Observe the abundant wildlife in the naturally beautiful Patagonian steppe, highlighted by a leisurely walk among a large colony of Magellanic penguins.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for an immensely scenic drive along the New Gulf and on to rugged Punta Ninfas on the Patagonian steppe. The vegetation here is shrubby, wind-blown and an ideal wildlife habitat. Gray fox, llama-like guanacas and various species of seabirds, including oystercatchers and albatrosses, are found in this dry landscape.

Even so, penguins are the star attractions in this part of Patagonian, as you will discover from your base at El Pedral Lodge. Perched on a cliff, the lodge was built in 1904 and some of the period furnishing still remain, including the mahogany dining table.

From here, you will head to a nearby Magellanic penguin rookery for an extended walk among these highly social birds. If you hear the penguins braying like donkeys, it is simply the way they seek mates.

You can expect to see the penguins tottering about, tending to their young, interacting with each other, and perhaps hunting small fish just offshore. A group of penguins floating in the ocean is called a raft; a group on land is sometimes called a waddle because of their awkward walk.

Lunch at the lodge follows, after which you will return to the pier.

Discover Punta Tombo, home to the world’s largest nesting colony of Magellanic penguins and a place that attracts wildlife researchers and conservationists from around the world.

This is the largest penguin nesting ground in continental South America and from September through April this vast rookery and breeding area hosts hundreds of thousands of Magellanic penguins. With two nurturing parents foraging at sea and taking turns with their care, chicks thrive and start fledging in January.

Magellanic penguins mate with the same partner year after year and live approximately 25 years. Males reclaim the burrow from the previous year and wait to reconnect with their mates. You’ll have time to walk among the thousands of nests and marvel at this wonder of nature and these unforgettable birds. A boxed lunch is provided.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an introductory look at two towns that are vastly different in size yet share a common history. Although Puerto Madryn boasts a population 10 times that of Gaiman, Welsh immigrants founded both towns to escape cultural and religious persecution in the latter half of the 19th century. That Welsh influence is still highly evident in Puerto Madryn through attractions such as the Welsh Settlers monument and the street names, many of which honor prominent Welsh immigrants. Chances are, you will spot the Welsh flag flying on many of the buildings or perhaps just the flag’s iconic red dragon on the signage. The Welsh heritage may be even more noticeable in Gaiman as the red-brick town is more compact. Patagonian Welsh is widely spoken as you will likely discover while pausing for cakes and pastries at a Welsh tea house. To enhance the experience, a Welsh choir will perform traditional songs. A walking city tour is done over the city of Gaiman. Once back to Puerto Madryn, there is a short drive through the city to see the Municipality, Main Square and the Welsh Women's Monument and then return directly to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover the surprisingly strong Welsh heritage of Puerto Madryn and Gaiman.
• See Welsh-influenced attractions and perhaps hear Patagonian Welsh being spoken.
• Enjoy tea and tasty pastries at a Welsh tea house in the town of Gaiman.
• Hear a Welsh choir perform traditional, heartfelt songs about the Welsh heritage.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover Punta Loma Natural Reserve where you will have the opportunity to see a sea lion sanctuary. Young sea lions, which are not sexually mature, may be seen during the entire year, and, from April onwards, you can view the sea lions that migrate from Puerto Piramides. Before returning to the ship, we visit the Puerto Madryn Ecocentro Museum, the first center of its kind in Argentina, dedicated to the study of marine ecosystems.

Travel to the scenic Estancia San Guillermo, a typical Patagonian ranch and get a glimpse of life in the vast countryside and stop for photos in Punta Loma, a breeding ground for sea lions. Your hosts at Estancia San Guillermo welcome you to their 7,400-acre ranch for a unique experience. This sheep ranch is surrounded by endless open countryside. You’ll see a wide variety of ranch animals and pets. In the sheep shed, sit down for presentation by the owners and their favorite household pets followed by a sheep shearing demonstration. Enjoy a tasty snack and free time to browse the souvenir shop. Stop at Punta Loma Reserve and from the lookout point, you’ll be able to see the permanent colony of sea lions lying on the rocks. The sea lions, when not sunning themselves on the beach, can be observed full of life in the water showing off their swimming skills.

After a short transfer, you’ll go by boat towards Punta Loma navigating near the coastline passing Kaiser beach with the run aground ship 'Kaiser'; Punta Este with its majestic cliffs; Playa Parana and the shipwrecked fishing vessel 'Folia’s' rising from the water foam. The navigation will only last approximately half an hour and upon arrival in Punta Loma, if nature allows, you’ll be welcomed by sea lions and cormorants watching the surrounding activities from the top of the cliffs. Sea lions resting on the rocks will be attracted by the divers and will join them to play and swim with curiosity.

After approximately 45 minutes of snorkeling, enjoying this exciting sub-aquatic experience, you’ll board your boat and navigate back to the city with a sense of comradeship typical of divers. A boxed lunch will be provided.

