Wildlife holidays in Chile
The topography of Chile is extraordinary, with high peaks and plateaus, towering snow-capped volcanoes and vertiginous coastal mountains. The country forms a ribbon of land stretching over 4,000 kilometres from the arid Atacama Desert in the north to the subantarctic islands of the south.
Nowhere more than 180 kilometres wide, the country is separated from neighbouring Argentina by the Andes Mountains which create some of the most spectacular scenery in South America.
Thanks to its unusual geography, and a comprehensive domestic airline network, it is possible to visit a wide range of habitats within a single holiday in Chile – from the Andean snowline and seabird filled waters of the Pacific, to the south’s wild coastline and the beech forests bordering the Straits of Magellan at the very tip of the continent.
Our specialist recommends..
"Our Chile – Just Pumas tour explores Torres del Paine National Park and nearby localities in search of the elusive Puma. Other highlights to be enjoyed in this spectacular setting are Andean Condor, Chilean Flamingo and Guanaco."
What’s special about the wildlife?
The bird watching in Chile is superb and is likely to include such sought-after species as Andean Condor, Inca Tern, Andean Avocet, Magellanic Plover and the peculiar Diademed Sandpiper-plover.
The waters off the Chilean coast are rich in marine life, while inland there are some unusual mammals such as Guanaco and Andean Deer. Torres del Paine National park and adjacent localities offer reliable Puma encounters amongst stunning patagonian scenery.
Naturetrek tours to Chile
Naturetrek offers many wildlife tours to Chile, ranging from Puma watching in Patagonia to pelagic excursions in search of Blue Whales, albatrosses and much more!
Highlights of a wildlife tour to Chile may include:
- Birds such as Andean Condor, Inca Tern, Megallanic Plover, Diademed Sandpiper-plover, Magellanic Penguin & Flightless Steamer-duck plus high-altitude waterbirds
- A visit to Chiloe Island to look for Blue Whales & Torres del Paine National Park to search for Pumas
- Terrestrial mammals such as wild Vicuna, otters, Darwin’s Fox & Pudu, as well as marine mammals including Humpback Whales, Peale’s Dolphins & the endemic Chilean Dolphin
- Patagonia & the Magellan Straits to look for Commerson’s Dolphin & Patagonian Hairy Armadillo
- Spectacular scenery including Tierra del Fuego & Andean Lakes
WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SAYING ABOUT OUR Chile HOLIDAYS
The interaction between the driver (Cesar), guide (Sebastian) and tracker (Jorge) was terrific and contributed to sightings of 15 different pumas including cubs, two unsuccessful hunts and some extremely close encounters with adult pumas standing just 10m away!
I enjoyed the friendliness of the leader, driver and tracker and the group was very friendly, one which gelled together extremely well.
The weather was excellent which meant that we had outstanding opportunities to see and photograph the landscape.
I was delighted to see all my target animals - Puma, Culpeo, Chilla and Patagonian Skunk. It was wonderful to get such brilliant scope views of two Puma cubs and their stunning mother. Enrique was a superb guide - working exceptionally hard to find the animals and with an excellent in-depth knowledge of both Pumas and the other wildlife of the park. He has a very pleasant easy-going personality and looked after us extremely well.