Patagonia Highlights

Transfer to the Buenos Aires international airport to fly to Trelew, a former Welsh settlement. From there, drive to Punta Tombo Reserve, the most important breeding colony of Magellanic penguins in the world, on the bank of Rio Chubut. Here a declining population of the species, still numbering over 300,000, return in early September and stay until the chicks learn to swim before heading north in the spring. Walking among these remarkable creatures is undoubtedly a memorable highlight of many Patagonia tours. Other species such as kelp gulls, skuas, guanay cormorants, giant petrels, dolphin gulls, the Chubut steamer duck, hairy armadillos and Patagonian foxes also inhabit the area. On the way back to Trelew, you’ll stop for a cup of tea in Gaiman, another Welsh settlement, known for its replicas of famous murals and a park featuring sculpture made of junk. (B,L)

Spend the day observing the vast array of wildlife that Patagonia tours have to offer. This area of important reserves and rookeries is home to guanacos, lesser rheas, Patagonia foxes, hairy armadillos, and Patagonian hares. The protected portions of the peninsula support large colonies of South American sea lions and Southern elephant seals. Magellanic penguins also inhabit this region along with oystercatchers, dolphin gulls, kelp gulls, cormorants, and other seabirds. Seeing so many different wildlife species makes this experience one of our most popular Patagonia day tours. (From July to mid-December, we offer an optional boat trip to see the southern right whale during its breeding season.) (B,L)

Whale Watching Upgrade – $150 per person: From July to mid-December, you may opt to board a zodiac boat to see the southern right whale up close during its breeding season.

While many Patagonia tours focus solely on Patagonia trekking, our tour offers some history as well. On day four there is time for some sightseeing around Trelew before leaving the city. We suggest a visit to the large and fully refurbished Egidio Feruglio paleontology museum, complete with an extensive collection of dinosaur replicas, or to the nearby paleontology park. Later you will be transferred to the domestic airport to fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world in Tierra del Fuego. After getting settled at the hotel, you’ll have the opportunity to view the magnificent Beagle Channel and the charming town of Ushuaia. (B)

You will be picked up at your hotel in the morning for a day of Patagonia hiking and canoeing in beautiful Tierra del Fuego National Park. On arrival in the park, you’ll hike 3.5 hours through a beech forest to a scenic viewpoint overlooking some of the regions top sights: Lake Roca, Lagunas Verde and Negra, Rivers Ovando and Lapataia and Lapataia Bay. The forest is inhabited by Magellanic woodpeckers, the largest woodpecker in South America, Austral parakeets, black-chested buzzard eagles and Andean Condors. You’ll enjoy lunch in the camping area of Lake Roca before starting this afternoons Argentina paddling excursion. In an inflatable canoe, you’ll paddle the crystal clear, quiet waters of the Ovando River which flows into scenic Laguna Verde, containing some of the parks most picturesque views. Today’s trip ends in Lapataia Bay, a destination that attracts many sea birds including sea petrels, albatross and steamer ducks, among others. Here at the end of the world, you’ll disembark and be driven back to your Ushuaia hotel for a free evening. (B,L)

Another unforgettable experience of Patagonia tours, today you explore Tierra del Fuego, the southern portion of Patagonia with its magnificent vistas and a fascinating history. You will depart Ushuaia around 8 AM, cross Rio Lasifashaj by mid-morning, then finish the drive at Estancia Harberton (roughly 1.5 hours of driving). The estancia belongs to the descendants of the first British missionaries to reach the area, Rev. Thomas and Mary Bridges, and was managed for many years by Natalie Goodall, a well-respected naturalist in the area. After a tour of the estancia you’ll take a small boat to Martillo Island, the domain of the Magellanic penguin and even a few Gentoo penguins. The unique location of this island (close to where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans merge) attracts a rich variety of sub-aquatic life, making it an ideal spot for bird watching to see such species as petrels, skuas, cormorants, sea gulls and albatross. Next you will stop at Gable Island (the largest in Patagonia’s Beagle Channel) for lunch at a picturesque 19th century cabin. After lunch you will hike to the opposite side of the Beagle Channel before returning to Estancia Harberton where you will be transported back to Ushuaia. (B,L)

Canoe Option:
Upon arrival at the Rio Lasifashaj you have the option of taking a two hour inflatable canoe excursion down river into the Beagle Channel to view its prolific wildlife. This is easy paddling in gentle water with a focus on wildlife and taking in the beautiful views in a unique and peaceful way. You’ll finish at the estancia and rejoin the group in time to visit the Martillo Island Penguin Colony and Gable Island.