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”The Hidden Coast”- Kayak Valdes Peninsula

By covering the entire coast of the Golfo San Jose, we will get to know this exceptional habitat and marine wildlife reserve. Paddling a gulf which possesses a great variety of habitats that allow a varied marine fauna to live: from sea birds that nest in the area to shore birds which use the beaches to rest and feed up on their long migratory routes. We will observe Southern sea lion colonies and elephant seals. We will have the unique possibility of observing and learning all about the Southern Right Whale, that comes to these waters to mate, give birth and raise the young calves. It is hard to describe the emotion when you get to see them, due to their greatness, size, gentleness and curiosity. As if this were not enough, we will be surrounded by a very particular landscape, represented by small beaches and high cliffs with characteristic terciary formations that make the days even more interesting and we can imagine how the seas were millions of years ago. Each day we will enjoy different aspects of Patagonia, from its magic sunsets, its famous strong winds, and the contrasting calm days, the silence, the transparent waters, etc. From the kayak you may live and enjoy each one of these attractions in a more active way in pure contact with nature.

DAY 1: We depart Puerto Madryn heading towards Peninsula Valdes in the early morning, we enter the peninsula on the west margin of the Golfo San Jose, reaching Punta Quiroga. After two and a half hours of winding road we reach the beach where the voyage begins, with the kayaks on the beach, we will get the equipment and everything necessary organized. Close to midday we will begin to paddle in direction to the Riacho area, and our final destination for the afternoon will be a section of the beach just before Punta Mejillon (Point tiny mussel). We paddle along gravel beaches, most with “restingas” (rocky platforms, with many small tidal pools which are uncovered at low tide and have mussels, limpets that birds feed on) with a low surrounding steppe. We can observe birds such as Great grebes, several species of cormorants, Great Egrets. Distance covered: 10 Kms.

DAY 2: Once we finish undoing our campsite and a good breakfast we head towards the Riacho (a slough), that we might be able to enter and paddle if the tide is high. This is an area where many shore birds feed in sand flats which are exposed during low tide, such as Two-banded plover, Lesser Yellowlegs, Baird's sandpiper. At this place there is a fisherman's settlement, they live on what the area has to offer, using different techniques to fish and collect sea food. In the afternoon we continue to the next campsite close to Punta Gales. Distance covered: 18 kms.

DAY 3: After another good breakfast and undoing camp we begin paddling towards the isla de los Pajaros, where sea birds such as Kelp Gulls, Magellanic Penguin, Imperial Cormorant, South American Tern and Neotropic Cormorant nest. Later we pass the attractive Punta Logaritmo and stop on the beach to enjoy lunch. In the afternoon we paddle towards Playa Villarino, that is of historical importance because it was here where the first Spaniards landed. Today a replica of the chapel that existed in those days is found at the Isla de Los Pajaros Nature Reserve. Continuing our vayage we pass a Southern Sea Lion colony, Punta Tehuelche and reach Villarino beach campsite. Distance covered: 22 kms.

DAY 4: After loading water provisions and more food we continue towards Fracaso sector, another bay where at low tide a huge section of the beach remains exposed. We will reach here at midday after having passed by a section of cliffs that form small bays and we will observe a small sea lion colony, and it is very likely that from here one we will begin to observe Southern right Whales. In the afternoon continue on to Whale Camp, a small beach where we will camp. This place is where research on these whales have been carried out for over 30 years. Distance covered:
22 kms.

DAY 5: This day we paddle approximately one hour to Punta Conos, where we shall walk different sections observing marine fossils which are characteristic of the Valdes Peninsula. This particular site being a section where a substrate containing varied fossiled marine life forms that inhabitated these seas million of years ago. You also have sand dune areas, thet cover and uncover ancient Indian campsites, we will look at different elements the Indians used and remains of the food the ate. We enter the waters once again in the afternoon, passing Punta Conos until we reach a broad beach where we set up camp for the night, we pass another sea lion colony. Distance covered: 14 kms.

