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Explore Península Valdés
The preferred habitat of the southern right whale, the Valdés Peninsula is characterized by rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, islands, and shallow bays. Covering approximately 480 km (half on paved roads), this excursion takes you to Puerto Pirámides, where whales can be spotted (June to December). The circuit continues to the Salinas Grande and Chica in the southern part of the peninsula, and at Punta Delgada, you can descend the cliffs to see elephant seals. Finally, at Punta Cantor, enjoy views of the peninsula's coast until reaching the beginning of Caleta Valdés, home to more elephant seals. The boat trip is optional; if not taken, guests will wait on land.
Duration: approximately 10 hours.
Suggested pickup time: Starting at 7:30 AM.
Whale Watching Boat Tour
Seeing whales breaching in front of the boat is a unique and unforgettable adventure in the crystal-clear waters of Golfo Nuevo. Located 100 km from Puerto Madryn, Puerto Pirámides is home to numerous southern right whales that arrive between June and December to mate and give birth. You’ll board a boat to get close to these immense cetaceans, whose rituals of jumping and raising their tails out of the water provide an unforgettable experience of observing them in their natural habitat. On the way back to the hotel, you'll visit the beaches of El Doradillo and Las Canteras, where it’s possible to see whales from the shore, just 15 meters away.
Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours.
Additional to the Full-Day Valdés Peninsula tour.
Whale Season: June to December.
A Day Among Penguins: Punta Tombo Reserve
Located 180 km from Puerto Madryn, the Punta Tombo Provincial Reserve is home to the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the world. After admiring the vast Patagonian steppe, visitors can walk along a narrow rocky strip with wide beaches, the habitat of the largest community of this bird species along the Patagonian coast, which gathers there between September and April. They coexist with other marine and land species before embarking on their journey back to the northern coasts of South America. Guests will have the opportunity to walk among these curious birds and observe their behaviors and rituals up close, as well as the different stages of their reproductive cycle depending on the time of year.
Duration: Approximately 9 hours.
Suggested pick-up time: Starting at 8:00 AM.
Lower Valley with Welsh Tea in Gaiman
In Trelew, 65 km south of Puerto Madryn, the Egidio Feruglio Paleontological Museum is the most important in its field in Latin America, featuring replicas of 30 dinosaurs and 2,000 fossil pieces. The guided tour combines scientific and educational content with entertainment, offering an incredible journey into the planet's past to learn about the first dinosaurs that inhabited the region. Continuing the tour, you arrive in Gaiman, a small town that preserves its Welsh cultural heritage. Here, you will enjoy a traditional Welsh tea with black cake.
Duration: Approximately 5 hours.
Suggested pick-up time: Starting at 1:30 PM.
Punta Tombo with Valle Inferior, Museum & Tea in Gaiman
The Punta Tombo Provincial Reserve is located 180 km from Puerto Madryn and is home to the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the world. After a short journey through the vast Patagonian steppe, you will descend to the wide, rocky beach to get close to the friendly penguins that gather there from September to early April. They coexist with other marine and terrestrial species before embarking on their journey back to the northern coasts of South America. You can walk among these curious birds and observe their habits and rituals, as well as different stages of their reproductive cycle, depending on the time of year.
The excursion continues to Trelew, where you will visit the unique Paleontological Museum in South America, showcasing life-size replicas of dinosaurs. There are also videos that depict the birth of planet Earth. At tea time, there will be a stop in Gaiman, the Welsh colony visited by Lady Di, where you can enjoy tea with black cake. About one hundred and fifty years ago, Welsh immigrants settled here, preserving the traditions—architectural style, music, language, and cuisine—of their homeland to this day.
Duration: Approximately 10 hours.
Suggested pickup time: Starting from 8:00 AM.
Diving with Sea Lions
This experience is safe, fun, and thrilling. Upon entering the water, curious, lively, and sociable sea lions appear around the divers. The key is to stay still, allowing them to approach naturally. It’s not uncommon to find yourself face to face with them and even see them blow air. The playfulness is harmless and peaceful; there’s no need to fear them as they are not aggressive. Due to the shallow depth and existing regulations, the time spent in the protected natural area is about 45 minutes, and the presence of sea lions is constant. The group cannot exceed six people.
Duration: Approximately 2:30 hours.
Suggested pick-up time: Starting at 7 AM.
Kayak with Sea Lions
A kayaking expedition that combines adventure and the thrill of navigating the waters of the Gulf Nuevo with the observation, knowledge, and interpretation of the local fauna, flora, and geography led by specialized guides. There will be several stops along the way. This is a very low-demand physical expedition, ideal for families and those wanting to try sea kayaking.
Duration: Approximately 3:30 hours.
Estimated pick-up time: AM starting at 7 or 9 AM // PM starting at 11 AM or 2 PM.
Punta Loma Reserve
Located 17 km from Puerto Madryn, the Punta Loma wildlife reserve, one of the first established in the province of Chubut in 1966, is home to a significant colony of sea lions, cormorants, and South American terns year-round. To reach the reserve, you travel along a gravel road that leads to the sea lion colony, where you'll enjoy one of the best views of the Gulf Nuevo.
Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
Suggested pick-up time: Starting at 9 AM.
El Pedral
After crossing a stretch of 75 kilometers of Patagonian steppe to the south of the Gulf Nuevo, you arrive at the historic Punta Ninfas lighthouse, a valuable reference for navigators. At this point in the tour, you begin to see elephant seals and sea lions sunbathing and frolicking on the rocks. Shortly after, you reach El Pedral, a typical Patagonian ranch that extends to the sea. Built in the early 20th century with noble materials and furnishings that arrived by ship from Europe, which were unloaded right on the ranch's coast, it was inaugurated in 1923. Despite the passage of time, it retains the aesthetics of the past in its rooms and living areas, adorned with paintings and photographs of Patagonia's pioneers. After exploring the main house and learning about its history, there is an outing to observe the daily life of a colony of Magellanic penguins. By midday, it's time to return to the ranch for a meal of roasted lamb, accompanied by a variety of salads, desserts, and coffee. After lunch, you'll have some free time to walk along the shore, enjoy the pool, and the children's play area. Before returning to Puerto Madryn, you'll be served a cup of tea or coffee with a slice of Welsh cake.
Duration: Approximately 8.5 hours.
Suggested pick-up time: Starting at 8:30 AM.
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