Argentina: Wildlife of Peninsula Valdes

Argentina: Wildlife of Peninsula Valdes


Southern Right Whale, Peninsula Valdes

Cost per person is $7,799 / £5,959
Single supplement is $2,499 / £1,915

Discover the reddish shades at dusk; enjoy the longest rainbow you have ever seen; encounter an endless sky full of stars; and visit some of the planet’s most amazing wildlife as we encounter Patagonia’s wildlife and natural beauty. The southwest corner of the Atlantic Ocean, known as the Patagonian Sea, covers the so-called “Large Marine Ecosystem Patagonian Shelf”, and is one of the richest marine areas on Earth harboring populations of right whales, elephant seals, sea lions, orcas, penguins, and numerous species of birds and fish. In addition to introducing you to these wildlife species, we will also learn about the important conservation work currently being undertaken by our Conservation Partner, Dr. Marcela Uhart DVM, who has been working in Marine Wildlife and Ocean Health conservation programs in this area of coastal Argentina for the past ten years.

In keeping with the principles of responsible ecotourism:

We will make a donation to the conservation work of Marcela Uhart in Peninsula Valdes.

We will employ local people.

We will use locally owned and operated lodges and outfitters.

We will use local goods and services.

This is an ecotour that will make a difference to you and to the places we visit.

Upcoming Dates
Saturday, October 19, 2024 to Sunday, October 27, 2024

Availability — Trip now CLOSED to enrollment


Itinerary

Southern Right Whale, Peninsula Valdes
Southern Right Whale, Peninsula Valdes

Day 1: Arrival to Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Please plan to arrive on or before Friday 28th October.  You are met on arrival at Puerto Madryn airport and transfer to Hotel Territorio where we will spend the night.  This afternoon meet local wildlife veterinarian Marcy Uhart, our Conservation Partner and a member of the UC Davis Marine Wildlife Program who will give a presentation about her work with Southern sea lions, Southern elephant seals, and Southern right whales. Dinner this evening is at a local restaurant.

Welcome dinner and overnight at Hotel Territorio (D)
Elephant Seals, Peninsula Valdes
Elephant Seals, Peninsula Valdes

Day 2: Whale watch and Estancia Rincon Chico, Peninsula Valdes

This morning Dr. Uhart joins us again as we go for a private whale watch cruise in search of the Southern Right Whales that frequent Peninsula Valdes from June to December each year for the females to give birth and also for courtship. Dr. Uhart will tell us about her 16 year-long efforts to monitor the health of the whales and tackle their main conservation threats.

After lunch, continue to the southern corner of Peninsula Valdes and our estancia for the next five nights, Estancia Rincon Chico

At Rincon Chico, you will have the opportunity during your stay to enjoy the natural beauty of the varied wildlife and flora that live in the ranch and its coasts. Sea lions and thousands of elephant seals have chosen the Estancia’s beaches for breeding and birthing; and whales, orcas and dolphins are all sighted from the Estancia’s 15 km of coastline. You can watch a wide variety of inland and coastal birds and see many of Patagonia’s native terrestrial mammals.

Estancia Rincon Chico (B,L,D)
Guanacos, Estancia La Ernestina
Guanacos, Estancia La Ernestina

Day 3: Estancia Rincon Chico, Peninsula Valdes

A full day to explore the area today, we will definitely plan our activities around the high tide and best times for wildlife viewing. The estancia is ideally positioned to see marine life and is also home to herds of guanacos, flocks of rheas, and other wildlife from nearly 100 bird species to armadillo, grey fox, Patagonian cavies and Pampas cat.

Guests will have the opportunity during their stay to enjoy the natural beauty of the varied wildlife that lives on the ranch and its coasts, the flora, and the ranchers work with the sheep of Estancia Rincon Chico. Sea lions and thousands of elephant seals have chosen the estancia’s beaches for breeding and birthing; and whales, orcas, penguins and dolphins are all sighted from the estancia’s 15 km of coastline. You can watch a wide variety of inland and coastal birds, and see many of Patagonia’s native terrestrial mammals.

