Travel Innovations/Australian & Amazonian Adv is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Travel Agencies & Bureaus in Austin TX

Amazon Adventures
Travel Insurance
Suggested Reading
About Us
Valuable Links
Book or Get
a Quote
Get News Updates
Blog - Travel to South America
800-232-5658 or 1-512-443-5393
jmc12@amazonadventures.com

Peru Tours
Brazil Tours
Ecuador/Galapagos Tours
Argentina Tours
Chile Tours
Colombia Tours
Bolivia Tours
Uruguay Tours
Costa Rica Tours
Panama Tours
Venezuela Tours
Group Tour Ideas

Australia Tours

New Zealand Tours
More Exciting Tours

 
Solution Graphics

Privacy Policy


Argentina Tours and Travel

Best of Patagonia / Hiking the Patagonia Classics / More Patagonia Treks / More Patagonia / Firecrowns & Penguins / Hidden Argentina
Best of Northwest / Buenos Aires / Calafate / Iguazu Falls / Bariloche / Ushuaia / Salta / Mendoza / Ibera Wetlands / Valdes Peninsula
Antarctic Cruises / Australis
Expedition Cruises / Iruya Trek / Kayaking / Wine Tours / Uruguay Escapes / Tango, Candombe & Samba

VALDES PENINSULA TOURS

 

The Argentine shoreline on the South Atlantic is over 2800 miles long. Its numerous gulfs, bays, inlets and peninsulas host a great variety of wildlife. The warm Brasilian Current and the cold Malvinas Currents mix along the Patagonian coast allowing a wide diversity of ocean life, including subtropical species. The Patagonian land mass ends abruptly in the sea, forming high cliffs. Centuries of water and wind erosion have formed, at their feet, rocky shelves and wide sandy or stony beaches on which the colonies of marine mammals find perfect shelter. When the tide is out, the "restingas" are visible; these are rock formations holding a rich variety of subaquatic life forms, which are exposed at low tide.

Areas such as Valdes Peninsula and Puerto Deseado congregate such unique species as Southern Right whales (from late June to mid December), various species of dolphins, orcas, southern elephant seals, South American sealions, Magellanic penguins (from late September to March), and various species of cormorants among others. All of these areas are ideal for birdlife viewing and sailing together with some mountain bike and hike in the lower Chubut River valley. Together with the wildlife, Welsh settlements are to be visited and the famous Welsh Tea will be ready for visitors! A true wildlife paradise! You can visit Peninsula Valdes all year round. Summer season lasts from December 15 up to March 15. Whales season is from June 15 up to December 15.

There was a feature for BBC Wildlife Magazine on the world's top 10 wildlife spectacles, as voted for by more than 500 of their top experts (photographers, writers, film-makers, conservationists), and orcas hunting sealions by beaching themselves was voted number 3.

Most of the people go to Trelew and Puerto Madryn, so most of the hotels are the there.. But the Patagonian coast does not finish there. From Comodoro Rivadavia to the South, there are lots of small towns where you can see lots of fauna, the same as in the Peninsula. In fact there are some places where you can find animals you cannot see at peninsula Valdes, and the other point is that you will never find lots of people there, for everybody goes to Peninsula! So that is another reason why you can see more animals.

This trip south is just ideal for real naturalists, and people who just want to go and see lots of fauna. Some popular places on the coast where you can see lots of wildlife are Puerto Deaseado, Bahia Bustamante, San Julian, and the new National park, Monte Leon.This is the first Coastal national park in Argentina, and it has been a great effort to be able to create it. The coast in South Santa Cruz is different than the Peninsula, as it has lots of cliffs.

So for people who just want to see some animals and is not so fond, I would recommend the classic Trelew and Peninsula tours that we can arrange, but for someone who really loves nature and animals, and wants to see Patagonia as it really is and was a long time ago, south Santa Cruz is the best option ever!