OVERVIEW

Walk along the coast of Golfo Nuevo to observe a colony of sea lions and then relax over a cup of hot tea and fresh-baked pastries in the Welsh-founded town of Gaiman. The colony of sea lions at Punta Loma Reserve – which may number in the hundreds – is protected and live there permanently so you are bound to see them along the beach and just offshore. Even from a distance, you can easily distinguish the males from the females as they are twice the size and sport lion-like manes around their muscular necks. Although sea lions may move awkwardly on land, they are graceful swimmers and can reach speeds up to 25 miles per hour in the water. Their antics will give you plenty to discuss later at the Ty Gwyn tea house in Gaiman. Afterwards, you will enjoy free time in town, where the ambinace is still decidedly Welsh.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Observe a colony of sea lions along the coast of Punta Loma National Reserve.
• Enjoy tea and tasty pastries at a Welsh tea house in the town of Gaiman.
• Explore the Welsh-influened town of Gaiman independently during free time.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Zip through the sheltered waters of Golfo Nuevo in a Rigid Inflatable Boat known as an RIB and look for frolicking dolphins and lumbering sea lions. The vessel is completely open allowing you uninterrupted views of the natural beauty and teeming marine life. Chances are, you will spot dolphins following in the boat’s wake. Depending on the season, they could be black-and-white Commerson’s dolphins or dusky dolphins, whose coloring is more muted. Both species are gregarious, acrobatic and fast swimmers so they put on quite the show. To see one leap completely out of the water is quite the spectacle. As you approach Punta Loma National Reserve, a colony of sea lions will come into view. They will likely be sunning on the rocky coast or feeding just offshore. The RIB should be able to come so close to the sea lions that you can hear them grunting and barking at each other.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Zip through Golfo Nuevo in an open-top Rigid Inflatable Boat known as a RIB.
• Look for various species of dolphins, which often swim in the boat’s wake.
• Observe a colony of sea lions along the coast of Punta Loma National Reserve.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Peninsula Valdez is one of the finest wildlife reserves in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It provides an outstanding natural habitat for sea lions, elephant seals, fur seals and a variety of birds. Enjoy a brief stop at the small Visitors Center to view exhibits on the flora and fauna of the Peninsula.

Visit Caleta Valdes on the eastern shore, a sheltered bay with a long gravel spit onto which elephant seals and others haul up in the spring. You’ll spend some time here to watch the wildlife from a distance. Nearby, there may be a possibility to view a very small and new penguin colony. Stop to watch one of the peninsula’s major sea lion colonies near Puerto Piramides. A boxed lunch is provided.

Explore Peninsula Valdes, one of the world’s finest nature reserves and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, traveling in a small group and the comfort of an air conditioned mini-bus.

Peninsula Valdez is one of the finest wildlife reserves in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It provides an outstanding natural habitat for sea lions, elephant seals, fur seals and a variety of birds. Enjoy a brief stop at the small Visitors Center to view exhibits on the flora and fauna of the Peninsula.

Visit Caleta Valdes on the eastern shore, a sheltered bay with a long gravel spit onto which elephant seals and others haul up in the spring. You’ll spend some time here to watch the wildlife from a distance. Nearby, there may be a possibility to view a very small and new penguin colony. Stop to watch one of the peninsula’s major sea lion colonies near Puerto Piramides, where you'll also enjoy lunch.

Discover Punta Tombo, home to the world’s largest nesting colony of Magellanic penguins in the company of a small group and comfort of an air conditioned mini-bus.

This is the largest penguin nesting ground in continental South America and from September through April this vast rookery and breeding area hosts hundreds of thousands of Magellanic penguins. With two nurturing parents foraging at sea and taking turns with their care, chicks thrive and start fledging in January.

Magellanic penguins mate with the same partner year after year and live approximately 25 years. Males reclaim the burrow from the previous year and wait to reconnect with their mates. You’ll have time to walk among the thousands of nests and marvel at this wonder of nature and these unforgettable birds. A boxed lunch is provided.

Drive to the old Welsh town of Gaiman, where traditional Welsh tea houses dot the farming landscape. The first settlers arrived here in 1865 and founded "New Wales". The small town now entices visitors by serving a classic Welsh tea in a charming Welsh home. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a cup of tea, or two, accompanied by pastries.

OVERVIEW

Discover the remarkably strong Welsh influence in this part of Patagonia, which dates to 1865 when the first Welsh settlers arrived on the tea-clipper Mimosa. They emigrated to escape persecution and to retain their cultural identity as the Industrial Revolution fueled rapid growth in Wales. Once the Welsh arrived in Argentina, they fiercely preserved their heritage, which is still evident today in towns such as Dolavon. You will see the flour mill that the Welsh built there in 1881 to grind the wheat that flourished in the surrounding fields. Irrigation canals powered the mill’s water wheel as this area was naturally arid. You will learn more about the Welsh influence by browsing a museum and visiting a Welsh chapel built more than a century ago. Patagonian Welsh is still widely spoken in Gaiman, where you will be served a traditional Welsh tea complete with cakes and pastries. In this tour, the Dolavon Flour Mill, Bethel Chapel and the Gaiman Regional Museum are visited. Also on this tour guests visit Quinta Narlu, where they are dedicated to the production of fine fruits, processing of sweets and artisanal liquors.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Delve into the Welsh influence that is still evident in two towns that they founded.
• Visit the area’s first flour mill, which the Welsh built in 1881 to grind wheat.
• Browse the enlightening exhibits in a Welsh museum and visit a typical Welsh chapel.
• Enjoy tea and tasty pastries at a Welsh tea house in the town of Gaiman.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.