Above: Magellanic Penguins / Charles Bergman / Audubon Photography Awards
argentina:
The Pampas & Northern Patagonia
September 17 to 30, 2022
This trip is now full. Continue with the registration process to place your name on the waiting list. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. Please register for wait-listed trips separately from any other registrations or transactions to ensure your registration is processed successfully.
Lesser Rheas / Justin Lotak / Audubon Photography Awards
Leaders: Adam Betuel, Georgia Audubon's Director of Conservation, and local guide Mark Pearman, ornithologist and author of Birds of Argentina and the South-west Atlantic (2020). Mark is a British native and resident of Argentina for 30 years.
Group Size: Maximum group size of 10 / The tour can run with 8 participants at a higher per person cost (see below)
Member Price: $4,630* per person
Non-member Price: $4,680* per person (includes a one-year Georgia Audubon membership)
Single Supplement for non-shared hotel room: $235 per person (Note that we are limited to 4 single supplements on this tour)
*Based on double occupancy and 10 participants.
If needed, the trip can run with 8 participants. With a group size of 8, the trip rate increases to $5,745/person for members or $5,795/person for non-members.
Depending on group construction, solo travelers may be forced to pay a single supplement. All efforts will be made to pair individuals to avoid this expense though it cannot be guaranteed. Impacted travelers, should they decide to cancel, will be reimbursed following the cancellation policy below. For this trip, the fewer single supplements the better due to lodge sizes. Single supplements may be limited and/or some nights may require room sharing.
With a species list topping 1,000, miles and miles of coastline, a diverse variety of breathtaking habitats, and of course the food and wine, there is no doubt that Argentina is a destination that should be on every birdwatcher's and traveler's bucket list. For this Georgia Audubon trip, we will specifically focus on the central and southern portions of this elongated nation, travelling between northern Patagonia, through the fertile Pampas, and up to the buzzing capital of Buenos Aires, sticking pretty close to the coast. While a lot of effort and time will be spent tracking down local avian targets such as Yellow Cardinal, South American Painted-Snipe, Magellanic Penguin, and Burrowing Parakeet, this tour is also timed for the arrival of the North American shorebirds that often use Georgia’s coastline during migration. If lucky, we will spot White-rumped Sandpipers, Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers, and both Yellowlegs thousands of miles from the Glynn or Bartow County hotspots they would have visited weeks or months before.
Join Georgia Audubon's Director of Conservation, Adam Betuel, as well as Mark Pearman, author of the new Birds of Argentina and the South-west Atlantic field guide, on this amazing two-week journey. In addition to the hundreds of bird species that will be seen, including many endemics, this trip will provide great opportunities to see mammals and grand vistas. The group will be taking three separate boat trips focusing on breeding Southern Right Whale, Commerson’s Dolphin, and pelagic birdwatching. On land, many other mammals are possible including Guanacos, Patagonian Maras, Elephant Seals, and more.
This trip has additional details you may want to review before registering. Please reference the companion document to learn more.
Group Size: Maximum group size of 10 / The tour can run with 8 participants at a higher per person cost (see below)
Member Price: $4,630* per person
Non-member Price: $4,680* per person (includes a one-year Georgia Audubon membership)
Single Supplement for non-shared hotel room: $235 per person (Note that we are limited to 4 single supplements on this tour)
*Based on double occupancy and 10 participants.
If needed, the trip can run with 8 participants. With a group size of 8, the trip rate increases to $5,745/person for members or $5,795/person for non-members.
Depending on group construction, solo travelers may be forced to pay a single supplement. All efforts will be made to pair individuals to avoid this expense though it cannot be guaranteed. Impacted travelers, should they decide to cancel, will be reimbursed following the cancellation policy below. For this trip, the fewer single supplements the better due to lodge sizes. Single supplements may be limited and/or some nights may require room sharing.
With a species list topping 1,000, miles and miles of coastline, a diverse variety of breathtaking habitats, and of course the food and wine, there is no doubt that Argentina is a destination that should be on every birdwatcher's and traveler's bucket list. For this Georgia Audubon trip, we will specifically focus on the central and southern portions of this elongated nation, travelling between northern Patagonia, through the fertile Pampas, and up to the buzzing capital of Buenos Aires, sticking pretty close to the coast. While a lot of effort and time will be spent tracking down local avian targets such as Yellow Cardinal, South American Painted-Snipe, Magellanic Penguin, and Burrowing Parakeet, this tour is also timed for the arrival of the North American shorebirds that often use Georgia’s coastline during migration. If lucky, we will spot White-rumped Sandpipers, Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers, and both Yellowlegs thousands of miles from the Glynn or Bartow County hotspots they would have visited weeks or months before.
