We will drive through the shrubby slopes and moorlands of the Baquedano Hills searching for Rufous-chested Dotterel, Austral Canastero and the stunning White-bridled Finch. Later, we will continue east to explore the large embayment of Useless Bay (Bahía Inútil), where it is likely to find a wealth of seabirds and other aquatic birds. We will look for Flying Steamer and Crested Ducks, Kelp Goose, King and Rock Cormorant and Magellanic Oystercatcher.

The coastal grasslands can produce other interesting sheldgeese including the ubiquitous Upland Goose, the smaller Ashy-headed Goose and the endangered Ruddy-headed Goose. On route we will be checking for potential raptors including Variable Hawk, Aplomado and Peregrine Falcons. Magellanic Horned Owl nests in some ravines we will pass by. We will be checking the coastline where we shall see Crested Duck, Chiloé Wigeon, Baird's and White-rumped Sandpipers, Magellanic Oystercatcher and Dark-bellied Cinclodes, among several other goodies. The main target of our visit to this scenic part of the island is the newly established King Penguin breeding colony. This splendid species congregates year-round on this site and they have successfully started to breed and raise young here.

A short ferry ride will allow us to be on the mainland once again and if we are lucky, to see the striking Commerson's Dolphin following the wake. The windswept steppes of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia hold a number of specialties including Patagonian Tinamou, Elegant Crested-Tinamou, Least Seedsnipe, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Short-billed Miner, Band-tailed Earthcreeper and Chocolate-vented Tyrant. Chilean Flamingo, Coscoroba Swan, Silver Teal plus thousands of waders such as Wilson's Phalarope, Baird's and White-rumped Sandpipers will be common at the roadside wetlands while we explore and enjoy the beauty of this big sky country.

On the journey, we should encounter Lesser Rhea, Cinereous Harrier, Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant and Patagonian Mockingbird. Large herds of camel-like Guanacos will be a common sight along the entire drive towards Puerto Natales and other possible mammals will include South American Gray Fox, Large Hairy Armadillo and Patagonian Hog-nosed Skunk.

Today we will explore the impressive Sierra Baguales range, located northeast of Torres del Paine. Along the road and in the scrubby gullies, we will look for more restricted-range songbirds in Chile such as Patagonian Mockingbird and Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant. As we continue exploring this montane habitat we might find the local White-throated Caracara, Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, Rufous-banded Miner, Cinnamon-bellied and Ochre-naped Ground Tyrants, Patagonian and Greater Yellow Finches and the stunning Yellow-bridled Finch.

Torres del Paine is one of the gems of Chile and certainly one of the most visited parks in Patagonia. We will have the whole day to explore its diverse habitats, but above all, to appreciate the colossal magnitude and rugged beauty of the awe-inspiring granite peaks that give the park its name. The reed-fringed lagoons of the eastern side of the park will keep us busy during the whole morning. Here we will find a wealth of waterbirds including Great, Silvery and White-tufted Grebes, Andean and Spectacled Ducks, Yellow-billed Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, and with luck, the elusive and recently re-discovered Austral Rail. We also hope to see Andean Condors and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle hovering in these turbulent skies.

During the afternoon we will visit Lake Grey to enjoy the stunning sight of its southern shore dominated by stranded blue icebergs. We will scan the fast-flowing rivers hoping to find the remarkable and colourful Torrent Duck.

During the morning, we will bird the interesting and productive wetland of Vega del Castillo, an excellent place to look for Silver Teal and Spectacled Duck. Later we will drive back to Punta Arenas, where the trip ends at 5pm at the hotel of your choice.