Central Zone
Andes and Pacific Ocean

The central region of Chile is very narrow, between 90 and 170 km wide. In this region, the high, snow-capped Andes mountain range coexists with the rivers and estuaries that form the valleys used for agriculture, and with the coast. The cold Humboldt Current flows through the Pacific Ocean. In this diversity of environments we find a great variety of birds ranging from species specially adapted to mountainous regions to those who fly tirelessly over the waves of the Pacific Ocean. In the valleys and hillsides of the Andean foothills we find Mediterranean birds, including some very interesting endemic species. The coastline also has migratory species from North America, which, come to the South American coast during the northern winter to gather the energy they require for next season's reproduction cycle.
This trip will give you a fairly complete overview of the birds of Chile, since most of the species present in Chile can be found in this region, with the obvious exception of the species found exclusively in the north or in the south of the country.

Resume:

Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Start / End: Santiago / Santiago
Restrictions: Possibility of seasickness on the day of the boat trip.
Climate: Mediterranean climate, it might be cold, but not extremely in the Andes.
Dates: From September to March
Minimum # of participants: 2

Outstanding:

1. A trip that combines sailing on the Pacific Ocean with an excursion in the Andes of central Chile.
2. The possibility of seeing eight endemic species: Moustached Turca, White-throated Tapaculo, Dusky Tapaculo, Crag Chilia, Chilean Mockingbird, Dusty-tailed Canastero, Chilean Tinamou and Seaside Cinclodes.
3. The most beautiful bird in the Andes of central Chile, the Diademed Sandpiper-Plover.
4. In the mountains, the Andean Condor, the national bird of Chile.
5. In the wetlands we can find the Black-necked Swan, Stripe-backed Bittern, South American Painted-Snipe, Warbling Doradito and Many-colored Rush-Tyrant.
6. During our sailing trip on the Humboldt Current we might see, the Northern Royal Albatross, Black-browed Albatross, Salvin's Albatross, Southern Fulmar, White-chinned Petrel, Westland Petrel, Pink-footed Shearwater, Peruvian Diving-Petrel and Humboldt Penguin.