Argentina Travel Ideas

Itinerary:

Day 1. Trelew - Puerto Madryn

You will be met at the airport in Trelew and transferred to your hotel in Puerto Madryn. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 2. Puerto Madryn - Valdes Peninsula- Puerto Madryn

The Valdes Peninsula is a spectacular region for wildlife tours in Argentina. There are elephant seal, sea lion and penguin colonies nearby, breeding grounds for Southern right whales as well as much wildlife on the mainland in addition. Whale watching is possible from mid June until the end of November, though September to October are the best months to visit as baby whales can be seen. This is also the breeding season for seals. In February and March, killer whales can be seen attacking the seals.

Miles and miles of un spoilt beaches - that's what Valdes Peninsula offers you. Since it's often too cold to lie on the beach yourself you are probably here to admire the sea lions, whales and elephant seals.

Shaped like an ax, the Valdes peninsula is marked by its vibrant coastline, a stunning array of tall cliffs, rocky reefs, and exotic marine mammals. Considered one of the most valuable wildlife areas in the world, Peninsula Valdes is home to the southern elephant seal, sea lion, and right whale.

Gulfs San Jose and Nuevo - more like sheltered maritime lagoons than gulfs - lie to the north and south of the peninsula. Year after year, animals return to these calm, protected waters to mate and raise their young. Large colonies of sea lions and elephant seals line miles of coastal beaches, while southern right whales harbor in the gulfs.

One of the most fascinating events in nature takes place in February and March when the Orca Whales intentionally beach themselves in an attempt to capture and kill the seals who rest on the beaches.

"The Orca was moving so fast directly toward our position that in its powerful motion, pushing its five-ton body, the Orca created a four-foot wave around its head (looking like a submarine on course for a head-on collision). In the wake of the wave surrounding the Orca, I saw the image I had dreamed about while waiting behind the blinds during the past few weeks. One seal was caught out in the wave in the Orca's powerful jaws. The other one just escaped!"

The Orcas patrol along the steep pebble coastline of Punta Norte, listening to the young seals, only a few weeks old, as they play in the water or cross from one colony to the next.

Patagonia Orcas defy our common knowledge, research, observation and accepted reality about Orca behavior. All the current data is actually based on the observation and research taken place in BC, Canada in the past 20 years.

According to Roberto Bubas, the charismatic and proud Argentinean Orcas Lead Ranger - "Orcas are present all year around in Peninsula Valdez and along the coastline of Patagonia, and should therefore be considered Resident according to the BC accepted truth about Orcas. However, their feeding and social behavior here in Valdez, is just like that of the Transient Orcas off British Columbia," said Roberto.

While it is difficult to determine what is right or different, I know that the Orcas in Peninsula Valdez put on an outstanding show of natural predation, which is called "Intentional Stranding" and it is the most extraordinary wildlife show on earth.

There are about seven adult Orcas and three juveniles split into two pods that arrive here every year, along with the old male named Mel. (Mel is about 40 years old and was a star in few of the documentaries filmed by Geographic, and the recent famed BBC Blue Planet Series.) The Orcas come here to feed by ambushing the young and inexperienced seals that are born here in January & February. The Orcas' intentional stranding happens only when the sea is relatively calm and during a period of three hours before and after high tide. The Orcas choose this time as a way of protection.

When these conditions are right, the Orcas will patrol the beach until they see or hear the right sound to launch an attack. At this time, everything moves very fast and with an awesome power that only Orcas can exhibit. For every five attempts to rush and attack the seals, only one attack is successful. B

Day 3. Puerto Madryn - Puerto Tombo - Puerto Madryn

One of the wonders of the expansive open land of Argentina is when you encounter one of the original inhabitants of the land; and there is one animal that stands out and can not be missed. The Magellan penguin.

Punta Tombo is the name of the penguin colony that lies outside of Puerto Madryn on the eastern coast of Argentina.

