CHILOÉ FULL BIRDING 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

Starting at Mocopulli Airport

A program specially designed for bird and nature enthusiasts. In 4 days you will be able to visit the best nature scenarios and the rich wildlife of Chiloé, including marine and land ecosystems, wetlands, and forests. All the trips are guided by the best bird and nature specialists of the territory, enjoying the only birdwatching lodge of Chiloe: Refugio Pullao, that combines service quality, courtesy and authenticity, with a privileged view to the inland sea, to the islands and to the Andes mountains, where we’ll say goodbye to the island with a kayak birdwatching activity at dawn, that is going to be a memorable experience.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Pick up at Mocopulli Airport (in Chiloe), check-in at Refugio Pullao Lodge

Introduction to the ecosystems of Chiloe, the influence of tides over the wetlands of the archipelago, and the migratory and resident birds that live in the territory. Visit two hides of the bird observatory, equipped with spotting scopes, identify species on the bay such as Whimbrel, Hudsonian Godwit, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Yellow-billed Pintail, Speckled Teal, Chiloe Wigeon, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Cocoi Heron, Great Grebe, Plumbeous Rail, Flightless Steamerduck, Sedge Wren, Black-necked Swan, Chilean Flamingo (may-aug), Imperial Shag.

Lodge Refugio Pullao has hot tubs, an option to end the day with a well-deserved relaxing bath. Dinner at the lodge.

DAY 2: Sailing on the East Coast of Chiloe

Private transfer to the town of Queilen, where we will take a tourist boat and sail for 2,5 hours, visiting a penguin colony and observing marine coastal birds, with good chances of pelagic species sightings. Two species of dolphins are seen very frequently including Chilean Dolphin which is endemic of the Chilean sea, and whales are in the area mostly from May to July, including some of the largest species: Blue Whale and Sei (ask for whale watching if interested). We’ll enjoy a snack on board: local seafood served directly from the sea to your table.

Some of the target species: Magellanic Penguin, Flightless Steamerduck, Sooty Shearwater, Hall’s Giant Petrel, Black-browed Albatross, Chilean Skua, Peruvian Pelican, Snowy Egret, Great Grebe, Silvery Grebe, Black-necked Swan, Imperial Shag, Red-legged Cormorant, South American Tern, Dolphin Gull, Brown-hooded Gull, Blackish Oystercatcher

We will also visit one of the most beautiful beaches in Chiloé: Aituy; where on one hand you have the sea and on the other an interesting wetland where Brown-hooded Gull nest every year; we will continue towards the town of Chonchi and visit one of the 16 UNESCO Heritage Churches.

DAY 3: Excursion to Bosquepiedra Forest Reserve

Introduction to the Valdivian forest and the arboreal migratory and resident birds. Hike on Bosquepiedra trail in search of forest species such as: Chucao Tapaculo, Black-throated Huet-Huet, Magellanic Tapaculo, Ochre-flanked Tapaculo, Magellanic Woodpecker, Striped Woodpecker, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, White-throated Treerunner, Rufous-legged Owl, Des Murs’s Wiretail, White-crested Elaenia, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Patagonian Tyrant

Bosquepiedra Forest Reserve is located on the south shore of Huillinco Lake, the largest one of Chiloe, named in Mapudungun, the Mapuche language it means lake of otters for the Sothern River Otter that lives in it. There we’ll have a chance to look for other kinds of birds such as: Yellow-billed Pintail, Speckled Teal, Chiloe Wigeon, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Cocoi Heron, Great Grebe, Plumbeous Rail, Ringed Kingfisher.

In the afternoon we’ll visit the city of Castro to photograph the traditional “Palafitos”, stilt houses, San Francisco Church which is a World Heritage (UNESCO), and more birds that live their lives in close contact with the local community.

Back on the lodge, there will be a theoretic introduction to sea kayak: basic concepts of kayak sailing and instructions to the activity that will take place the following day at dawn.

DAY 4: Kayak at dawn & Flight Castro-Santiago

We will get up very early to paddle at dawn, an experience that you won’t forget and chance to have a closer encounter with birds that are not so scared to see us coming in the kayaks. Surely a memorable way to say goodbye to this magical territory.

Transfer to Mocopulli Airport and flight to Santiago.