Photo Safari: Birds and Wildlife of Northern Chile
fromNorthern Chile is home to an impressive diversity of birds and wildlife. Although you may expect deserts to be bare, the lush valleys, high altitude grasslands and abundant Humboldt Current are teeming with life. This photography tour will focus on giving you the best opportunities to capture the most charismatic species of these fascinating environments.
The tour starts in the coastal city of Arica, just south go the border with Peru. Here the Humboldt current, one of the most important and productive cold water currents in the world, courses its way northward. The upwelling of the current carries nutrients from the seabed that feed the plankton on which many species of fish depend. This translates into a great abundance of coastal and pelagic seabirds. We’ll venture out into this current on an exciting pelagic trip to photograph Albatrosses, Petrels, Gulls and the stunning Inca Tern.
On the coast, at the mouth of the Lluta River, large groups of shorebirds congregate on their migration from the northern hemisphere, along the Pacific coast. A crucial stopover site for many long distance migrants, often producing many rarities.
In the interior of the arid Atacama desert, dozens of kilometers inland, we will visit one of the newly discovered nesting sites of the Markham’s Storm Petrel; one of the largest known colonies for the species. A fascinating and unexpected discovery in the midst of the world’s driest desert.
Making our way further inland, and in what seems like absolute desert as far as the eyes can see, fertile valleys cut through the monotony and serve as oases for birds and wildlife. Many species of birds are restricted to just a few valleys in the far north of the country. Among the specialties of this arid semi-tropical zone we’ll search for the funny-looking Peruvian Thick-knee, the elegant Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant, and the critically endangered endemic Chilean Woodstar, among many others.
Climbing our way up the valleys we will reach the rich Pre-Puna slopes of the Andes. This high elevation scrubby habitat is great for species like White-browed Chat-Tyrant, Canyon and Creamy-breasted Canasteros, Black-throated Flowerpiercer, and the beautiful Andean Hillstar.
Finally, reaching the high plateaus at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters, is the mythical Altiplano. Here we will find some of the most wonderful scenery in the country, the Andean lakes and snow-capped volcanoes at the Lauca National Park and the flamingo-dotted salt pans at Surire. On the shores of Lake Chungará there is bustling activity of waterbirds and colorful specialist species from the high Andes. Together with the Surire salt pans, these are excellent locations for photographing the three species of Flamingos, Lesser Rhea, Puna Plover, Andean Avocet, Giant and Andean Coot, and with some luck, the scarce Puna tinamou.
NEXT DATES
3rd – 9th of October 2022
Private trips can be organized upon request
You can request pricing and the full itinerary using the Contact Form.
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Activity Level Wildlife Photography
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ITINERARY SUMMARY:
Day 1: Arrival in Santiago
Day 2: Pelagic trip and climb to Putre
Day 3: Lauca National Park
Day 4: Salar de Surire
Day 5: Putre and return to Arica
Day 6: Camarones Valley and Lluta River mouth
Day 7: Azapa Valley
Highlights
- The minute and critically endangered Chilean Woodstar
- Breathtaking high-altitude landscapes and high-altitude specialists
- A tour solely focused on providing the best opportunities of capturing photos of the specialty species of Northern Chile.
Pace
- Relaxed to moderate pace. Days at higher elevation can be a bit more tiring, but good hydration and early nights will help everyone feel fit.
Ease of Birding
- Most species are easy to see. Aquatic species are quite reliable; birding in the desert and altiplano is also quite reliable, although possibility of windy condition may decrease activity. Tinamous and Seedsnipes are low density, so more effort is sometimes required to see them.
- 6 nights of accommodation
- Internal flights Santiago – Arica – Santiago
- Transport: SUV for 1-3 people, minivan for 4-6 people
- English speaking guide with birding equipment (camera, binoculars and spotting scope)
- Snacks (fruit, nuts, cereal bars, water)
- All meals
- Park entrance fees
- eBird checklists for all stops
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the guide
- Any items not mentioned above