Join Georgia Audubon's Director of Conservation, Adam Betuel, as well as Mark Pearman, author of the new Birds of Argentina and the South-west Atlantic field guide, on this amazing two-week journey. In addition to the hundreds of bird species that will be seen, including many endemics, this trip will provide great opportunities to see mammals and grand vistas. The group will be taking three separate boat trips focusing on breeding Southern Right Whale, Commerson’s Dolphin, and pelagic birdwatching. On land, many other mammals are possible including Guanacos, Patagonian Maras, Elephant Seals, and more.
This trip has additional details you may want to review before registering. Please reference the companion document to learn more.
Questions? Contact Adam Betuel by email or at 678-973-2437.
Credit card processing fees are included in the registration price.
Credit card processing fees are included in the registration price.
trip overview
Click on each day for more information.
day 1: arrive in buenos aires
After a morning arrival, we will head out for some afternoon birding at Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur (RECS). Here we will get an introduction to Pampas birding where we may find up to 60 species in just a few hours. Over 300 species have been recorded in this downtown nature reserve, located on the shores of the Rio de la Plata in the heart of a 15.6 million metropolis. As we will find out, the rest of Argentina is largely uninhabited.
Overnight: Buenos Aires
Overnight: Buenos Aires
day 2: trelew & puerto madryn
This morning we will return to the airport for a 2-hour domestic flight south to the town of Trelew. After arrival, we’ll then visit some nearby lakes which will likely be teaming with waterfowl; usually Red Shoveler, Chiloe Wigeon, Silver Teal, Silvery Grebe, White-winged Coot, Chilean Flamingo, and hopefully Black-headed Duck (the World’s only parasitic duck) and possibly White-cheeked Pintail. Once on the coast we should see our first Kelp Gulls, South American Terns, and hopefully our first spectacular Dolphin Gulls.
Overnight: Puerto Madryn
Overnight: Puerto Madryn
day 3: a million magellanic penguins!
Our first port of call in the morning will be a visit to a roosting Magellanic Horned Owl, followed by an embarkation in search of the delightful Commerson’s Dolphin, a small black and white blunt-nosed dolphin which is restricted to Patagonia. From here we set out along a little-known back road to South America’s largest penguin colony at Punta Tombo. Up to a million Magellanic Penguins breed here and as we’ll be early in the season, we can expect a cacophony of braying. We’ll also be on the lookout for Lesser Rhea, the endemic and flightless Chubut Streamer Duck as well as Crested Duck, Blackish Oystercatcher, Brown Skua and Southern Giant Petrels cruising the shoreline, macaw-sized Burrowing Parrot, Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail, near-endemic Band-tailed Earthcreeper, stunning endemic Rusty-backed Monjita and Grey-hooded Sierra Finch. Mammals could also be present in good numbers and should include Guanaco, South American Sea Lion and hopefully South American Elephant Seal. From here we have a fair drive through the wilderness, but now on tarmack, to our base on the Valdes Peninsula.
Overnight: Puerto Piramides
Overnight: Puerto Piramides
day 4: the valdes peninsula
We will spend all day today on the Valdes Peninsula and should encounter two very handsome shorebirds typical of Patagonia: the Tawny-throated Dotterel and Least Seedsnipe. Other birds may include Darwin’s Nothura, Elegant Crested-Tinamou, the endemic Patagonian Canastero, Grey-bellied and Lesser Shrike-Tyrants, and Patagonian Yellow Finch. Once on the exposed shore of this huge peninsula, we’ll scan for Flying Steamer Duck while giant petrels are abundant and there is a chance of Northern Giant Petrel. The Valdes Peninsula is perhaps best known for the famous footage of Killer Whales beaching to take Elephant Seal pups as filmed in David Attenborough’s Life on Earth, and we will have some chance (1 in 15 visits) of a sighting. Other mammals include the delightful and endemic Patagonian Mara, which is a very large rodent looking like a cross between a kangaroo, a rabbit, and a small deer; it sits on its haunches and travels by bouncing. Two large species of armadillo are also possible.
In the afternoon we will take a whaling trip into the gulf in search of close-ups of some of the hundreds of Southern Right Whales which breed here. Additionally, we may also see Snowy Sheathbill, Imperial Cormorants and Rock Shags.
Overnight: Puerto Piramides
In the afternoon we will take a whaling trip into the gulf in search of close-ups of some of the hundreds of Southern Right Whales which breed here. Additionally, we may also see Snowy Sheathbill, Imperial Cormorants and Rock Shags.
Overnight: Puerto Piramides
day 5: more endemics
Today we head north through low Verbena scrub and creosote (Larrea spp.) shrubland into an area of particularly high avian endemism. Pendulum displays will give away the territories of endemic Carbonated Sierra Finch as we check out huge (1 meter-wide) nests of endemic White-throated Cacholote for an active one. The endemic Black-crowned Monjita breeds only in this part of Patagonia, and we will endeavor to find one during the next two days. Other birds are likely to include Sharp-billed Canastero, Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant and White-banded Mockingbird.
