Birding in Patagonia Argentina and Chile January 13-22, 2013

Transcription

1 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

2 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 14 th, 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, Blackchested Buzzard-Eagle, Chimango, Crested Caracara, and both Upland and Ashyheaded 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) ( DAY 3 Jan 15 th, 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 16 th, 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)

3 DAY 5 Jan 17 th, 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) ( DAY 6 Jan 18 th, 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 Blackfaced Ground-Tyrant. Overnight at Hosteria Los Notros (B, L, D) DAY 7 Jan 19 th, 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) (

4 Day 8 Jan 20 th, 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 21 st, 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) ( Day 10 Jan 22 nd, 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)

5 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 Tawnythroated 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 )

6 PRICES & TERMS for Main Patagonia Tour Main Trip Price: $ 5995 Per person, double occupancy A $500 per person deposit is required along with the reservation form. $1800 Single Supplement 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, And depart from Santaigo de Chile on either January 25 th (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.

7 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 nonrefundable, 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.

8 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.

9 Reservation Form Mr./Mrs./Ms. Passenger Name (1) as shown in passport Mr./Mrs./Ms. Passenger Name (2) as shown in passport Date of Birth Date of Birth Address City State Zip Phone: Day Evening 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