Package: Peninsula Valdes + Whale Watching

We begin the search in the accommodation between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m.
At the end of the search for passengers, we head north until we reach the "El Desempeño" checkpoint where we will pay the entrance fee to the reserve. (see rate table)

About 20 km from this, we will arrive at the Carlos Ameghino Isthmus, a narrow strip of land that joins the Peninsula with the continent. Here is the "Carlos Ameghino Interpretation Center", which provides information on the ecosystem of the Peninsula. Here, we can see a whale skeleton and different species of animals and history of the first settlers of the Peninsula.
The center has a viewpoint, from where we can see both gulfs and the Isla de los Pajaros, which is about 5 km away.

We continue the tour until we reach Puerto Pirámides, a tourist village on the Peninsula, its beaches are protected by cliffs (bardas) that resemble pyramids, hence its name.

In the village we make a stop of approximately 3 hours to embark on the unforgettable experience of sailing the waters of the Nuevo Gulf, if we choose this option, or simply enjoy the charms of the place.
The navigations are carried out in boats of various capacities, from 5 to 70 passengers, and last approximately between one and two hours.
• From June to December the sightings of the Southern Right Whale, named in this way for being an animal that is characterized by its meekness, its slowness and its curiosity, so they can get close to incredible distances, allowing us to observe its skin, so characteristic for being covered with calluses. From time to time they pass under the boat, they emit a sound and with luck they will offer us the wonderful spectacle of spotting a jump or at least a flapping of the tail. (see Optional Whale Watching)

Between the months of May and November we will take the southern path passing through Salina Grande and Salina Chica, they are the most important depressions in South America. Depending on the time and the cloudiness, they appear before our eyes with a pink color, due to their physical-chemical composition and the incidence of sunlight.
Heading towards the extreme southeast of the Peninsula, we will pass through the outskirts of Punta Delgada, which is an old naval settlement, where the lighthouse dating from 1905 is located.
We will cross the east coast towards the north, we will make a stop at Punta Cantor, where we will be able to observe some sea elephants.
After a few kilometers we arrive at Caleta Valdés, an exceptional attraction being the geological formation of the tongue of the cove, a thin strip of land that encloses a portion of the sea connected through a small mouth with the surrounding sea, its calm waters and beaches. of the cove naturally isolated by high and steep cliffs constitute an unbeatable environment for sea elephants.
From a viewpoint we can contemplate the place and observe the elephant seals up close.
The cove is also home to a small colony of Magellanic Penguins.
On the paths that we will travel we will be able to observe the terrestrial fauna such as Maras, Guanacos, Foxes and Choiques among others.

At the beginning of November the tour will be through the north of the peninsula, with greater chances of seeing Orcas in Punta Norte and Caleta Valdes.

Then we resume the road back to the city of Puerto Madryn.

 

• From January to March, the time when the whales migrate to the southern seas, Nautical Tours are held. We sail to the Punta Pirámides Sea Lion Colony: one-hair sea lion colony, 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 the “Isla de los cormoranes” and the “Barranco de los Pájaros” (breeding colonies of rock cormorants and biguá) and then head towards some caves full of fossils. If the weather helps and good luck is on our side we can also see Dusky Dolphins.
  We leave Puerto Pirámide to continue with the excursion traveling, depending on the state of the roads and the migration of the fauna, we visit Punta Norte, a colony of elephants and sea lions of a hair. At high tide it is possible to see killer whales in the months of February, March and April, when they feed on the pups of sea lions. It has a wildlife guard post, restrooms, an interpretation center and a small cafeteria. Then we resume the road back to the city of Puerto Madryn.
  The times and the order of the places to visit may vary, depending on the season, the climate and the interests of the group.

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

Winter/spring itinerary:

1. Post El Desempeño (entrance to the reserve).
2. Ameghino Isthmus
3. Puerto Pirámides (Optional Whale Watching or Marine Fauna Watching according to the time of year).
4. Salinas Grande and Chica.
5. Punta Delgada, the oldest lighthouse on the Peninsula and a colony of sea elephants.
6. Punta Cantor, natural colony of sea elephants.
7. Parador de Estancia La Elvira (place for refreshments or lunch).
8. Caleta Valdés, colony of Magellanic penguins from October to March.
9. On the internal roads of the reserve, specimens of terrestrial fauna such as Guanacos, Choiques, Maras, Gray Foxes, Skunks, etc., and a great variety of birds can be seen.

Summer/autumn itinerary:

1. Post El Desempeño (entrance to the reserve).
2. Ameghino Isthmus
3. Puerto Pirámides (Optional Whale Watching or Marine Fauna Watching according to the time of year).
4. Salinas Grande and Chica.
5. North Point.
6. Punta Cantor, natural colony of sea elephants.
7. Parador de Estancia La Elvira (place for refreshments or lunch).
8. Caleta Valdés, colony of Magellanic penguins from October to March.
9. On the internal roads of the reserve, specimens of terrestrial fauna such as Guanacos, Choiques, Maras, Gray Foxes, Skunks, etc., and a great variety of birds can be seen.

Season: All year.
Departures: Regular.
Duration: Full Day
Closing hour: 7:00 a.m. to 07:30 a.m.
Arrival schedule: 6:00 p.m. approx.
Minimum of passengers: 3 people

does not include:

• Entry to the reserve.
• Personal expenses.
• Foods

It includes:

• Transfers:
• Pick Up to the passengers where they are staying.
• Guides: Spanish/English/Portuguese/French. (Ask for other languages)
• Whale watching on board (subject to weather conditions)

suggested: Comfortable shoes, warm clothing, photography equipment, sunscreen and a hat.

Important Note: if due to rain or closed roads in the Peninsula Valdes reserve, which prevent us from doing the full excursion, the difference between the Puerto Piramides and Peninsula Valdes excursions will be refunded. This is not the case for whale watching on board, unless the latter cannot be carried out by a port closed by prefecture. Under no circumstances will the income to the reserves be refunded in any case since this cost has nothing to do with the company.

The cancellation of the purchase with less than 24 hours has no refund. whatever the cause.