Burrrowing Parakeet nest on the cliffs below our hotel, and from there we might scope the occasional Black-browed Albatross or Manx Shearwater.
Overnight: Las Grutas
Burrrowing Parakeet nest on the cliffs below our hotel, and from there we might scope the occasional Black-browed Albatross or Manx Shearwater.
Overnight: Las Grutas
day 6: a special trio
Our main three target birds in the morning are either endemic to Argentina or only breed in this part of Argentina and then migrate north. First up is the Sandy Gallito, which is a plump tapaculo that rarely flies and prefers to run very fast across the sandy soil. If we are lucky we may witness its wing-rotating display from a bush top. Next, we will search for the multi-colored Cinnamon Warbling Finch, which is an erratic and unpredictable migrant within Argentina. Finally, we’ll search for Hudson’s Black-Tyrant and hopefully be able to compare it with the extremely similar White-winged Black-Tyrant. Later, we’ll visit a patch of tall thorn woodland in search of the Critically Endangered Yellow Cardinal before a fairly long drive north and inland through the extremes of northern Patagonia.
Overnight: Rio Colorado
Overnight: Rio Colorado
day 7: transition to the pampas
Today we head east, and back towards the coast, making stops in low woodlands and natural grasslands. Crested Gallito is an even larger tapaculo but very reclusive and will likely take some time to see well. We will also endeavor to find the poorly known Ash-colored Cuckoo as well as Brown Cacholote, Chaco Earthcreeper and, if needed, have another chance for Yellow Cardinal. Now officially in the Pampas, we’ll head to some pristine natural grasslands in search of Pampas Pipit and the endangered and still declining Pampas Meadowlark.
Overnight: Bahia Blanca
Overnight: Bahia Blanca
day 8: bahia blanca
In the morning we’ll first visit a remote pier that juts out into the vast Bahia Blanca estuary. The global population of the endemic breeding Olrog’s Gull breeds on remote islands in the estuary here, and we will have the opportunity to compare them with the widespread Kelp Gull. From here we’ll drive to Mar del Plata (Argentina’s largest port) making a few stops en route in search of Red-winged Tinamou and Lake Duck. Once at the port we’ll view a close-up South American Sea Lion hauling ground which may contain Snowy Sheathbill.
Overnight: Mar del Plata
Overnight: Mar del Plata
day 9: pelagic birding (or a rest)
Today we will take a pelagic birding trip (optional) into the Atlantic Ocean that departs at 4:30 AM and returns at 2:00-3:00 PM. The most likely possibilities include Black-browed, Atlantic Yellow-nosed and Southern Royal Albatrosses, Southern Fulmar, White-chinned Petrel, Sooty, Great and Manx Shearwaters, and Wilson’s Storm Petrel, but there are of course numerous other possibilities. In the late afternoon we have scheduled a lecture on shorebird migration in the Americas in our hotel.
Overnight: Mar del Plata
Overnight: Mar del Plata
DAY 10: SALT MARSHES & ESTUARIES
This morning we will drive along the coast to a small estuarine reserve which will likely hold Hudsonian Godwits, American Golden Plover, White-rumped Sandpipers and other peeps, and a variety of terns, hopefully included Cabot’s Sandwich type and the smart Snowy-crowned Tern. Over the next two days we will endeavour to find and see the enigmatic Dot-winged Crake, a saltmarsh specialist. From here we head to San Clemete del Tuyu, where the Rio de la Plata meets the Atlantic Ocean for a two-night stay at this top birding location.
Overnight: San Clemente del Tuyu
Overnight: San Clemente del Tuyu
DAY 11: SAN CLEMENTE DEL TUYU
In the morning we’ll bird the saltmarsh and tall pampas grasslands for such Pampas classics as Dot-winged Crake, Freckle-breasted Thornbird, Sulphur-bearded Reedhaunter, Bay-capped Wren-Spinetail, Warbling Doradito, and Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch, as well as viewing the estuary and shore for a host of waders, gulls, terns, and Black Skimmers. After lunch we’ll visit a nearby estancia in search of South American Painted Snipe, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, a variety of pipits, and the outrageous Many-coloured Rush Tyrant.
Overnight: San Clemente del Tuyu
Overnight: San Clemente del Tuyu
DAY 12: PAMPAS SPECIALTIES
Heading back towards Buenos Aires, we’ll make a few stops. First and foremost, we’ll seek out the declining Hudson’s Canastero, a Pampas specialty, and hopefully the delightful Bearded Tachuri. Later we’ll visit a private reserve and estancia, home to the very localized Red-and-white Crake. Here, too, we’ll hope to find Curve-billed Reedhaunter, Spix’s Spinetail, and Rufous-capped Antshrike.
