| Chile, Argentina and their coastal waters are | | | | Altiplano, the versatile guanaco can also be found |
| home to many interesting and unusual animal and | | | | all the way down in Patagonia.the Huemul - a small |
| plant species. These two countries encompass an | | | | Andean deer that is a national emblem of Chile. |
| exciting and colourful land that contains almost | | | | Destruction of its natural habitat has put this shy |
| every landscape and climate imaginable - from | | | | creature on the endangered species listthe |
| lush rainforests to harsh and arid deserts to the | | | | Ñandú - a large flightless bird that |
| pristine ice fields and lakes of Patagonia. | | | | inhabits the Altiplano and Patagonia.the Chilean |
| This wide range of climates and the diverse | | | | Flamingo - this colourful bird seems somehow |
| geography of the region make it a haven for | | | | incongruous with its natural habitat in the lakes |
| those travellers that have a special interest in the | | | | and salares of the Altiplano.the Araucaria - |
| native flora and fauna. Those who have a more | | | | commonly known in English and the |
| casual interest in the animal and plant kingdoms will | | | | "monkey-puzzle tree", this captivating and bizarre |
| still find plenty to marvel at. | | | | looking tree lives to 1000 years. It is most |
| Some of the wildlife highlights and the must-sees | | | | prevalent in the Chilean Lake District region that |
| of the region are as follows:the Right Whale - | | | | shares its name.the Condor - a fully grown male |
| whale spotting trips can be arranged from May to | | | | has a wing span of 10 to 12 feet, which makes it |
| November in the south Atlantic. A truly impressive | | | | one of the largest flying birds in the world. The |
| sight when one of these giant whales surfaces | | | | majestic condor can be sighted at various |
| alongside your boat.the Alerce - these enormous | | | | latitudes throughout the Andes.the Penguin - both |
| trees can live up to 4000 years making them one | | | | the Humboldt and Magellanic varieties can be |
| of the worlds longest living trees, or any life form | | | | found in large colonies around the coast of |
| for that matter.the Camelid family - llamas, | | | | Patagonia and further north. |
| alpacas, guanacos and the endangered | | | | To find out more about Chilean and Argentinean |
| vicuñas - all of which played an important | | | | wildlife and travelling to the area contact us at |
| role in the culture and economy of the region for | | | | Optimundo. |
| millennia. All of these species can be spotted in the | | | | |