Guanaco, Chile
Star attraction? Baby guanacos butting heads and cavorting on lush grass in view of the magnificent Torres del Paine
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) July 30, 2014
Chile’s immaculate snow-capped mountains pierce the sky, providing a dramatic backdrop to explore rich wetlands, temperate rain forests, and bustling penguin colonies. Company owner Peg Abbott says that the variety is a key reason they selected Chile as a birding and wildlife destination this fall.
The journey begins in the Atacama Desert, the driest place on earth, and ends in view of the snowfields of Torres del Paine. Along the way travelers will experience glaciers and icebergs in Patagonia, perplexing rock towers in Laguana Amarga, striking peaks in the Southern Andes, and Chile’s vast coastline.
Chile presents visitors with a wide array of birds; endemic species include Chilean Tinamou, Dusky-tailed Canestro, and Moustached Turca. Travelers will have ample opportunity to spot the magnificent Andean Condor - Chile’s national bird. With wingspans of up to 10 feet, these raptors are easily spotted from several locations on the journey. Giant Hummingbirds the size of swifts buzz through the Matoral.
The Chile: Birds, Nature, and Fun Tour blends nature with the nation’s distinct culture. Discover Santiago, a truly cosmopolitan city with world-class food and wine. Spend the night on a classic Patagonia estancia - a working ranch with extensive gardens, elegant food, and an authentic ambiance. Explore Punta Areas’ Museo de Recuerdo and Plaza de Armas.
Travelers may extend their journey with an optional extension to Lauca and the Atacama Desert. Ascend 11,000 feet to the town of Putre in search of high elevation species. Step into the stunning Lauca National Park and uncover as many as 140 species of birds including three types of flamingos, Giant Coots, Puna Rheas, and Puna Tinamous. On the descent to the Azapa Valley, visitors may find three hummingbird species including the Chilean Woodstar along the Llutra River.
Local expert Ricardo Matus and Naturalist Journeys’ guide Greg Smith lead this thrilling journey into Chile’s wildlife and geography. Both have extensive experience in conservation and environmental research.
More about Naturalist Journeys’ Chile Birding and Nature Tour:
This tour, which runs from November 30 – December 14. The optional Lauca/Atacama Desert pre-trip extension is from November 26-30. The tour begins and ends in Santiago, Chile, and is limited to 12 participants. More details can be found at http://www.naturalistjourneys.com/jcalendar/jc_chile14.htm.
More about Naturalist Journeys:
Naturalist Journeys LLC, a top birding and nature tour company, offers specialty small group tours and travel worldwide, from the western U.S. to Alaska, Hawaii and Florida, Costa Rica, Panama, safaris in Africa and more. Naturalist Journey’s guided nature and birding tours feature expert guides with decades of experience in birdwatching, travel photography and other forms of ecotourism. Naturalist Journeys also offers hiking and adventure travel tours in many national parks and wildlife reserves, including the Galapagos, Antarctica and the Amazon.