Peninsula Valdés Package + Traditional Whale Watching

This excursion begins with the search for the passengers in their respective accommodations, between 7:00 and 7:30 in the morning, and then we head north, until we reach the checkpoint. "Performance", place where the entrance to the Peninsula Valdés Protected Area will be paid.

After about 20 km from “El Desemeño”, we will reach the “Carlos Ameghino Isthmus”, a narrow strip of land that connects the peninsula with the continent. Here is the “Carlos Ameghino Interpretation Center”, a small space designed to provide us with information about the ecosystem, flora, fauna and local history of Peninsula Valdés: here, we can observe the skeletons of a juvenile right whale among other species of terrestrial and aquatic animals, together with the history of the first residents of Puerto Pirámides. In addition, the interpretation center has a viewpoint to observe both gulfs (Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San Matías), as well as, Bird Island which is located about 5 km away, which has an important local birdlife and a very beautiful particular history.

We continue the journey until we reach Puerto Piramides, the only town on the Peninsula where you can experience traditional whale watching by boat, in addition to contemplating its beaches, which are protected by cliffs (bardas) that resemble pyramids, hence its name. We will be in the town for approximately 3 hours.

The navigations are carried out in boats of various capacities, from 5 to 70 people, and last approximately 1.30/2 hours.

•From June to December the Whale watching Southern Franc. This wonderful navigation through the Golfo Nuevo is listed as one of the best in the world and the most enjoyable in the Peninsula Valdés Protected Area (Natural Heritage of Humanity). During its development, we will learn about the biological cycle of the Southern Right whale (mating, birth and rearing of the calf), as well as the different dynamics of life and survival of the species. Called in this way (Southern Right Whale), because it is an animal that is characterized by its tameness, its slowness and its curiosity, which is why it can get close to incredible distances, allowing us to observe its skin, so characteristic for being covered in calluses. From time to time they pass under the boat, make a sound and with luck they will offer us the wonderful spectacle of seeing a jump, a flapping of the tail, understanding their different dynamics.
We will sail together with the captain, specialized crew and bilingual auxiliary staff who will introduce passengers to the interpretation and observation of the marine and coastal ecosystem that can be experienced during the trip. You can also see other animals such as fur seals and a variety of coastal birds.

•From May to November we will carry out the SOUTH Circuit passing through Salina Grande and Salina Chica, which are the most important depressions in South America. Depending on the time and cloudiness, they can appear before our eyes with a pinkish color, due to their physical-chemical composition and the incidence of sunlight. If the roads and weather allow us, we will enter Salina Chica to take some photographs and contemplate the flora and fauna that surrounds it.
Heading towards the southeastern end of the Peninsula, we will pass near Punta Delgada, which is an old naval settlement, where the lighthouse dating from 1905 is located. We continue along the east coast towards the north, making a stop at La Elvira ranch where We can have lunch or just have a coffee. Then we will go to Punta Cantor, where we can observe some elephant seals and Caleta Valdés, a place of exceptional attraction, since we can experience the geological formation of the tongue of the cove: a thin strip of land that encloses a portion of sea connected through of a small mouth with the surrounding sea. The calm waters and beaches of the cove, naturally isolated by high and steep cliffs, constitute an unbeatable territory for elephant seals. From a viewpoint, we can contemplate the space and observe the elephant seals up close, and perhaps also a small colony of Magellanic Penguins.
Finally we return to the city of Puerto Madryn, leaving them at their respective accommodations.

•Since November the route will be NORTH Circuit heading towards the North of Peninsula Valdés. In the months of January to March, there is a greater chance of observing Orcas in Punta Norte and Caleta Valdés.
This time of year is when the whales begin to migrate towards the southern seas, therefore the whale watching season ends and the Nautical Tours: These sail to the Punta Pirámides Lobería: a roost for sea lions, where we can observe the activity that dominates the colony according to the time of year (formation of harems, mating and births). We will visit “Isla de los Cormoranes” and the “Barranco de los Pájaros” (reproduction colonies of rock cormorants and biguá), and then head towards caves full of fossils. If the weather helps and we are lucky, we will also be able to see Dusky Dolphins.
After the nautical tour, we depart from Puerto Pirámides to continue with the Peninsula Valdés excursion Full day, visiting (depending on the state of the roads and the migration of fauna), North Point, a roost for elephants and sea lions. With high tide and good luck on our side, it is possible to spot orcas in the months of February, March and April, a time when they feed on sea lion pups. In addition, we will be able to know and experience the Interpretation Center that will give us an overview of the ecosystem, the local terrestrial and marine flora and fauna of the Valdés Peninsula. A wildlife guard post, bathrooms and a small cafeteria will also be available.
Finally we return to the city of Puerto Madryn, leaving them at their respective accommodations.

                      The times and order of the places to visit may vary, depending on the season, the weather and the interests of the group.

SOUTHERN CIRCUIT ITINERARY (from May to mid-November)
-Performance Post (entrance to the protected area)
-Ameghino Isthmus (interpretation center)
-Puerto Pirámides (Optional Whale Watching)
-Salinas Grande and Chica
-Punta Delgada, oldest lighthouse on the Peninsula and colony of elephant seals.
-Punta Cantor (natural resting place for elephant seals)
-Parador de Estancia “La Elvira” (place for refreshments or lunch).
-Caleta Valdés (Magellan penguin colony from October to March).
On the internal roads of the protected area you can see specimens of terrestrial fauna such as Guanacos, Choiques, Maras, Gray Foxes, Skunks, among others, as well as a great variety of birds.

NORTH CIRCUIT ITINERARY (from mid-November to mid-May)
-Performance Post (entrance to the protected area)
-Ameghino Isthmus (interpretation center)
-Puerto Pirámides (Optional Marine Fauna Watching)
-Punta Cantor (natural resting place for elephant seals)
-Parador de Estancia La Elvira (place for refreshments or lunch)
-Caleta Valdés (Magellan penguin colony from October to March)
-Punta Norte (resting place for sea lions and elephant seals)
On the internal roads of the protected area you can see specimens of terrestrial fauna such as Guanacos, Choiques, Maras, Gray Foxes, Skunks, among others, as well as a great variety of birds.

         On the roads that we will travel we will be able to observe the terrestrial fauna such as Maras, Guanacos, Zorros and Choiques among others

Season: from June to mid-December
Departures: daily
Duration: full day
Closing hour: 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Approximately
Return time: 6:00 p.m. Approximately
Minimum of passengers: 2 people
SUBJECT TO WEATHER CONDITIONS

It includes
•Board-based whale watching (subject to weather conditions)
•Pick Up – Passengers are searched where they are staying
•Transfers
•Guides: Spanish/English/Portuguese/French/Italian. (Consult for other languages)

does not include
•Entry to the Peninsula Valdés Protected Area (consult)
•Personal expenses
•Foods

Suggested Equipment
•Comfortable footwear, warm clothing, photography equipment, sunscreen and a hat.

IMPORTANT
•In case of bad weather conditions that cause heavy rain and/or closed roads in Peninsula Valdés, and that prevent us from carrying out the complete excursion, we will make changes at the time to be able to provide the most complete excursion possible. If we cannot carry it out, it will be a refund of the difference between the Puerto Pirámides and Peninsula Valdés full day excursions.
•No refund will be made for embarked Whale Watching unless it cannot be carried out due to a closed port indicated by the Argentine Naval Prefecture. Under no circumstances will it be refunded in any case, entering the Peninsula Valdés protected area since this cost is not operated by the company.
•Cancellation of the purchase with less than 24 hours has no refund under any circumstances.
•NOT VALID FOR CRUISES. Consult corresponding excursions