Marine Wildlife Safari in Patagonia

The Peninsula Valdes, on the coast of Argentine Patagonia, is blessed with a huge abundance of marine wildlife. Much depends on the time of year though this trip can include: snorkelling with sea lions, diving with Dolphins, watching Orcas hunt along the shore and sailing in amongst huge herds of Whales.

Destination The Whales of Peninsula Valdes	Min / Max group size 2 / 10
When to travel All year round (see notes)	Number of days 3 days / 3 nights

Itinerary

Day 1

Reception at Puerto Madryn or Trelew. Transfer to the Peninsula, on the way you’ll stop for a guided tour of the museums of Istmo Carlos Ameghino, which will give you an insight into the fauna and flora of the region. Then you’ll start the marine wildlife safari with a guided tour of the Sea Elephant colonies of Punta Norte and Caleta Valdes, depending on the time of year there is also a chance of seeing Orcas.

Night at Secret Stop B&B

Day 2

This morning you’ll have a guided tour of the San Jose Gulf in kayak. After a hearty Paella lunch cooked on the beach there’ll be a chance to visit Puerto Pirámides, the only villiage on the Peninsula Valdes, before heading back out in search of the leading role of any marine wildlife safari: the Southern Right Whale.

Whale watching off the coast of the Peninsula Valdes is not like whale watching in many parts of the world, where you’ll head out into the ocean and perhaps see the occasional tail. A thousand Southern Right whales pass by Valdes each year, and they come so close to the shore there are stories of people who have reached out and touched them as they swim by.

Night at  Secret Stop B&B

Day 3

In the morning there’ll be a biking tour along the beach.

After a barbequed lunch of one of Patagonia’s famous lambs you’ll walk along the private beaches through colonies of Magellan Penguins and other marine birdlife to the San Jose Gulf. Here you’ll change into wetsuits and swim out to snorkel with the sea lions. They are exceptionally curious animals and as soon as you enter the water they’ll swim over to see what you are up to. It is an extraordinary feeling floating in the water while they swim round you and beneath you, at times they come so close you’ll think they’re going to bump into you and then with a flick of their tails they’ll disappear, only to come racing back a few seconds later.

Night at  Secret Stop B&B

Day 4 

Guided tour of the Palaeontology museum of Egidio Feruglio. Transfer to Puerto Madryn or Trelew

End of trip

Price

• Price includes – All food & beverages (excluding alcoholic drinks).  All accommodation: double rooms, at the home of Fernando Grosso – please enquire if you require single accommodation. All activities as shown on the example itinerary. All entrance fees to museums and national parks.
  All local tax.
• Price does not include  – International flights to Argentina. Transport to Trelew. Bank charges. Personal medical insurance (compulsory). Any visa fees and extras such as tips, laundry etc.

Prices are quoted in US dollars. 

Notes

• The guides for the itinerary have been visiting the Peninsula all their lives and know it like the back of their hands. They are charming and there are very few better people to introduce you to the region. As part of the service they will be taking photos throughout the trip and give a CD to each guest before they leave.

• The itinerary is just an example, we can lengthen or change it about as much as you wish. There is a huge amount to do and see on the Peninsula and we organize each itinerary depending on the wishes of the guests and the time of year. Below are some alternative activities you may prefer to include in the itinerary: Sea salmon fishing, visit to the Palaeontology Museum in Trelew, flight over the Peninsula to see if you can spot the whales from above, Sand-boarding, Wake-boarding, Camping on the beach, Diving, Yoga and Reiki on the beach,  Stargazing for Astrology enthusiasts, Trip to Punta Tombo to see one of the world’s largest colonies of Penguins

*Each of the above activities have extra costs.

• The Peninsula is one of world’s best places for a marine wildlife safari though each itinerary will depend greatly on the time of year and the weather. We of course cannot guarantee seeing individual species though our guides are in contact with the park wardens throughout each itinerary and will give you the best possible chance. Below are the rough times each species will be at the Peninsula:
  

  Penguins:	September to March
  Sea lions:	All year
  Sea elephants:	All year
  Killer Whale:	September to April
  Dolphins:	December to March
  Southern Right Whales:	June to November

This program is an example of one of many programs we organize round Argentina. All our trips are tailor-made and we can adapt all our programs to your specific needs. And, if you would like help organizing transport, accommodation or any other activity in any other part of the country we would be very happy to help.