Overnight: Buenos Aires
Overnight: Buenos Aires
DAY 13: SAVING THE MOST FOR LAST
Today we will have a full day excursion north of Buenos Aires into the Parana Delta and the southern Entre Rios espinal woodlands. We should see over 100 species today with special targets such as White-fronted Woodpecker, Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, Straight-billed Reedhaunter, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, White-naped Xenopsaris, and Diademed Tanager, as well as many waterfowl including Ringed Teal and waders on passage, especially Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers, and hopefully Upland Sandpiper, as well as resident South American Snipes.
Overnight: Gualeyguaychu
Overnight: Gualeyguaychu
DAY 14: DEPARTURE
On our final morning, we will head back to the capital and international airport to meet outbound flights. We will still have some to birdwatch en route in this species-rich part of the pampas. Everyone will be dropped off at Ezeiza International Airport.
Number of bird species expected: 250-300
additional details
Price Includes:
Price Does Not Include:
Payment Plan:
COVID-19 Travel Precautions:
Until further notice, all participants in the Georgia Audubon Travel Program must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 at the time of their travel date. According to the CDC, individuals are considered fully vaccinated when they have received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine and a booster. Some people may be eligible to receive two boosters, but a second booster is not required to travel with Georgia Audubon at this time. Participants will also be expected to adhere to all local travel guidelines and restrictions at the destination at the time of travel. If you are unable or unwilling to comply with the COVID-19 travel precautions, please do not register for this event at this time.
As of August 2021, U.S. citizens are currently not permitted in Argentina. Once the border is open to foreign tourists, we will provide the necessary details.
As of May 2021, the United States requires returning travelers to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 3 days before you travel by air into the United States and that you show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight. Being vaccinated doesn’t eliminate the need to produce a negative test. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.
We will provide updates to organizational, airline, and national COVID-19 guidelines as they arise.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by March 15, 2022, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). If notice of cancellation is received between March 16, 2022, and April 15, 2022, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
Travel Insurance:
We recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you must make an unforeseen trip cancellation past our refund period. Check with your own insurance carrier or consider a travel insurance specialist.
- One local expert birding tour leader (Mark Pearman) and a co-leader from Georgia Audubon (conservation director Adam Betuel). Additionally, all local guides, government guides, and a secondary pelagic guide are included.
- Accommodations in all destinations (double room with private bathroom and hot shower). A non-shared room is available for an additional fee.
- All transportation during the trip including pick-up and drop-off at the airport and the domestic flight
- All tips except for the head guide
- Three boat tours and a private lecture on shorebirds
- All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 14. All non-specialty beverages, including non-premium beer (within reason), also included.
- All entrance fees to parks & reserves
- Taxes
Price Does Not Include:
- Costs of obtaining passports
- International airfare and any accompanying baggage fees
- Wine, premium beer, liquor, or specialty coffee (non-alcoholic beverages included with each meal)
- Snacks, beverages, room service, or sightseeing not specified in itinerary
- Souvenirs
- Laundry
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Medical costs including vaccines
- Guide gratuity
- Personal communications (hotel phone calls, cell phones, etc.)
- Any other incidentals that participants may wish to purchase
- Costs of COVID-19 testing, if required for entry/re-entry
Payment Plan:
- $500/person down-payment due at registration to reserve spot on trip (or $550/person for non-members).
- Half of cost (less down-payment amount) due by March 15, 2022.
- Full payment must be made by June 15, 2022. The final payment will also include your single supplement payment, if applicable.
COVID-19 Travel Precautions:
Until further notice, all participants in the Georgia Audubon Travel Program must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 at the time of their travel date. According to the CDC, individuals are considered fully vaccinated when they have received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine and a booster. Some people may be eligible to receive two boosters, but a second booster is not required to travel with Georgia Audubon at this time. Participants will also be expected to adhere to all local travel guidelines and restrictions at the destination at the time of travel. If you are unable or unwilling to comply with the COVID-19 travel precautions, please do not register for this event at this time.
As of August 2021, U.S. citizens are currently not permitted in Argentina. Once the border is open to foreign tourists, we will provide the necessary details.
As of May 2021, the United States requires returning travelers to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 3 days before you travel by air into the United States and that you show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight. Being vaccinated doesn’t eliminate the need to produce a negative test. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.
We will provide updates to organizational, airline, and national COVID-19 guidelines as they arise.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by March 15, 2022, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). If notice of cancellation is received between March 16, 2022, and April 15, 2022, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
Travel Insurance:
We recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you must make an unforeseen trip cancellation past our refund period. Check with your own insurance carrier or consider a travel insurance specialist.
South American Painted-Snipe by Mark Pearman
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Burrowing Parakeets by Mark Pearman
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Dolphin Gull by Mark Pearman
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