Best of Peninsula Valdés

Day 1: Arrive at Trelew or Puerto Madryn airport; Puerto Madryn

After arriving at Trelew Airport (REL) or Puerto Madryn Airport (PMY) you'll transfer by private vehicle to a local hotel in Puerto Madryn. Here you'll settle into your accommodation and might like to take a walk along the beautiful coastal promenade and beach area of the town.

Puerto Madryn is a quiet town, very user-friendly for travellers and with some great seafood restaurants. You might like to hike to 'El Indio' monument which overlooks the sight where Welsh settlers first arrived in the early 18th century.

Note: Transfers from Trelew Airport – 1hr from Puerto Madryn – can easily be arranged.

Accommodation: Hotel Dazzler or equivalent, Puerto Madryn 

Day 2: Punta Loma coastal reserve; Cerro Avanzado; Puerto Madryn

Your driver/guide will collect you from your hotel for a half-day excursion to the nearby coastal reserve at Punta Loma. You'll visit the rocky coastal area renowned for its South American sea lions that take refuge on its beaches.

Located just outside Puerto Madryn at the bay at Cerro Avanzado, this is a great introduction to the wildlife of the region. At certain times of the year, it can be possible to see whales from the coast and you are bound to see several species of birds that rook in the area.

This afternoon is free for you to relax in Puerto Madryn. You might like to check out one of the museums in town, or perhaps take a local bus to Gaiman (1hr) and visit the symbol of Welsh settlement in Patagonia. Try a sumptuous afternoon tea and cakes at one of its famous tea rooms – perhaps the same one visited by Lady Diana in 1995.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Dazzler or equivalent, Puerto Madryn 

Day 3: Travel to Peninsula Valdés and San Lorenzo penguin colony; Puerto Pirámides

Today you will visit the private ranch of San Lorenzo with your guide, located on the provincial protected area of Peninsula Valdés where you'll have the opportunity to walk among one of the largest and fastest growing Magellanic penguin colonies in the world – an estimated 250,000 breeding pairs call this place home! These cute little creatures never fail to fascinate as you wander the trails at their nesting site. The Magellanic penguins come to shore to breed around October and will stay until March.

Other wildlife you might expect to see with your specialist guide will be guanacos, Patagonian hares and rheas, as today you cover over 200km in total.

After visiting this fascinating area, you'll drive to the southern area of the peninsula to its only town, Puerto Pirámides, for your overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hosteria del Nomade or equivalent, Puerto Pirámides

Day 4: Kayak excursion or whale watching trip; Puerto Pirámides

Today you can take a 3hr kayak excursion to view the wildlife up close. There is also the option to take a 1.5hr whale watching boat trip instead – this incurs an extra cost.

This depends on the time of year as southern right whales are only found in the area from May to September (approximately). The abundance of seals, sea lions, dolphins and pelagic (sea-faring) birds found on these coasts means that a visit to Valdés is worth it at any time of the year.

The afternoon is free for you to roam the wild area of Puerto Pirámides with its vast beach, endless coastline and beautiful viewpoints. Why not hike out on the nearby coastal trail to watch the setting sun over the gulf? You'll likely enjoy soaking up the Bohemian and outdoorsy atmosphere of the village with its handicraft stores, ice-cream shops and cute cafés.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hosteria del Nomade or equivalent, Puerto Pirámides

Day 5: Depart Peninsula Valdés for Puerto Madryn or Trelew

Say goodbye to the magical UNESCO-protected area of Peninsula Valdés today as you are taken by your driver to Puerto Madryn Airport (2hrs) or Trelew Airport (3hrs).

Depending on the weather, season and tides, there will be a chance to stop at El Doradillo Beach to watch whales from the coast. This lesser-known protected area is the best place to spot southern right whales from the land as individuals will approach to within a few metres.

No two trips to the Peninsula are the same, but all of them leave their visitors mesmerised by the abundance of unexpected wildlife and the infinite landscapes and big-sky horizons.

Meals: Breakfast