Patagonian forest tour
Scenic route | Spectacular landscapes | Iconic birds
Trip overview
This tour combines scenic routes with wonderful views of the Andes, mountain villages, enchanted Nothofagus forests thriving in the rain shadow of those mountains, and vast lakes that feed the Patagonian Steppe as they flow toward the Atlantic Ocean. This corner of Patagonia captivates travelers, climbers, hikers, and nature lovers from around the world every year.
Iconic birds of the area include the Andean Condor, Magellanic Woodpecker, Black-throated Huet-huet, Magellanic Tapaculo and White-throated Treerunner, as well as the Torrent Duck, Spectacled Duck and Rufous-legged Owl. In addition, this region harbors several other fantastic creatures of this sub-Antarctic forest hiding and waiting to be discovered - for example, the enigmatic Patagonian deer locally known as Huemul (South Andean Huemul / Hippocamelus bisulcus), a seriously threatened species, and the Wolffsohn's Mountain Chinchilla (Lagidium wolffsohni).
Join this birding tour and discover this enchanted forest and its fantastic creatures.
Tour details
Target birds for the area
Torrent Duck, Flying Steamer-Duck, Spectacled Duck, Chiloe Wigeon, Ruddy Duck, Lake Duck, Chilean Flamingo, Magellanic Plover, Magellanic Snipe, Least Seedsnipe, Andean Condor, Cinereous Harrier, Variable Hawk, Lesser Horned Owl, Austral Pygmy-Owl, Striped Woodpecker, Magellanic Woodpecker, Chilean Flicker, White-throated Caracara, Black-throated Huet-huet, Magellanic Tapaculo, White-throated Treerunner, Buff-winged Cinclodes, Gray-flanked Cinclodes, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail, Rufous-tailed Plantcutter, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant, Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant, Fire-eyed Diucon, Chilean Swallow, Grass Wren, Patagonian Mockingbird, Austral Blackbird, Patagonian Yellow-Finch, Gray-hooded Sierra Finch, Patagonian Sierra Finch, Diuca Finch and more.
Number of expected species: 75 - 80.
Mammal highlights
Guanaco, Huemul, South American Gray Fox, Humboldt´s Hog-nosed Skunk, Large Hairy Armadillo.
Inclusions
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All ground transportations in a private vehicle
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Guided services: local birding guide
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Spotting scope: Vortex Diamondback HD 65mm
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Accommodation: Comfortable lodges or 3-star hotel
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Three meals a day: breakfast, box-lunch and dinner (3-course meal)
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Drinking water (for refill private bottles)
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Personal insurances
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Communication support in remote areas
Exclusions
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Flight tickets
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Alcoholic drinks
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Tips
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Extra services or anything not mentioned in this page
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at FTE. Overnight in El Chaltén.
Arrival at El Calafate Airport "Cdte. Armando Tola" (IATA: FTE). Transfer to Laguna Nimez Natural Reserve and visit Redonda Bay. Lunch in the field. Transfer to El Chaltén with some birding stops. Hotel check-in. Dinner. Night in El Chaltén.
Day 2: Full day birding in El Chaltén.
Morning transfer to Lago del Desierto with some birding stops along the way in the Patagonian forest. Lunch in the field. Full-day birding in the area. Dinner. Night in El Chalten.
Day 3: Full day birding in El Chaltén.
Transfer to a natural reserve in search of birds and mammals. Lunch in the field. Second full day birding in the forest area. Dinner. Night in El Chalten.
Day 4: Transfer back to FTE. End of the tour.
Hotel check-out. Morning birding in El Chaltén. Land transfer back to El Calafate with a box lunch incluided. Drop-off. End of the tour.
Notes
Itinerary may be changed due to force majeure, accommodation availability, or unforeseen circumstances.
More information
Habitats
Forest, lakes, reedbeds, shrublands and grasslands (Patagonian Forest and Patagonian Steppe)
Climate
Cold, humid
Tour category
Birdwatching, with good opportunities to take photographs
Max group size
6 + 1 local guide (ask for larger groups)
Physical requirements
The physical difficulty of this tour is low (easy to moderate terrain).
Recommended equipment
Woolly hat, cap, sunscreen (+30), polarized sunglasses, layered clothing, waterproof jacket, trekking shoes.
Departures
This tour is available anytime from October to March. It requires prior reservation.
Price
If you want a quote for this tour, please contact us
Combined with
This tour can be combined with:
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Hooded Grebe tour (5 days / 4 nights) | Read more [+]
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Puma & wildlife safari (5 days / 4 nights) | Read more
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Monte León NP (4 days / 3 nights) | Read more
