Argentina

Tailor-made tours

Valdés Peninsula

Seals, Whales, and Penguins

4 days/3 nights

In the numerous gulfs, bays, inlets and peninsulas along the vast Argentine shoreline of the South Atlantic we find large colonies of marine animals. Owing to the various ocean currents which mix along this coast and thanks to the relatively low traffic and fishing activity, the sea is still rich in plankton, algae, fish and shellfish which in turn serve as food for bird and marine mammal populations.

Recommended season: September to March

Day 1: Trelew or Puerto Madryn
Arrival, meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Puerto Madryn. Remainder of the day at leisure. We suggest a visit to the Eco-centre, a research and exhibition centre in Puerto Madryn.

Day 2: Punta Tombo
Drive to Punta Tombo Rookery, the most important breeding colony of Magellanic penguins in the world. We will walk through a trail that cuts deep into the colony to observe closely these fascinating birds. Other species such as kelp gulls, skuas, guanay cormorants, giant petrels, dolphin gulls, the Chubut steamer duck, hairy armadillos and Patagonian foxes also inhabit the area and may be seen here. On the way back to Trelew we will visit Gaiman, a typical Welsh settlement, for tea (not included in the rate). Overnight. (B)

Day 3: Valdés Peninsula
Full day visit to the Valdés Peninsula. We will stop on the way to see the wildlife: guanacos, lesser rheas, Patagonian foxes, hairy armadillos, maras and the most important rookeries protecting large colonies of South American sea lions and Southern elephant seals. Magellanic penguins also inhabits this area along with oystercatchers, dolphin gulls, kelp gulls, cormorants, etc. Optional boat trip to see the Southern Right whale from July to Mid December. Overnight. (B)

Day 4: Puerto Madryn or Trelew
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Rate per person in double room: On request
Single supplement: (min. 2 passengers travelling together) On request
Supplement for services in private car On request
Optional whale watching navigation: £17 per person shared from July to mid December only.
Airline tickets: Buenos Aires-Trelew approximately £162 per person return including taxes, subject to change at time of booking.

The rates include: Accommodation at Los Tulipanes or Solar de la Costa, transfers and tours in seat in coach basis (to be shared with other visitors to the area), entrance fees, assistance of bilingual guides.

The rates do not include: Airline tickets, airport taxes and local taxes, meals and beverages, personal expenses and extras, tips for baggage handling and optional gratuities for guides / drivers.

A different Valdés Peninsula: The Paradise & Los Mimbres

4 days/3 nights

with self-drive option

The Argentine shoreline on the South Atlantic is over 2800 miles long. Its numerous gulfs, bays, inlets and peninsulas host a great variety of wildlife. The warm Brazilian Current and the cold Malvinas Currents mix along the Patagonian coast allowing a wide diversity of ocean life, including subtropical species. The Patagonian land mass ends abruptly in the sea, forming high cliffs. Centuries of water and wind erosion have formed, at their feet, rocky shelves and wide sandy or stony beaches on which the colonies of marine mammals find perfect shelter. When the tide is out, the "restingas" are visible; these are rock formations holding a rich variety of subaquatic life forms, which are exposed at low tide.

Recommended season: Year round
Level of difficulty: Easy (explanation)
Type: Soft adventure & natural history
Group size: Between 2 and 16 passengers
Departures: Daily

Highlights:

• Remoteness
• Unique natural history & paleontological sites
• Amazing Fauna

Day 1: Trelew / Puerto Madryn
Arrive Trelew and drive to the Valdés Peninsula. The drive will take you to Puerto Madryn, with the possibility of visiting the Eco-Centre (a foundation dedicated to marine mammals research, conservation, etc.). Continue towards the Peninsula, making a short detour to visit El Doradillo, a small beach area where you may be able to sight whales off the coast. Resume the drive to the Peninsula. Accommodation at the HOSTERIA PARADISE, located in Puerto Piramides, a small coastal village on the Peninsula. Optional accommodation at Rincon Chico, the best estancia for spotting wildlife. (D)

Day 2: Optional Whale Watching / Gaiman
Visit the Peninsula and stop at Puerto Piramides, where we recommend the navigation to see the impressive Eubalaena Australis, the Southern Right Whale. In small boats carrying only 15-20 passengers you will navigate for about 2 hours in a very comfortable and safe boat to sight this huge mammals. Late afternoon return to Trelew and drive to Gaiman, the Welsh colony located only 30 minutes from Trelew. Accommodation at POSADA LOS MIMBRES, a small guest house in this lovely valley, which is run by a family from Buenos Aires who settled here some years ago. The guest house is conveniently located for the PALEONTOLOGICAL PARK BRYN GWYN (only 15 km) and a visit - led by an expert guide - is included, as well a historical hike in the village of Gaiman. (B,D)

Day 3: Punta Tombo
Day at disposal for a full day visit to Punta Tombo rookery at your own leisure (about 1 ½ hours drive from the guest house). Accommodation at Posada Los Mimbres. (B,D)

Day 4: Trelew
Day at leisure until you drop off the car at the airport, in good time for your onward flight arrangements. (B)

Rates per person sharing a double room: On request

Optional whale watching navigation: £17 per person shared from July to mid-December only.

Airline tickets: Buenos Aires-Trelew approximately £162 per person return including taxes, subject to change at time of booking.

The rates include: Accommodation with breakfast (B), dinner (D) and taxes throughout the itinerary, activities at the estancia and at the guest house / posada assisted by local guides, Car rental Category D (Fiat Siena or similar) including 300 free km per day, insurance and taxes - Excess USD 300, entrance fees to parks and reserves (except the car rental option).

The rate do not include: Airline tickets, apt taxes and local taxes, tips for baggage handling and optional gratuities for guides/drivers, meals (except where mentioned on the itinerary) and beverages, entrance fees to parks and reserves (for the car rental option), personal expenses and extras.