The first thing to know while you plan a trip to Peninsula Valdes is how many days you should stay here to get a full experience. Learn more here!
How many days to stay in Peninsula Valdes and Puerto Madryn?
Peninsula Valdes is located in the Province of Chubut in Argentina, near Puerto Madryn city. This distinctive destination is a wildlife lover´s dream.
If this destination is on your list while you visit Argentina, we recommend staying in Puerto Madryn city for 3 nights at least. It is crucial to know that the distances in Patagonia are long, so each excursion takes around 8 hours or even more. For this reason, if you are planning to do no less than 2 excursions in this area, you will need 2 full days available.
Another great option is staying one night in Puerto Piramides village, which is located in the south of Peninsula Valdes by the shore of the “Golfo Nuevo”. This is the place where the southern right whale chooses to breed and give birth, so from June to December, you can see from shore this astonishing maritimal animal, or take a navigation and witness how these curious animals approach the embarkation. Another animal that usually arrives at this beach is the orca from February to May, however, it is very hard to see these animals due to their behavior. For this reason, staying one night in this small village is a unique experience and highly recommended.
One thing to have in mind if you choose to travel to Peninsula Valdes, is that each month has different fauna depending on the season of breeding. The coastline is inhabited by marine mammals, like sea lions, elephant seals and fur seals. Southern right whales can be found in Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San José, and also Orcas or dolphins. Penguins are one of the main attractions of this destination too.
Suggested Itineraries for Peninsula Valdes
One day (coming from cruise)
Puerto Madryn is visited every year by many tourists coming from cruises. Usually, you will stay only for the day, and during summer (December-February), arriving in the morning, and leaving in the evening. During this season, the most visited place is Punta Tombo and walk next to the Magellanic penguins.
Punta Tombo is located approximately 170 miles south of Puerto Madryn and is world renowned as one of the best places to see Magellanic penguins, as it is the largest penguin colony of this species. From September through April Punta Tombo hosts approximately one million penguins that arrive to complete their breeding cycle and the molting (change feathers). Throughout the visit we will have the opportunity to walk among thousands of burrows and marvel at this natural wonder.
A box lunch will be provided.
NOTE: Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Be advised that not all of the roads are paved. Gravel roads are bumpy and can be dusty.
2 Nights
Day 1
After breakfast, transfer to the local airport to take a flight to Trelew city.
Arrival at Trelew Airport and transfer to your hotel in Puerto Madryn.
Depending on what time you arrive, and also the season you can do the Doradillo Adventure tour to watch whales or maybe Snorkeling with sea lions.
Our Suggested Hotels in Puerto Madryn:
- Hotel Dazzler Puerto Madryn (Superior) 4-star centrally located hotel
- Hotel Territorio (First) First-class hotel
Day 2
We depart in the morning for the Protected Area Peninsula Valdés South, an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
One hour later we arrive in the charming environment-friendly village Puerto Pirámides for a regular boat tour (optional) to see Southern Right whales from June to December, and Southern sea lions and cormorants from January to March.
Lunch (not included) will be scheduled in Puerto Piramides.
After lunch, we continue our trip to the south of the peninsula. The ride takes us through wide plains, past two big salt lakes -Salina Grande and Salina Chica-, and past Punta Delgada – the southern tip of the peninsula-, before we get to Punta Cantor to appreciate the beauty of the Atlantic coastline and the geological formation known as Caleta Valdés, a stunning ocean inlet.
According to the time of year, these beaches host Southern elephant seals, the largest seals on the planet.
On our way back to Puerto Madryn, we make a stop at the Visitor Center Carlos Ameghino, a compendium of the natural wealth of the peninsula.
Along the journey we have good chances of spotting local wildlife such as guanacos, rheas, foxes, cavies, armadillos and skunks.
Day 3
We depart in the morning for the Provincial Reserve Punta Tombo, home to a major Magellanic penguin colony.
After a 2 to 3 hour-drive along vast Patagonian scenic roads, we arrive at this fantastic reserve.
The duration of our stay at Punta Tombo will be no less than 3 hours, so there is enough time to walk the penguin colony trails, as well as the Visitor Center.
Lunch at the cafeteria/restaurant is not included. Visitors can also make use of the Visitor Center facilities, such as toilets and open corridors to interpret the Patagonian winds. We return to Puerto Madryn in the early evening.
A stop at Trelew Airport might be scheduled on the way to or from Punta Tombo, provided some passengers combine the tour with their flight in or out of Trelew.