Estancia Rincon Chico (B,L,D)
Estancia Rincon Chico, Bunk House
Estancia Rincon Chico, Bunk House

Day 4: Estancia Rincon Chico

Another full day to explore the area, we will definitely plan our activities around the high tide and best times for wildlife viewing. The estancia is ideally positioned to see marine life and is also home to herds of guanacos, flocks of rheas, and other wildlife from nearly 100 bird species to armadillo, grey fox, Patagonian cavies and Pampas cat.

Did we mention the elephant seals come all the way up here from Antarctica just to see you?

Estancia Rincon Chico (B,L,D)
Mara, Peninsula Valdes
Mara, Peninsula Valdes

Day 5: Estancia Rincon Chico, Peninsula Valdes

After a leisurely breakfast, today we head north on the Peninsula stopping at various points along the way to Caleta Valdes as we attempt to locate the orcas that frequent this stretch of shoreline. We will also stop and visit the Magellanic penguin colonies found along the coastline here. If we are lucky we can perhaps witness orca as they are sometimes seen beaching themselves, as they hunt elephant seal pups resting on the edge of the beach! Enjoy a picnic lunch and return to the estancia late this afternoon, our timings all determined by the weather, tide and orca sightings.

Estancia Rincon Chico (B,L,D)
Killer Whales patrol the beach, Peninsula Valdes
Killer Whales patrol the beach, Peninsula Valdes

Day 6: Estancia Rincon Chico, Peninsula Valdes

Today we plan to continue searching for orcas, or perhaps go in search of some of the other wildlife that Agustin has started seeing with a much greater frequency since reducing the number of sheep on the estancia. For instance, it is possible we may be able to find a rarely seen and elusive Geoffroy’s cat!

Indeed since reducing the number sheep on the estancia, the land has slowly recovered with increased soil coverage and pasture diversity, and a noticeable increase in Guanaco and Rhea and other terrestrial species.

Estancia Rincon Chico (B,L,D)
Magellanic Penguin, Peninsula Valdes
Magellanic Penguin, Peninsula Valdes

Day 7: Peninsula Valdes to Puerto Madryn

Today we enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then head towards Puerto Madryn. On our way we will stop by El Doradillo protected area. This is a unique spot where whale mothers and calves sometimes congregate and can be seen up close from the beach and low cliffs. Tonight w will enjoy a festive Farewell Dinner in Puerto Madryn

Hotel Territorio (B,L,D)
Burrowing owl, Estancia La Ernestina
Burrowing owl, Estancia La Ernestina

Day 8: Peninsula Valdes to home

The final morning on the Peninsula, please plan to arrange your flight home at a convenient time today from the Puerto Madryn airport and we will transfer you according to your flight time. You could spend the early morning on a last beach walk and after a late breakfast or brunch begin the journey back to Buenos Aires and/or home. You can choose to spend a few days in Buenos Aires, or you can plan to arrange your flight home at a convenient time later today from the Buenos Aires airport.

(B,L)

Travel Information

Thanks for choosing Argentina with Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc. It is our pleasure to help you plan for your upcoming ecotour. To ensure that your travel arrangements are made to your satisfaction, please take a few minutes to read through this information.

What you need to have with you on your trip:

Passport: If you are a U.S., U.K., Australian or Canadian citizen, you will need a passport, valid for six months from the date of completion of your trip.

It is always a good idea to make a photocopy of your airline tickets and of the pages of your passport that have the number, your photograph and other pertinent information. Keep the copies separate from the originals.

Visas: Please consult the Argentine consulate or embassy nearest you for visa requirements to enter Argentina. If a visa is required, you are responsible for obtaining it.

