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Wildlife Locations

10 recommended locations. Please contact us for further suggestions.

Atacama Desert & The Altiplano

Chile’s northern desert comprises virtually lifeless coastal plains divided by dramatic deep gorges, while further east the barren landscape changes as it rises through the Andes. The altiplano is an impressive expanse of alluvial salt flat edged by snow-capped volcanic peaks, home to a surprising variety of wildlife. Find Out More

  • Where: Atacama Region
  • Ideal for viewing: Andean flamingo, Chilean flamingo, guanaco, rhea, vicuna

Chiloé Island

This fertile island lives from farming, fishing and forestry – arriving here is like stepping back in time. The west side is a dense swathe of temperate rainforest, supporting a variety of birdlife. Magellanic and Humboldt penguins live at the southern tip, and blue whales can be sighted between January and April. Find Out More

  • Where: Chiloé Province
  • Ideal for viewing: black-necked swan, Darwin’s fox, Humboldt penguin, pudu, South American sea lion
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Penguin watching, Rare mammal watching ,

Juan Fernandez Archipelago

This archipelago is situated around 700 kilometres off mainland Chile. Robinson Crusoe, the main island in the group and the subject of Daniel Defoe’s eponymous novel, is covered in sub-tropical forest and is of particular interest to botanists, with around 120 endemic plants, and a few endemic bird species. Find Out More

  • Where: Valparaíso Region
  • Ideal for viewing: Juan Fernandez fur seal, Juan Fernandez firecrown, Juan Fernandez tit-tyrant, Magellanic penguin, pink-footed shearwater

Lauca National Park

This spectacular northern area of dry, high altitude grassland plain and giant volcanoes supports many plants and a few mammals. Temperatures oscillate between -10°C at night and 20°C by day, and rainfall here is rare. This is one of the best parks in Chile for birding, with many species living around the lakes. Find Out More

  • Where: Arica-Parinacota Region‎
  • Ideal for viewing: Chilean flamingo, guanaco, taruca, vicuna, vizcacha
  • Excellent for: Birdwatching ,

Magellanes & Tierra del Fuego

The Chilean portion of Patagonia is called Magellanes after its Portuguese explorer. On the Pacific side glacial action has excavated a complex coastline of fjords and islands. Between the mainland and Tierra del Fuego, the Strait of Magellan has Chile’s first and only marine reserve, Francisco Coloane Marine Park. Find Out More

  • Where: Magallanes Province
  • Ideal for viewing: Andean condor, firecrown hummingbird, guanaco, humpback whale, king penguin
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Penguin watching, Rare mammal watching ,

The Lake District

Four adjacent national parks, Vicente Perez Rosales and Puyehue in Chile, plus Nahuel Huapi and Lanin in Argentina, protect this southern region. With snowcapped volcanoes, rushing rivers, tumbling waterfalls, placid lakes and dense forests, it is a place of immense natural beauty. Find Out More

  • Where: Llanquihue Province
  • Ideal for viewing: lesser rhea, ocelot, puma, Humboldt penguin, Magellanic penguin

Torres del Paine National Park

Chilean Patagonia’s premier attraction is a scenic mix of craggy peaks, glacial lakes, icefields and green valleys – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The omnipresent Paine Massif, a magnificent set of rocky spires formed from granite and sedimentary rock, dominates the landscape. Find Out More

  • Where: Magallanes Region
  • Ideal for viewing: Andean condor, South American grey fox, guanaco, puma, South Andean deer
  • Excellent for: Puma watching, Rare mammal watching , Wildlife photography

Valparaíso

The main port and one of the oldest cities in Chile, this delightful UNESCO World Heritage Site is sprawled across the hillsides and cliffs around a wide bay. A variety of seabirds can be seen along the coastline, while inland you will find the renowned wineries of the Casablanca and Colchagua valleys. Find Out More

  • Where: Valparaiso Region
  • Ideal for viewing: brown pelican, royal albatross, Buller’s albatross, giant petrel, southern fulmar
  • Excellent for: Birdwatching ,

Easter Island

Easter Island - or Rapa Nui as it is known locally - is a small triangle of volcanic rock in the mid-Pacific. The island and its 600 enigmatic stone faces have always been the subject of intense curiosity and speculation. A visit to this fascinating and unique place can easily be added to any trip to mainland Chile. Find Out More

  • Where: Valparaíso Region
  • Excellent for: History & culture

Santiago de Chile

Chile’s capital and its largest city is located in the central valley, with the snow-capped Andes to the east, and the coastal range to the west. A lively and dynamic place, it is one of Latin America’s most sophisticated locations, and there is lots to see in the city and surrounding Andes. Find Out More

  • Where: Santiago Metropolitan Region
  • Excellent for: City stopover, History & culture

View trips to these locations

Wildlife trips

Squeezed between the high Andes and cold Pacific Ocean, Chile is a country of immense natural beauty. From the world’s driest desert, the Atacama, to the cold southern steppe of Patagonia, topped by immense glaciers and fringed with stunning fjords, a mosaic of ecosystems and microclimates is populated by a diverse range of flora and fauna.

