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| Fauna |
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Apr
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| orcas |
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 well 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 well
go to Punta loma, where well 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
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
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Explore Valdes
- 3 day
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Discover Valdes
- 6 day
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Adventure Valdes
- 10 day
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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
|
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| 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."
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.