Take your return flight in the evening in Trelew airport.
3 Nights
Day 1
After breakfast, transfer to the local airport to take a flight to Trelew city.
Arrival at Trelew Airport and transfer to your hotel in Puerto Madryn.
Depending on what time you arrive, and also the season you can do the Doradillo Adventure tour to watch whales or maybe Snorkeling with sea lions.
Our Suggested Hotels in Puerto Madryn:
- Hotel Dazzler Puerto Madryn (Superior) 4-star centrally located hotel
- Hotel Territorio (First) First-class hotel
Day 2
We depart in the morning for the Protected Area Peninsula Valdés South, an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
One hour later we arrive in the charming environment-friendly village Puerto Pirámides for a regular boat tour (optional) to see Southern Right whales from June to December, and Southern sea lions and cormorants from January to March.
Lunch (not included) will be scheduled in Puerto Piramides.
After lunch, we continue our trip to the south of the peninsula. The ride takes us through wide plains, past two big salt lakes -Salina Grande and Salina Chica-, and past Punta Delgada – the southern tip of the peninsula-, before we get to Punta Cantor to appreciate the beauty of the Atlantic coastline and the geological formation known as Caleta Valdés, a stunning ocean inlet.
According to the time of year, these beaches host Southern elephant seals, the largest seals on the planet.
Along the journey we have good chances of spotting local wildlife such as guanacos, rheas, foxes, cavies, armadillos and skunks.
We will return to Puerto Piramides overnight there and visit the penguin colony of San Lorenzo the next day if your visit is during penguin season.
Day 3
After breakfast, take a little time to enjoy the incredible view of the ocean from the coast. Whales can be seen and heard from there and it’s amazing! So, after breakfast we will continue our visit to the Peninsula Valdes North, going in the north direction to visit the colony of Punta Norte, with sea lions and elephant seals. During March and April, and also in the September/October period, some Orcas can be seen in the area, but it cannot be guaranteed. Your chance is one in a million!
After visiting Punta Norte, we will go to Estancia San Lorenzo if you`re doing this visit during penguin season, where we will enjoy the most important penguin colony in South America, with more than 500.000 penguins during summer. It’s A must-see and an unforgettable experience.
After visiting the penguin colony, we will return to Puerto Madryn for our last night in the area.
Day 4
After breakfast. transfer to Trelew airport to take your return flight.
4 Nights
Day 1
After breakfast, transfer to the local airport to take a flight to Trelew city.
Arrival at Trelew Airport and transfer to your hotel in Puerto Madryn.
Depending on what time you arrive, and also the season you can do the Doradillo Adventure tour to watch whales or maybe Snorkeling with sea lions.
Our Suggested Hotels in Puerto Madryn:
- Hotel Dazzler Puerto Madryn (Superior) 4-star centrally located hotel
- Hotel Territorio (First) First-class hotel
Day 2
We depart in the morning for the Protected Area Peninsula Valdés South, an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
One hour later we arrive in the charming environment-friendly village Puerto Pirámides for a regular boat tour (optional) to see Southern Right whales from June to December, and Southern sea lions and cormorants from January to March.
Lunch (not included) will be scheduled in Puerto Piramides.
After lunch, we continue our trip to the south of the peninsula. The ride takes us through wide plains, past two big salt lakes -Salina Grande and Salina Chica-, and past Punta Delgada – the southern tip of the peninsula-, before we get to Punta Cantor to appreciate the beauty of the Atlantic coastline and the geological formation known as Caleta Valdés, a stunning ocean inlet.
According to the time of year, these beaches host Southern elephant seals, the largest seals on the planet.
Along the journey we have good chances of spotting local wildlife such as guanacos, rheas, foxes, cavies, armadillos and skunks.
We will return to Puerto Piramides overnight there and visit the penguin colony of San Lorenzo the next day if your visit is during penguin season.
Day 3
After breakfast, take a little time to enjoy the incredible view of the ocean from the coast. Whales can be seen and heard from there and it’s amazing! So, after breakfast we will continue our visit to the Peninsula Valdes North, going in the north direction to visit the colony of Punta Norte, with sea lions and elephant seals. During March and April, and also in the September/October period, some Orcas can be seen in the area, but it cannot be guaranteed. Your chance is one in a million!
After visiting Punta Norte, we will go to Estancia San Lorenzo if you`re doing this visit during penguin season, where we will enjoy the most important penguin colony in South America, with more than 500.000 penguins during summer. It’s A must-see and an unforgettable experience.
