Hello,
this year I plan to go to northern argentina again, but also one week in the south.
My idea was starting in Ushuaia.
Just so you know Ushuaia is no where near Patagonia and you will require a day to drive from Ushuaia to points north of the Magellanic Channel. TO reach Rio Gallagoes you will have to cross in and out of Chile and take a ferry, slow going also over a bad road.
Is there any good bird tour guides recommended ? I wil try to get you a couple of names when I get home to my notes but in Rio Gallagoes is Santigo Imberti (and his wife), likely your best bet for Hooded Grebe, Austral Rail and Magellanic Plover.
In Calafate contact Luciano Bernacchi at the Glaciarium. HE can help you or recommend another.
I prefer penguin but also pelagic birds and waders.
Estancia Harberton is the place to see penguins in Ushuaia. TOurs are about 400 Peso for the bus and zodiac to the island. Find Pira TOurs on the dockside or in Ave. St. Martin. HArberton is also perhaps the single most important private whale (bone) collection in the world. You can also rent a vechicle and dive out.
Rumbo Sur also has a boat trip down the channel to Harberton.
YOu will see Magellanic, Gentoo and perhaps the SOlo King.
For King you need to get to Punta Arenas area. See fsexpeditions.com
My understanding is that the Kins are on the island of Tierra del Fuego and you could reach them by vechicle from Ushuaia.
As for Rock Hoppers, you need to go to Puerto Deseado or get a guide that knows of hidden colonies.
Ushuaia is not the place for sea birds. It is something like 60 miles from the large bay that then opens to the Drake Passage. Black-browed albatross, Sooty Shearwater and Magellanic diving-petrels are the only "common" seabirds in the Beagle. You likely should think about Punta Arenas, Rio Gallagoes or a boat trip around Cape Horn.
For shorebirds try San Sebastian and area (on a large bay) and the open barrens north. Lots of termporal wetlands, small lakes and stream that are often full of waders.
Any recommendation for accomodation ?
Ushuaia is full of expensive accomodation. Hostels are genrally full and need to be booked in advance. Try Antarctica Hostel if that is your thing.
How is about transfer in Buenos Aires international airport ?
The plan will be arrive in the morning ( Lufthansa ) and 1,5 hours later there is a plan from internationl airport to Ushuaia.
That might work on a good day, on a normal day just maybe. Be prepared for Aerolineas flights to be cancelled, delayed, moved forward or to have you seat cancelledic (without notifation). Do not rely on Aerolineas for anything, give yourself some extra time.