8 recommended trips. Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.

Wild Patagonia

Enjoy the best of Argentina and Chile, with stunning scenery and burgeoning wildlife at Torres del Paine and spectacular glaciers around Calafate. The trip culminates in two days at Valdes Peninsula, home to species such as the northern right whale, magellanic penguin and elephant seal. Find out more about Wild Patagonia

  • Price (inc. flights): 18 days from £5,095
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
    • M
    • A
    • O
    • N
    • D

Chile’s Rare Mammals

Take a journey in search of Chile’s rare and near endemic mammals. From unspoiled Valdivian rainforest to the bleak steppes of Tierra del Fuego and towering snow-covered peaks of Patagonia, this tour explores the habitat of puma, kodkod, Darwin’s fox, marine otter, Chilean dolphin and blue whale. Find out more about Chile’s Rare Mammals

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £8,195
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • F

South America’s Big Cats Photography Tour

The ultimate tour for big cat fans, this exhilarating two-centre group tour focuses on photographing puma and jaguar. We spend time on the edge of Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park, on a private ranch with outstanding puma photography opportunities, before moving to the jaguars of the Pantanal. Find out more about Z) South America’s Big Cats Photography Tour

  • Price (inc. flights): 16 days from £12,995
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J

Puma-tracking in Southern Chile

This photographic adventure allows you to explore the Torres del Paine area and see its remarkable wildlife, accompanied by a leading Chilean photographer. Based in Torres del Paine National Park, you will spend your time tracking pumas and other species, whilst soaking up the impressive scenery. Find out more about Puma-tracking in Southern Chile

  • Price (inc. flights): 10 days from £6,275
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
    • M
    • A
    • O
    • N
    • D

Patagonia’s Pumas & Orca

Beginning with southern Chile’s spectacular Torres del Paine National Park, we enjoy a few days puma watching. From here we travel to the north-east of Argentine Patagonia, to Valdes Peninsula to see orca hunt the young sea lions along the beach in a unique and captivating strategy. Find out more about Patagonia’s Pumas & Orca

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £10,595
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • M
    • A

Land of Extremes

Explore the extremes of Chile – from the great lakes and towering snow-capped mountains of Torres del Paine to the lunar landscapes of the Atacama Desert. Discover overwhelming beauty at every turn, with erupting geysers, spectacular glaciers, as well as fascinating unique wildlife. Find out more about Land of Extremes

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £7,145
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
    • M
    • A
    • O
    • N
    • D

Patagonia Wildlife Adventure

Witness the antics of sealions and dolphins in the Strait of Magellan as you travel on a trip in Chile’s first ever marine park. Combined with the breathtaking landscapes, varied wildlife and walking trails of Torres del Paine National Park, this is an adventure-packed experience to remember. Find out more about Patagonia Wildlife Adventure

  • Price (inc. flights): 13 days from £6,095
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
    • M
    • A
    • D

Pumas, Condors & Landscapes in Winter

Join photographer Nick Garbutt in Torres del Paine which is Patagonia’s premier wildlife destination and in combination with stunning scenery, makes for a perfect photography destination. The area is a haven to a wealth of Andean wildlife and is a stronghold for the region's top predator, the puma. Find out more about Pumas, Condors & Landscapes in Winter

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £13,865
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S

When to go

Due to its geographical location and size, the differences between north and south are extreme. December to March is best to visit the South, but head north from May to October.

Seasons

  • Winter

    May to Sep: Winter in the south is harsh, but farther north the climate remains warmer
  • Summer

    Oct to Apr: Southern Chile is warmer, while the central area receives plenty of sunshine. The north is pleasant year-round

Wildlife events

  • May to Oct: The best time to visit northern Chile
  • Oct to Mar: The southern hemisphere summer
  • Feb to Apr: Blue whales off Chiloé Island
  • Feb to Apr: Buffeting wind in Patagonia and Torres del Paine drops