Presents an Ecotour to Central Chile:
Nature and Culture from the Coast to the Andes
January 10 – 21, 2015
This tour leaves the beaten track and takes us to wild places that few tourists visit. We'll explore coastal forests and indigenous communities, lakes, glaciers, rivers, sand dunes, diverse birding areas, wetlands, volcanoes and forests unique to Chile. We'll see some wonderful birds, unusual land and sea mammals, and glorious tree and plant life, including endemic species. We'll participate in ecological research focused on conserving Chilean wildlife, and spend time with the largest of Chile's indigenous groups, a people striving to maintain their identity and culture in an increasingly globalised world. Because Chile is long and thin, traveling to a diversity of habitats takes time. We will minimize transport time by taking a couple of internal flights and using alternate means – including boats, horses and our own two feet. Because Chile is also an expensive country, we will stay in simple but comfortable accommodations that fit well with the ecology of the areas we visit. But do not fear: we won't skimp on food or drink. Our tour includes tasting the diversity of high quality food and wine for which Chile is rightly renowned. Highlights include: Valdivian Rainforest – with iconic southern species such as Patagonian cypress (alerce), monkey puzzle, and southern beech trees; Chiloé Island – to observe penguins, otters, whales and dolphins, as well as the distinct culture, cuisine and architecture of this once-isolated coastal community; Puyuhue National Park – temperate evergreen rainforest with volcanoes, hot springs, lakes and waterfalls;
Indigenous Mapuche communities – market visit, cultural exchange and horseback riding; Conguillio National Park – with lakes and islands of Andean forest surrounded by lava flows from recent volcanic eruptions; El Morado National Monument – high Andean grasslands, lakes and glaciers, and participation in bird research and conservation project.
Price: $3990*. Price includes all transport within Chile (including two flights), lodging (double occupancy), all meals, entrance fees to parks, professional ecologist guide, all activities on the itinerary, and a donation to a conservation project or organization in Chile. It does not include international airfare to and from Chile, airport taxes, tips, alcoholic drinks and other incidentals. Single supplement: $450
Pay in full by November 1 to receive a $100 discount! To register: Send a $500 deposit** (via check, made out to Abigail Rome) to:
Abigail Rome Tierra Vista Tours 605 Ray Drive Silver Spring, MD 20910
For more information: Contact Abi at [email protected] or 301-608-8094.
* Please note that trip costs are subject to change, depending on number of participants. ** Deposit, payment and cancellation policy: the deposit is non-refundable. Payment balance is due by November 21. For cancellations made at least 30 days before the trip, 80% of the balance will be refunded. Cancellations 15-30 days before will be refunded 50% of balance. Cancellations 14 days or less before the trip are non-refundable.
Photos, left to right on both pages: Araucaria tree and volcano, Conguillo National Park; Culpeo Fox near Santiago; Yeso Valley; Chepu, Chiloe Island; Ecotourists near Chiloe Island; Conguillo National Park. (El Yeso and Conguillo photos courtesy of Fabrice Schmitt).
