Peninsula Valdes is one of the largest marine wildlife reserves in the world, and a true paradise for marine wildlife lovers. Declared a natural heritage by the United Nations, it has an unsurpassed variety of marine wildlife species. A delightful visual feast of penguins, elephant seals, whales, sea lions and orcas (killer whales) can be enjoyed in the peninsula area. Prepare to experience a super close-up and unique encounter with some of the most amazing marine animals, in their natural habitat of Peninsula Valdes Reserve.   

Peninsula Valdes is like an island united to the continent by a 22 miles (35 kilometers) long strip of land called Carlos Ameghino Isthmus. After 48 miles (77 kilometers) we do our first stop at a small interpretation center in the Carlos Ameghino Isthmus, from where you can see San Jose Gulf and Nuevo Gulf. On the top floor of this Interpretation Center you will find a set of potent binoculars from where you will be able to see in detail both gulfs and the Isla de los Pajaros (Bird’s Island). The distance between both gulfs is only 4 miles (7 kilometers) at the narrowest part of the Isthmus.

We continue our journey and 15 miles (25 kilometers) later we arrive to the tourist village of Puerto Piramides (Pyramids Port). We will enjoy a 1 hour and a half navigation that departs from Puerto Piramides port. This special navigation will give us the opportunity to enjoy close-up views of sea lion colonies and to visit caves rich in marine fauna fossils. We will then return back to port

We continue our journey heading to the southeast eastern point of the peninsula: Punta Delgada (Delgada Point). The entire road after Puerto Piramides is an unpaved gravel road. After 50 miles (79 kilometers) we reach Punta Delgada, where Punta Delgada lighthouse is located. This lighthouse is a navy base since 1905.

It is in Punta Delgada where three different beaches spread over a 4 mile (6.4 kilometer) coastal line gathering one of the largest concentrations of Southern Elephant Seals, a major attraction for researchers and travelers.

Peninsula Valdes offers the chance to watch Southern Elephant Seals without having to travel to remote islands, since this is the only continental territory in the world where this species is found. 

One of the characteristics of these species that most impresses travelers is their large size and enormous weight. Males reach up to 15 feet (5 meters) long and weigh up to 4 tons while females can be 10 feet (3 meters) long and weight up to 1 ton. You definitely do not want one of these males steeping on your toes!
Males have a proboscis or inflatable snout that makes them look like land elephants, which has been the reason of their name.

Though there is a stable colony in Peninsula Valdes all year round, about 40,000 Southern Elephant Seals arrive to the Peninsula from August to March for reproduction and to shed their skin. They are polygamists and form large harems of more than 10 females. They can spend three months at sea, diving day and night for fish. They head for the beaches when it's time to shed their skin or for breeding season.

An outlook located near a cliff will give us the chance of enjoying a panoramic look at the elephant seals colony.

The Southern Elephant Seal has a sub Antarctic distribution it's population is estimated to be around 700,000, of which 20,000 arrive between August and March to breed and change their skin in Peninsula Valdes. They are located all along the external coast of Peninsula Valdes.

Southern Elephant Seals, when not fighting for their harems, spend most of their time lying in the sun. As we stroll down the beach you will be able to hear the loud roars of the male elephant seals which are used as a warning signal to other male elephant seals that are getting too close to their harem. If the intruder ignores the warning and comes even closer to the harem, the 2 elephant seals will eventually end up fighting one another in a contest for sexual domination.

Elephant Seals can be seen throughout the year, especially between August and March, when they are in higher numbers than in the other months. It is possible to go down a cliff in Caleta Valdes by a stair, from which the Elephant Seals and the geological formations of the cove’s spit can be seen.

We then head to Punta Norte to admire a big reserve of Sea Lions.
These magnificent pinnipeds move on land using both their front and back limbs. The males are dark grey and they have a mane. They attain a length of 7 feet (2.3 meters) and the females 5.5 feet (1.80 meters). The males weigh 789 pounds (359 kilograms) while the females weight 220 pounds (100 kilograms). The pups are born at the end of December or beginning of January; they are black and they bleat like a sheep.
Up to the middle of the twentieth century concessions were granted by the Argentine Government for the killing and commerce of sea lions, mainly for the leather and oil of their grease coat. Large-scale exploitation of sea lions took place until 1953, year of the last record. Nevertheless, the killing continued in the zone until 1960, and even on a clandestine way up to the '70s. Later legislation for the conservation of the marine mammals prevented further commercial killings.

Depending on weather conditions, orcas or killer whales can be seen from October to November and from February to April, when they feed on young elephant seals.

Orcas are mammals that belong to the family of cetaceans, but unlike the whales they have teeth. They can be seen in Peninsula Valdes from February to April in Punta Norte Region and from October to November in Caleta Valdes and Punta Delgada region. The orca is predominantly black, except for its white abdomen and a back fin with a white spot behind it which scientist use for its identification.

