'll have lunch at a very typical Chilean restaurant. We return to Santiago through Cuesta de Chacabuco for more birding before a free evening in Santiago. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Overnight Hotel Torre Mayor in Santiago (B,L)
Wednesday, November 2 - Day 7 • Santiago / Maipo and Yeso Valley
Today, we will depart Santiago very early to beat the traffic and head to Maipo Valley to spend much of the day exploring this scenic area known for its wine vineyards. The gorgeous mountain valley of the From the Explora website: http://www.explora.com/hotels-and- Yeso River, high up and near the border with Argentina is a spot to travesias/patagonia-chile/hotel-and-services/ try and find Diademed Sandpiper Plover. We will also look for Rufous-banded Miner, Cordilleran Canastero, Chilean Mockingbird, Austral Thrush, Austral Blackbird, and Common Diuca-Finch. Picnic lunch in the field, returning to Santiago for dinner and overnight at Overnight Hotel Torre Mayor in Santiago (B, Box lunch, D)
Thursday, November 3 - Day 8 • Santiago to Torres Del Paine Today is a travel day as we'll depart early from Santiago on a regularly scheduled commercial flight south to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, we'll transfer to Puerto Natales and on to world-famous Explora Patagonia lodge in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. Overnight 3 nights here, on the shores of Lake Pehoe, breathtaking views of the Paine ridge and the granite towers. With simple luxury, the lodge and rooms take full advantage of the silence, privacy, and spaciousness of the surrounding landscape. Overnight at Explora Patagonia lodge (B,L,D)
Friday, November 4 & Saturday, November 5 – Days 9 & 10 • Torres del Paine National Park Torres del Paine National Park is truly one of the most emblematic national parks on the planet. Here, mountains, glaciers, wetlands, steppes, and forests come together in an astonishingly beautiful landscape that is comprised of diverse habitats and a wonderful array of birds, many of which are restricted exclusively to these latitudes.
Birding in the Southern Beech (Nothofagus) forest, we will look for Magellanic Woodpecker and the Austral Parakeet. In the steppes, Ashy-headed Goose, Patagonian and Black-hooded Sierra-Finches, Bar- winged Cinclodes, Scaly-throated Earthcreeper, and Patagonian Mockingbird can be found. Wetlands here are home to the remarkable Andean Ruddy Duck, Red Shoveler, the beautiful Great Grebe, and White-tufted Grebe, while above us we may see a soaring Andean
Guanaco and Towers of Torres del Paine © Royal Adventures
208 South Great Road ▲ Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773 ▲ 800.289.9504 ▲ 781.259.2165 ▲ [email protected]
Condor or Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle. Of course, there are also unique Patagonian mammals such as Guanacos.
We will visit a high-altitude habitat in the Southern Andes where we'll try to find characteristic species including the beautiful and remarkable Torrent Duck. As we gain elevation and the land becomes more arid, there'll be a good chance to observe strange and little-known species such as Yellow-bridled Finch and the rare White-throated Caracara. Overnight at Explora Patagonia lodge (B,L,D)
Sunday, November 6 - Day 11 • Puerto Natales / Santiago / USA
This is a full travel day, but it starts with a visit to the Magellanic Penguin colony near Punta Arenas. As we travel there, passing massive sheep estancias and coal mines, we should watch for Lesser Rheas, Chilean Flamingos, and geese, skuas, and terns in flight. After we have our fill watching the penguins, we will board our flight to Santiago and connect with flights to the USA. Overnight flight (B,L)
Monday, November 7 - Day 12 • USA
Arrive in the US this morning and connect with flights home.
Torres del Paine © Royal Adventures
About Your Guide:
Wayne Petersen is Mass Audubon’s Director of the Massachusetts Important Bird Areas (IBA) program. He has led trips and tours, lectured, and conducted birding workshops across North America for over thirty-five years. His tour-leading experiences have taken him from the Arctic to Antarctica, as well as Iceland, Svalbard, Africa, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. Wayne was a founding member of the Massachusetts Avian Records Committee, is a New England Regional Editor for North American Birds, and serves on the advisory committee for the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. His writing projects include authoring the National Audubon Society’s Pocket Guide to Songbirds and Familiar Backyard Birds (East), coauthoring Birds of Massachusetts and Birds of New England, co-editing the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas, and contributing to The Audubon Society Master Guide to Birding, The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior, and Arctic Wings. In 2005, Wayne was the recipient of the American Birding Association’s Ludlow Griscom Award for outstanding contributions in regional ornithology.
208 South Great Road ▲ Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773 ▲ 800.289.9504 ▲ 781.259.2165 ▲ [email protected]
PRICE, TERMS, & CONDITIONS
Main Trip Price: $ 7995 based on double occupancy, Single supplement + $1,950 A $2,000 per person deposit is required along with the reservation form. This cost is based on a minimum of 12 persons.