After visiting the penguin colony, we will return to Puerto Madryn for our last night in the area.
Day 4
We set out early in the morning for Rawson (Chubut River Valley Tour) – the capital city of Chubut – to take the incredible Commerson’s Dolphin watching boat tour at the Rawson Port (optional & subject to weather conditions).
After the boat tour we head for Trelew, where you can opt to visit the Egidio Feruglio Paleontology Museum. The MEF stands among the most important in Latin America and offers a journey through the geological eras, from the first human being on Earth back to the Bing Bang. Around 30 dinosaurs and 2000 fossils are on display. The tour continues to Gaiman, a small town situated 15km west of Trelew on the Chubut River northern bank. This charming town exhibits traces of the Welsh settlement in the area.
The characteristic architecture, the Welsh tea experience (optional) with an amazing assortment of cakes, and the beauty of the valley. Before we return to Puerto Madryn, we take a drive through the valley area where several farms are dedicated to rural tourism and produce different local products.
Day 5
After breakfast. transfer to Trelew airport to take your return flight.
5 Nights
Day 1
After breakfast, transfer to the local airport to take a flight to Trelew city.
Arrive at Trelew Airport and transfer to your hotel in Puerto Madryn.
Depending on what time you arrive, and also the season you can do the Doradillo Adventure tour to watch whales or maybe Snorkeling with sea lions.
Our Suggested Hotels in Puerto Madryn:
- Hotel Dazzler Puerto Madryn (Superior) 4-star centrally located hotel
- Hotel Territorio (First) First-class hotel
Day 2
We depart in the morning for the Protected Area Peninsula Valdés South, an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
One hour later we arrive in the charming environment-friendly village Puerto Pirámides for a regular boat tour (optional) to see Southern Right whales from June to December, and Southern sea lions and cormorants from January to March.
Lunch (not included) will be scheduled in Puerto Piramides.
After lunch, we continue our trip to the south of the peninsula. The ride takes us through wide plains, past two big salt lakes -Salina Grande and Salina Chica-, and past Punta Delgada – the southern tip of the peninsula-, before we get to Punta Cantor to appreciate the beauty of the Atlantic coastline and the geological formation known as Caleta Valdés, a stunning ocean inlet.
According to the time of year, these beaches host Southern elephant seals, the largest seals on the planet.
Along the journey we have good chances of spotting local wildlife such as guanacos, rheas, foxes, cavies, armadillos and skunks.
We will return to Puerto Piramides overnight there and visit the penguin colony of San Lorenzo the next day if your visit is during penguin season.
Day 3
After breakfast, take a little time to enjoy the incredible view of the ocean from the coast. Whales can be seen and heard from there and it’s amazing! So, after breakfast we will continue our visit to the Peninsula Valdes North, going in the north direction to visit the colony of Punta Norte, with sea lions and elephant seals. During March and April, and also in the September/October period, some Orcas can be seen in the area, but it cannot be guaranteed. Your chance is one in a million!
After visiting Punta Norte, we will go to Estancia San Lorenzo if you`re doing this visit during penguin season, where we will enjoy the most important penguin colony in South America, with more than 500.000 penguins during summer. It’s A must-see and an unforgettable experience.
After visiting the penguin colony, we will return to Puerto Madryn for our last night in the area.
Day 4
We set out early in the morning for Rawson (Chubut River Valley Tour) – the capital city of Chubut – to take the incredible Commerson’s Dolphin watching boat tour at the Rawson Port (optional & subject to weather conditions).
After the boat tour we head for Trelew, where you can opt to visit the Egidio Feruglio Paleontology Museum. The MEF stands among the most important in Latin America and offers a journey through the geological eras, from the first human being on Earth back to the Bing Bang. Around 30 dinosaurs and 2000 fossils are on display. The tour continues to Gaiman, a small town situated 15km west of Trelew on the Chubut River northern bank. This charming town exhibits traces of the Welsh settlement in the area.
The characteristic architecture, the Welsh tea experience (optional) with an amazing assortment of cakes, and the beauty of the valley. Before we return to Puerto Madryn, we take a drive through the valley area where several farms are dedicated to rural tourism and produce different local products.
Day 5
You can choose to have a free day and walk around the city, or maybe add other activities like Snorkeling with sea lions or taking a kayak and watching whales (depending on the season).
Day 6
After breakfast. transfer to Trelew airport to take your return flight.
All the itineraries are suggestions, we can personalize your tour by adding or changing activities. All the tours are suggested to the fauna season.
