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Patagonia, Chile Birdwatching

Our most recommended Patagonia, Chile Birdwatching

Punta Arenas: Walk with Penguins on Magdalena & Marta Island

1. Punta Arenas: Walk with Penguins on Magdalena & Marta Island

After check-in at the meeting point, transfer to Laredo Bay port to board speedboats for a 45-minute trip to Magdalena Island. Once there, enjoy 1 hour with a guide to discover the habitat of the Magellanic penguins on Magdalena Island, the second largest Magellanic penguin colony in South America that receives more than 120,000 penguins every year. Next, if the weather conditions are good, continue your journey to Marta Island, which hosts a colony of more than 1000 Patagonian sea lions, as well as copious bird life. Keep an eye out for cormorants, skuas, austral seagulls, Antarctic pigeons, and the occasional elephant seal. If you're lucky, see southern dolphins, piebald dolphins, and sei whales during your trip. The tour includes with return to Laredo Bay port and transfer back to the original meeting point.

Pucon: Full-Day Villarrica National Park Hike

2. Pucon: Full-Day Villarrica National Park Hike

Start your day traveling through incredible landscapes of nature and geological formations. Drive approximately 70 kilometers along the border with Argentina and crossing the beautiful area of Puesco. Arrive at the hike starting point at the Quillelhue Lagoon in Villarrica National Park. Trek for about four kilometers and pass by the Escondida and Huinfiuca lagoons. Continue towards Laguna Verde and after reaching about five kilometers, arrive at a slope and approach the skirts of the mythical Lanin Volcano. Be impressed by the 3,870 meters high peak and its glacier hat. Stop for a healthy lunch when it pleases you. Having crossed a mountainous Andean landscape and after visiting this last lagoon, return to the starting point of your hike. Heaed back to Pucon with a stop in the town of Curarrehue. While here, visit the Mapuche women's cooperative and see local, fair-trade crafts and gastronomic products before concluding your day.

Alerce Andino National Park: Guided Day Hike

3. Alerce Andino National Park: Guided Day Hike

Step into the lush world of the Alerce Andino National Park, located in the Southern Andes. On this guided tour, hike on the scenic Salto Río Chaica trail and see rushing waterfalls, temperate forest, and a variety of indigenous birds. Visit Alerce Milenario, one of the world’s oldest living trees. Begin your tour with a hotel pickup from your accommodations in Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas. Enjoy the views of the renovated Pelluco Waterfront, the Pacific Ocean, and the Lenca sector as you drive to the Alerce Andino National Park. Once there, you'll first register and purchase entrance tickets. Next, learn about the park's trail markings and safety regulations before setting out on the trails. Begin your hike on the Salto Río Chaica Trail, about four kilometers and mostly flat. The Chaica River leads you past brilliant shades of green from the trees, reflected by the crystal-clear waters. Continue your tour and follow the music of the river deeper into the forest. Along the way, you may spot birds, such as the chucao, hummingbirds, or woodpeckers, as well as striking flowers and ferns. Climb a staircase to the Chaica River Falls and gaze in wonder at the waterfalls as you rest. After soaking up the natural beauty of the falls, continue your hike with a brief ascent to the mythical Alerce Milenario. Admire this massive tree, estimated to be at least 5,000 years old, while taking care not to tread too close to its roots. Then, return along the same path to finish your tour.

Pucon: Quetrupillan Volcano Full-Day Climb

4. Pucon: Quetrupillan Volcano Full-Day Climb

Meet at the local partner's office in downtown Pucon and travel to the Palguin area to the east of the city. Start the hike and cross the forest full of native Coihue trees, some of which reach more than 20 meters high. Discover the various birds of the area as you hike along a leisurely trail. Learn about the native inhabitants and culture of the region from your experienced guides. After you exit the forest, make your way into the rugged Andean mountain landscape. As the height increases, hike along steeper slopes which will bring you closer to the summit. When you reach the crater at the top, after climbing over 1,000 meters, walk westward along the ridge to reach the summit at a height of 2,347 meters. Enjoy fantastic views of the Villarrica and Lanin volcanoes, along with more than three other volcanoes in the area. Admire the many lagoons, Argentinean pampas, and green forests of this panoramic viewpoint. Enjoy an easy descent, where you will walk once more through green forests, and arrive at your vehicle which will take you back to Pucon.

Puerto Natales: La Ventana Cave and Birdlife Half Day Hike

5. Puerto Natales: La Ventana Cave and Birdlife Half Day Hike

Discover the natural beauty of lenga tree forests on a hike to La Ventana Cave. Your guide will show you great vantage points to see condors and other birds, as well as ancient cave paintings. Rest your legs at the end of the tour with hotel transport included. Meet your guide at your Puerto Natales for the drive to your hike start point where you begin your journey into the forest. Walking through the lenga trees, reach a panoramic viewpoint of Laguna Sofia. From this spot, admire the blue lake surrounded by towering snowy mountains. The rugged and windy landscape here is ideal for condors and other birdlife which call this area home. Continue through rock walls to see unique cave paintings of the Magallanes region. Continue your hike to La Ventana Cave, the window cave, and Cueva Escondida, to appreciate ancient stalactites and stalagmites, as well as archaeological sites. Traces of extinct fauna have been found in these caves. At Los Aleros Dos Herraduras, located in a centuries-old lenga tree forest, look out for several species of orchids and a wide variety of birds.

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What people are saying about Patagonia, Chile

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 12 reviews

Definitely a struggle to wake up so early but wow is it worth it. It’s a long day but worth every moment. We were in Chile for 2 weeks and this is one of our highlights of the entire trip. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience to see so many whales and eating lunch on a boat with a massive glacier on one side of you and waterfalls on another. The guides were passionate and knowledgeable, the main guide is actually a marine biologist! You could tell how deeply he cared for these animals and preservation. We stood in rain, cold, wind all while sleep deprived and we would do it all over again. Truly incredible and unforgettable.

This tour was phenomenal, the boat was very comfortable and had all the amenities you’d need. The staff and guide were very informative and attentive. I saw beautiful scenery and a plethora of birds and marine life. I saw whales, sea lions, penguins, dolphins, and the finale was the Helado Glacier. Take warm clothing the wind is very strong, but it’s well worth it!

This is a very good tour. The crew is very nice, and knowledgeable about the marine life. It is worthwhile. We saw many cute penguins up close. The only improvement is that we waited for more than an hour at check in during early morning time. Since we have paid, all we got is to check our names. The check in process needs improvement.

A seamless experience with a very efficient company & crew. The commentator is very informative in English as well as Spanish, the coastline is uniquely beautiful and the wildlife is abundant. Whales, sea lions, penguins and birds all around. Bring a handful of your own special snacks, enjoy the trip!

Well- organized, beautiful boat trip! Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable crew staff! They know where to find animals, tried to get to them as close as possible and let us take great pictures. Thank you so much for the unforgettable trip!