birding in patagonia › pdf › nhtravel › patagonia2013.pdf · for least seedsnipe, andean...

Travel with the Massachusetts Audubon Society

208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773

800-289-9504

Birding in Patagonia Argentina and Chile

January 13-22, 2013

with Wayne Petersen, Director of the Mass Audubon

Important Bird Areas Program

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO: PUNTA TOMBO PENGUIN COLONY

JANUARY 22 – 25, 2012

Birding in Patagonia ~ January 2013 Updated March 6, 2012



800-289-9504

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1 – Jan 13

th, BUENOS AIRES. Arrive at Buenos Aires Ezeiza airport where we will be met by our local

contact and driven to the city to check into the Dolmen Hotel. After time to relax at the hotel and have lunch on your

own, we meet your local guide, Carol Passara, for a tour of some of the city's attractions, including the Casa Rosada on

the Plaza de Mayo; Florida Street; the renovated Puerto Madero area, and the elegant and frequented Recoleta District

& Palermo Park. Depending on flight arrival times, Carol will take you birding at the famous Costanera Sur Reserve

to look for birds such as Masked Gnatcatcher, Black-and-Rufous Warbling Finch, Spectacled Tyrant, Great Kiskadee,

Red-crested Cardinal, Guira Cuckoo, Rufous Hornero, Rufous-bellied Thrush,and Golden-breasted Woodpecker, just

to mention a few species likely to be seen in

only a couple of hours. Overnight at Hotel

Dolmen. (D)

DAY 2 – Jan 14th

, BUENOS AIRES – EL

CALAFATE – EL CHALTEN. Today we

fly to El Calafate Airport in Southern

Patagonia. Upon arrival, we will drive to

the small town of El Chalten (locally called

Chalten), situated close to the imposing

Mount Fitz Roy. On the way we will look

for Least Seedsnipe, Andean Condor, Black-

chested Buzzard-Eagle, Chimango, Crested

Caracara, and both Upland and Ashy-

headed Geese. In the river near El Chalten

we will also look for Torrent Ducks.

Overnight at Hosteria Los Cerros for 3

nights. (B, Box Lunch, D)

(www.loscerrosdelchalten.com)

DAY 3 – Jan 15th

, EL CHALTEN. Hike to

Lago de los Tres, close to the base of Mt Fitz (total distance about 8.5 miles). For most of the walk, we will be beside

the Rio Blanco. If the weather is clear, the views of the Glacier Blanco and some of the Fitz Roy Granite peaks are

outstanding and breathtaking and some of the Southern Beech woods you walk through contain trees that are several

hundred years old.

Once we reach the top you can take a trail that surrounds the lagoon until its outfall where it is possible to appreciate

the emerald waters of the Laguna Sucia and its hanging glaciers. For those who do not want to hike that far, Carol will

lead you into the old-growth Lenga forest to look for Thorn-tailed Rayadito, Patagonian Sierra-Finch, White-crested

Elaenia, Black-chinned Siskin, White-throated Treerunner, and with luck, Magellanic Woodpecker and Austral

Pygmy-Owl. We may also drive toward Lago del Desierto to look for Spectacled Duck, Southern Wigeon, Brown

Pintail, and Bar-winged Cinclodes. Overnight at Hosteria Los Cerros (B, Box Lunch, D)

DAY 4 – Jan 16th

, EL CHALTEN. Hike to Cerro Torre (one way approximately 5 miles, mostly flat), the most

spectacular mountains within the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. We will travel along the Rio Electrico where at this

time of the year many wildflowers are in bloom. With luck, we might spot orchids and possibly the huge Magellanic

Woodpecker or the strange Torrent Duck diving in the rushing river water. For those not choosing to hike, we will take

a 2 and-a-half-hour boat trip on Lake Viedma to view the Viedma Glacier. Overnight at Hosteria Los Cerros (B,

Box Lunch, D)

http://www.loscerrosdelchalten.com/




800-289-9504

DAY 5 – Jan 17th

, EL CHALTEN – EL CALAFATE. Today we will drive from El Chalten to Hosteria Los Notros,

along with visiting the Moreno Glacier. There are numerous balconies located at different heights and distances from

the glacier, all connected by paths and stairs. From the highest balcony, you can see the amazing surface of the glacier,

along with the northern and southern glacial face. If you go down to the second balcony, you will be closer to the ice.

