Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia

Visit Peninsula Valdes, whales, penguins and the amazing End of the World
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDic
Best Season | Shoulder Season | Low Season | Not Available
DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH THE OPERATOR

If you need to cancel or postpone, just send us an email and we will take care of everything.

24/7 WHATSAPP ASSITANCE

Enjoy seamless travel support with 24/7 WhatsApp assistance. Our dedicated team is here to provide quick and personalized help whenever you need it, ensuring a stress-free journey from start to finish.

+20 YEARS IN THE TRAVEL MARKET

With over 20 years of experience in the travel market, we bring expertise, reliability, and a deep understanding of our customers' needs to every journey.

OVERVIEW

Check best season to see whales and penguins in Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdes area

Enjoy a classic three-night program exploring the area from Puerto Madryn, including visits to Península Valdés, Puerto Pirámides, the Lower Valley of the Chubut River, Trelew, Gaiman and its Welsh colony, and the Punta Tombo penguin colony. This is the most traditional itinerary for experiencing the region. Be sure to check the recommended travel dates for observing specific wildlife in the area. Then, you will visit the famous Ushuaia, known as the southermost city in the world, to visit Tierra del Fuego National Park and navigate the Beagle Channel.

Important: In the Puerto Madryn and Península Valdés area, southern right whales can be seen from June to December, with peak sightings in September and October.
Sea lions and elephant seals are present year-round, with their breeding season from January to March.
Orcas can be spotted between February and April, especially at Punta Norte.
Magellanic penguins arrive in September and stay until April, with chicks visible from October.
Commerson’s dolphins are often seen in the summer months.
The region is also home to guanacos, rheas, and other Patagonian birds throughout the year.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 - PUERTO MADRYN

Arrive to the city

Arrival at the airport (Trelew or Puerto Madryn). Meet and transfer to your hotel in the city of Puerto Madryn.

Puerto Madryn is a charming coastal city located in the Argentine Patagonia, known as the gateway to Península Valdés.
It offers stunning views of the Golfo Nuevo and is one of the best places in the world for whale watching.
The city has a relaxed atmosphere, with a scenic waterfront, sandy beaches, and excellent seafood restaurants.
It also features the EcoCentro, a museum focused on marine life and conservation.
Puerto Madryn is a hub for nature lovers, offering easy access to incredible wildlife and landscapes.
Its rich cultural mix includes strong Welsh and Italian influences, adding to its unique character.

After check-in at your hotel, enjoy free time to explore the city, or you may choose to take part in a suggested optional activity.

OUR SUGGESTED HOTELS

Superior

Hotel Territorio
Hotel Territorio

For those of you who wish to enjoy peacefulness and nature, at El Pedral’s re...

Tourist Superior

Estancia Rincon Chico
Estancia Rincon Chico

Lote 113, U9121 Península Valdés, Chubut

Tourist Superior

Reserva El Pedral
Reserva el Pedral

For those of you who wish to enjoy peacefulness and nature.

DAY 2 - PENINSULA VALDES

Visiting Peninsula Valdes

After breakfast, we will start the excursion to Península Valdés from Puerto Madryn is one of the most iconic in the region. It starts early in the morning, crossing the typical landscapes of the Patagonian steppe. You enter the nature reserve, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The first stop is usually at the Istmo Ameghino Interpretation Center, which provides information on the area’s wildlife and geography.

Next, you continue to Puerto Pirámides, where, from June to December, you can take boat trips for whale watching.

Along the way, you may spot guanacos, Patagonian hares, foxes, armadillos, and native birds.

Different areas of the peninsula are visited depending on the season, such as Punta Norte, Caleta Valdés, or Punta Cantor.

These spots are home to colonies of sea lions, elephant seals, and occasionally orcas.
In spring and summer, penguins can also be seen in some parts of the peninsula.
The landscape features a stunning mix of sea, cliffs, and wide open plains.

Your guide will share insights about the wildlife, history, and conservation efforts of the region.
In the late afternoon, you return to Puerto Madryn after an unforgettable day immersed in nature.

IMPORTANT: Southern Right Whales can be seen from June to December, with peak sightings in September and October. Sea lions and elephant seals are present year-round, with their breeding season from January to March. Orcas can be spotted between February and April, especially at Punta Norte but seeing them cannot be guaranteed Magellanic penguins arrive in September and stay until April, with chicks visible from October.

