Chile occupies a 2,650 mile-long narrow ribbon of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, and stretches from north of the Atacama Desert to Cape Horn, the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Chile is one of South America’s most stable and prosperous nations and our tour covers the highlights of this fabulous country as we search for its numerous specialities and endemics. These range from the giant Andean Condor to the tiny Chilean Woodstar, and include the unique Chilean tapaculos called huet-huets and turcas. One of our primary targets will no doubt be the highly prized Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, while other no less desirable species include the newly described Pincoya Storm Petrel, James’s Flamingo, Puna Ibis, Chilean Tinamou, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Andean Avocet, Rufous-legged Owl, Slender-billed Parakeet, Magellanic Woodpecker, White-throated Treerunner and the appropriately named Giant Hummingbird. We will also undertake an exciting pelagic excursion in search of the region’s seabirds, including the rare Peruvian Diving Petrel and Chilean Skua, while mammal possibilities include herds of stately Vicunas, the range-restricted Marine Otter and the bizarre Southern Mountain Viscachas. Accommodations, meals and wines are excellent throughout the tour and the Chilean people offer warm hospitality. Combined with the outstanding scenery of high altitude Puna lakes and snow-capped volcanoes, excellent coastal desert and rich Patagonian forest, this is without doubt one of South America’s most memorable birding destinations!
Chilean Tinamou, Lesser Rhea, Coscoroba & Black-necked Swans, Flying & Fuegian Steamer Duck, Upland, Kelp, Ashy-headed & Ruddy-headed Geese, Bronze-winged, Lake & Torrent Ducks, Chiloe Wigeon, King, Magellanic & Humboldt Penguins, Northern Royal, Black-browed & Salvin's Albatrosses, Southern Fulmar, Juan Fernandez, De Filippi's, Stejneger's & Westland Petrels, Buller's Shearwater, Peruvian, Magellanic & Common Diving Petrels, Chilean, Andean & James's Flamingoes, Red-legged & Guanay Cormorants, Rock & Imperial Shags, Chilean Hawk, Red-gartered, Red-fronted & Giant Coots, Magellanic, Snowy, Two-banded & Rufous-chested Plovers, Magellanic Oystercatcher, Rufous-bellied, Grey-breasted & Least Seedsnipe, Dolphin Gull, Peruvian & Inca Terns, Chilean Pigeon, Bare-faced Ground Dove, Lesser Horned & Rufous-legged Owls, Austral Pygmy Owl, Band-winged & Tschudi's Nightjar, Andean Swift, Andean Hillstar, Green-backed Firecrown, Oasis Hummingbird, Peruvian Sheartail, Chilean Woodstar, Magellanic Woodpecker, Mountain & Chimango Caracara, Burrowing Parrot, Austral & Slender-billed Parakeets, Puna, Short-billed, Greyish & Creamy-rumped Miners, Crag Chilia, Band-tailed, White-throated & Scaly-throated Earthcreepers, Grey-flanked, Dark-bellied & Chilean Seaside Cinclodes, Des Murs's Wiretail, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, Streak-backed Tit-Spinetail, Sharp-billed, Canyon & Dusky-tailed Canastero, White-throated Treerunner, Chestnut-throated & Black-throated Huet-huet, Moustached Turca, White-throated, Chucao, Ochre-flanked, Magellanic & Dusky Tapaculo, Pied-crested & Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrants, Chilean Elaenia, Ticking Doradito, Austral & Andean Negrito, Spectacled Tyrant, White-fronted Ground Tyrant, Great Shrike-Tyrant, Fire-eyed Diucon, Chocolate-vented & Patagonian Tyrant, Rufous-tailed Plantcutter, Chilean Swallow, Peruvian Martin, Chilean Mockingbird, Austral Thrush, Black-chinned Siskin, Long-tailed Meadowlark, Austral Blackbird, Tamarugo Conebill, Grey-hooded & Patagonian Sierra Finches, Slender-billed Finch, Puna, Greater Yellow & Patagonian Yellow Finches.
Southern Mountain Viscacha, Guanaco, Vicuna, Culpeo, South American Grey Fox, Marine Otter, Coypu, Degu, Coruro, Dusky, Chilean, Commerson’s, Risso's, Peale’s & Common Bottlenose Dolphins.
mountains, forests, lakes, ocean, sea shore, coastal desert, marshes
warm to cool, but colder in the highlands
12 with 1 Rockjumper leader & 1 local leader
relaxed
comfortable
mostly easy with some trickier species
250-270
spectacular scenery, friendly people, pristine landscapes, great food & wine
excellent
Chile with Dušan and Rockjumper exceeded our expectations. What a wonderful experience Chile was for birding. Dušan really worked hard at finding the birds for the group. A very satisfying tour! Looking forward to our next trip with RBT.
I could not have been happier with our guides Adam is a terrific birder, good at getting the participants views of the birds, and a lot of fun to travel with.
07 Nov 2024 - 19 Nov 2024 (13 days)
USD9,395 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Carlos Sanchez
Tour price (Per person): USD9,395 * GBP7,487 * EUR8,725 * AUD14,224
Single Supplement: USD780 * GBP622 * EUR724 * AUD1,181
Flight costs: USD1,250 * GBP996 * EUR1,161 * AUD1,893
Can be linked with: Chile - Arica Extension 2024
24 Nov 2024 - 06 Dec 2024 (13 days)
USD6,795 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Carlos Sanchez
Tour price (Per person): USD6,795 * GBP5,415 * EUR6,310 * AUD10,288
Single Supplement: USD780 * GBP622 * EUR724 * AUD1,181
Flight costs: USD1,250 * GBP996 * EUR1,161 * AUD1,893
Can be linked with: Chile - Arica Extension 2024
06 Dec 2025 - 18 Dec 2025 (13 days)
USD6,995 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Local Leader
Tour Leader: Robert Williams
Tour price (Per person): USD6,995 * GBP5,575 * EUR6,496 * AUD10,590
Single Supplement: USD830 * GBP661 * EUR771 * AUD1,257
Flight costs: USD1,380 * GBP1,100 * EUR1,282 * AUD2,089
Can be linked with: Chile - Arica Extension 2025
Chile & Argentina - Birds & Wine 2024 - January 2024
Chile - Birds, Wildlife & Andean landscapes 2022 - December 2022
Chile - Arica Extension 2022 - November 2022
Chile - Blisard 2018 - December 2018
Chile - Birds, Wildlife & Andean landscapes 2018 - December 2018
Chile - Birds, Wildlife & Andean landscapes 2017 - December 2017
Chile - Birds, Wildlife & Andean landscapes 2015 - December 2015