Orcas are the greatest predator of the seas. They eat several fish species, sea lions, sea tortoises, elephant seals, sharks and penguins. The Orcas of Peninsula Valdes are specially well known for their unique strategy of intentionally stranding on gravel beaches to capture Sea Lions and Elephant Seals calves.  The orcas of Patagonia are the only orcas in the world that use this dangerous hunting method in which they swim very quickly onto the beach, leaving two thirds of their body out of the water. They then grab an elephant seal or sea lion with their mouth and jump back into the water with energetic dorsal movements. Finally, they share their hunt with the other members of their group. It is known that hundreds of killer whales die each year during this hunting act, as they expose themselves to dehydration if they are unable to move back into the water after making a kill. Specialized emergency help units must be used to rescue these animals quickly.

Big males can weight more than 8 tons, be 29 feet long (9.5 meters) and their dorsal fin can be up to 6 feet (2 meters) high. Females weight 5 tons and are 18 feet (6 meters) long. Females’ life expectancy is 50 years while life expectancy for the male is only 30 years. When held in captivity average life expectancy is significantly reduced (5 to 10 years).

You will also see in the Peninsula Valdes many prairie and bird species such as guanacos (American Llama), rheas, hairy armadillos, hares, grey foxes, ostriches, and oyster catcher.

After a long journey we start our return back to Puerto Madryn.

Difficulty: low.

Duration: About 10 hours. The whole tour is 250 miles (400 kilometers) long. Only 63 miles (100 kilometers) are done on paved road, the rest is done on unpaved roads (gravel roads).

Guide:  shared English/Spanish speaking guide

Transfer: shared vehicle.

Includes: transfers + entrance fee to Peninsula Valdes Reserve.

Part 1: Glacier trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier

Prepare to experience a one of a kind adventure trekking on the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier, located in the Glaciers National Park. The UNESCO declared this site a natural heritage in 1981 because it harbors the longest existing glaciers outside of Antarctica (covering 75.3 square miles or 195 square kilometers). You will have your own private vehicle for the transfers and the assistance of a private guide for the visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier.

After 1 hour and forty minutes we arrive to "Bajo las Sombras"  (beneath the Shadows) port.

We prepare for a 15 minutes sailing bordering  the south wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier, in the Rico branch of Argentino Lake. You will admire it's 262 feet (80 meters) height, which is only 1/7 of it's total height! The full height of the south wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier is approximately 1834 feet (560 meters). An iceberg only displays 1/10 to 1/7 of its entire mass above the water, being the biggest portion of these "ice giants" under water.

After crossing to the opposite shore, our guides who are specialized in glaciology, will welcome you. Groups of 10 to 15 travelers are defined. Our guide will give you an informative explanation about Glaciers and an introductory lesson to glacier trekking. We will provided with snow treads (sort of crampons) that the guides will attach to your boots or trekking shoes. Although it is not strictly necessary, if you request them, our guide will provide you with pickets (poles) to make your trek over the glacier easier.
This trek lasts about an hour and a half, and it doesn’t have any serious difficulty. The crampons are specially designed to make you fell as stable on ice as you would be walking without them on a regular not slippery surface. Remember that this activity was designed and planned for beginners with no experience at all, not for experts. Moreover, strict and high security measures are involved throughout all the activity.
Unfortunately this tour cannot be done by people who have problems with motor skills.
The trekking is divided in 2 parts. The first one is done in an easy path and does not require any strong effort at all. The second one (which is optional because you will be given the choice to continue or return with one of the guides to land surface) requires a bit more effort and will take you to discover the more inner secrets of the glacier. We strongly suggested engaging in both trekkings.

As we plod along the Perito Moreno Glacier we discover cracks and notice the different shapes that the glacier adopts because of climactic factors, as well as the distinct tones and colors of the ice itself. These latter can range from an intense white to a dark blue. These color changes are due to the pressure of different layers of ice, a pressure that over the course of thousands of years changes the tonality of the ice. By analyzing their colors, scientists can determine the ice age.

After this pleasant outing on Patagonian ice we will engage in a short trekking in a Magellan forest, which will take you to a splendid lookout station situated above the forest. Here you will have lunch while you admire the Perito Moreno Glacier right in front of you!.

We recommend preparing your lunch at the hotel or local food shops during the day before the tour because there are no places to buy food at the glacier refuge. The hotels and local food shops are used to prepare lunch boxes, which are of very good quality. They cost approximately from US$ 10 to US$ 15.

After lunch we will cross Argentino Lake again until arriving back to the initial port. However, on the way back our boat will stop 985 feet (300 meters) away from the south wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier so you can take beautiful pictures of this amazing and unique natural attraction. This transfer back to port takes 30 minutes.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: Half day

Guide: shared English/Spanish speaking guide

Transfer: shared vehicle + shared motorboat. This tour is done during the same day as the Perito Moreno Glacier Panoramic Boardwalks.

