National Route 3: Natural Patagonia

8 Days / 7 Nights Puerto Madryn / Puerto Pirámides / Comodoro Rivadavia / Puerto Deseado

TBK0922

WHAT’S INCLUDED Needed transfers Accommodation: 7 nights

Puerto Madryn (2) - Puerto Pirámides (1) - Comodoro Rivadavia (2) - Puerto

Deseado (2) Tours:

Chubut: Southern and Northern

Valdés Peninsula

Santa Cruz: Comodoro Rivadavia - Jaramillo Petrified Forest - Del

Deseado Estuary - Darwin Viewpoint from Puerto Deseado Meals: 7 breakfasts - 4 lunches - 3 dinners

SEASON: NOVEMBER TO END OF MARCH

Day 1 Trelew / Puerto Madryn. Arrival and reception at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Day 2 Puerto Madryn / Puerto Pirámides. B L Full day in the Valdés Peninsula, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We visit Puerto Pirámides where, from July to November, it is possible to do whale watching (optional). We drive through a gravel road

Towards Penguin Island, Puerto Deseado, Santa Cruz . Courtesy of Tourism Bureau of Santa Cruz. PH Pablo Godoy

to Punta Cantor and Caleta Valdés and then return to Puerto Pirámides to stay that night. Travelled distance: 258 km (160 miles) Day 3 Puerto Pirámides / Puerto Madryn. B L We head for Punta Norte and reach Estancia San Lorenzo, arriving at the only penguin colony in the Peninsula. Due to the controlled number of visitors, it keeps its environment intact. At the end, we visit Punta Norte and return to Puerto Madryn. Travelled distance: 232 km (144 miles) Day 4 Puerto Madryn / Comodoro Rivadavia. B L D Morning departure to National Route 3 towards Camarones Bay. On the way, we visit Cape Dos Bahías penguin colony, and very close, an amphitheatre where an enormous colony of South American sea lions and South American Fur seals shelter is located. After lunch (box lunch), we take again the Route 3 to arrive at Comodoro Rivadavia. Travelled distance: 440 km (273 miles) Day 5 Comodoro Rivadavia / Puerto Deseado. B L D Departure by National Route 3 to Fitz Roy/ Olivia Cove and continue to the Petrified Forest of Jaramillo (National Monument of Petrified Forest). This is the oldest forest and the largest fossil trees in the world. After lunch (box lunch), we continue towards Estancia La Madrugada where we appreciate the breeding of sheep. Visit to Duraznillo Canyon, where one of the world’s most important reserves of sea lions and sea elephants is located. Arrival at Puerto Deseado. Travelled distance: 544 km - 170 gravel road (338 miles-105 gravel road) Day 6 Puerto Deseado. B D Today we enjoy a boat trip to meet the Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), which is 60 cm (23’) high and has a weight between 3 and 3,5 kg (6 or 7 lb). It is also known as Silly Jumper Bird because of its special manner of moving: jumping. In order to meet them we sail to the Penguin Island, declared Marine Park since it is one of the Patagonian sites with more marine biodiversity. This location is the only Penguin Colony where the Rockhopper and the Magellanic Penguins live together. Day 7 Puerto Deseado / Comodoro Rivadavia. B Morning at leisure to enjoy the city and visit the museum of Swift Corvettet, important English warship sunk in 1770. In the afternoon, return to Comodoro Rivadavia. Total distance travelled: 293 km (187 miles) Day 8 Comodoro Rivadavia. B Morning at leisure. At due time, transfer to the airport. Operational note: Day 5: Visit to Duraznillo Canyon is subject to authorization. Day 6: The boat trip is subject to climatic conditions.

To keep in mind: We suggest adding an extra night in Puerto Deseado and take the sailing to Del Deseado Estuary or visit the Darwin Camp.