 

See "The Living Edens" on PBS

FAUNA CALENDAR:

Fauna
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
whales
penguins
sea lions
sea elephants                        
orcas                        

 

Sample Peninsula Valdes Escapade

Day 1 Trelew airport – Puerto Madryn
After our arrival to Trelew, we drive to Puerto Madryn. We visit the town, which was established by 1886 while the railway construction, attracting Welsh, Italian and Spanish immigrants. Still today the Welsh and Italian traditions and language keep their influence in this town.
Lodging: Hosteria Double or Single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: None

Day 2 Puerto Madryn, Península Valdés
After breakfast we drive to Peninsula Valdes, World Heritage and paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. We start our visit in the Visitor Centre, which is located in the Isthmus Florentino Ameghino, from where we get panoramic views of both New and San José Gulfs. We continue to Puerto Pirámide, small village in the south shores of the Peninsula Valdes. That is our key point to see Southern Right Whales, which visit the area from May thru December. An optional boat trip to have close up views of the whales is available. We continue our visit to Caleta Valdés, which offers a wide range of both marine and land life, including sea lions. We then visit the Light House of Punta Delgada. We also visit today the Great Salt Depression, possibly the deepest depression of land in South America, and then the Isle of Birds with its incredible variety of birds. We get back to Puerto Madryn by 6 pm.
Lodging: Hosteria Double or Single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast and lunch

Day 3 Penguin colony of Punta Tombo, Gaiman.
This day we’ll go to Punta Tombo, the biggest continental Magellan penguins’ reservation, if the tour is taken between the months of September and March (since this is the season when they arrive to the area). If it is taken in any other time out of the range of months we’ll go to Punta loma, where we’ll watch the colony of sea wolves. In the afternoon we will visit Gaiman, a beautiful town founded by the welsh community in 1870. It still maintains its traditions and original architecture. Gaiman has to offer us (as optional) a delicious tee with typical welsh cakes. Later we go back to Puerto Madryn.
Lodging: Hosteria Double or Single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast

Day 4 Transfer to Trelew airport
After breakfast we transfer you to Trelew airport. End of our services.
Meals we provide: Breakfast

2011-2012 price per person in US$: $696 in single, $566 in double. High season supplement of $29 for departures Nov 11-Jan 31

Included:
Incoming services
Bilingual guides (Spanish English) during all the excursions
3 nights lodging in Hosterias double or single room with private bathroom (can quote with different levels of hotels)
All transportation as shown in the itinerary combining private and regular buses.
Trasfer Trelew Airport – Puerto Madryn – Trelew.

Not included: National Park fees , Medical and life insurance , Tips , Drinks , Optional excursions , Air tickets and airport taxes
Services not detailed in the program

Sample Self-Drive Itinerary

Day 1 Trelew / Puerto Madryn
Arrival in Trelew / Puerto Madryn. Meet & greet at the airport and pick up rented car. Clear documents and then self drive to the Valdes Peninsula area.
Accommodation at Eco Hosteria del Nomade.

The city of Puerto Madryn lies on the cliffs shaped by a small plateau that features an impressive perspective of the Atlantic Ocean. Founded in 1865 with the arrival of 150 Welsh immigrants, Puerto Madryn was named after Sir Love Jones Parry, Baronet of Madryn and one of the best-known dwellers of this city in the Welsh country. After visiting the city we suggest you continue towards the Valdes Peninsula. After a 77 km (50 mile) drive you will arrive to the Peninsula Valdes visitor center where you will be required to pay for the entrance fee. We recommend a visit to this center, which offers an interesting overview of the fauna, flora and history of the Peninsula, as well as the main places worth visiting in the area. Resume the drive for about 5 km. (3 miles) to reach Isla de los Pájaros lookout point. Following the gravel road and after 25 km (approx.) you will reach Puerto Pirámides.
Accommodation: Eco Hosteria del Nomade
Meals: None