This is the place where on occasions an ice dam is formed. Birds we may see here are Austral Parakeet, Andean

Condor, Long-tailed Meadowlark, Mourning Sierra- Finch, Upland Goose, and Chilean Flamingo. Overnight at

Hosteria Los Notros (B, L, D) (http://losnotros.com/en/patagonia-en/patagonia-2)

DAY 6 – Jan 18th

, EL CALAFATE. Today we take a cruise across Brazo Rico, passing beside icebergs which have

calved off the south front of the Perito Moreno Glacier. After reaching the Canal de los Témpanos, the boat will stop

at a safe distance from the glacier then continue to sail down its entire front, allowing spectacular views of the high

wall of ice. The excursion lasts

approximately one hour and provides a

totally different perspective of the Perito

Moreno Glacier, including the constant

falling of walls of ice from its front into the

milky waters of Lago Argentino. Many

birds can often be seen from the hotel’s

surroundings including Magellanic

Woodpecker, Rufous-tailed Plantcutter,

Thorn-tailed Rayadito, Patagonian and

Grey-hooded sierra-finches, and Black-

faced Ground-Tyrant. Overnight at

Hosteria Los Notros (B, L, D)

DAY 7 – Jan 19th

, EL CALAFATE –

TORRES DEL PAINE. Drive across the

Andes through low valleys looking out for

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, (Darwin’s)

Greater Rheas, Crested Caracaras and

foxes. We might also spot Magellanic

Oystercatcher and Chocolate-vented Tyrant. After clearing both Argentine and Chilean customs at Cerro Castillo, we

will head North towards Cerro Guido Ranch at the foothills of the Sierra Baguales. The panoramic view from the

Sierras Baguales is one of the best in the region. We will spend the afternoon looking for rare birds found in this area

such as Yellow-bridled Finch, Ochre-naped and Cinnamon-bellied ground- tyrant, Greater Yellow-Finch, Grey-bellied

Seedsnipe and the mighty Andean Condor. Overnight at Cerro Guido Lodge. (B, D)

(http://www.cerroguido.cl/english/home.html)

http://losnotros.com/en/patagonia-en/patagonia-2

http://www.cerroguido.cl/english/home.html




800-289-9504

Day 8 – Jan 20th

, TORRES DEL PAINE. Drive into Torres del Paine National Park, passing Laguna Amarga where

we will clearly see the Torres. In this area many guanacos should have small “chulengos” (as their young are called).

We will also search the Paine River for Torrent Ducks until we reach the beautiful waterfall where, if it is not windy,

we can enjoy a picnic lunch. We next travel southwest, passing by Lake Nordensjold, visit the Salto Grande, and

continue on to Lago Grey where we will check in to the Hosteria Lago Grey for the next 2 nights. Here we will look

for Austral Blackbird, Silvery and White-tufted grebes, and possibly a shrike-tyrant or several species of canasteros or

miners. We may have another chance to find the beautiful Spectacled Duck, too. Overnight at Hosteria Lago Grey.

(B, L, D)

Day 9 – Jan 21st, TORRES DEL PAINE. Today we stay in the area of Lago Grey where we will walk across the

Pingo River and into some old Lenga woods. After a half-mile trail in the woods we reach the shores of the Grey Lake

where icebergs that have been drifting with the wind hit the frontal moraine. Some are huge icebergs that have calved

off the Grey Glacier. In the afternoon we may take another short hike along the Pingo River, or else go to the

Administration Area of the park to take some short hikes or photographs with different lighting conditions. Overnight

at Hosteria Lago Grey (B, L, D) (http://www.lagogrey.cl/?&lang=EN)

Day 10 – Jan 22nd

, PUNTA ARENAS – El Calafate to Buenos Aires. We will all drive to El Calafate for our

flights. People not on the extension will take a direct flight (at about 2 PM) to the Buenos Aires international airport

(Ezeiza) )and then connect with international flights home. Those on the extension will fly to Trelew airport. (B)

http://www.lagogrey.cl/?&lang=EN




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POST TOUR PENINSULA VALDES AND PUNTA TOMBO PENGUIN COLONY

Jan 22.EL CALAFATE – TRELEW

Transfer to El Calafate Airport for flight to Trelew. Upon arrival to Trelew’s Airport you will be driven to Posada Los

Mimbres ( D)

Jan. 23 PUNTA TOMBO PENGUIN COLONY Early this morning head south to the Magellanic Penguin colony of Punta Tombo where 200,000 pairs nest. Not only

will you marvel when walking in amongst the Penguins but will also spot Darwin’s Rhea, Elegant-crested Tinamou,

and the endemic White-headed Flightless Steamer Duck. A few pairs of Great Skuas nest at Punta Tombo and prey on

the penguin eggs and chicks.

In the afternoon we return along a different route, looking for Lesser & Patagonian Canastero, Red-backed Hawk,

Patagonian Mackingbird, Common Diuca Finch and Long-tailed Meadowlark. At dusk we bird the Chubut River

valley where Great Kiskadee, Lesser Canastero Black-shouldered Kite (also known as White-tailed Kite) and Rufous

Hornero are possibilities. Hotel Peninsula Valdes (B, D )

Jan 24 PENINSULA VALDES

Spend this day at the Peninsula Valdes Nature Reserve, a narrow strip of land, extending into the Atlantic Ocean,

sandwiched between the San Jose and Nuevo Gulfs. Get your binoculars ready to search for some of the 180 species of

sea and land birds that inhabit this barren windswept land. Some of these birds are endemic species, not large or

strikingly colorful but found in no other country or region: these are Carbonated Sierra Finch, Patagonian Yellow

Finch, Rusty-backed Monjita and Band-tailed Earthcreeper.