Includes: transfer + guide + entrance fee to Glaciers National Park (does not include lunch)

Part 2: Visit to panoramic boardwalks which overlook the might Perito Moreno Glacier

After enjoying the trekking on the Perito Moreno glacier we will head to the panoramic boardwalks that overlook the Perito Moreno Glacier.

There are 7 different strategically located panoramic balconies, with distances ranging from 460 to 2100 feet (140 to 640 meters) from the starting point of the trail. Each balcony is situated at a different height and distance relative to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Except the trail to the southern balcony which implies going down a long descendant path, all the trails have an easy level of difficulty, but all balconies are worth seeing because each of them will provide you a different and unique view of this spectacular glacier.

The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few active glaciers in the world. Every now and then its 197 feet (60 meters) face casts off entire walls or chunks of ice that fall into the waters of the Brazo Rico or the "Canal de los Tempanos" (Iceberg Channel), and then float along the channel towards the main body of the Argentino lake. Smaller sections break off constantly. Once you’ve heard the crackle of breaking ice and seen the immense sheets of ice walls plunging precipitously into the waters, you’ll realize that you’re witnessing one of the most impressive spectacles in the World and a must-see attraction of a life time.

The Breaking of Perito Moreno Glacier

The phenomenon known as "the breaking of the glacier" happens when the front of the glacier reaches the Magallanes Peninsula closing the water passage towards the Iceberg Channel originating a natural dam which stops the flow of the water from the Rico arm to El Canal de los Témpanos. Therefore the waters in the Rico Arm begin to raise their level pressing against and eroding the ice that starts to weaken, and water starts to filter through. The first ice detachments take place, increasing with the water flow, until a tunnel is formed. Finally, the tunnel falls in a wonderful spectacle separating Perito Moreno Glacier from the Magallanes Peninsula. The volume of water passing through during major breaks has reached 26.000 yd3 (20.000 m3) per second.

From the catwalks you will  notice the different shapes the glacier adopts because of climactic factors, as well as the distinct tones and colors of the ice itself.

We will then return to our hotel in El Calafate.

Difficulty: Easy

Duration: one and a half hours

Guide: no guide

Transfer: shared vehicle - approximate traveled distance: 100 miles (160 kilometers). This tour is done during the same day as the Multiadventure on the Perito Moreno Glacier.

You will be taken in the morning to Puerto Bandera (Port of the Flag) to board our boat that'll take you into the North Arm of Lake Argentino to navigate among icebergs and to the front of the imposing Upsala Glacier.

You will enjoy being at the exclusive VIP section of the boat. This section is located above the boat standard section, has a privileged view, much more ample and comfortable seats, and an exclusive assistance for the VIP guests.

The Upsala Glacier is the largest glacier within the continental patagonic ice, even though it has suffered severe losses during the last years. It owes its name to the Swedish city of Upsala, which university promoted the first glaciology studies in the area. The height of its walls range from 197 to 262 feet (60-80 meters) and its surface is of 232 square miles (595 km2), it is 37 miles long (60 km), and 3-4 miles wide (5-7 km). The total basin surface of this glacier is of 390 square miles (1000 km2). The dept of the lake at the front of the glacier is of about 3280 feet (1000 meters).

From there you will continue on the Onelli Channel and you will disembark in Onelli Bay. Landing in Onelli Bay you find ourselves surrounded by forests. A typical patagonic forest where "lenga" and "guindo" are generally covered of "usnea" (lichens), commonly called "old man's beard". Crossing the forest, through approximately 872 yards (800 meters), we reach Onelli Lagoon, where glaciers Onelli (45 km2/18 square miles), Bolado (16 km2/6 square miles) and Agassiz (31 km2/12 square miles) meet. This lagoon is usually full with icebergs, detachments of ice from the glaciers.

Upon finalizing the crossing of the forest you will see the Onelli Lagoon where you will visualize the Onelli, Bolado and Heim Glaciers.

At noon you will have free time for lunch. Then you will embark and navigate towards the Spegazzini Channel, to see the Seco, Spegazzini and Heim South Glaciers.

The Spegazzini glacier was named after the botanist Carlos Spegazzini who made the first studies of the local flora. This glacier has a surface of 26 square miles (66 km2) and it is 15.5 miles long (25 km), and 1 mile wide (1.6 km). The height of its front (262-443 feet/80-135 meters) is an outstanding characteristic. It is the highest glacier within the National Park.

The Seco Glacier's surface is of 1.5 square mile (4 km2) and clearly shows the receding process of a glacier.

By the end of the afternoon you will return to Puerto Bandera (Port Flag).  If  conditions aren't favorable to enter the Onelli area, you will disembark at Puesto de Vacas, a beautiful site where we you will see a shelter formerly used by expeditions to the Continental Ice Cap.

Difficulty: low

Duration: full day

Transfer: vehicle and motorboat (in VIP section). The VIP section is located above the standard section, has a privileged view, much more ample and comfortable seats, and an exclusive assistance for the VIP guests.

Includes: transfers +  entrance ticket to Glaciers National Park