DAY 02 Puerto Piramides
We suggest a full day visit to the Valdes Peninsula and its most important rookeries protecting large colonies of South American sea lions and Southern elephant seals, Magellanic penguins also inhabit this area along with oystercatchers, dolphin gulls, kelp gulls, cormorants, etc.:

* Puerto Piramides there is a small sea lions colony worth of visit. Our next stop will be Punta Delgada, the Southernmost tip of the Valdes Peninsula. This area is particularly interesting for its elephant seal colony (Mirounga leonina).
***During mid June through December you may embark on the safe navigations to sight the impressive Southern Right Whale. Every year between mid June and December the Eubalaena Australis type of whales (comonly known as Southern Right Whale) come to the calm waters of the Golfo Nuevo at the Peninsula to mate and give birth to their calves. The females calve toward the end of the winter, after a gestation period of nearly 10 months. The nursing calves remain with their others for another 10 months, so the females are able to calve only every three years.
* Caleta Valdes with its elephant seals colony (during Octobre & November and if lucky) we may see orcas while practicing their intentional stranding on the beach.
* Punta Norte and -time permitting - the Penguin rookery at Estancia San Lorenzo (private property; entrance fee required)

Accommodation: Eco Hosteria del Nomade
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 03 Trelew / Gaiman
We suggest visiting Punta Tombo Rookery, the most important breeding colony of Magellanic penguins in the world. The aim of this reserve is to protect one of the most diverse sea bird colonies in Argentina and the largest Magellan penguin continental colony, housing almost two million individuals. A rocky 3-km-long and 600-meter-wide mass getting into the sea, covered by sand, clay, and gravel and surrounded by large sandy beaches, it offers the largest concentration of sea birds in the entire Patagonian coast.

We will walk through a trail, which cuts, deep into the colony to observe closely these fascinating birds. The area is full of caves, where the penguins lay their eggs and raise their young. You will be able to watch the hectic activity dominating the colony, while some penguins would dig their caves, others would fight over their territories, at the same time that the continuous murmur of their voices would invade the atmosphere.

Punta Tombo is also a paradise for other sea birds that have chosen this site to nest. Other species such as kelp gulls, skuas, dolphin gulls, the Chubut steamer duck, two species of cormorants -the king cormorant and the rock shag-, snowy sheathbills, and several species of terns and giant petrels are some of the ones we can find nesting in the area. Hairy armadillos and Patagonian foxes also inhabit the area and may be seen here.

Later, return to Trelew and further on to Gaiman, a typical Welsh settlement. Gaiman is a place where one can walk leisurely around the small village and appreciate the strong influence that these first inhabitants have given to the place. Together with a visit, we will have leisure time to enjoy a tradition in the area: Go to a local tea house and enjoy a very healthy tea complemented with local delicacies (not included).

Normally these houses are the original houses built by the first inhabitants. They are well kept and we will be able to mingle with their friendly owners and hosts and learn more about their traditions and their everyday life. Over the years, the British tea tradition - brought to the province of Chubut by Welsh immigrants in the 19th century-has been honored in each home using old family baking recipes that may or may not have been reinvented by successive ladies of the house.
Accommodation: Posada Los Mimbres
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 04 Gaiman / Trelew
Day at leisure until the time to return the car at the airport in Trelew.
Meals: Breakfast

** A note about hotels recommended:

PUERTO PIRAMIDES - ECO HOSTERIA NOMADE - www.ecohosteria.com.ar
A very nice and simple hosteria, with a commitment to conservation. Services, water treatment, eco friendly practices are part of their philosophy. It is very comfortable to be attending with good service.

GAIMAN - POSADA LOS MIMBRES - www.posadalosmimbres.com.ar
A very cozy posada located in the Valley in Gaiman. It still keeps the original Welsh house and its charm. The service is customized, rooms are comfortable, and food is very good and has the added bonus of a nice setting by the river which allows for great walks and also for a break from the Patagonian dusty roads.