Included in your fee:
Leadership of Mass Audubon ornithologist Wayne Petersen Excellent Tour Director and local Chilean Ornithologist Eduardo Whitaker in the area of Santiago and Valparaíso. In-tour airfare within Chile (Santiago/Punta Arenas/Santiago) English-speaking local guide(s) Pelagic Boat Trip (weather permitting) Bottled water throughout the trip at all excursions and in the bus Potable water at all group meals and/or sodas or natural juices Beer and/or wine at welcome & farewell dinner Transportation by private motor coach Transfer from the airport and return for those using group flights Guided field trips, excursions, and tours Baggage handling All tips to local birding guides, porters, restaurants, and tour manager Taxes and service charges Entrance fees including entrance fees to national parks Pre-trip notes including a Travel Guide and Reading List Birding checklist/luggage tags. Medical Evacuation insurance (details will be sent)
Trip Fee Does NOT Include: International airfare from home to Santiago, Chile Liquor, personal items such as laundry, fax, and phone calls Meals not indicated Alcoholic beverages (except wine and/or beer with most dinners) Travel insurance and personal insurance Medical expenses and immunizations Personal items; e-mail, telephone, and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for non-group services Optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour Private transportation and excursions in the park Excess baggage charges
RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENTS: Reservations are first come first served. A completed reservation form and a $2,000 per person deposit is required for a reservation. Deposits can be made by check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Final payment is due July 27, 2016. Final payment must be by check, wire transfer or money order.
208 South Great Road ▲ Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773 ▲ 800.289.9504 ▲ 781.259.2165 ▲ [email protected]
RATES: All tour prices are based on double occupancy and a minimum of 12 travelers. If you would like us to find you a roommate, we will do our best, but cannot guarantee a share. If we cannot find a share, you will need to pay the single supplement. All forms and fares are accurate at the time of publication (September 2015) but are subject to change at any time prior to departure. If there is a significant change in the value of the dollar, a sharp rise in the cost of fuel, or other unanticipated circumstance, there may result in a slight increase in the cost of the program. Rarely, a price increase may be called for if the group falls below the minimum, as listed in the itinerary.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: There will be some long days in the field and some long, though scenic, bus rides. Much of our birding will be in fairly easy terrain or along roadsides and trails. However, we will be birding at high elevation in the Farellones area in the Andes of Santiago (to 10,000 feet). Altitude sickness affects some visitors to these elevations, and physical or health problems can be exacerbated. We will take care to move at a reasonable pace, but participants must be aware of their limitations and the challenges birding at such an altitude presents. The pelagic boat trip could have rough waters and sea-sickness preventives are recommended. In addition, Chile is a country where dinners are typically served later than most birders would prefer, often at 9:00 p.m.
FLIGHTS: You, the traveler, are responsible for booking and paying for your own international flights. We will provide you with suggested flights and tell you which flights our leaders will take. You may book flights directly with the airline, online, with a travel agent or you may ask Royal Adventures, our operator for this trip, for their assistance. Your in-tour flights (Santiago/Punta Arenas/Santiago) are included in your trip fee and they are arranged by our operator Royal Adventures. Please be aware that most tickets are nonrefundable: therefore, you should not book your international flight arrangements until you have checked with us to be sure the tour has the minimum number of participants for the trip to go.
We work with the respected tour operator, Royal Adventures (CST #2009579-40) in California, telephone 1- 800-453-4754. Our Contact there is Katie Howe, Tour Manager.
PHOTOS: Mass Audubon reserves the right to make use of any photograph taken on the tour. If you have questions, please contact us.
TRIP INSURANCE: We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance within 2 weeks of your deposit. A brochure and application for optional trip cancellation, illness, and baggage insurance will be sent to you you’re your confirmation letter, but you can purchase insurance from any company. We suggest you review and compare policies on www.insuremytrip.com to find one that best suits your needs. Please check with your own health insurance to see if you will be covered for medical expenses overseas. (Note: Medicare will not cover you outside the U.S., nor will most Medicare supplements.) Mass Audubon does provide Global Rescue services as part of the tour price, but coverage is limited.
CANCELLATION Policy: If you need to cancel your reservation, you must inform us immediately in writing. All cancellations must be done in writing and are effective upon receipt in the Massachusetts Audubon Travel office: Cancellations received on or before April 1, 2016 will be refunded deposits less a $500 per person fee. Cancellations received between April 2 and June 1, 2016 will be refunded deposits less an $800 per person fee. Cancellations received between June 2 and July 27 2016 will be refunded deposits less a $1,200 per person fee. There are no refunds for cancellations after July 27, 2016
208 South Great Road ▲ Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773 ▲ 800.289.9504 ▲ 781.259.2165 ▲ [email protected]
There are no refunds for unused meals, accommodations or other trip features or for any part of the program on which you choose not to participate.
CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL: Travelers will be provided with an itinerary and trip preparation information. It is expected that travelers will read this information prior to trip departure. Travelers will be responsible for completing an application reservation form, including a passenger information and a release of liability. Travelers will be expected to abide by the terms set forth in the invoice. During the tour, travelers are asked to respect and follow the directions of their guide and leader.
Assumption of Risk: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, group travel trips by their nature involve a certain amount of risk. Trip participants should understand that the domestic and international trips sponsored/operated by Massachusetts Audubon Society (Mass Audubon Tours) - hereafter collectively “M.A.S.” - involve known and unknown risks. M.A.S. assumes no responsibility for injuries, death, financial losses or damage to clients’ property caused by or occurring during participation in any of the travel trips sponsored/operated by M.A.S. Trip participants must assume responsibility for having sufficient skill and fitness to participate in the trips and activities offered or sponsored by M.A.S. Trip participants must also certify that they have no medical, mental, or physical conditions that could interfere with their abilities to participate in the activities and/or trips they are participating in and they must assume and bear the cost of all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition. It is the responsibility of trip participants to have in place adequate insurance to cover any injury, damage, or emergency transportation costs related to their travel and/or participation in trip activities and/or to bear the costs of such injury, damage, or emergency transportation costs. Because of the risks associated with the travel trips sponsored by M.A.S., we urge all trip participants to supplement their own insurance with travel or vacation or emergency response types of insurance. M.A.S. requires that all trip participants acknowledge and assume these risks by reading and signing a M.A.S. Release and Waiver and Assumption of Risk contract prior to departure.
RESPONSIBILITY: Royal Adventures, its owners and employees act only as agents for the various independent suppliers and contractors providing transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant and other services connected with this tour. Such travel and services are subject to the terms and conditions under which such accommodations, services and transportation are offered or provided, and the Massachusetts Audubon Society and Royal Adventures and their respective, employees, agents, representatives, and assigns, accept no liability therefor. The Association of Massachusetts Audubon Society and Royal Adventures, assume no liability for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or other irregularity which may be caused by the defect of any aircraft or vehicle or the negligence or default of any company or person engaged in carrying out or performing any of the services involved. Additionally, responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws of the country in which they are provided. The Massachusetts Audubon Society and Royal Adventures reserve the right to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their sole judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience or safety of the tour participants. They reserve the right to withdraw this tour without penalty. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour, or to substitute another qualified leader or special guest. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times. The price of the program is given in good faith based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, airfare, or fuel increases will be passed onto participants. Neither the Massachusetts Audubon Society Alumni nor Royal Adventures accept the liability for any airline cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable airline ticket. The air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. As part of the consideration and right to participate in this tour, each participant will be asked to sign a Waiver and Assumption of Risk contract prior to departure.
CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL: Travelers will be provided with an itinerary and trip preparation information. It is expected that travelers will read this information prior to trip departure. Travelers will be responsible for completing an application reservation form, including the personal information and a release of liability. Travelers will be expected to abide by the terms set for in the invoice. During the tour, travelers are asked to respect and follow the directions of their guide and leader.
208 South Great Road ▲ Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773 ▲ 800.289.9504 ▲ 781.259.2165 ▲ [email protected]
Chile Birding Tour
Passenger 1 (Name as it appears on your passport) Date of Birth
Passenger 2 (Name as it appears on your passport) Date of Birth
Address
City / State / Zip
Best phone number to reach me:
Room Preferences: _____I request single accommodations where available and will pay the single supplement. _____I would like to be assigned a roommate. If one is not available, I will pay the single supplement. ____ I will be sharing a room and prefer: _____ Twin Beds _____ Double Bed
Personal Information: ___I/We are non-smokers. (If you are a smoker(s), please check here___ and note that smoking is limited to outdoors in non-group spaces)
___Is there anything Mass Audubon should know about your health that might impact your ability to participate comfortably on this trips? Please describe: ______
Passport Information: I understand that in-country flights will be booked on my behalf, therefore: _____I have attached a clear copy of my passport photo page
Deposit: ____ Please find my enclosed check deposit of $2000 per person. Checks should be made payable to “Massachusetts Audubon Society” or ____ Please charge my credit card:
VISA___MC___ Card #______Exp.______CVV code: ______
______Signature
208 South Great Road ▲ Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773 ▲ 800.289.9504 ▲ 781.259.2165 ▲ [email protected]