Patagonia Penguin Adventure - 10 - $4,270
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Ushuaia and visit Tierra del Fuego
In the morning, fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and then transfer to your hotel. Settle in a little and then launch straight into the adventure with an afternoon exploring Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Spend the night at Hotel Tolkeyen, an authentic lodging located on the beach of the Beagle Channel where you can enjoy impressive panoramic views.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Tolkeyen
Day 2: Harberton
You'll start early heading east for Harberton Ranch, the first ranch on the Island of Tierra del Fuego, given to the Anglican Missionary Thomas Bridges in recognition of his work. Once you arrive you will take a short boat trip to Isla Martillo where Magellanic penguins and Gentoo penguins nest. Gentoo penguins do not burrow into the ground as Magellanic Penguins do, they build a nest with rocks. They have orange bills and head patches of white feathers which are individually distinct and their feet range in color from pink to orange to red. The small colony on this island has been increasing and some austral summers a few King penguins have come to the island to molt.
Enjoy lunch with incredible views and finally visit the Acatashun Museum, an amazing collection of whale and sea mammal skeletons.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Tolkeyen
Day 3: Fly to Trelew
Today you'll transfer to Ushuaia airport, from where you will take a flight to Trelew. You'll then drive onwards to Puerto Madryn, a 50 minute journey.
Get to know the area, walking along the long sandy beaches as you look out for local wildlife, and finding a traditional restaurant for dinner in this pretty little city.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Peninsula Valdes, Puerto Madryn
Day 4: Estancia San Lorenzo
Spend the day walking among penguins at Estancia San Lorenzo, one of the largest penguin colonies on the peninsula with approximately 200,000 individuals.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Peninsula Valdes, Puerto Madryn
Day 5: Punta Tombo and Camarones
Visit Punta Tombo and the largest Magellanic penguin colony in South America. After a day walking along the beautiful trails that make up the nature reserve, continue on to Camerones. Near the city of Camarones was the home of the very first Spanish settlement in what today is known as Argentina. In 1535 Simon de Alcazaba y Sotomayor founded the city of Caleta Hornos, lasting only a few weeks. Today Camarones is basically a fishing town, dedicated mainly to guard the entry to one of the most beautiful Nature Reserves in the Chubut province, Cabo dos Bahias.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: El Faro Casas de Mar, Camarones
Day 6: Cabo dos Bahias, Puerto Madryn
Visit the incredible nature reserve of Cabo dos Bahias, on the coast of southern Chubut Province. Dedicate the morning to explore these volcanic rocks pushing through the sedimentary basements, home to a large Magellanic Penguin colony.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: El Faro Casas de Mar, Camarones
Day 7: Camerones - Puerto Deseado
Drive to Puerto Deseado, having lunch at Comodoro.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Los Acantilados, Puerto Deseado
Day 8: Isla Pinguino boat trip
Take a full day boat trip out of the Inlet to reach Isla Pinguino (Penguin Island), where you will be able to see Rockhopper penguins, Magellanic Penguins, Upland geese, shorebirds and skuas - the main predators. Sailing back to the island or mainland, you may possibly also see feeding sea birds and dolphins.
The Southern Rockhopper penguin is the smallest of the crested penguins, you will watch them come out of the sea and hop from rock to rock at a very close distance. A nearby smaller island has nesting South American Terns and a colony of South American Sea Lions. If the wind catches up Black-browed albatrosses will fly close to you. The views of the coast will be recognized by those participants who are familiar with Conrad Martins drawings that illustrated Darwin's voyage.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Los Acantilados, Puerto Deseado
Day 9: Ria boat trip
Sail the Ria, viewing the tiny Commerson's dolphin and the nesting Red-legged Cormorants (40% of the population of this species of cormorant in Patagonia nests here).
You will then disembark at Isla de los Pajaros to snack in amongst Magellanic Penguins and nesting Blackish Oystercatchers. You'll sail past an island with a South American Sea Lion colony. Other marine birds you may see are Snowy Sheathbills, several species of gulls, terns, skuas and giant petrels.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Los Acantilados, Puerto Deseado
Day 10: Departure
Drive to Comodoro Rivadavia, then fly to Buenos Aires for onward or return travel.
Meals: Breakfast
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Price of USD $4,270 per person is indicative based on a group of 2-4 people.
Price of USD $3,920 per person for a group of 4+ people.
There is a single supplement of USD $678 added for those who request single accommodation. Solo travellers may be able to share a room with a person of the same sex, where possible, avoiding the supplement.
Includes
- Meals: 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches
- Accommodation: 9 nights at hotels or lodges
- English speaking guide/driver throughout the trip
- All private transport included in the itinerary
- Excursions including boat trips as detailed in the itinerary
- National park and nature reserve entrance fees
- All private transport between places
Excludes
- Meals not indicated in itinerary
- Any extra/optional excursions
- Travel insurance
- Personal Equipment (request our recommended kit list for more details)
- Gratuities/Tips
- International and domestic/in country flights