Valdes Peninsula wildlife tours. The world-famous Peninsula Valdes is located in the Atlantic coast of Argentina, south of Buenos Aires; this location is a magnificent place to watch impressive geology and diverse wildlife such as Southern Right and Killer whales, Southern Elephant Seal, South American Sea Lion, Patagonian Hare, Patagonian Hairy Armadillo, Magellanic Penguin and many others.
The Right Whales of Valdes Peninsula
The Marine Mammals and Seabirds of eastern Patagonia
Next departures: October 15-19, 2025 • October 14-18, 2026
5-day trip from Trelew, Argentina | Whale-watching activities available from July until November
We will have a comprehensive whale-watching programme around Puerto Piramides, including two boat trips, to enjoy the usually magnificent sightings of the Southern Right Whale population, which occur seasonally (July – December) on the surrounding gulfs. Later, we will head towards Punta Ninfas and enjoy the privacy of Estancia El Pedral. This private nature reserve holds a Magellanic penguin colony and provides access to great breeding rookeries of other seabirds and mammals. We will have three nights to enjoy this property and its unique wildlife, while experiencing the hospitality of a typical gaucho estancia.
Itinerary in Brief
Day 1 • Arrival to Trelew during the morning – Drive to Puerto Pirámides – 1st whale-watching trip (pm) – Overnight at Puerto Pirámides
Days 2/3 • Whale-watching trip (am) – Drive to Estancia El Pedral – Overnight at Estancia El Pedral
Day 4 • Punta Ninfas (Elephant Seals) – Penguin colony (Magellanic Penguin) – Overnight at Estancia El Pedral
Day 5 • Transfer to Trelew airport for connecting flights
Continue your journey towards El Calafate or Ushuaia (Argentina) for more nature adventures in Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego.
Trip Highlights
• Excellent photographic opportunities for the local Southern Right Whale at close quarters.
• A unique opportunity to see the whales underwater aboard the “Yellow Submarine”.
• Two whale-watching trips to optimize our chances for viewing and photography.
• Privilege access to the Magellanic Penguin colony of Estancia El Pedral.
• Visit Punta Ninfas for photogenic Southern Elephant Seals.
• A great array of other wildlife including Guanaco, Darwin’s Rhea, Hairy Armadillo and Patagonian Hare.
• 3-night stay at the delightful El Pedral, a historic and working Patagonian farm. valdes peninsula wildlife tours
Detailed Itinerary and Activities
This trip to the north-eastern part of Patagonia, starts at Trelew airport. You will be picked up and transferred to Puerto Pirámides. This lovely village is located right at the shores of Nuevo Gulf, at the Valdes Peninsula. You will be assisted for your check-in at the chosen hotel and have some independent time to explore for lunch and getting some souvenirs. We have planned two whale-watching outings from here, in order to optimize the quality of our sightings and photography. This afternoon we will board the MV “Yellow Submarine”; this remarkable vessel was specifically built for the conditions of Nuevo Gulf and have the lower deck with a fantastic window array, allowing the guests to have the unique opportunity to admire the whale activity underwater. The quality of the sightings, from the lower and upper decks, usually is fantastic and we will have the expert assistance of the captain and guides in getting us to the right spots to admire, but not to disturbe, these might and gentle giants. Normally you see lots of individuals and very interesting behavior including mating, spy-hoping and leaps out of the water. It’s not rare to see the mothers assisting and nursing their calf.
Overnight at Puerto Piramides (Dinner) Valdes Peninsula wildlife tours
Female Southern Right Whale and calf, Valdes Peninsula, Argentina © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions
After breakfast, we will have our second whale-watching trip to Nuevo Gulf. The light is quite different but we will see that the whales have been busy throughout the night; they keep feeding, moving around, displaying and interacting. The waters around Peninsula Valdes are the prime location for this migratory cetaceans, coming close to the Patagonian coast to give birth and mate. We will be passing by an active breeding colony of South American Sea Lion, comprising individuals of all ages. Kelp Gulls and Snowy Sheathbills are regular scavengers around this breeding site. Right after docking you will have a private transfer towards Estancia El Pedral. This interesting 2-hour drive will allow you to see the aspect of the Patagonian steppes and scrub vegetation. This is a very rich ecosystem that we are going to explore during the next couple of days. The historic and cozy house of Estancia El Pedral will offer us a wonderful place to relax and a base for our explorations. During the afternoon we will look for the more typical wildlife including Guanaco, Darwin’s Rhea, Hairy Armadillo, Hog-nosed Skunk and perhaps the bizarre Patagonian Hare, locally known as Mara. valdes peninsula wildlife tours
Overnight at Estancia El Pedral (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guide)
Estancia El Pedral, Chubut, Argentina © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions
We will leave before sunrise to explore the area of Punta Ninfas and to appreciate from its lighthouse the vast coastal cliffs that characterize the Atlantic shoreline of most of southern Argentina. With caution, we will descend along a path towards the beach and see the activity of the Southern Elephant Seals, which form a small breeding colony here. There is a great opportunity for us to learn about the natural history of these incredible creatures capable to perform phenomenal long and deep dives in search of their prey, primarily squid. At the shore, they just rest, play and occasionally fight. We will return to El Pedral and visit the gaucho quarters to learn about the people and activity of this working sheep farm station. We will enjoy of a delicious lunch and then walk a short distance to the breeding colony of Magellanic Penguins. Another great wildlife subject to study and photograph as we will enjoy of tremendous views, watching them doing their courtship braying calls and attending their mates and burrows, where they nest.
Overnight at Estancia El Pedral (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guide)
Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina), Punta Ninfas, Chubut, Argentina © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions
We hope you have enjoyed your stay and hospitality at El Pedral. After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Trelew airport for your connecting flights. We can recommend you a number of potential destinations at Buenos Aires, El Calafate or Ushuaia. valdes peninsula wildlife tours (Breakfast)
Dates & Rates
Scheduled Departures
Trip Length | 5 days, 4 nights | |
Dates | 2025 | October 15 - 19 |
| 2026 | October 14 - 18 | |
Price per person (USD) | TBA | |
Single Supplement (USD) | TBA | |
Custom Departures from Trelew, Argentina
Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 1 participant. You Choose the Date! Available year-round; whale-watching activities available from July until November.
What the trip includes/excludes
The above price is per person in US$, based on double occupancy. All payments are in US Dollars.
Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.
The trip price includes: All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, two whale-watching trips to Nuevo Gulf, and park entrance fees.
The trip price excludes: Domestic flights (Buenos Aires - Trelew or other routes), tipping for drivers, hotel and local guides, travel insurance, entrance tax to Argentina, excess baggage charges, private excursions, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature. valdes peninsula wildlife tours
Tour Registration
To book this tour, please fill in our online registration form. We will process your booking and will send you a note with space confirmation and a transfer invoice with payment instructions within 24 hours. The transfer amount is 500 USD per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
NOTE: Inquiries received on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays will be replied to during the following working day.
Cancellation Policy
Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.
Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
• If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the transfer amount minus 200 USD is refundable.
• If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the transfer is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.
• If cancellation is made less than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.
This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.