Chile, Wildlife Tours

The Ultimate Natural History Highlights Tour of Chile

Scroll
Tailor-Made Tour
16 Days
From 8540
Birding

Tour Introduction

16 Days from  8540 per adult.

Incorporating practically all the prime wildlife habitats of Chile, this comprehensive yet well-paced itinerary provides plenty of time to enjoy each location, uses exceptional naturalist guides throughout and features accommodation of a very good standard. The beautiful, desolate north is complemented perfectly by the verdant Lake District. Observe a king penguin colony, spot vicunas on the shores of a lake,  marvel at mass flights of flamingos of three species, spy the shy southern river otter and many hummingbirds, and look for dolphins, rheas, guanacos and armadillos: these are just some of the cast of thousands of species you can possibly see on this trip. Finally, two full days exploring Torres del Paine National Park might bring you (with luck) the jewel in Chile’s wildlife crown, a puma, but whether you see one or not, that iconic national park with its distinctive “towers” will round off wonderfully what is probably the ultimate Chilean wildlife holiday.

Full Itinerary

Price from  8540 per adult. Based on sharing double / twin rooms
Day 1
Arrive in Santiago

Met on arrival and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore Santiago on your own.

Staying at Hotel Orly. Includes Breakfast.

Day 2
Arica

Transfer to Santiago Airport and fly to Arica, Chile’s northernmost city, situated close to the border with Peru. Arica lies between the Pacific Ocean and the steep coast of the Atacama Desert, a land once home to the Chinchorro culture of around 8,000 BC.

In the afternoon visit the Lluta river mouth to look for shorebirds, then drive east into the Azapa Valley to visit the University Museum which contains a collection of Chinchorro mummies, the oldest mummies in the world. Later explore the valley in search of desert-loving bird species, and visit an orchard whose owner has turned it into a small hummingbird garden visited by many species of colibri.

Staying at Hotel Diego de Almagro. Includes Breakfast.

Day 3
Putre

Early in the morning take a boat trip offshore from Arica to search for the seabirds of the Humboldt Current including Humboldt penguin, Guanay cormorant and Inca tern, as well as large numbers of South American sea lion.

Return to Arica and drive across the barren Atacama Desert and up into the foothills of the Andes to the sleepy village of Putre. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and acclimatise to Putre’s elevation of almost 3,400 metres.

Staying at Hotel Q'Antati. Includes All Meals.

Day 4
Las Vicunas National Reserve

Rise before dawn and drive to the Vicuñas National Reserve and the Surire Salt Pans National Monument. As well as vicuñas on the lake shore, Surire holds one of the largest concentrations of the rare puna flamingo, and is one of the very few places in the world where all three species of high Andean flamingos – puna, Chilean and Andean – can be found. Return to Putre in the late afternoon.

Staying at Hotel Q'Antati. Includes All Meals.

Day 5
Lauca National Park

Today explore Lauca National Park which protects a great diversity of high Andean specialties. Explore bird-rich Chungara Lake (4,500 metres) and the surrounding bogs where herds of vicuña roam and the charismatic mountain viscacha can be seen. The landscape is dominated by the imposing Payachatas – the twin snow-capped peaks of Pomerape and Parinacota Volcanoes situated on the border with Bolivia. The view of these peaks reflected in the blue altiplanic lakes is truly breathtaking. In the late afternoon return to Arica for the night.

Staying at Hotel Diego de Almagro. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 6
Lake District

Transfer to Arica Airport. Fly to Santiago and connect with flight to Puerto Montt in the Chilean Lake District. Met on arrival and transfer to Puerto Varas on the shores of Lake Llanquihue.

Staying at Hotel Bellavista. Includes Breakfast.

Day 7
Lake District

Today explore the lush temperate rainforest of Alerce Andino National Park which was established to protect the last stands of one of the oldest living conifer species – the Alerce or Lahuan (Patagonian cyprus). Marvel at the giant trees, some of which are several thousand years old, and search for Patagonian rainforest bird specialties.

Returning to Puerto Varas in the afternoon, look out for shorebirds on the intertidal mudflats in Coihuin Bay and pods of Peale’s dolphin along the shores of the Gulf of Reconcavi.

Staying at Hotel Bellavista. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 8
Chiloe Island

Cross the Chacao Channel by ferry to magical Chiloé Island, a land with its own peculiar traditions, customs, legends and music, where time has seemingly stood still since the arrival of the Spaniards. Once on the island drive to the fishermen’s cove of Puñihuil and board a boat to the nearby islets that are home to several species of seabirds and marine waterfowl including kelp goose, the flightless steamer duck, and the only know mixed colony of both Humboldt and Magellanic penguins. South American sea lion and marine otter are frequently seen here as well.

Staying at Hotel Parque Quilquico. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 9
Chiloe Island

A pre-dawn start for a boat trip on the Chepu River to search for the endangered southern river otter and other riverine fauna. On your return to the hotel, stop at Caulin Bay to observe a variety of shorebirds.

Staying at Hotel Parque Quilquico. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 10
Punta Arenas

Take the ferry back across the Chacao Channel, drive to Puerto Montt Airport and fly to Punta Arenas, Chile’s most southerly city. Met on arrival and drive to the Magellanic penguin colony of Otway Sound before returning to Punta Arenas in the late afternoon.

Staying at Hotel Cabo de Hornos. Includes Breakfast.

Day 11
Tierra del Fuego

Take a two-hour ferry ride across the Straits of Magellan towards the town of Porvenir. During the crossing, look out for black-browed albatross, southern giant petrel, South American sea lion and playful pods of Peale’s dolphins. Arriving in Porvenir, drive south eastwards to Bahia Util (Useless Bay), home to a private nature reserve with a newly established king penguin colony. There will be ample opportunities to observe and photograph the penguins from a reasonable distance before returning to Porvenir.