**TERMS & CONDITIONS OF CAR RENTAL IN THE VALDES PENINSULA
CATEGORY: B (COMPACT FORD FIESTA OR SIMILAR)
2 DOORS
INCLUDES 200 KM PER DAY WITH LOCAL TAXES, INSURANCE
DEDUCTIBLE OF:
PARTIAL DAMAGE U$S 1800
OVERTURN U$S 3600

Price per person in US$ (with minimum of 2 people traveling together): $524 double, US$256 single supplement


Kayak Trips



Bahia Bustamante

Bahía Bustamante is a seaside village entirely surrounded by nature. It is located on the northern arch of San Jorge Gulf, an area characterized by its important biodiversity. There are few places in the world that house such a number and diversity of seabirds and marine mammals. Since 1952, the village has been exclusively devoted to the harvesting of seaweed. At the beginning, 500 people lived there, using wagons pulled by horses to collect the crops. Today only 40 inhabitants live in Bahía Bustamante, devoted to seaweed production, which makes this place a world's unique "seaweed village".


On the other hand, the village is surrounded by 70.000 hectares dedicated to wool production. This place invites you to enjoy a deep blue sea contrasting with red rocks, a petrified forest, sea and steppe birds, sea lions, killer whales and dolphins, guanacos, Patagonian hares, lighthouses, starry skies, aboriginal working areas and cemeteries. And, above all, this remote and exclusive village on the Patagonian seaside offers you somewhere completely different - a place full of peace and safety.

There are 6 comfortable Sea Front houses overlooking the ocean. Each one has 2 double bedrooms, a fully equipped bathroom, a living room and outside terrace overlooking the beach and the bay. Each house is equipped with an emergency battery powered light. Staying at the Sea Front Houses includes full board and all the activities.  You also have free access to the indoor club and the use of our mountain bikes

The old Storehouse of the town keeps up a typically Patagonian atmosphere. There you will find:
- The Restaurant which offers typical regional food based on our own production of marine algae, lamb and mutton, fish, and fruit and vegetables from our garden.
- The Club, equipped with pool table, ping pong table and Sapo.
- The Museum, with an exhibition of old photographs of the beginnings of the Argentine seaweed industry, which took place on our beaches.
- The Living Room, which invites you to read or simply to contemplate the sea through enormous windows. Bar service is available. This is a truly pleasant way to watch the sea, enjoy the Patagonian skies and the incredible sunsets.
- The Craftshop offers the chance to buy handcrafts, bird books, maps and local products.

Depending on the time and weather conditions, you will have time to enjoy the activities offered such as: Sailing along Malaspina Cove, visiting Sea Lion, penguin and several Seabird colonies, bird watching, visit a Typical Patagonian Ranch or the Seaweed Factory, visit Archaeological Sites such as aboriginal working areas and cemeteries, panoramic trekking, fishing, mountain bike, visit to the Petrified Forest. It is also possible to enjoy its exclusive beaches with white sand and crystalline water, surrounded by strong red coloured rocks, which offer an incredible landscape of textures and colours.

* Discover the remaining fossils of forests that existed in Patagonia 60 million years ago. You can see huge petrified tree trunks that have become rock with its characteristic glow of opal, which has replaced the tree's original organic material. You can also appreciate tree rings, traces of bark and many other features.
* Participate in daily ranch activities such as marking, weaning, sheep shearing.
* Birdwatching. The coast of Bahia Bustamante and Malaspina Cove has the greatest diversity of seabirds in all Patagonia.
* Visiting Sea Lion and Magellan Penguin colonies on the islands and beaches.
* Mountain bike, horseback riding and trekking.
* Navigation around Malaspina Cove visiting sea birds and sea lions colonies. 1500 metres away from the village you will find the embarkation zone in a well protected little ria. Going out from the ria, once in the cove, you will sail over the seaweed walls. It is possible to see the ships dedicated to the seaweed harvest. After this, you will cross the mussel cultivation zone with a system of harvest called online. Further from the coast you will reach an archipelago to approach the Malaspina Rock, where sea lions and cormorants have settled their colonies. Continue through an archipelago composed by the Vernacci Islands. During the navigation you will have the opportunity to watch Sea Lion (3500 species in reproduction season), Penguins (60000 species) and colorful Sea Birds colonies. It is common to appreciate a group of dolphins or see an orca dorsal fin. When the ship gets close to the islands you will watch a big quantity of species of Pato Vapor (Tachyeres pteners), another important attraction of Bahia Bustamante. This duck is one of the hundreds of bird species that live in the area.

