Half-Day Birdwatching Tour from Santiago: Wetlands or Andes

Q: What's included and pricing

IncludedBilingual professional guide with scope and binoculars Private transport (airport transfers available at extra cost)Bird identification guidesPicnic Accident insurance19% VAT Not includedGratuities Price – Private Tour (total per group) 1 guests USD 3452 guests USD 3703 guests USD 3904 guests USD 415 (SUV). Recommended just for families with children. For 4 adults, we suggest a van for greater comfort on long drives.4 guests USD 495 (Van)5 guests USD 5306 guests USD 550

Q: Frequently asked questions

What should I bring?We recommend comfortable walking clothes and shoes, ideally in neutral colors that blend with the environment. Depending on the season, you may also want to bring a warm extra layer.We also suggest bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, and water (1 to 1.5 liters, ideally in a reusable bottle). Before your experience, we’ll send you a pre-tour preparation guide with more details.What happens if the weather is unfavorable?Safety is our priority. If weather conditions prevent the tour (heavy rain, inaccessible terrain), you’ll have the option to reschedule, choose an alternative activity, or receive a full refund.When is the best time for birdwatching?Birds can be observed year-round. However, spring and summer offer more activity during the breeding season. Silence and patience are key. We recommend using apps like eBird or Merlin to enrich your experience.Can children join?Yes, this tour is suitable for all ages. It’s an excellent opportunity for kids to connect with nature.Are there longer options?Yes. If you have more time, we also offer a full-day birdwatching experience. This usually combines Batuco Wetland and Farellones in a single day, giving you a much greater diversity of habitats and species. We can also organize a coastal route if you prefer. You can see it here.What is the cancellation policy?You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. In cases of force majeure or extreme weather conditions, you’ll also have the option to reschedule or receive a refund.If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us. We’ll be happy to help you.

Q: Routes and species

Option 1: Urban Wetland RouteYou will visit the Batuco Wetland, located near the city.This place stands out for its rich birdlife and serves as a stopover and resting site for numerous migratory species, including the Many-colored Rush Tyrant, various heron species, coots, and a diverse community of ducks.Perfect for those who want to explore wetland and migratory bird species in depth.Option 2: Mountain RouteYou will ascend into the Andean area of Farellones, where the landscape and the birdlife change completely.In this high-Andean environment, you’ll have the chance to identify mountain species such as the Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, the Southern Caracara, the Chilean Mockingbird, the Rufous-banded Miner, and, if you’re lucky, the majestic Andean Condor. Smaller species like the Gray-hooded Sierra Finch and the White-sided Hillstar can also be found here.

Difficulty

Low

Duration

4-5 hours. If you have more time, check our full-day tour here

Where you'll go

Batuco Wetlands or Farellones

Season

Year-round

Mode

Private · From USD 92 per person

Explore the birdlife around Santiago with an expert guide and enjoy an outdoor picnic

Discover how much birdlife and biodiversity can be found just outside Santiago on a half-day experience designed to reconnect you with nature.

You can choose between two very different ecosystems less than an hour from the city: a wetland rich in aquatic birds or the high Andes, home to striking mountain species.

If you are interested in wetland birds, we visit Batuco Wetland, an important habitat for more than 100 species including the Many-colored Rush Tyrant, herons, ducks, and coots.

If you prefer mountain landscapes, we head up to Farellones in the Andes, where it is possible to observe high-Andean species such as the Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, the Southern Caracara, and often the Andean Condor.

Throughout the experience, your expert guide will help you identify birds using binoculars, field guides, and a species checklist, while also sharing insights about local ecosystems, conservation, and the relationship between nature and everyday life in Chile.

We finish the morning with a relaxed outdoor picnic featuring Chilean cheeses and wine, a moment to rest, share conversation, and enjoy the landscape before returning to Santiago.

It is ideal for birdwatchers, photographers, curious beginners, and anyone looking to slow down, reconnect with nature, and discover central Chile’s wildlife in a short time.

If you have more time available, we also offer full-day and custom birdwatching experiences, with the possibility of exploring multiple ecosystems in greater depth or designing multi-day programs across Chile on request.

Further down, you’ll find pricing, inclusions, and everything you need to plan your tour.

Highlights

Itinerary

6:30 AM

Pickup at your accommodation in Santiago

7:30 AM

Arrival at Batuco Wetland, introduction and safety briefing

7:30 - 10:00 AM

Walk along the boardwalks identifying different species

10:00 - 10:30 AM

Picnic

11:30 AM

Arrival at your accommodation

Customizable

This is a reference itinerary. The experience can be scheduled according to your interests, the season, and the route selected. Please note that Batuco Wetland officially opens at 10:00 AM, although we can often arrange earlier access if coordinated in advance. Farellones does not have an official opening time, which allows for more flexibility depending on bird activity and weather conditions.

