Patagonia is huge wild area of Southern South America, containing 7 completely different natural regions, part in Argentina and part in Chile. Each area has its own particular list of birds, which make up a total of 360 species including 40 endemics. These natural areas are: wetlands and aquatic environments, Patagonian steppe, Andean-Patagonian forest (or sub-Antarctic forest), high-Andean steppes, grasslands, sea coast and rural areas.
In the northwest corner of Patagonia, we have the great possibility of covering all the different regions in less than 600 km and the shortest time possible.
Birdwatching is an addictive hobby. When we go out and get in contact with nature, there is always something interesting to watch. Most of us are able to identify a few bird species that live around us, but it is amazing the number of species that you can see if you take the time to stop and watch carefully. Previous experience is not needed, just willing to experience a different tour, approaching nature in incomparable sceneries.
Half day and full day tours from San Martin de los Andes to the best birding spots in the area: Collon Cura River Valley, Lanin Volcano area, the Seven Lakes Route, Laguna Rosales, Chapelco Massif. Tours from Bariloche are also available. All outing include transportation on a comfortable 4WD vehicle, birding guide, binoculars, fieldscope, and field guides.
2-day/1-night birding experiences on the best-selected birding spots in northern Patagonia, camping underneath the stars. We will drive in the afternoon from San Martín de los Andes to the selected spot, set up our campground and then go birding till sunset. After enjoying a nice dinner we can go birding again for a while in search of owls and nightjars before going to bed. We will wake up at sunrise, have a good breakfast and go birding again until noon. Back on the campsite, we will have a picnic before dismantling our camp and taking our way back to San Martín de los Andes. If you want to stay more time, all these outings can be combined and extended, with all kind of hiking options as well. The possibilities are infinite, so do not hesitate to ask for a customized program.
Neuquén province is the richest region in Patagonia in terms of bird species. Here you can find 70% of the bird species registered in Patagonia, more than any other region. Five different natural regions (Patagonian steppe, Monte, Patagonian Forest, High Andes and Wetlands) well represented in 4 National Parks, 12 IBAs (Important Bird Areas declared by Birdlife International) and 2 RAMSAR sites offer plenty of birding opportunities, including many endemics. This 9-day birding tour is designed to cover all these different natural regions so you can maximize your time and money and have the best possible birding experience in Patagonia.
10-day birding and nature photography tour covering Patagonia from east to west and 3 of the 4 Patagonian provinces. Starting on the city of Trelew we will spend our first two days in Peninsula Valdés the most important wildlife hotspot of the Patagonian Atlantic Coast. There we will see not only lots of steppe and coastal birds but also big mammal such as sea lions and the, of course, the start of the show: The Southern Right Whale. From there we will start moving east, covering all the natural regions in North Patagonia and Central Argentina: Espinal, Monte, Patagonian steppe, Subantarctic forest and High Andes, looking for the endemic bird species of each one of them while we enjoy the amazing sceneries. The tour ends in the city of Bariloche, the capital of Argentina’s Lake District.