Excursions from Puerto Madryn(*)
(*) It also applies to Puerto Pirámides and Trelew

The Valdes Peninsula

The gateway to the Valdes Peninsula is the city of Puerto Madryn.

At the Peninsula, the routes are generally empty, with the typical wind of the Patagonian coasts and dry climate. The sky is quite blue and the vegetation scarce. This is the landscape in Valdés, that constitutes the most important circuit in the region.

A drive around the peninsula is about 400 km., round trip. After one hour, you arrive at the Carlos Ameghino Isthmus, a doorway to the Peninsula de Valdés Integral Animal Reserve. A center of interpretation serves as an introduction to the flora, fauna, geography and history of this fascinating natural sanctuary.

25 km. ahead you will find the small village of Puerto Pirámides. It is a narrow bay protected by cliffs resembling pyramids where you will find rests of fossilized invertebrates.

This is the only place in the Peninsula with lodging and food facilities.

5 km. from here you will find the Lobería of Puerto Pirámide, where the single-hair sea lions can be observed. The reproduction period is between December and March.
12 km. ahead is Punta Pardelas: an ideal beach for fishing, snorkeling and diving.

You can also reach this place by trekking through the cliffs from Puerto Pirámides, always bordering the coast.

The only elephant seal habitat in continental territory is found in Punta Norte, 75 km. from Puerto Pirámides. 30 km. ahead through the coastal road is Caleta Valdés, where you will find elephant seals and sea lions.

At the end of this road is Punta Delgada, where there is an old lighthouse that today functions as a hotel.
See Also: Orca Project - Curiosities on the Whales