Staying at Yendegaia House. Includes All Meals.

Day 12
Puerto Natales

Visit some alkaline lagoons to search for Magellanic plover before crossing back to the mainland and driving north westwards to Puerto Natales. Large herds of guanaco will be a common site, and other possible mammals might include southern grey fox, Patagonian hairy armadillo, and Patagonian hog-nosed skunk.

Staying at Hotel Remota. Includes All Meals.

Day 13
Torres del Paine National Park

After breakfast drive into Torres del Paine National Park. The National Park is home to 26 species of mammals including guanaco, puma, Chile’s largest carnivore, the endangered South Andean deer (the Huemul, Chile’s national symbol) two species of fox, and the Patagonian skunk. Bird species number 118 and include wading birds such as the Chilean flamingo which live in the numerous lakes and lagoons across the park, 15 species of birds of prey
including the Andean condor, and South America’s largest bird, the flightless
rhea, which lives on the Patagonian steppe.

Explore the western side of the park which is covered in sub-Antarctic southern beech forests and dotted with stunning turquoise lakes. In the afternoon board a boat on Grey Lake for an excursion through the icy waters to the front of the Grey Glacier. Return to the hotel just outside the southern entrance to the National Park in the late afternoon.

Staying at Hotel Rio Serrano. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 14
Torres del Paine National Park

Today explore the eastern half of the national park which has different habitats from the western half, with a more open landscape of Patagonian steppes and scrub. Enjoy dawn views of the famous Los Cuernos (the horns), visit waterfalls, turquoise lakes and (weather permitting) admire stunning views of the Paine Massif. Look out for Andean condors soaring overhead, and puma which hunt roaming herds of guanaco in the eastern half of the park.

Staying at Hotel Rio Serrano. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 15
Santiago

Return to Punta Arenas and fly to Santiago. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel.

Staying at Hotel Orly. Includes Breakfast.

Day 16
Depart Santiago

Transfer to Santiago Airport and catch your international flight home.

Includes Breakfast.

Tour Accommodation

Chile Chilean Lake District

Hotel Bellavista

Overview

Hotel Bellavista is located on the lakefront, next to the casino and just one block from downtown Puerto Varas. All of the rooms and suites have lake views, cable TV, safety deposit box and minibar. The hotel’s restaurant specialises in German cuisine.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
70
Facilities

Restaurant, lounge bar, small business centre, sauna and complimentary WiFi.

Chile Central Chile

Hotel Orly

Overview

This comfortable 30-room hotel is located in the Providencia district of Santiago, close to a variety of cafés, restaurants and bars. The rooms have a safety deposit box, cable TV, minibar, central heating and air-conditioning. There is a small lounge area on the ground floor, and a lovely glass-domed breakfast room. Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the property, and there are also two computer workstations. A laundry service is available. The hotel provides breakfast only but there are numerous eating options literally on the doorstep!

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
Yes
Rooms
30
Facilities

Small lounge, glass-domed breakfast room, and complimentary WiFi throughout.

Chile Northern Chile

Hotel Diego de Almagro Arica

Overview

The hotel is in the Playa Chinchorro district of Arica, just metres from the beach, within walking distance of local bars and restaurants, and a short drive to the city centre. The rooms have air-conditioning, cable TV, safety deposit box, and complimentary WiFi. The Chinchorro restaurant overlooks the beach and specialises in seafood and dishes from northern Chile.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
Yes
Facilities

Restaurant, room service, laundry service, business centre and gym.

Chile Chilean Patagonia

Hotel Cabo de Hornos

Overview

This hotel is located right on the main square in Punta Arenas. The ensuite rooms have either sea or city views and are equipped with satellite TV and safety deposit box. There is a restaurant, bar, small business centre (four computers!), room service, laundry service and WiFi throughout.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Facilities

Restaurant, bar, small business centre, room service, laundry service and WiFi throughout.

Chile Chilean Patagonia

Hotel Rio Serrano

Overview

The hotel is just outside the southern boundary of Torres del Paine National Park. It is situated on the banks of the Serrano River which flows from Toro Lake into Last Hope Sound. The rooms have large windows offering scenic views of the Paine Massif or Mount Balmaceda. All have heating, fans and private bathrooms.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Facilities

Restaurant, bar, lounge, games room and complimentary WiFi in the communal areas.

Chile Tierra del Fuego

Hosteria Yendegaia

Overview

This comfortable bed and breakfast in the town of Porvenir in Tierra del Fuego provides an excellent base to explore the area and visit the king penguin colony on Useless Bay. The spacious rooms have thick down duvets, there is a small breakfast room, cafe service with drinks, sandwiches and pizzas, lounge with natural history books, and WiFi in the communal areas.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
7

Route Map

Departure Dates

This tour has no set departure date and can be tailored to suit your travel requirements. Contact us for more details.

Travel Information

Are International Flights Included?

No. Please contact us for a quote if required.

Flight Info:

British Airways operates four direct flights per week from London Heathrow to Santiago. Other flight options from the UK to Santiago include Air France via Paris, Iberia via Madrid, LATAM via Madrid or Sao Paulo, and Avianca via Bogota.

Best Visited:

January to January

Are you ATOL Registered?

Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.

John Melton

Area Specialist

If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965

Our first day of puma tracking was definitely the highlight. The weather was good and we saw distant pumas in the morning and a group of six around a guanaco kill in the afternoon. Spending 2.5 hours watching the interactions between the different individuals was fascinating.

Mr S A, North Yorkshire