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Humboldt Currant Seabirds, the Atacama Desert and the Lauca National
Park
Scenically breathtaking with
stunning birdlife, the Andes conjure up a mouth-watering birding
feast. Soaring Andean Condors above high peaks in clear blue skies
and Diademed Sandpiper-Plovers on mineral-rich bogs with the sound
of Seedsnipe echoing in the valley….these are the magical experiences
of this extension. In just a few days we shall visit not only the
high Puna grasslands but also the arid Pacific coast with its endemic
species, the stunning Lauca National Park and fit in a Humboldt
Current Pelagic and look for the critically endangered Chilean Woodstar.
| Day 1: Arrival in Santiago |
| Arrival in Santiago or Arica and overnight |
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| Day 2: Santiago to Arica |
To
the airport and flight to Arica right on the Peruvian border
on arrival we’ll collect our bags and drive to the pleasant
town of Codpa for the night birding along the way.
Today we will be birding in the Atacama Desert, one of the
driest regions on earth, but through which flow several rivers.
Although only small rivers carrying melt-water down from the
Andes, their well-cultivated flood plains form a rich oasis
in this harsh environment. Our most important target species
will be a trio of hummingbirds; the sturdy Oasis Hummingbird,
the entertaining Peruvian Sheartail and the diminutive Chilean
Woodstar (one of Chile’s rarest and most threatened birds,
whose world population is now believed to number no more than
2000). We will also have our best chance for the rare Tamarugo
Conebill, and we shall also be searching for the impressive
Peruvian Thick-knee, Pacific Dove, Croaking Ground-Dove, Groove-billed
Ani, Burrowing Owl, Andean Swift, White-crested Elaenia (the
form here is sometimes split as Peruvian Elaenia), Vermilion
Flycatcher, the local race of Bran-coloured Flycatcher (a
strong candidate for a future split), Cinereous Conebill,
Chestnut-throated Seedeater, Blue-black Grassquit, Slender-billed
Finch and Peruvian Meadowlark. Night Codpa. B:L:D
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| Day 3: Putre and Lauca |
After
our drive to Putre, we'll spend the rest of the day around
there, acclimatising to our new environment. We’ll be looking
for Bare-faced Ground-Dove, White-throated Earthcreeper, Yellow-billed
Tit-Tyrant, Canyon and Dark-winged Canasteros, Blue-and-yellow
Tanager, Cream-winged and White-winged Cinclodes, Streaked
Tit-Spinetail, D’Orbigny’s and White-browed Chat-Tyrants,
Chiguanco Thrush, Black-throated Flower-piercer, Golden-billed
Saltator, Black-hooded and Ash-breasted Sierra-Finches, Greenish
Yellow-Finch and Band-tailed Seedeater, also maybe Ornate
Tinamou. We will be on the lookout for the scarce Tamarugo
Conebill. We may search some high altitude bogs for Diademed
Sandpiper-Plover here as well in the afternoon. Night in Putre.
B:L:D |
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| Day 4: Lauca National Park |
The
Lauca National Park The park is a place of outstanding natural
beauty. The towering snow-capped volcanoes of Pomerape and
Parinacota soar to over 6300 metres and reflect perfectly
in the deep blue waters of Chungara and Cotocotani Lakes.
This is our venue today and Lake Chungara with its hordes
of birds including Silvery Grebe, Puna Teal and Giant Coot.
Other birds here are Puna Rhea, Andean and Puna (James's)
Flamingos, Andean Flicker, White-winged Cinclodes, Black Siskin,
Puna Tinamou, Puna Ibis, Andean Goose, Mountain Caracara,
Andean Lapwing, Puna Plover, Andean Avocet, Andean Gull, Puna
Miner, Puna and White-fronted Ground-Tyrants, Andean Negrito,
the impressive White-winged Diuca-Finch and White-throated
Sierra-Finch. We'll be looking for Flamingo’s and with luck
we'll be able to approach within range to identify three species
here: Chilean, Andean and Puna. Night in Putre. B:L:D |
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| Day 5: Putre to Arica |
Looking
for what we may have missed in the morning and then after
lunch we'll head south to Arica for the night . B:L:D |
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| Day 6: Arica to Santiago |
| A full morning’s pelagic trip out of Arica. Sailing out into the Humboldt Current allows us to see sub-Antarctic seabirds and warm water Petrels depending on the time of year. This 6 hour excursion gives us an opportunity at any of the following depending on the time of year: Salvin’s, Buller’s, and Black-browed Albatross, Antarctic Giant Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Pink-footed and Sooty Shearwater, White-vented Storm-Petrel, , Chilean Skua, Swallow-tailed Gull and Peruvian Diving Petrel. Inshore species include 3 species of Cormorants, Inca and South American Terns, Peruvian and Blue-footed Booby’s, Peruvian Pelican and Humboldt Penguin. After a tasty lunch by the beach we’ll head to the airport looking for Peruvian Thicknee and coastal species before mid afternoon flight to Santiago and join the main tour. B:L:D |
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Does not include air Santiago–
Arica – Santiago but we will do this on request – the price
depends on when we get your full name, deposit and passport
numbers – you can check current prices at
www.Aerosur.com |
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