The Atacama Desert (the driest in the
world) and the Altiplano or high Andean plateau are
among the most breathtaking places you´ll ever experience (and not just because
of the altitude), the scaleand diverselandscapes is overwhelming, and the crisp light
is ideal for bird and wildlife photography. In this program we´ll visit places
like Andean bogs, the Puna or Altiplano, vast salt flats, gurgling ravines and
oasis where a number of interesting and unique birds live. Some of the bird
specialties from this area include Horned Coot, Puna Flamingo, Puna Tinamou,
Puna Teal, Red-backed Sierra Finch, Black-hooded Sierra Finch, Grey-bellied
Shrike-Tyrant, Rufous-naped Ground Tyrant, Creamy-rumped Miner, White-winged
Cinclodes, Golden-spotted Ground Dove, Mountain Parakeet, Straight-billed
Earthcreeper, Creamy-winged Cinclodes, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and Black
Siskin, among many others. Some other wildlife here includes the Vicuña and the
Guanaco, two wild Andean relatives to Alpacas and Llamas, Culpeo Fox, Vizcacha
(a huge rodent who lives among boulders) and the endemic Fabian Lizard.
4 Days / 3 Nights
Throughout the year.
Price
Meet and depart
Calama, San Pedro or Santiago.
Dates:
From Mon May 20,2024 To Thu May 23,2024
Today we fly from Santiago to Calama. Upon arrival we drive east to San Pedro de Atacama, birding on the way and looking for main targets like Black-winged Ground Dove, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Least Seedsnipe, Cordilleran Canastero, Sombre Thrush, Greenish Yellow Finch and Black-hooded Sierra Finch, among others. Sunset at “Moon Valley” (Valle de la Luna). Night in San Pedro.
Today we will visit several attractions of the area, including salt-flats, geysers, oasis and Andean Bogs. We´ll try to see Pre-puna and Altiplano specialties like: Puna Ibis, Horned Coot, Andean Avocet, Andean Goose, Puna Teal, Puna Plover, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Mountain Parakeet, Straight-billed Earthcreeper, Rufous-naped Ground Tyrant, Andean Negrito and Red-backed Sierra Finch, among others. Night in San Pedro.
Day 3: Today we drive up to El Tatio geyser field (the 3rd largest geothermal field and one of the highest in the world). We will also visit Vado de Putana, Puritama River, Chaxa and Tebiquinche lakes, looking for birds not yet located including Puna Rhea, Andean Condor, Puna Hawk, Mountain Caracara + the chance to get 3 species of flamingos: Chilean, Andean & Puna.
Today we drive back to Calama Airport crossing the amazing landscape of the Atacama Desert looking for birds and other wildlife not yet located. Time permitting, perhaps a cultural visit into town and nearby locations. End of the trip.
Cargando . . .