DAY 6: This morning we paddle the whole length of this extensive beach until we reach another artesan fishermen
settlement at Playa Bengoa, here we reload water and food once again. We will stop for lunch at at a small point before we reach this settlement. From here on we have chances of seeing elephant seals on several beaches en route to Punta Buenos Aires which is our final destination, as well as sea lions. In the afternoon we reach a small bay where we set up camp, the main characteristic of these beaches being the concentration of molluscs, such as scallops, mussels, and other sea shell remains brought by the tides. Distance covered: 20 kms.

DAY 7: In the morning we paddle towards a point where you visualize the Sarmiento beacon, once we pass this point we cross the San Roman beach where several points with cliffs and caves may be accessed with the kayaks, as well as another sea lion colony, some cormorant colonies and other sea bird colonies. Once we pass still another small point we reach our last campsite. Distance covered: 20 kms.

DAY 8: Today we paddle a coast of small beaches and extensive cliffs where we will observe elephant seals and sea lions. At noon we will be reaching Punta Buenos Aires and the East extreme of the Golfo San Jose. There is a lighthouse here and we will look at the mouth of the gulf, only 7 kms wide. The other point forming the mouth is Punta Quiroga, our starting point one week ago. From here we return a short distance to a place where our transportation awaits us to return to Puerto Madryn or Puerto Piramides. Distance covered: 20 kms.

Price per person in US$: $1200 for 2-4 people, $1125 for 6 people

Recommended time of the year = September, October, November (whale season) and December, January, February,
March and April.
Maximum group size per guide in Single kayaks: 6 + assistant
Maximum group size per guide in double kayaks: 8 + assistant
Experience required: Medium level

Some important facts to keep in mind.
Characteristics of the area:
• Tides: there is a big difference between high and low tide, an average of 4 meters difference. It is important as it means
transporting the kayaks for between 100-200 meters, although most of the campsites are in areas where the depth is greater, so the kayaks must not be transported far.
• Drinking water: is another very important aspect, this is why we take water but we also establish 2 points to reload water, so we do not have to carry that much weight and volume in the kayak.
• The climate and particularly the winds is the factor that may influence navigation. This is the reason the distances covered each day have been calculated keeping this in mind and one day might be modified: one being shorter and another longer, especially if the wind blows against us. The distances being 20-25 kms per day it allows us a good margin to observe the different marine mammals, birds and other highlights, taking several hikes as they are very interesting.

Equipment:
Kayaks: Singles: Scupper Pro Ocean Kayak, sit on top. Doubles: closed Weir or MyG (model 2 de enero)
Dry bag, short John wet suits (Pino Sub), neoprene socks and boots, mittens and dry jackets. Fiber and aluminium paddles.
Camping gear:
Double tents Igloo type
Thermal pads
Kitchen: MSR stove and a gas stove

Guides, equipment and training: experienced guide, professor in Physical Education, with first aid and many local scoutings done. If the group has more than 4 people an assistant guide will accompany.

Characteristics of the Peninsula Valdes Nature Reserve:
The Golfo San Jose is protected as part of the Peninsula Valdes Nature Reserve and besides this it was declared a Marine Park in 1974, in order to protect the Southern Right Whale. We intend to observe all the characteristics of this environment, from its marine flora to the steppe plantlife, the geology and the marine fossils, and particularly its waters, marine mammals, sea birds, invertebrates, molluscs and other inhabitants of the tidal flats, historical sites,etc. Special laws and norms exist to observe the marine mammals, but the concept basically is: we adapt to their behaviour and not them to us; and we must respect a certain distance that this involves. Regarding the Southern Right Whale we have great chances of watching them along the journey and specially in certain areas, but it always will be in situations when the whale is close to the shore. We will observe them, take pictures and understand their behaviour and observe their majesty. To later continue with our daily destination. The same thing occurs with different elements we may find, these could be archeological or paleontological remains. The idea is to observe and learn from this particular habitat without modifying it, taking memories and photographs. This way we will have got to know, learnt and enjoyed a protected Area in a responsible way and in harmony with its environment.