We also will see Lesser and Great Shrike-Tyrants and the Elegant-crested Tinamou. Seabirds will include Giant

Petrels, South American, Royal and Cayenne Terns, as well as nesting Rock, King and Neotropic Cormorants. Crested

Ducks are found on the rocky shores.

We will visit Punta Delgada and watch the elephant seal pups, the huge beach masters defending their females from

intruding males. We also will find the Borrowing Owl, Red-backed Hawk, and with luck a graceful and fast Aplomado

Falcon or Peregrine Falcon.

The afternoon will find us visiting the East coast of the

Peninsula searching for specialties such as Tawny-

throated Dotterel, Common Miner, Scale-throated

Earthcreeper, Mourning Sierra Finch and keep an eye on

the ocean as we may spot a White-chinned Petrel. We

also have the chance of spotting Orcas preying on

Elephant Seal pups at Caleta Valdes and Punta Norte so

do call out if you see a tall dorsal fin. Hotel Peninsula

Valdes B D.-

Jan 25 TRELEW – BUENOS AIRES – FLIGHTS

HOMEWARD

We fly from Trelew airport to El Calafate and from

there, transfer to a flight to Buenos Aires and home ( B )




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PRICES & TERMS for Main Patagonia Tour

Main Trip Price: $ 5995 Per person, double occupancy $1800 Single Supplement

A $500 per person deposit is required along with the

reservation form.

INCLUDED IN MAIN TRIP:

Private transportation in a mini bus

Accommodations and meals as noted in itinerary

A local naturalist guide and tour leader and Mass

Audubon tour leader

Gratuity for local guide, Entrance fees, Baggage

fees

NOT INCLUDED IN MAIN TRIP: International flights

and departure taxes; Items of a personal nature such as

laundry, beverages from the bar; certain meals as noted in

itinerary.

View of glacier from our hotel room

FLIGHTS: BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE TOUR, NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE:

Travelers should plan to arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina on or before January 13, 2013. And depart from

Santaigo de Chile on either January 25th

(if doing the extension) or Jan. 22, if not joining the extension.

Note: It is possible to fly in and out of Buenos Aires but the transfer from Torres del Paine to El Calafate

airport is expensive, and therefore is actually cheaper to arrive in one country and depart from the other.

There are also 2 flights within the continent: Buenos Aires-El Calafate and Punta Arenas-Santiago. These

flights will be booked for you by Mass Audubon, and the ticket cost (currently ~ $590) will be added to the

tour invoice.

PRICES & TERMS for Extension

Post tour Extension Price: $ 1650 Per person, double occupancy $400 Single Supplement An additional $500 per person deposit is required along with the reservation form. Cost based on a minimum of 10

travelers,

INCLUDED IN EXTENSION PRICE:

2 Nights at Hotel Peninsula Valdes

1 Night at Los Mimbres

San Lorenzo, Península, Tombo and Delgada entrance fees.

Our local Causana Viajes guide

All activities mentioned at the itinerary.

All meals mentioned at the itinerary

Private transportation throughout the tour.

NOT INCLUDED IN EXTENSION PRICE: International flights and departure taxes; Items of a personal nature

such as laundry, beverages from the bar; certain meals as noted in itinerary.




800-289-9504

About Your Guide

Wayne Petersen is Mass Audubon’s Director of the Massachusetts Important Bird Areas (IBA) program. He

has led trips and tours, lectured, and conducted birding workshops across North

America for over thirty-five years. His tour-leading experiences have taken him from

the Arctic to South America, as well as Iceland, Svalbard, Africa, Madagascar,

Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica. Wayne was a founding member of the

Massachusetts Avian Records Committee, is a New England Regional Editor for

North American Birds, and serves on the advisory committee for the Massachusetts

Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. His writing projects include

authoring the National Audubon Society’s Pocket Guide to Songbirds and Familiar Backyard Birds (East),

coauthoring Birds of Massachusetts and Birds of New England, co-editing the Massachusetts Breeding Bird

Atlas, and contributing to The Audubon Society Master Guide to Birding, The Sibley Guide to Bird Life &

Behavior, and Arctic Wings. In 2005, Wayne was the recipient of the American Birding Association’s Ludlow

Griscom Award for outstanding contributions in regional ornithology. He is especially interested in seabirds

and shorebirds, and he derives great satisfaction from sharing his knowledge of the natural world with his

fellow colleagues and traveling companions.