Sample Program:
Day 01: Arrival in Comodoro Rivadavia and transfer 180 km NE to Bahia Bustamante. The route descends 500 meters from the steppe to the sea level. Accommodation and visit of the small village to get acquainted with the area. Meals: L-D.

Day 02: Visit to the Petrified Forests and the estancias that are part of this amazing area and provide their production for meals, the water for the guests and the houses and also offer an interesting insight of the true Patagonian ranches. Meals: B-L-D.

Day 03: Navigate to Caleta Malaspina to sight the sea lions rookeries and interesting colonies of birds. Balance of the day to enjoy the views over the coast or any other activities in the area. Meals: B-L-D.

Day 04: Transfer out . Meals: B.

Rates per person for the services in Bahia Bustamante only, including meals and activities, except for kayaking & horseback riding
Sharing a double room (exclusive use of the house) U$S 583
Single supplement U$S 393

1 child, age 4-8, sharing with an adult, pays 50%
(operates Aug. 15-May 20, 2011 and Aug. 15-April 15, 2012):

We recommend either arriving or flying out from Trelew so passengers can enjoy a visit to Cabo dos Bahias or Punta Tombo penguin rookeries.
To make it easier to combine this area with other destination in Argentina, we suggests booking an arrival flight to Comodoro Rivadavia and a departure flight from Trelew, from where there are flights to Ushuaia and El Calafate.

TRANSFER OPTIONS
SHARED TRANSFERS - From October 15th through February 28th / 2012
Comodoro Rivadavia: THURSDAYS Rate per person U$S 65.
From C. Rivadavia - ETD - 1230 PM from the airport (estimated arrival by 0300PM).
From Bustamante - ETD - 0430PM arriving at the airport by 0630PM (to connect with an evening flight).

Trelew: MONDAYS & FRIDAYS Rate per person U$S 88
From Trelew - ETD - 1000 AM from the airport and eventually some hotel in Trelew only. (Estimated arrival by 0130PM / 0200PM).
From Bustamante - ETD - 0300PM arriving in Trelew 0630/0700PM.

PRIVATE TRANSFERS -

RATES PER VEHICLE
distance
car
minivan
From B. Bustamante to:
km
1-3 people
4-6 people
7-10 people
Garayalde (*)
57
$83
C. Rivadavia
190
$304
$383
$435
Trelew (Route 3)
253
360
$371
$406

(*) GARAYALDE. This is a small gas station on the route 3 and close to the access to Bahia Bustamante. Independent clients can get bus tickets (from Comodoro or Trelew) and get off at this station (not a formal bus stop) and from there Bustamante collects them. BUT this should be arranged before arrival to avoid being stranded. It is not easy to get from Garayalde to Bustamante and taxis or private cars for hire are not available.
Public Bus from Trelew or Comodoro to Garayalde: U$S 38 per person

CAR RENTAL
This is a superb option to explore the area and price wise. You will find that there are 2 options to pick up and drop off the car at the airport in Comodoro Rivadavia or pick up in Comodoro and drop off in Trelew or vice versa.

