Visit a penguin colony
Walk among the massed crowds of Magellanic penguins which breed on and close to the Valdés Peninsula.
The Patagonian landscape of the Valdez Peninsula and the neighbouring coastline is hauntingly desolate but it’s well populated with wildlife and you may spot ñandu ostriches, Patagonian hares and graceful guanacos as you drive through in search of penguin rookeries.
The largest rookery of Magellanic penguins, with an estimated population of 300,000 birds, is to be found at Punta Tombo, a 3hr drive from Puerto Madryn. During the September to March breeding season, you can wander among jostling crowds of unperturbed penguins, making this one of the area’s top attractions. Other rookeries may be visited in the region.
There’s also an intriguing cultural facet to the area. You can stop in the village of Gaiman, founded by migrants from Wales in the 19th century (and still Welsh-speaking, at least among the older residents), visit its museum and churchyard and even take tea in one of the town’s tea rooms, situated in Welsh-style stone cottages only too familiar to UK visitors.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
