We travel to Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego by ferry to search for birds in the area around Porvenir, capital of the Tierra del Fuego Province, looking for the enigmatic Magellanic Plover. We visit the spectacular Bahía Lomas to see amazing concentrations of Hudsonian Godwit and Red Knots. On the extension we visit briefly Rio Grande in Argentina, and from there drive to Ushuaia where we plan to stay for two nights. During this birding trip we visit Martillo Island and will also explore the Mount Martial and the Lapataia National Park.

•  4 days, 3 nights

• Meet: Punta Arenas hotel or airport

• Depart: same

• November to February

Birding the Tierra del Fuego Island (Chile)

Day 1: Punta Arenas - Otway Sound - First Narrows (Strait of Magellan) Visit to the Magellanic Penguin colony at Seno Otway to continue towards the First Narrows where we will overnight. Lesser Rhea, Magellanic Penguin, Silver Teal, Two-banded Plover, Rufous-chested Dotterel, Magellanic Oystercatcher, Chilean Skua, Least Seedsnipe, Austral Canastero, Black-throated Finch, Chocolate-vented Tyrant. (B, L, D)

Day 2:  First Narrows - Cerro Sombrero. Birding around the area. Transfer to ferry terminal to sail breafily across the Straits of Magellan and land in Tierra del Fuego Island. Visit to Bahia Lomas for spectacular views of high concentrations of northern hemisphere shorebirds. Box lunch en route. Overnight at Hosteria Tunkelen. Coscoroba Swan, Ruddy-headed Goose, Hudsonian Godwit, Red Knot, Two-banded Plover, Short-billed Miner, Guanacos, Patagonian Grey Fox. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Cerro Sombrero – Porvenir. Drive through the pampas birding. Lunch in restaurant at Porvenir. Transfer to ferry for crossing the First Narrows to Tierra del Fuego Island. Magellanic Horned Owl Dinner and overnight Hosteria Yendegaia.  Black-faced Ibis, Ruddy-headed Goose, Magellanic Plover, Magellanic Horned Owl (B, L, D)

Day 4: Porvenir – Punta Arenas. Return to Punta Arenas (overnight in Punta Arenas) or extension to Argentine Tierra del Fuego. (B, L)

Extension to Tierra del Fuego (Argentina)

• 5 days, 4 nights

• Meet: Cerro Sombrero

• Depart: same

• November to February

Day 1: Cerro Sombrero (Chile) – Rio Grande (Argentina). Drive to Rio Grande. Box lunch en route. Dinner and overnight in Rio Grande. Ruddy-headed Goose, Black-faced Ibis, Chocolate-vented Tyrant.

Day 2: Rio Grande – Ushuaia. Visit to lagoon near town and later transfer to Ushuaia. Box lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at Ushuaia. Magellanic Plover, Ashy headed Goose.

Day 3: Ushuaia – Mount Martial – Martillo Island – Ushuaia. During the morning hiking excursion to Mount El Martial. During the afternoon boat trip to Martillo island. Dinner and overnight in Ushuaia. Magellanic Penguin, Common Diving-Petrel, Magellanic Diving-Petrel.

Day 4: Full day Parque Nacional Lapataia. Box Lunch. Night excursion. Dinner and overnight at Ushuaia. Magellanic Woodpecker, Rufous-legged Owl.

Day 5: transfer to Ushuaia airport for flight to Punta Arenas - Buenos Aires or Calafate.

To view a checklist of this tour click here