Northern Chile:
The Atacama & Altiplano

(5 days / 4 nights)

Our trip to the north of Chile will take us to the fringes of the driest desert in the world, the Atacama. Our base locations will be Arica and Putre, Chile's northernmost cities. This unique area is home to such diverse species as flightless Giant Coots and the tiny Chilean Woodstar. We will explore the Azapa and Lluta oasis valleys and then drive to Putre, situated in the Altiplano at more than 10,500 feet above sea level. The grasslands support wild Vicuñas grazing in small herds, and Lesser Rheas. Specialties such as all three Chilean species of Flamingoes (Chilean, Andean and James'), Andean Avocet, Giant and Andean Coots, Chilean Woodstar, White-throated Earthcreeper, Black-throated Flowerpiercer and Tamarugo Conebill will be our principal targets.

“The team at 'Fantastico Sur' excel; enthusiasm shines through, whether it's sharing their avian specialities, introducing you to awe-inspiring landscapes or chatting about their countries historic magical araucaria forests and magellanic woodpecker, wind swept goas with kelp geese and magellanic plovers, stands of bamboo with skulking but stunning tapaculos. All experiences I'll never forget. I'd join a Fantastico Sur trip in the blink of an eye and would recommend anyone else to do the same.”

 

- Nigel Marven, Intrepid Film-maker, UK
Patagonia trip Dec 2006

Flight to Arica
Transfer to Putre

Today we will take an early flight to Arica, Chile's northernmost city. After some further birding at Arica and the coast, we shall ascend to the Altiplano or Puna zone at more than 10,500 feet (3,500 m) above sea level. As we travel, we may find Peruvian Thick-knee, Andean Swift and Grayish Miner. The town of Putre will be our base for two nights. Sparkling Violetear, Dark-winged and Canyon Canasteros, Giant Conebill, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Golden-billed Saltator and Hooded and Thick-billed Siskins are among a range of exciting birds that occur here at the southern limit of their range.

Hostería Q'Antati, Putre (3*).

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Putre Area

We shall enjoy another day of birding around Putre, in our search for high-altitude species. We hope to locate Aplomado Falcon, Mountain Parakeet, Bare-faced Ground-Dove, Andean Hillstar, White-throated, Plain-breasted and Straight-billed Earthcreepers, White-winged Cinclodes, Black-throated Flower-piercer, Chiguanco Thrush, D'Orbigny's and White-browed Chat-tyrants, Band-tailed Seedeater and Black-hooded, Mourning and Ash-breasted Sierra-Finches.

Hostería Q'Antati, Putre (3*).

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Lauca National Park

Established to protect the highest lake in the world, the Lauca National Park supports a great diversity of Andean specialities. Chilean, James' and Andean Flamingoes are found here, together with Puna Ibis, Andean Goose, Puna Teal, Giant and Andean Coots, Rufous-bellied and Grey-breasted Seedsnipes, Andean Avocet, Andean Lapwing, Puna Plover, and Diademed Sandpiper-Plover head an impressive cast. We may also encounter Andean Gull, Andean Flicker, Cordilleran Canastero, Puna and White-fronted Ground-Tyrants, Andean Negrito, White-winged Diuca-Finch and Black Siskin. Later we shall return to the coast at Arica.

Hotel Arica, Arica (4*).

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Azapa, Lluta & Chaca Oasis Valleys

In the morning we will investigate the rich valleys of Azapa, Lluta and Chaca, the haunt of such specialities as Croaking Ground-Dove, Chilean Woodstar, Peruvian Sheartail, Oasis Hummingbird, Tamarugo and Cinereous Conebills, Vermillion Flycatcher, Peruvian Meadowlark and the strange Slender-billed Finch.
After our arrival we will visit the rocky coast where we expect to see a great array of its endemic seabirds including Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Booby, Guanay and Red-legged Cormorants, the stunning Inca Tern and Band-tailed and Gray Gulls. Along the desert coast we will look for flocks of Willet, Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Surfbird, Franklin`s Gull and Elegant Terns.

Hotel Arica, Arica (4*).

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Flight to Santiago
Arica

We will take an early flight to Santiago where our trip ends.

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Extensions

Birding Northern Chile can be combined with one of the following optional extensions:

. Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego (8 days / 7 nights), birding journey at the edge of southern South America.
. Central Chile (4 days / 3 nights), endemics and specialties from the Andes mountaintops to the sea level.
. Robinson Crusoe Island (4 days / 3 nights), birding adventure in the Juan Fernández Archipelago.

Dates & Prices

This program is available throughout the year (January and February months are the rainy season in the Altiplano).
Do you also want to go to San Pedro de Atacama? Ask us for our 3 days / 2 nights or 4 days / 3 nights programs.

 

Main Trip:5 days / 4 nights.
Meet/Depart:Arica, Chile.
Group Size:Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 2 participants. Maximum group size of 6 participants.

RATES:
The above price is per person in US$, based on double occupancy.
Single supplement (TBA) will be added if single accommodations are requested or forced.

The trip price includes:
All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour plus park entrance fees.

The trip price excludes:
Domestic flights (Santiago - Arica - Santiago, approximately US$ 235-300 per person), tipping, travel insurance, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Arica?
Domestic flights Santiago - Arica - Santiago (approximately US$ 160-300 per person).
Duration of the flight: 3.5 hours (with a stop-over in Iquique).


TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for this tour, complete the FANTASTICO SUR registration form and return it (by fax or email) with a deposit of US$ 700 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.
Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 300 / £ 155 is refundable. If cancellation is made between 120 and 90 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded. If cancellation is made fewer than 90 days before departure date, no refund is available. This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.