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Argentina & Chile - Altiplano, Andes & Humboldt Coast

© Andean Condor by Dušan Brinkhuizen
Argentina & Chile - Altiplano, Andes & Humboldt Coast 2027

02 Mar 2027 - 15 Mar 2027 (14 days)

USD10,495 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Robert Wilcox

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Tour Price (Per person): USD10,495 (GBP7,995 * EUR9,197 * AUD15,057)

Single Supplement: USD750 (GBP571 * EUR657 * AUD1,076)

Argentina & Chile - Altiplano, Andes & Humboldt Coast 2028

03 Apr 2028 - 16 Apr 2028 (14 days)

USD10,900 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Amanda Guercio

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Tour Price (Per person): USD10,900 (GBP8,304 * EUR9,552 * AUD15,638)

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Argentina & Chile - Altiplano, Andes & Humboldt Coast 2029

02 Apr 2029 - 15 Apr 2029 (14 days)

USD11,300 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Clayton Burne

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Tour Price (Per person): USD11,300 (GBP8,608 * EUR9,903 * AUD16,212)

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

This remarkable journey through northwestern Argentina and northern Chile explores one of South America’s most dramatic and ecologically diverse regions. Beginning in the lush subtropical foothills of Tucumán, we quickly ascend into the spectacular Andean landscapes of Tafí del Valle, where high-altitude grasslands and montane forests host regional endemics such as Tucuman Mountain Finch, Red-tailed Comet, and Moreno’s Ground Dove.

From here, we traverse the arid Valles Calchaquíes, a land of towering cacti, sculpted red-rock formations, and vast open valleys. Scenic routes such as the Quebrada de las Conchas and Cuesta del Obispo provide breathtaking vistas and excellent birding, with species like Sandy Gallito, Steinbach’s Canastero, and the majestic Andean Condor.

Continuing north, we explore the striking Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in both cultural history and Andean biodiversity. This dramatic valley supports birds such as Straight-billed Earthcreeper, Black-hooded Sierra Finch, and Grey-hooded Parakeet, all well adapted to these dry intermontane landscapes.

Crossing the high-altitude Salinas Grandes and the dramatic Paso de Jama, we enter Chile and the vast Altiplano, where saline lakes and puna grasslands hold Andean Avocet, Puna Ibis, and elegant James’s Flamingos against a backdrop of volcanic peaks.

The Chilean leg of the tour focuses on the high Andean lagoons of the Atacama Desert, including Miscanti, Miñiques, and Tuyajto. These pristine waters support specialised species such as Andean Goose, Puna Teal, and Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, all thriving in this stark, high-elevation environment.

An early start takes us to the famed El Tatio Geysers, where steaming fumaroles and icy morning air create an unforgettable setting. Here we may encounter Andean Hillstar, White-winged Cinclodes, and Puna Miner, while nearby wetlands attract a variety of high-Andean specialists.

As we descend toward the Pacific, the desert landscape gradually softens along the Río Loa and coastal margins, eventually giving way to the rich marine ecosystem of the Humboldt Current. The Mejillones Peninsula offers a superb finale, with seabirds such as Inca Tern, Peruvian Pelican, and Red-legged Cormorant providing a dynamic and rewarding end to the journey.

This tour combines exceptional scenery, diverse habitats, and a carefully designed route to showcase some of the most sought-after birds of the southern Andes, delivering a rich and memorable birding experience.

Top Birds

Tucuman Mountain Finch; Moreno’s Ground Dove; Sandy Gallito; Steinbach’s, Maquis & Scribble-tailed Canasteros; White-browed & Zimmer’s Tapaculos; Rufous-throated Dipper; Yellow-striped Brushfinch; Tucuman Amazon; Rock, Straight-billed & Buff-breasted Earthcreepers; Diademed Sandpiper-Plover; Andean Hillstar; Puna Ibis; Andean Avocet; Grey-breasted Seedsnipe; Puna Teal; Ornate Tinamou; Rufous-banded Miner; Paramo Pipit; Grey-hooded Parakeet; Black-hooded & Plumbeous Sierra Finches; White-throated Cacholote; Chaco Puffbird; Ultramarine Grosbeak; Ringed Warbling Finch; Andean Condor; Red-tailed Comet; Andean Goose; Andean Swift; Aplomado Falcon; Inca Tern; Peruvian Pelican; Red-legged Cormorant.

Top Mammals

Vicuña; Guanaco; Culpeo (Andean Fox); South American Grey Fox; Northern Mountain Viscacha; Andean Hairy Armadillo

Habitats Covered

Diverse, ranging from subtropical Yungas forest and arid valleys to high-Andean puna, saline lakes, and coastal desert.

Expected Climate

Variable, from warm lowlands to cold, dry, and often windy high-altitude conditions, with strong sun and significant temperature shifts.

Max Group Size

10 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.

Moderate, with challenging high-altitude elements. This is an endemic & target-focused trip, not suitable for inexperienced birders or those with mobility or significant health concerns.

Accommodation

Comfortable, though some lodges are simple in more remote areas.

Ease of Birding

Moderate. Many species occur in open habitats & provide good viewing, but some skulkers / low-density desert species may require persistence.

Photographic Opportunities

Good to good+. Open landscapes allow for good opportunities, though strong light & heat shimmer can be challenging. No dedicated hides.

What our clients say about us

xPeter Kaestner
LE, Argentina 2022

It was an honor and a pleasure to travel with Peter Kaestner, an uncommonly quiet but knowledgeable, dedicated, focused, transparent, kind and caring individual, with a sense of humor and a willingness to take the group's wants and needs into account when issues arose. The whole tour was a rich and rewarding experience!

Robert Wilcox
JW, Argentina 2022

Bobby Wilcox was a very capable and congenial leader. Our group consisted of birders of all levels of expertise. Bobby did his very best to make certain everyone got the opportunities they needed to have a very positive experience.

xPeter Kaestner
FO, Argentina 2022

Peter is an excellent guide! He’s very friendly and did an excellent job is solving an problem that came along. PLU, He knows the birds well and would help us key in on the differences. I will go with him again! Pablo was our local guide and did a phenomenal job as well.

xPeter Kaestner
SG, Argentina 2022

Peter Kaestner was completely committed to getting every bird possible on both tours. He was sensitive to all the needs of the participants and worked tirelessly on what could have been potentially serious limitations to the logistics. Getting the chauffeur/vehicle company to recognize the needs of a birding tour was difficult. And because of lack of flexibility in overtime use of the driver and deviations from an original itinerary, Peter had to work hard to make sure we had opportunities for every bird regardless. He was uncommonly successful in achieving these results.

xPeter Kaestner
GL & CL, Argentina 2022

Peter Kaestner was an excellent guide, combining outstanding bird-finding and identification abilities, capable and efficient logistical planning, and strong social and interpersonal skills. One especially commendable feature of Peter's bird guiding is his limiting of playback to the minimum needed for the bird to come out and be seen by the whole group (rather than for optimal photos or prolonged views), thereby minimizing disturbance to what are often localized or threatened bird species. We hope that other Rockjumper guides will adopt Peter's approach.

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Route Map

Tour Route Map