We had a very enjoyable morning birding at Batuco Wetland with Joaquin. We saw a great variety of water and bush birds, including a Burrowing Owl and several Many-colored Rush-Tyrants. Joaquin was knowledgeable, well prepared, and great at spotting birds. Although the mountain part of the day had to be cancelled due to weather, Camila was very flexible and quickly adjusted our booking. We highly recommend Ecordua.

Booking and communication were smooth from start to finish. Camila and Josefine picked us up on time, were very friendly, and spoke excellent English. Birdwatching in the wetlands was fantastic, with beautiful scenery and many different species. What stood out most was the expertise of the guides, who shared so much about each bird we saw. The picnic was also a lovely touch. A thoroughly enjoyable day.

I had the best time with Ecordua. The booking process was easy, and the birdwatching trip was very well organized from beginning to end. The service was thoughtful and professional, and the experience felt carefully planned. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced birder, you are likely to see an amazing variety of Chilean birds. I highly recommend it.

Camila took us to Batuco Wetland, where we saw a wide variety of birds and wildlife around the reeds and water. Highlights included Burrowing Owls, Many-colored Rush-Tyrants, birds of prey, and even a coypu. We loved walking along the boardwalk and taking in the peaceful atmosphere of the wetlands. The picnic lunch with wine and local treats was a beautiful finishing touch. A memorable experience and a wonderful guide.

Everything you need to know

What's included and pricing

Included

Bilingual professional guide with scope and binoculars
Private transport (airport transfers available at extra cost)
Bird identification guides
Picnic
Accident insurance
19% VAT

Not included

Gratuities

Price – Private Tour (total per group)

1 guests USD 345
2 guests USD 370
3 guests USD 390
4 guests USD 415 (SUV). Recommended just for families with children. For 4 adults, we suggest a van for greater comfort on long drives.
4 guests USD 495 (Van)
5 guests USD 530
6 guests USD 550

Frequently asked questions

What should I bring?

We recommend comfortable walking clothes and shoes, ideally in neutral colors that blend with the environment. Depending on the season, you may also want to bring a warm extra layer.

We also suggest bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, and water (1 to 1.5 liters, ideally in a reusable bottle). Before your experience, we’ll send you a pre-tour preparation guide with more details.

What happens if the weather is unfavorable?

Safety is our priority. If weather conditions prevent the tour (heavy rain, inaccessible terrain), you’ll have the option to reschedule, choose an alternative activity, or receive a full refund.

When is the best time for birdwatching?

Birds can be observed year-round. However, spring and summer offer more activity during the breeding season. Silence and patience are key. We recommend using apps like eBird or Merlin to enrich your experience.

Can children join?

Yes, this tour is suitable for all ages. It’s an excellent opportunity for kids to connect with nature.

Are there longer options?

Yes. If you have more time, we also offer a full-day birdwatching experience. This usually combines Batuco Wetland and Farellones in a single day, giving you a much greater diversity of habitats and species. We can also organize a coastal route if you prefer. You can see it here.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. In cases of force majeure or extreme weather conditions, you’ll also have the option to reschedule or receive a refund.

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us. We’ll be happy to help you.

Routes and species

Option 1: Urban Wetland Route

You will visit the Batuco Wetland, located near the city.

This place stands out for its rich birdlife and serves as a stopover and resting site for numerous migratory species, including the Many-colored Rush Tyrant, various heron species, coots, and a diverse community of ducks.

Perfect for those who want to explore wetland and migratory bird species in depth.

Option 2: Mountain Route

You will ascend into the Andean area of Farellones, where the landscape and the birdlife change completely.

In this high-Andean environment, you’ll have the chance to identify mountain species such as the Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, the Southern Caracara, the Chilean Mockingbird, the Rufous-banded Miner, and, if you’re lucky, the majestic Andean Condor.

Smaller species like the Gray-hooded Sierra Finch and the White-sided Hillstar can also be found here.

Map

Documentation for the National Tourism Service

All our adventure tourism experiences are registered with Chile’s National Tourism Service (SERNATUR). This registration ensures that we comply with the official safety and quality standards for adventure tourism, including technical sheets, prevention protocols, and emergency response plans.

Do you still have doubts?

Don’t worry, we are here to help you.

Write to us and we will respond to you as soon as possible.

Download our brochure with all the details about this tour, including itineraries, recommendations and what you need to know to fully enjoy this experience.