Condor watching tour in Andes Mountains: 10,000 feet
Stand at the roof of the Andes and watch condors ride the mountain thermals.
A condor watching tour in the Andes Mountains takes you to Valle Nevado ski resort at 10,000 feet, where you watch the birds fly in their own environment, then descends to Los Dominicos Handicraft Village to see artisans at work. The tour runs 8 hours with a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese and includes hotel pickup. Bottled water is provided.
Step-by-step itinerary
Condor watching and artisan village visit
- Visit Valle Nevado ski resort
- Watch condors flying at 10000 feet
- Have lunch at Valle Nevado restaurant
- Visit Los Dominicos Handicraft Village
- See artisans working and buy crafts
What’s included
- Hotel pickup.
- a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
- bottled water.
- access to Valle Nevado ski resort and Los Dominicos Handicraft Village.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Before you book
Operated by CENTRAL VALLEY TOURS
Prices and times updated 15 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The day starts with a drive to Valle Nevado, the country's highest ski resort, perched at 10,000 feet in the Andes. This is where the condors come. You stand in the silence and magnitude of the mountains and watch them fly, not in a zoo, not behind glass, but in the air above you. The altitude is real. The birds are real. If you want lunch, the resort's restaurant sits there with a view that holds the whole range.
After the high altitude, the tour descends to Los Dominicos Handicraft Village, where Chilean artisans work and sell their pieces on the spot. You see how they make them: the tools, the process, the hands doing it. It is not a shop pretending to be a village. It is the other way around. You can buy directly from the people making the work, or just watch and move on.
A live guide in your language (English, Spanish or Portuguese) leads both stops. Hotel pickup is included, so the logistics of getting to the mountains are already arranged. Bring water or use the bottled water provided. The altitude and the sun at that elevation are not small things.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want to watch condors in their natural habitat at high altitude. The guide drives while you focus on the birds and meet local artisans along the way.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What exactly will I see when I watch the condors at Valle Nevado?
Andean condors fly in their natural habitat around the ski resort at 10,000 feet. You watch them soar on the mountain thermals. The tour does not promise a specific number of sightings, but the altitude and the open sky are where these birds live and hunt.
Is lunch included in the condor watching tour?
Lunch is not included, but Valle Nevado's restaurant is on-site if you want to eat there. The tour gives you the option. You decide whether to order.
How long does the whole tour take?
The tour runs 8 hours total, covering both Valle Nevado and Los Dominicos Handicraft Village with travel time between them.
Do I need to arrange my own transport to the mountains?
No. Hotel pickup is included, so your guide meets you at your accommodation and handles the drive to Valle Nevado and then to the artisan village.
What should I know about the altitude at Valle Nevado?
Valle Nevado sits at 10,000 feet, which is high enough that some travelers feel the elevation. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, but it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries. Bring layers: the temperature and wind at that altitude are stronger than in the city below.
Condor watching tour in Andes Mountains: 10,000 feet
8h · EN · ES · PT · at your hotel
from US$ 110 per person
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