TERMS & CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL

APPLICATIONS, RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS: Early applications are strongly encouraged. Trip rosters usually

must be finalized 4 months before departure! All applications must be accompanied by a completed reservation form

and a $500 deposit. Deposits can be by check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). We reserve the right to decline your

application. In the case of questionable health, we reserve the right to require a physician’s certification to affirm you

are capable of the activities. Final payment is due 95 days before the departure date. Final payment must be by check.

RATES: All tour prices are based on double occupancy. If you would like us to find you a roommate, we will do our

best, but cannot guarantee a share. If we cannot find a share, you will need to pay the single supplement. All forms and

fares are accurate at the time of publication November 2011, but are subject to change at any time prior to departure. It

is our policy to only pass on the actual amount of any increases in airfares or land costs such as those increases due to

the devaluation of the dollar. Rarely, a price increase may be called for if the group falls below the minimum of 8. The

maximum number of participants is approximately 14

FLIGHTS: You, the traveler, are responsible for booking and paying for your own international flights. Once

you reserve your space, we will provide you with suggested flights and tell you which flights our leaders will be on.

You may book flights directly with the airline, online, or with a travel agent. Once your deposit and reservation form

have been sent to us, we will send you flight and contact information. Please be aware that most tickets are non-

refundable, therefore you should not book your flight arrangements until you have checked with us to be sure the tour

has the minimum number of participants for the trip to go.

PHOTOS: Mass Audubon reserves the right to make use of any photograph taken on the tour. We guarantee that no

photos of a comprising nature will be used.




800-289-9504

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: If you need to change your booking, you must inform us immediately. All

cancellations must be done in writing and are effective upon receipt in the Massachusetts Audubon Travel Office. Cancellations

received up to 121 days prior to departure will be refunded deposits less a $300 per person fee. For cancellations between 120 and

90 days prior to departure, all deposits will not be refunded. There are no refunds for cancellations 90 days or less from departure.

We strongly urge all travelers to purchase trip cancellation insurance. You will be sent information from the Massachusetts

Audubon Society upon receipt of your deposit.

Your Responsibility: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, group travel trips by their nature

involve a certain amount of risk. Trip participants should understand that the domestic and international trips sponsored/operated

by Massachusetts Audubon Society (Mass Audubon Tours) - hereafter collectively “M.A.S.” - involve known and unknown risks.

M.A.S. assumes no responsibility for injuries, death, financial losses or damage to clients’ property caused by or occurring during

participation in any of the travel trips sponsored/operated by M.A.S. Trip participants must assume responsibility for having

sufficient skill and fitness to participate in the trips and activities offered or sponsored by M.A.S. Trip participants must also

certify that they have no medical, mental or physical conditions which could interfere with their abilities to participate in the

activities and/or trips they are participating in and they must assume and bear the cost of all risks that may be created, directly or

indirectly, by any such condition. It is the responsibility of trip participants to have in place adequate insurance to cover any

injury, damage or emergency transportation costs related to their travel and/or participation in trip activities and/or to bear the costs

of such injury, damage or emergency transportation costs. Because of the risks associated with the travel trips sponsored by

M.A.S. we urge all trip participants to supplement their own insurance with travel or vacation or emergency response types of

insurance. M.A.S. requires that all trip participants acknowledge and assume these risks by reading and signing an M.A.S. Release

and Waiver and Assumption of Risk contract prior to departure.

CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL: Travelers will be provided with an itinerary and trip preparation information. It is expected that

travelers will read this information prior to trip departure. Travelers will be responsible for completing an application reservation

form, a personal information form, and a release of liability form. Travelers will be expected to abide by the terms set for in the

invoice. During the tour, travelers are asked to respect and follow the directions of their guide and leader.




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Reservation Form

Mr./Mrs./Ms.

Passenger Name (1) – as shown in passport Date of Birth

Mr./Mrs./Ms.

Passenger Name (2) – as shown in passport Date of Birth

Address

City State Zip

Phone: Day Evening

Email address

ACCOMMODATIONS:

I/We are non-smoker(s) ___ smoker(s) ___ (smoking is limited to outdoors in non-group spaces)

___ I request single accommodations where available and will pay the single supplement.

___ I would like to be assigned a roommate. If one is not available, I will pay the single supplement.

EXTENSION:

____ Yes, I will/ we will join the optional post tour penguin extension

DEPOSIT:

Main trip: Please find my enclosed deposit of ($500 per person) check ____ or please charge ______ my credit card:

Extension: Yes, Please find my enclosed deposit of $500 per person for the extension: check ____ or charge______

VISA___MC___ Card #__________________________________________________Exp.______________

Checks should be made payable to “Massachusetts Audubon Society”

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Signature

birding in patagonia › pdf › nhtravel › patagonia2013.pdf · for least seedsnipe, andean...

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