Peninsula Valdés Wildlife In Depth

Day 1: Whale watching boat trip; Estancia Rincón Chico

Your guide/driver will meet you at either Trelew or Puerto Madryn Airport and take you into the vast Peninsula Valdés for your first wildlife encounter at Puerto Pirámides.

In the early afternoon, you'll take a medium-sized motor boat to enjoy a whale watching trip in the protected waters of Golfo Novo. This fascinating excursion will get you up close to the impressive south right whale, when in season (Jun to Sept), and provide a unique, up-close and intimate whale watching experience as mothers gently nurse their calves. If not in season, an alternative wildlife excursion will be suggested which might include visiting a sea lion colony by kayak or on foot, or exploring another section of Peninsula Valdés.

In the early evening, you'll arrive at the comfortable Estancia Rincón Chico, situated on Peninsula Valdés, and will enjoy your first night under the Patagonian stars with the warm hospitality of the staff. Everything about your stay in the cosy, authentic and comfortable ranch will be memorable. Located on private land, far from any towns, and surrounded by curious wildlife, you'll truly feel like you're in the wilds of Patagonia.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Estancia Rincón Chico

Days 2 & 3: Wildlife encounters; Estancia Rincón Chico

Whilst staying at Estancia Rincón Chico we will focus on watching elephant seals and looking for orcas along the nearby coast with our local naturalist guide and vehicle. There are numerous places we could visit, including Punta Norte, Caleta Valdés or Punta Delgada. The exact itinerary will be decided the day before with your expert guide, to give the best opportunity to see the most interesting animals at any given time.

In addition, you can expect to see maras (Patagonian hare), Darwin rheas, Magellanic penguins, armadillos, skunks, cormorants, and giant petrels. Sea mammals such as southern elephant seals and South American sea lions might be visible at certain spots. If orcas are in season (Jan-Mar) you might be lucky enough to see the mothers training their calves in the art of beaching themselves in order to catch the sea lions trying to enter the water. This is the only place in the world where this phenomenon occurs.

Back at the lodge, the staff will make sure you're well-fed, well-watered and well-looked after during your stay. The nosey neighbours, the guanacos, will likely approach the building to say a friendly Hola.

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Estancia Rincón Chico

Day 4: Transfer to Puerto Madryn Airport or Trelew Airport

You'll take a transfer back to Puerto Madryn Airport (2hrs), or Trelew Airport (3hrs) from where you can travel on to Buenos Aires or elsewhere in Argentine Patagonia.

Meals: Breakfast