Documents for children under the age of 18, not traveling with both parents: The U.S. government is increasingly requiring that minors under 18 years of age traveling alone, with grandparents, or with one parent/legal guardian only, carry a notarized document signed by both parents or by the parent/legal guardian not traveling with the child. We suggest you obtain such a document (noting the age of the child, relationship to traveling adult(s), dates of travel, and destination) to avoid potential problems. For example, in the case of divorce, the parent with legal custody must sign the permit, and the accompanying adult must carry proof of this fact. In addition, if the child’s surname differs from that of either parent, you may want to carry the child’s birth certificate.

Emergency Contact number while on your ecotour:

Call COLLECT (813) 476-2810

Practical Information

Currency: The currency of Argentina is the Peso. The exchange rate as of March 2022 was 1 US$ = 108 Pesos. Major credit cards are generally accepted at hotels, restaurants and larger stores. U.S. dollars are accepted in Argentina, so we suggest you carry U.S. currency in small denominations for smaller purchases such as taxis, refreshments or other miscellaneous expenses.

Health: All information we obtain regarding health precautions is received from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta at 404.332.4559 or www.cdc.gov.

Please note that Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc., as a travel company, is in no way authorized to prescribe any inoculations or medications. We recommend that you consult your personal physician for medical advice, showing him or her the brochure that indicates the places you will be visiting. Your physician is most familiar with your personal medical history and is best qualified to determine your particular needs. It is always advisable to have physical and dental check-ups before you leave.

At the present time, no specific immunizations are required for this ecotour, although the CDC recommends the following:

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.

Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors.

As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults.

Please also note:

A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries in South America. For detailed information, see Yellow Fever Vaccine Requirements and Information on Malaria Risk and Prophylaxis, by Country. Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center. The normal "childhood" vaccines should be up to date: Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR Vaccine), Diphtheria, Tetanus, Perturssia (DTP Vaccine) and Polio vaccine.

Swimming: There are several opportunities to swim during the ecotour.  We advocate the buddy system for everyone, at all times, and children less than 14 years of age should always be accompanied by an adult while swimming.

Time Difference: Argentina is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. 

Weather: Argentina is subject to a variety of climates. The north of the country, including latitudes in and below the Tropic of Capricorn, is characterized by very hot, humid summers with mild drier winters, and is subject to periodic droughts during the winter season. Central Argentina has hot summers with tornadoes and thunderstorms (in western Argentina producing some of the world's largest hail), and cool winters. The southern regions have warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall, especially in mountainous zones.

Peninsula Valdes experiences a steppe-like climate characterised by hot dry summers and cool, dry winters - please remember the seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere - summer is December to February.  

Please remember that the sun’s rays are more vertical than you may be used to, so you can sunburn more easily. Be careful of the midday sun.

Killer Whales patrol the beach, Peninsula Valdes Estancia Rincon Chico, Bunk House Guanaco, Peninsula Valdes

Lodging Info

Hotel Territorio, Puerto Madryn

Far and away the best hotel in the Puerto Madryn area, the Territorio Hotel offers modern and comfortable accommodations while making the most of the stunning views across this famous bay. All of the rooms in this modern hotel offer uninterrupted sea views from the bedroom and the bathroom.  Each of the 37 rooms has an en-suite bathroom, cable tv, internet, and a spa, jacuzzi, sauna and gym on offer.

Estancia Rincon Chico, Peninsula Valdes

Estancia Rincon Chico is a great place to get a feel for Peninsula Valdes. The focus here is on privacy and intimate views of the wildlife of this beautiful area. Making use of their private beach and large property, it is the perfect place to come and see wildlife and spend some time out in this windswept wilderness. Set slightly inland from the coast, the Estancia Rincon Chico is the only estancia on the Peninsula that does not accept outside visitors and is all the better for it.  The rooms, while simple, are well appointed and are plenty big enough. The communal areas are fantastic and feel like being at home with comfortable sofas and a small fire…just what is needed after a long walk or day out on the peninsular.  WiFi is available at certain times of day.