  • Puerto Piramides Whale Watching Tour
    Witness Majestic Whales on an Unforgettable Adventure in Puerto Pirámides, Argentina.
  • Lunch in Puerto Piramides
    Add a lunch in a local restaurant in Puerto Pirámides

DAY 3 - PUNTA TOMBO

Visiting the amazing Penguins

After breakfast, we will start the visit to the incredible Penguin Reserve of Punta Tombo.
Punta Tombo is the most important Magellanic penguin colony in South America.
It is located about 180 km south of Puerto Madryn, near the city of Trelew.
Each year, from September to April, over a million penguins arrive to nest and raise their chicks.
Visitors can walk along marked trails that run through the colony, allowing for close and respectful observation. Penguins build their nests in burrows or under shrubs, and their behavior can be observed at every stage. During October and November, eggs are incubating or hatching, while by December and January, chicks are growing rapidly.
In addition to penguins, you may spot guanacos, rheas, and seabirds in the area.
There is a visitor center with information about penguins and Patagonian wildlife.
The landscape is arid and coastal, offering dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The experience is highly photogenic and great for nature lovers and families.
Guided tours usually depart from Puerto Madryn or Trelew, often combined with Gaiman or other nearby sites. Punta Tombo is a must-see destination for anyone traveling through Argentine Patagonia.

You can see penguins at Punta Tombo from September to April.

  • September: Penguins begin to arrive and start preparing their nests.

  • October–November: Eggs are laid and incubation begins; some chicks start to hatch.

  • December–January: Chicks grow quickly and are very active.

  • February–March: Many chicks begin to molt and prepare for life at sea.

  • April: The colony begins to disperse as the penguins return to the ocean.

If traveling outside of penguin season, the excursion can be replaced with a visit to the sea lion colony at Punta Loma.

  • Lunch in Punta Tombo
    Lunch in local restaurant

DAY 4 - TRELEW - USHUAIA

From Puerto Madryn to Ushuaia

Today, and after breakfast and check out, and transfer to airport to take flight to Ushuaia. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Check in and free time. You can add some optional activities

  • City Tour in Ushuaia with Prison Museum
    Add this 3-hour visit to the southermost city in the world

DAY 5 - USHUAIA

Tierra del Fuego National Park + Beagle Channel Navigation

We’ll begin our excursion by traveling along part of National Route No. 3, passing through the Rio Pipo valley and the slopes of Monte Susana until we reach the Austral Fueguino Railway station, an area once worked by former inmates of the Ushuaia prison, who gathered firewood.

Upon exploring the facilities, you will board the End of the World Train for a scenic ride (tickets included). Meanwhile, those who prefer not to take the train tour will continue with our guide into the National Park. We’ll reunite at the “Park Station” to continue exploring the park’s captivating landscapes and points of interest. Highlights include visits to Roca Lake and Lapataia Bay, where National Route 3, part of the Pan-American Route, comes to an end.

At each stop, we’ll enjoy brief walks to appreciate the diverse species of native forest and wildlife that thrive within Argentina’s southernmost National Park.

After some free time for lunch, we will embark on a new activity: an unforgettable navigation experience through the Beagle Channel, heading towards the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, a landmark of Ushuaia.

During the journey, we will pass through the Bridges Archipelago, where we’ll observe colonies of sea lions and imperial cormorants. We may also spot other species, including gulls, petrels, albatrosses, and geese.

If the weather permits, we’ll make a stop on one of the islands, where you can take a short walk to appreciate the typical flora and enjoy panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountain range.

After visiting the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, we’ll begin our return journey along the northern coast of the Beagle Channel, passing by Estancia Tunel, the Playa Larga Natural and Cultural Reserve, and the eastern side of the city.

We’ll disembark at Ushuaia pier, where you will have free time to explore the city on your own.
Overnight

  • Train of the End of the world
    Add train tickets to your visit to the National Park

DAY 6 - USHUAIA

Free time and transfer out

After breakfast, free time until transfer out to Ushuaia Airport

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Transfers in/out airport to hotels in each destination
  • Three nights of accommodation with breakfast in selected hotels in Puerto Madryn and two nights in Ushuaia
  • Excursions including english speaking guides
  • Tips
  • Internal flights, that can be added on request
  • Entrance fee to animal reserves, that can be added on request

FAQ

Yes, but please remember that In Puerto Madryn and Península Valdés area, southern right whales can be seen from June to December, with peak sightings in September and October.

Magellanic penguins arrive in September and stay until April, with chicks visible from October

In the Puerto Madryn and Península Valdés area, southern right whales can be seen from June to December, with peak sightings in September and October.
Sea lions and elephant seals are present year-round, with their breeding season from January to March.
Orcas can be spotted between February and April, especially at Punta Norte, but it´s not guaranteed. 
Magellanic penguins arrive in September and stay until April, with chicks visible from October.
Commerson’s dolphins are often seen in the summer months.
The region is also home to guanacos, rheas, and other Patagonian birds throughout the year.

Yes, our three night program is just a basic program, but we can make changes of course

REQUEST TOUR

"*" indicates required fields

Full Name*
We will reply to your email in less than 24 bussiness hours.
Please feel welcome to share any pertinent remarks or essential details that can assist us in addressing your needs.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Need help?