Pick up and drop off in Comodoro Rivadavia.
4 Days car rental - Category A (Compact 3 doors- Ford K or Sim). - U$S 285
Includes free km, insurance and local taxes
Deductible of: Partial Damage U$S 1800.- Overturn U$S 3600.-

4 Days car rental - Category C (4 doors with trunk- Ford Fiesta Max or Sim). - U$S 397
Includes free km, insurance and local taxes
Deductible of: Partial Damage U$S 1800.- Overturn U$S 3600.-

4Days car rental - Category U/C (4 doors- 4WD Toyota Hilux or Sim). - U$S 864
Includes free km, insurance and local taxes
Deductible of: Partial Damage U$S 3300.- Overturn U$S 8360.-

CAR RENTAL (Pick up in Comodoro Rivadavia and drop off Trelew -or v.v.)
In this case the rental includes the mileage (or km) to visit Punta Tombo rookery or Cabo dos Bahias.

4Days car rental - Category B (4 doors- Ford Fiesta or Sim). - U$S 549
Includes free km, insurance and local taxes
Deductible of: Partial Damage U$S 1800.- Overturn U$S 3600.-

4Days car rental - Category C (4 doors with trunk- Ford Fiesta Max or Sim). - U$S 617
Includes free km, insurance and local taxes
Deductible of: Partial Damage U$S 1800.- Overturn U$S 3600.-

4Days car rental - Category U/C (4 doors- 4WD Toyota Hilux or Sim). - U$S 1085
Includes free km, insurance and local taxes
Deductible of: Partial Damage U$S 3300.- Overturn U$S 8360.-

Remember that since August is a good time to watch the whales and to visit a working patagonic estancia as on August 5th begins the sheep shearing of 20,000 animals. In Bahia Bustamante the shearing lasts 5 weeks. This place summarizes the Atlantic Patagonia and the steppe as you can access from the same place a wide variety of activities: typical patagonic estancia + petrified forest + beaches & sea + sea fauna watching (penguins, sea lions, cormorants, skuas, petrels, steamer ducks among many others + seaweed industry).

We want to share this piece on Bahia Bustamante that has been written by Dr. Flavio Quintana, an independent investigator for The Nacional Research Council of Argentina. Through his words you will discover a marvelous place that is a perfect destination to have an authentic Patagonian experience and have the chance of seeing a lot of wildlife safeguarded from other tourists.

"I have been carrying out my field work at Bahia Bustamante on ecology and conservation of different seabird species breeding in the area. During all this period I was witness of the continuous and strong growth of Bahia Bustamante as a tourist area targeting on developing sustainable tourism. With the leadership of Matias Soriano, this small seaweed harvesting village became one of the most well-handled eco-tourism initiatives located at the north end of San Jorge gulf. Bahia Bustamante is a unique wild area along the pristine coast of Patagonia, Argentina.

This area is considered one of the key sites in terms of marine biodiversity, along coastal Patagonia and one of the priority areas for breeding seabirds in Argentina. All these natural components of Bahia Bustamante and surroundings are highly valorized under the frame of the current tourism initiative. From the beginning, Matias Soriano asked for expert's advice (*), to take appropriated management measurements, to hold surveys of animal populations and to evaluate any potential negative impact on the flora and fauna. This eco-tourism novel initiative has been contributing to the research and conservation of wildlife and its marine and terrestrial habitats for some time now.

During the last two years (*) tourism facilities announced a clear advance. More comfort was brought to the village, by providing better communications, incorporating satellite internet, improving telephone quality and replacing the whole gas and light installations** the improvements denote a high and responsible dedication and compromise with the development of sustainable tourism."


