Argentina Birding Tour Iguazu Ushuaia

Most flights from the United States are over-nights flights and you should schedule your flight for arrival on “Day 1”.  We will meet you at the Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) with a shuttle to the hotel in downtown Buenos Aires.

 

Our hotel is close to the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, which is a large nature reserve for birding and walking along the waterfront.  Over 350 different species of birds have been seen at the park. We will spend the morning birding the park where we usually see about 70 different species of birds.  In the afternoon, a tour of the historic area of Buenos Aires.

 

It is a 4-hour flight to the end of continent and to the city of Ushuaia, which is located at the edge of Tierra del Fuego National Park. We will have 3 full days to bird and hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park and the surrounding areas.  Ushuaia is located at the tip of South American and is only 500 miles from the Antarctic Peninsula. 

 

Tierra del Fuego cover 153,00 acres (240 sq. miles) and was established in 1960.  Because of the very southern latitude of 54 degrees, the park has unique flora and fauna.  A few of the birds to been seen: Kelp Goose, Torrent Tuck, Austral Parakeet, Andean Condor, Blackish Oystercatcher and Austral Pygmy-Owl, just to name a few.

 

We will be taking a sailing trip in the Beagle channel to view birds, including penguins, and marine mammals.  The snow-capped mountains that surround the area are especially beautiful.

 

 “The Train of the End of the World” steam railway in Tierra del Fuego, was originally built to serve the prison in Ushuaia. It now operates as transport into Tierra del Fuego National Park.  It is considered the southernmost functioning railway in the world.  Ushuaia is mainly a tourist town and so there is great shopping here and interesting sights to see.  There is a historic prison and maritime museum that are very interesting. There is always great birding and walking along the Ushuaia harbor as well.

 

Flights back to Buenos Aires take about 4 hours and we will be staying in the city close to the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, which is a large nature reserve for birding and walking along the waterfront. Evening dinner and a tango show.

 

Buenos Aires is located along a large, freshwater estuary that feeds into the Atlantic Ocean.  The waterway is called the Rio de La Plata and just across the water is Uruguay. It is a 1-hour ferry ride to the historic city of Colonia de Sacramento in Uruguay. The city was founded in 1680 and still has many historic buildings and structures.  It is a very idyllic historic village.  We will take the midday ferry and spend 2-nights in Colonia for birding and visiting the historic village of Colonia. This is a good location to view:  Brazilian Teal/Duck, Picui Ground Dove, Spot-winged Pigeon, Plumbeous Rail, Giant Wood-Rail, Spot-flanked Gallinule, Whistling Heron, Green-barred Woodpecker, Bran-colored Flycatcher, Chalked-browed Mockingbird, Hooded Siskin, Diademed Tanager and Great Pampa-Finch, just to name a few.

 

In the morning you will get a "Maté" lesson. Maté is a caffeine drink that is a very important part of the local culture.  Full day birding locations within a 1-hour drive of Colonia.  

 

The morning will be birding in the Colonia area.  We will take the mid-day ferry back to Buenos Aires. In the evening we will have dinner and see a tango show.

 

In the morning we will visit birding areas within an hour's drive of Buenos Aires. In the afternoon you will have a choice to continue birding in the area, or you can choose to visit the Gamboa Winery for lunch and wine tasting, which is a fantastic way to spend the afternoon.  The winery is located in the countryside, and of course, there are birds there as well.

 

From Buenos Aires it is a 1.5 hour flight to Iguazu Falls. We will be staying 3-nights at Selva de Laurel lodge at the edge of the park where there are many opportunities for birding and viewing wildlife. The place of lodging has walking paths and is a great area for looking for birds.  There are nice gardens and a swimming pool. 

 

In the morning we will head to the heart of Iguazu National Park to view the biggest waterfalls at the “Devil’s Throat” on the Brazilian side.  There are numerous trails for viewing butterflies, monkeys, critters and birds.  The Plush-crested Jay is friendly and abundant in the Iguazu National Park. Depending on the season, the Great-dusky Swift can be seen flying in and out of the falls, where it nests on the cliffs behind the water.

 

Our second day at Iguazu will be spent on the Argentina side.  Iguazu National Park was created in 1934 and protects 260 sq. miles, (166,400 acres) of subtropical rainforest.  Iguazu has an extensive trail and boardwalk system to view the waterfalls and forest.  We will have lunch in the park and in the afternoon a visit to the hummingbird garden at “Jardin de los Picaflores” and visit other birding location near Iguazu.

 

From Iguazu, it is a 5-hour luxury bus ride to the town of Posadas where we will spend 1-night. 

 

Getting to the Ibera is not easy, especially if it rains. Driving time can be 3 - 4 hours, but we can do some birding along the way. Once we get there, we will spend 3-nights at Posada de La Laguna

 

We will have a boat tour of the wetlands and walk the neighborhood to look for birds.  Many birds can be seen on the lodge property, which is located at the edge of the wetlands.

 

We will have a boat tour of the wetlands and walk the neighborhood to look for birds.  An evening tour to look for nightjars, owls, and other wildlife.

 

Travel back to the city of Posadas and spend one night. We hope to get back to Posadas in time to travel to Paraguay for dinner, which is a 30-minute drive across the Paraná River.

 

In the morning, we will fly (1.5 hours) back to Buenos Aires. Afternoon, on your own.

 

Shuttle to the airport for your trip home. Most flight back to the States leave very late in the evening and so you will usually have another day in Buenos Aires.