Andean Condor ( Vultur gryphus )




Magellanic Woodpecker ( Campephilus magellanicus )




Lesser Rhea ( Pterocnemia pennata )




Olivaceous Cormorant ( Phalacrocrox olivaceus )




Chilean Flamingo ( Phoenicopterus chilensis )




Peruvian Penguin ( Spheniscus humboldti )




Ringed kingfisher (Ceryle torquata)

Birds of the Sea Coast

You will begin your bird watching adventure vacation from the Chilean coastal city of Puerto Montt, the gateway to Patagonia. There you will board a Catamaran Ferry and travel across the Golfo Corcodova to the seaside fishing village of Chaiten. Birds that we usually sight on this crossing, and on the beaches of Chaiten typically include: Albatross, Petrels, Prions, Shearwaters, Penguins, Boobys, Pelicans, Cormorants, Biterns, Oyster Catchers, Yellowlegs, Plovers, Whimbrels, Godwits, Sandpipers, Surfbirds, Skuas, Gulls, Sanderlings, Turnstones and Terns.

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Birds of the Marshes and Rivers

As we journey inland from the coastal village of Chaiten the scenery changes dramatically and so does the bird watching. We drive on the Carreterra Austral, Chile's southern highway, following lower lying rivers and lakes before climbing upward toward the high Andes. The birds of this ecosystem typically include: Grebes, Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Ibis', Storks, Flamingoes, Coscorobas, Geese, Ducks, Pintails, Rails, Galinules, Coots, Snipes, Skimmers, King Fishers, Cinclodes, Teals and Shovelers.

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Birds of the Woodlands, Forests and Meadows

After a few hours journey along the Carreterra Austral we turn off the southern highway and head up a secondary road toward the Futaleufu Valley. The terrain becomes less marshy and more mountainous and we begin to sight different species of birds: Harriers, Hawks, Caracaras, Kestrels, Owls, Doves, Pigeons, Plant Cutters, Parakeets, Woodpeckers, Flickers, Wiretails, Tree Runners, Tyrants, Swallows, Wrens, Lap Wings, Finches, Cowbirds, Mockingbirds, Black Birds, Meadowlarks, Siskins and Sparrows.

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Birds of the Mountains

Finally we enter the high mountainous areas of the Andes surrounding the Futaleufu river valley. This is the spectacular habitat of the Andean Condor. Bird watching in this region is exciting as we spot:: Vultures, Eagles, Hawks, Canasteros, Earth Creepers and Miners.

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Birds of the Patagonian Steppe

After spending a few days birding in the Futaleufu Valley we head over the Argentinean border to the dry side of the Andes Mountains. This is the steppe region that includes the famous Parque Nacionale Los Alerces of Argentina. Some of the birds that we encounter in this arid region include: Rheas, Tinamous, Harriers, Eagles, Caracaras, Quail, Seed Snipes, Parrots, Nightjars, Hillstars, Miners, Earth Creepers, Canasteros, Finches and Tyrants.

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Birding Watching Field Guide

We have developed an abbreviated bird watching field guide that lists family, common name, latin name, habitat, and provides spaces for sighting information. To download this pdf file click here: Bird Watching

We recommend the following guide: The Birds of Southern South America and Antarctica, by Maurice Rumboll & Martin de la Pena.

Bird Watching / Eco-Patagonia Tour Itinerary

Day 1, Wednesday: Leave from your hometown city on an over night flight to Santiago, Chile.

Day 2, Thursday: Arrive in Santiago International Airport, Chile, clear customs, and transfer to a connecting flight to Puerto Montt Chile. Spend the rest of the day in the coastal Chilean city of Puerto Montt, the gateway to Patagonia, located on the Golfo Corcovado. The city of Puerto Montt is ringed by magnificent volcanic peaks, including the still active Volcan Orsorno. Enjoy shopping at the Angelmo Market for Chilean wool goods, or stroll the harbor area for coastal birds. Enjoy a salmon dinner at the Club de Yates restaurant and spend the night in the luxurious El Presidente hotel.

Day 3, Friday: Early breakfast at your hotel and ground transport to the harbor. This morning we will take a spectacular five-hour Catamaran ride across the Golfo Corcodova. We often spot Humboldt and Magellanic Penguins and numerous coastal varieties like, Albatross, Petrels and Shearwaters on this trip. We arrive in the small coastal fishing village of Chaiten and drop our baggage off at the Hotel Mi Casa, overlooking the bay, and then head off to the famous Parque Pumalin for a several hour trek to see the old-growth giant alerce trees, and experience a unique coastal rainforest environment. The Parque Pumalin rainforest is home to a wide variety of bird species including the magellenic woodpecker. We return to Hotel Mi Casa and eat dinner overlooking the Chaiten harbor and scenic bay below.

Day 4, Saturday: A hearty breakfast in Chaiten before setting out on a short bird watching hike along the Chaiten harbor and Santa Barbara beach coastline. After lunch we board a comfortable Safari bus and drive up the river valley along the Carreterra Austral, through a spectacular lake/fjord eco-system. We will cross the scenic Rio Yelcho, viewing snow-capped mountains, extinct volcanoes, glaciers, and the magnificent Lago Yelcho. We will finish this day's journey at our lodge, with wine and cheese, in the little alpine village of Futaleufu, where we will spend the night. The birds and wildlife we will encounter will be as varied as the habitats we travel through. As the day begins keep an eye out for Biterns, Egrets, Cormorants, Herons and Ibis' followed by Condors, Eagles and Falcons as we traverse the high mountain passes.