The dusty roads to Punta Tombo lead to one of the most important breeding colonies of Magellanic penguins on the continent. It is home of hundreds, or even thousands (if you arrive in high season), of penguins that waddle around their community and go about their regular lives as if you were a part of their village. They act as if they don't even notice you are there. Visitors can walk around and mingle with the creatures while snapping some pictures. It makes for some great up-close-and-personal shots to send home to the family. They will allow you to stand within feet of them, an arms length away. However it is critical to maintain this arms length. Getting to close and taking that extra step may threaten the penguins and gives them reason enough to snip at you with their sharp little beaks.

There are a few different paths to follow throughout Punta Tombo. As you enter, if you follow the path to the right there will be a number of signs posted to give visitors a little background information on these perplexing creatures.

Their life cycle, the role of the males and females, and what they do for food, are all topics that can be learned while walking around. At the end of the day you will be much more educated on their lives and existence. The opposite path on the left hand side will lead you through the penguin breeding grounds and up to the waters edge. If you are there during the spring you will notice the holes that have been dug across the land. The penguins lay their eggs inside the holes and while reproducing they can be seen sitting on top of their eggs inside to keep them warm. At the waters edge there are layers of different colored rocks that stretch into the ocean and create beautiful formations and viewing areas where one can witness the playful nature of the penguins from above. A large group of the penguins can always be found here swimming in the water and enjoying the beautiful beaches.

The carefree nature of the penguins is very intriguing and before the day is over you will surely have broken out in laughter a time or two at their unique characteristics and mannerisms. Their happy feet provide great entertainment as they waddle around Punta Tombo and give you insight into the life of a penguin.

After interacting with these cute inhabitants we return to Puerto Madryn for the night.

Day 4. Trelew - Onward travels

You will transferred back to the airport in Trelew for your onward travels. B

PRICES FROM:

Exchange rates differ from time to time. For the most up-to-date prices of this holiday idea please fill out our Latin America Travel Quote form.

NOTES:

• A US$132 for US Citizens, $70USD for Canadian Citizens reciprocity fee is payable in USD cash, Argentinean Pesos, Credit Card or Travelers Cheques on arrival.
• Argentinean international departure tax $25 USD
• Argentinean domestic departure tax $12 USD
• Local currency is Pesos
• Time Zone: GMT/UTC -3
• Dialing Code: 54
• Electricity: 220V, 60Hz
• Weights & measures: Metric

HOTEL CHOICES:

Punta Arenas:Hotel Rayentray, Hotel Tolasa

Other hotel options available on request

DEPARTURE:

Departs daily

PRICE INCLUDES:

• 3 nights hotel accommodation
• Punta Tombo Penguin Tour
• Valdes Peninsula Tour
• All Transfers
• All meals as listed B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

NOT INCLUDED

• Domestic flights
• Visa fees (if required)
• Passport & Visa Costs
• Vaccination Costs
• Personal Spending Money
• Meals where not listed
• Drinks
• International Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Airport departure taxes
• Border taxes or fees

Package Information

Villa Piren, Puerto Madryn, Argentina (hotel)

Package Departures

These are the upcoming departures for this trip:

Departs Daily

8 - Our Antarctic adventure begins. Flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands).
The flight takes a little under 2 hours. Upon arrival we will be able to tour around the area where the "Presidente Eduardo Frei M." Chilean Base and "Bellinghausen" Russian Base are located. We will gather at the beach on Fildes Bay for embarkation, by Zodiac boats, to M/V "Ocean Nova". BLD

9 - Our Antarctic adventure begins. Flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands).
The flight takes a little under 2 hours. Upon arrival we will be able to tour around the area where the "Presidente Eduardo Frei M." Chilean Base and "Bellinghausen" Russian Base are located. We will gather at the beach on Fildes Bay for embarkation, by Zodiac boats, to M/V "Ocean Nova". BLD

10 - Our Antarctic adventure begins. Flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island (South Shetland Islands).
The flight takes a little under 2 hours. Upon arrival we will be able to tour around the area where the "Presidente Eduardo Frei M." Chilean Base and "Bellinghausen" Russian Base are located. We will gather at the beach on Fildes Bay for embarkation, by Zodiac boats, to M/V "Ocean Nova". BLD