Peninsula Valdez & The Atlantic Patagonia

8 days/7 nights
Private services
 
Day 1 ARRIVE BUENOS AIRES
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to Hotel Loi Suites in Recoleta.
Afternoon sightseeing tour (shared) around South America’s most elegant capital. On the way we will see Plaza de Mayo and the buildings that surround it: Casa Rosada (Government House), Cabildo (Old City Hall), The City Hall. Then, on to see the monumental Congress Building and its Square and along 9 de Julio Ave., the widest in the world, to see the Colon Theater, famous Opera House that stages the most important artists and musicians from all over the world. We will also visit San Telmo, Puerto Madero, Palermo Park with jacaranda and palo borracho trees which flower in spring and late summer, the polo field and the race track and the historical Recoleta Cemetery with its ornate memorials. (B)
 
Day 2 Buenos Aires-Trelew-Puerto Piramides-Yellow submarine-El Pedral
Transfer to the airport for flight to Trelew with transfer to El Pedral Lodge for 3 night's accomodation with all meals and wine during meals. (B,D)
Upon arrival in Trelew you will be taken to Puerto Piramides, where we take a the Yellow Submarine to do whale watching of Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) between June and December, and of Southern Sea lions (Otaria flavescens) and cormorants between January and March. There is no navigation in Puerto Piramides during April and May.
Unlike the conventional watching service, the semi-submersible submarine Yellow Submarine allows us to watch whales submersed in their environment. Underwater, the perspective looks completely different, which is comparable only to the experience of diving among them.
While they remain close to the vessel, we watch them all the time through the 40 viewing windows on the lower deck. On board, passengers can walk around at their pleasure on the submersed lower deck, or on the outdoor upper deck and watch the whales from the surface of the water, as a conventional watching.
 
Day 3-4 El Pedral
During stay at El Pedral it is included 3 diferent activities so you can pick and choose what is more appealing to you.
This is probably one of the best places to observe whales, Magellan penguins, also the rocky beaches shelter a great variety of sea and land animal. (B,L,D)
Tour options at EL Pedral:
VISIT TO PUNTA NINFAS’ LIGHTHOUSE (2 or 3 hours approx): Departing from the country house and after driving for only 5 miles, we will get close to the typical high cliffs of the Península Valdés coasts. Here you will be able to see breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean
A WALK AMONG PENGUINS (3 hours approx): In the year 2009, the first 14 Magellanic penguins’ couples conquered the shore of El Pedral. The colony developed so rapidly that this year the colony achieved the number of 5,000 individuals. This, together with the presence of other sea birds and the view of the golden cliff-lined shore enclosed by the blue sea, make up an amazing natural scenario.
A WALK AMONG ELEPHANT SEALS (3 hours approx): The beach at the foot of Punta Ninfas’ cliff is the natural habitat of an important rookery of elephant seals, where they can be observed in small groups throughout of the year.
Non-Guided Activities:
BEACH PROGRAMME: The beach of El Pedral is a dream place to enjoy the Patagonian sea with your family or friends. The pebble shore [pedral] is a unique geological formation in Patagonia, here you can also observed during the whole whales watching season (from end of May till end of December) and if you are lucky enough, you will also be able to watch killer whales at Punta Ninfas (Jan-Feb) .
 
Day 5 El Pedral-Bahia Bustamante
Morning transfer toward Bahia Bustamante where you will stay for 3 nights with all meals and the choice of 2 activities per day (included). Exploration activities in the area are decided on a day-to-day basis, taking into account the state of the tide and the weather. (B,L,D)
 
Day 6-7 Bahia Bustamante
You will have a choice of the following activities:
Sailing: to Small Well -sheltered estuary, then to Calera Malaspina and to the Archipelago to observe colorful birds, sea lions (4,000 during breeding season), Magellan Penguins 100,000 from October to March.
Peninsula: Where you can walk to see a colony of Magellan Penguins, also have excellent sightings of cormorants, steamer ducks, flamingos, and sea lions.
The Petrified Forest: “The Pyramid” is a living proof of how the landscape looked some 60 million years ago when Patagonia was an orchard before the Andes rose high. On the way, it is common to come across guanacos, armadillos, nandus, foxes and skunks.
Patagonia Ranches: Bahia Bustamante is part of the land of a group of three ranches that are inland from the bay: Las Quebradas, Las Mercedes and Las Margaritas. Depending on the season of the year, a field trip is organized to allow visitors to watch and/or participate in the production process of wool, lamb and mutton.
Penguin Island: Just 15 minutes away -there is an island home to small colony of Magellan Penguins. The lodge also organizes other excursions Airistizaba Cape (4-5 hours), Rock Canyon, Historic & seaweed industry, and rural activities... Bahia Bustamante is also a paradise for biologists studying marine life, and for geologists exploring the history of the planet through its soils. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Bahia Bustamante-Trelew-Buenos Aires-DEPART
Transfer to Trelew Airport for flight to Buenos Aires. Arrive at the local airport and immediate transfer to the international airport for your flight back home. (B)
 

 
LAND TOUR RATES PER PERSON

Oct. 01 to Oct. 15, 2022 & Mar.01 to Mar. 31, 2023 Double US$4,993
Oct. 15 to Dec.22, 2022 & Jan.04 to Feb.28, 2023 Double US$5,551

PLUS LOCAL AIRFARE B.Aires-P.Madryn-Buenos Aires US$350-500
 
Including:
7 nights of hotel accommodations; tours are shared with English speaking local tour guides and entrance fees when necessary; all transfers in Buenos Aires, Punta Valdes and to/from Bahia Bustamante & El Pedral; Daily buffet breakfast and all meals while at Bahia Bustamante & Pedral Lodges; Room taxes & Service charges; Local airfare Buenos Aires-P.Valdez / Comodoro Rivadavia-Buenos Aires; Assistance of our local tour operator while in Argentina 24/7 by phone. Private English speaking tour guides.

Not included:
International or local airfare. Airport departure taxes. Travel Insurance, tips to guides, drivers, or hotel/airport porters.

Deposits: 20% per person
Final payment: 65 days before departure

SAMPLE AIRFARES FROM USA:
US$850-1050 plus airport departure taxes. Los Angeles 1100-1300, New York 950-1150. Please call for updated rates.