Day 5, Sunday: Wake up to a hot breakfast in the little alpine village of Futaleufu. before starting out to the headwaters of the Espolon river on mountain bikes and/or horses that will be waiting in front of the lodge to take you on this journey. The trails we will take wind along the turquoise blue Espolon river, across small bridges, and white sand beaches, before reaching the spectacular waterfalls below Lago Espolon. The Futaleufu and Rio Espolon valleys are at the center of a unique rain-shadow microclimate ecosystem that provides a home to numerous bird species from different habitats. After viewing the falls we will board rafts and journey down the clear blue Espolon back to the village of Futaleufu. Our previous guests have compared this raft trip to a "magic carpet ride" as the water is so clear you feel you are floating in the air above the river bottom. There are some exciting, but easily negotiated class II-III whitewater sections on this trip. We spend another night in the village lodge.

Day 6, Monday: We start our horseback or trekking trip down the roadless upper Futaleufu river valley along the senderos used by the local Chileans. Horses carry our gear through forests and farmland ecosystems. We traverse the Class 5 Infierno Gorge of the Rio Futaleufu. Coming out of the Las Escalas Valley we go through an old growth Coihue forest to our remote tent camp at an isolated ranch. This is the half-way point of the Futaleufu River Valley trail. There will be ample opportunity for birding, sight seeing and photography throughout the day. This is a location very few people ever visit and is a real glimpse of a world that is that is quickly disappearing - a journey back in time. When night falls we use candles and lanterns to light our way, and finally settle down to sleep under the southern stars.

Day 7, Tuesday: After breakfast we continue trekking or riding in the valley to the thundering Throne Room rapid, the most powerful rapid on this Crown Jewel of rivers, and one of the largest rapids in the world. We will spend some time bird watching and sight seeing, and if we arrive at the right time we may see some intrepid world class kayakers descending this mighty cataract. The ecosystems of this day will vary between forests and farmlands to riparian as we meander along the Futaleufu river. We continue along the "Wild Mile" rapids till we come to a spectacular confluence of two rivers under the gaze of the Tres Monjas peak. We cross a high foot bridge over the Futaleufu river to discover the rustic but luxurious riverside Tres Monjas eco-camp. This camp is so spectacularly located that many of our guests have declared it a combination of Yosemite and Glacier National Parks. At this camp we have hot showers, a wood sauna, and masseuse to soothe your tired muscles. Here you will have an opportunity to explore the Rio Azul valley, do more birding, or just relax on a white sand beach along the caribbean-blue Futaleufu river.

Day 8, Wednesday: We wake up at to the sounds of two rivers flowing around the peninsula of Campo Tres Monjas. As we walk down the forest path, toward the dining lodge for breakfast, we look across the beach and the river to a view of the sun rising over the Tres Monjas peaks. Today we will get an introduction to sea kayaking on the nearby protected, and mountain ringed, Lonconao Lake. Partners are selected as we introduce paddling and rescue techniques before setting out on the lake. Our stable two man kayaks are very forgiving for the first time kayaker and allow us to concentrate on the scenery and wildlife in this spectacular place. Paddling under your own power, on such clean water, in a pristine setting, will be an experience you will not soon forget.

Day 9, Thursday: This is an optional multisport ala-carte day to enjoy the beach, masseuse, sauna, and the incredible views. On this day we offer optional adventure activities for those that want them: fly fishing, sit on top kayaking, world class whitewater rafting, mountain bike riding, and a learn to kayak clinic. The bird watching from the camp is also very good and includes three different habitats: riparian, farmland, and temperate forests. This night we have a Chilean lamb barbeque.

Day 10, Friday: On this morning we will divide into two groups; the most adventurous group will get an early start crossing the Futaleufu river, to climb to the base of the Tres Monjas spires for one of the most spectacular and rewarding views of both the Futaleufu and Rio Azul valleys. This is an all day trek that will involve climbing above tree line and possibly into the snow line, depending on the season. On this trek we will likely encounter Andean Condors that live along the cliffs of the Tres Monjas Peaks. A lighter trek or horseback ride to the world class Terminator rapid is an option for those that want a more relaxing day. This secondary ride is as equally spectacular. On the banks of the Terminator rapid is an enchanting coihue forest that will provide us more bird watching opportunities. We will have a riverside lunch along side this powerful and spectacular rapid and then return to camp.

Day 11, Saturday: We get an early start this morning to head back to Chaiten, to catch flights to Puerto Montt and a connecting flight to Santiago. In the evening you will board a flight from Santiago, Chile, to your hometown.

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Birding Vacation Pricing

Our season in Chile runs from 15 Nov - 15 April. The months of January and February correspond to July and August in the Northern Hemisphere. The season tends to start-out wetter and becomes drier as we move through summer and autumn. Typically our bird watching tours run from Thursday to Saturday, for a total of ten days.

The price of a ten day bird watching/adventure vacation is $2995.00. This price includes transportation to and from Puerto Montt, all local transportation, guides, horses and most equipment and gear, (see our packing list for specifics), meals and lodging. Binoculars and Field Guides are not included.

Because of the logistics involved in running bird watching tours in this region of the world we typically like to run our trips with a minimum of four or more people. If you have a group of this size and are iterested in visiting this area of Patagonia please contact our office for more information.

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