Orcas in the Southern Seas

ORCA means 'demon' and it was the first scientific name given to this species (Delphinus orca Linnaeus) before the genus Orcinus appeared. KILLER WHALE may be a derivation of "whale killer", the name given by the whalers who first saw the Orcas feeding on Whales. The largest of all dolphins, male orcas are 8 meters long and can weight over 8 tons, while females can reach 7m and a maximum weight of 4 tons. The dorsal fin is one of its most distinguishing features. Male fins are tall and straight. Females' and young orcas are smaller. Orcas feed on marine mammals (Dusky Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Commerson Dolphin and Southern Elephant Seal, Southern Right Whale and specially Sea Lion pups), fish, birds (Giant Petrel, Magellan Penguin, Great and Silvery Grebes, Cormorants, Sand Perch) and marine turtles. So it is easy to understand how important orcas are in the ecological chain. They live in all the oceans and seas of the world, both in cold and warm waters. Orcas have gregarious habits: female and male adults and young orcas, thus, live altogether in groups. Mating usually takes place when groups converge so that they don't mate between relatives and females give birth every 10 years. Pups are born during fall and winter. However, there are two different populations of orcas: transient orcas tend to develop a hunting technique on marine mammals and form groups of up to 7 individuals; resident orcas, on the other hand, feed on fish, live in groups of 5 to 50 individuals and tend to stay in one area for long periods. Males are believed to live 40 years and females 60.

ECHOLOCATION or SONAR is the system Orcas use to find their preys. Orcas unleash a rapid series of high-pitched clicks, by listening to the echoes reflected off by the body of the prey the Orca is able to locate them no matter how dark the water is.

"INTENTIONAL BEACH STRANDING" or BEACH-STRANDING ATTACK technique consists in positioning preys. Punta Norte Orcas fish on sharks, sea salmons and elephant seals. When females come to Caleta they are often seen stranding intentionally, even though there is no prey in the area. This is to teach their pups, which generally follow and mimic their mothers until adulthood. Since this practice is very dangerous for the orcas because of the risk of remaining stranded permanently, it is done gradually and can occasionally be seen as group of training: several females will strand simultaneously, parallel to each other with the calves in between.

Peninsula Valdes extends outwards in the Southern Atlantic 100km. In only two places Orcas have been seen catching sea lions by "intentional beach stranding", one of them is Peninsula Valdes (Caleta Valdes & Punta Norte). A group of orcas visit Punta Norte (the northernmost point of the Peninsula) every year. It is also a sanctuary for sea lions, elephant seals, dolphins and many species of birds. In Peninsula Valdes they are seen throughout the year, specially near Southern Sea Lion and Elephant Seals colonies probably because of the abundance of prey. Orcas can be seen here twice a year : Oct / Nov and Mar / May. For Roberto Bubas, the Argentine expert, the group of Valdés orcas offers magnificent opportunities, because though they come and go all year round, the coastline geography allows close-up observation, even when the orcas are not hunting. Peninsula Valdes has a natural sea channel, Caleta Valdés, which resembles a river and is protected from the strong currents and fierce winds. The orcas have adopted this place as a resting area where they can practice their stranding. Now and again, they hunt for large fish such as sharks or sea salmon, as well as elephant seals. Usually orcas come to Caleta Valdés in a relaxed and playful mood. Roberto spends most of his time here, following them on foot while making identification drawings of their fins and observing the newcomers and the pups growth.

Great photos from Estancia La Ernestina

DAY 01: Arrival in Puerto Madryn or Trelew Airport and transfer to Estancia La Ernestina. Accommodation. Dinner (beverages not included). La Ernestina is located in Peninsula Valdes, 180 kms from Puerto Madryn and 240 kms from Trelew Airport.

DAY 02 TO 03: Estancia La Ernestina: full board & accommodation. Visit to Punta Norte and nearby beaches to watch orcas.

DAY 04: Transfer from La Ernestina to Puerto Madryn or Trelew Airport. Breakfast.

IMPORTANT: Please note that you may spend many hours per day looking for "orcas", but it is not guaranteed that you will effectively see killer whales nor killer whales catching sea lions even in the suggested periods (Oct/Nov & Mar/May).

Price per person double occupancy for 2010 : US$1134 (3 days = US$857 per person)

Includes: 3nights with full board (beverages not included) at La Ernestina, transfers during all the program, entrance fees to reserves, activities such as: Horse riding, mountain bike, sulky ride, sheep shearing, self guided paths, farm, 4WD dunes, 4WD Punta Norte Lighthouse, Sea lion and Penguin Rookery.