Península Valdés

The day begins early in the morning with pick-up from your accommodation in Puerto Madryn or Puerto Pirámides. There is no fixed departure time, as the day’s logistics adapt to weather, season and wildlife activity. Our first stop is El Desempeño, the access control point for the Península Valdés Protected Natural Area, where the reserve entrance fee is paid. We continue to the Carlos Ameghino Isthmus Interpretation Center, an ideal introduction to the landscape we will explore throughout the day. Here we learn about the peninsula’s history and geography, see a southern right whale skeleton and enjoy panoramic views of both gulfs and Isla de los Pájaros. The route then reaches Puerto Pirámides, a small seaside village on Golfo Nuevo. From mid-June to mid-December, this is the only authorized point on the peninsula for boat-based southern right whale watching. The cruise is optional and at additional cost; its schedule is coordinated the day before according to weather and operating conditions. Outside whale season, this time is used to explore the coast, enjoy the beach or have lunch in Puerto Pirámides. We then head back into the peninsula to continue the coastal wildlife circuit. The exact route adapts to the time of year and may include areas such as Caleta Valdés, Punta Norte, Punta Delgada or Punta Pirámides, seeking the best available observation points that day. From mid-September through the first days of April, penguin season is also underway. At Caleta Valdés we can follow the boardwalks to observe the Magellanic penguin colony during nesting and chick-rearing season. Depending on the season, we also visit areas inhabited by elephant seals and sea lions. After the visits, we return to our accommodation.