Bird watching tour Quenuir & Maullín from Puerto Varas

Walk wetlands where half of Chile's migratory birds gather

A guided bird watching tour from Puerto Varas travels 70 km to Maullín, then by boat to Quenuir and the Las Lajas and Laguna Quenuir wetlands, where you walk with binoculars and a field guide to observe flamingos, swans, cormorants, dolphins and other species. The route includes a snack break, a visit to the town square and church, and lunch of local empanadas before the return to Maullín around 5 p.m.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bird watching tour in Quenuir and Maullin

• Depart from Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt
• Travel to Maullín town
• Take boat to Quenuir sector
• Observe migratory birds at Quenuir and Laguna Las Lajas
• Walk and learn local history in Quenuir Bajo
• Rest and snack at Las Lajas wetland viewpoint
• Continue bird watching at Laguna Quenuir wetland
• Eat empanadas at Picá del flamenco
• Return by boat to starting point
• Arrive in Maullín and conclude tour

The experience

The boat ride to Quenuir Bajo sets the rhythm of the day. You leave Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt heading south toward Maullín, a 70 km drive that ends at the dock. From there, a boat carries you across to Quenuir Bajo, where the walking begins. The guide describes the local history as you move through the wetlands: how the 1960 earthquake shaped Quenuir Bajo and how people live there now.

The two wetlands are the core of the tour. Quenuir sits at the mouth of the Maullín River, and Las Lajas Lagoon nearby. Together they hold 53% of Chile's migratory birds. Depending on the season, you watch for flamingos, Coscorobas swans, Imperial and de las Rocas cormorants, black-necked swans, curlews, pilpilen and Chilean dolphins. You carry binoculars and a field guide, and the guide points out what moves through. A break at the Las Lajas viewpoint lets you rest before the walk continues to Laguna Quenuir.

Lunch happens at a local spot called Picá del Flamenco, where you order empanadas of the area and talk through what you saw. The boat ride back to Maullín closes the day around 5 p.m., and you return to your starting city from there. The whole outing runs about seven hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt.
• binoculars and field guide books.
• local empanadas for lunch.
• a Spanish-speaking guide throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideSpanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 50 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Angelmo Tours

Is this one for you?Pickup from Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt means you don't need a car to reach the wetlands 70 km away, and the boat ride to Quenuir is arranged as part of the tour: useful if you're staying in the city without transport of your own.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What birds am I most likely to see on this tour?

Flamingos, Coscorobas swans, Imperial and de las Rocas cormorants, black-necked swans, curlews and pilpilen are common depending on the season. Chilean dolphins also inhabit the wetlands. The Quenuir and Las Lajas wetlands together hold 53% of Chile's migratory birds, so the variety shifts with the time of year.

How much walking is involved in the wetlands?

You walk from Quenuir Bajo to the Las Lajas viewpoint, then continue to Laguna Quenuir, with a snack break at the viewpoint to rest. The terrain is wetland paths, and the guide sets the pace for bird watching along the route.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation from Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt, binoculars, field guide books and local empanadas are included. The guide speaks Spanish, and pickup is part of the service.

Do I need to bring my own camera or binoculars?

Binoculars and field guides are provided, so you don't need to bring your own. You're welcome to bring a camera for photography.