Tour: PUERTO MADRYN AND VALDES PENINSULA

DAY 01: Puerto Madryn
Arrival at Trelew airport, reception and transfer to the hotel of choice in Puerto Madryn, a city some 40 minutes away, approximately. After arrival a free day. Stay overnight.

DAY 02: Puerto Madryn - Peninsula Valdes - Puerto Madryn
After breakfast we will start out on an excursion to Peninsula Valdes to visit the different colonies of marine fauna. We will visit Bird Island on Ameghino Isthmus, and Puerto Piramide. In the whale sighting season, we can make a boat trip to see the whales (optional). Return. Stay overnight.

DAY 3: Puerto Madryn - Punta Tombo - Trelew / Gaiman - Puerto Madryn
After breakfast we start out on an excursion to Punta Tombo, the most important continental penguin rookery in South America. Afterwards, we will continue to Trelew to visit South America's most important Paleontology Museum, the MEF (Museo Egidio Feruglio). Lastly, we will go on to Gaiman, a Welsh colony, to enjoy an exquisite tea with traditional jams and cakes. Return and stay overnight.

DAY 4: Puerto Madryn
After breakfast visitors will be taken to the airport in time to board their return flight.

CLIMATE
Average annual temperature is + 14 degrees centigrade, with a summer maximum of + 35 degrees centigrade and a winter minimum below + 5 degrees centigrade. In spite of the low temperatures there is no snow; since Puerto Madryn is located on the seashore, which acts as a great moderating force.
There is little rain in any season, hardly reaching 175 mm per annum. On the other hand we must mention it is very windy in the area so you must take into account the wind chill factor. And there are big temperature differences between days and nights.

WHAT TO PACK
During For the trip we recommend to bring rain proof jackets and trousers, thermally insulated shirts, polar windbreaker, headgear with earmuffs, thermally insulated gloves and socks, shorts, sandals, sunglasses with UV protection, sunscreen and blocks and chap sticks (minimum factor 30) for your face and lips, insect repellent, sunshade, water proof hiking boots (if new, we recommend that you break them in before coming.), and other warm clothing. Now if you are travelling during the southern hemisphere summer months do not forget to pack shorts, T-shirts, sunglasses, bathing suits and comfortable shoes.
Due to the winds, we recommend you bring, apart from the proper clothing according to the season, you include a good coat, adequate footwear and a headgear.

HEALTH
There are no endemic diseases in Argentina and thus you will not need any special vaccination before visiting. Argentina is free of hoof and mouth disease, thus the there is no danger of enjoying a good steak. Sometimes a red tide will restrict the possibility to enjoy seafood on the shell. Local media will always inform the public whenever this happens.

Argentina has an important network of hospitals, clinics and medical posts. In the big cities the hospitals are fully equipped to deal with most cases, however complicated, whilst in the most remote villages medical attention is on a basic level.

WATER
All the Argentinean cities that you will visit have potable water treatment plants. However, to avoid any unpleasantries we recommend you stick to bottled water during your trip, especially when in places off the beaten track.

TYPICAL LOCAL CUISINE
The Argentinean cuisine is very varied, just to mention a few typical dishes such as: Barbecued Asado Beef, pastry rolls, stews, corn dishes, regional fried turnover pies, tamales, etc.
We must not forget to mention the traditional beverage of the "Mate" which you will be able to try wherever you go, especially if you visit one of the numerous Estancia ranches that cater to travellers.
You must also always try the local delicacies, i.e. Tierra de Fuego crab, just to name one.

In the case of Puerto Madryn you must add seafood, the Patagonian lamb and Welsh Tea, together with the delicious tarts and sweets that accompany this last traditional dish.

And lastly, you must try the exquisite "Dulce de leche", a purely Argentinean invention.

Restaurants during your trip:
In Puerto Madryn: International, vegetarian and local food restaurants.
Restaurants in Puerto Madryn


WILDLIFE SEASONS

	W	E	L	P	O	T	D	B
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec

Leyend:

W: Whales	P: Penguins	D: Dolphins
E: Sea Elephants	O: Orc	B: Birds
L: Sea lions and Fur seals	T: Toninas

IMPORTANT: We reserve the right to make changes to the order of the trip, without prior notice, due to changes in climate conditions, river water levels, flight or bus arrival and departure times or any other reason relevant to the best development of the trip.