Patagonia Wildlife Safari
During the Southern Hemisphere spring, from mid-September to late November, explore on this Patagonia Wildlife Safari the Atlantic coast at Peninsula Valdés and Puerto Madryn, where Southern Right Whales, Magellanic Penguins, Southern Elephant Seals, Sea Lions and many other species can be observed in their natural habitat. Later, travel to the Andes, where El Calafate and Torres del Paine National Park offer excellent opportunities to search for wild pumas, Andean Condors, guanacos and rheas, all surrounded by some of Patagonia's most spectacular landscapes, including the Perito Moreno Glacier.
If you want more wildlife tours in Patagonia, you can check our Patagonia Wildlife Tours! For more tours in Argentina, go to Argentina Wildlife Tours.
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Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrival in Puerto Madryn
Arrival at either Trelew or Puerto Madryn Airport, followed by a private transfer to your hotel.
If you're travelling before early October, we recommend visiting El Doradillo and Las Canteras, where Southern Right Whales can often be observed directly from the shore at high tide—one of Patagonia's most remarkable wildlife experiences. This is a half-day excursion.
Peninsula Valdés: Southern Right Whales & Penguins
After breakfast, we depart for Peninsula Valdés, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
Our first stop is Puerto Pirámides, where we'll board a whale-watching cruise lasting approximately 1.5 hours. Southern Right Whales are naturally curious animals and frequently approach the boats, offering exceptional close-up encounters.
Afterwards, we continue to Estancia San Lorenzo, a traditional sheep ranch where we'll enjoy a classic Patagonian lamb barbecue for lunch.
In the afternoon, we visit one of South America's largest Magellanic Penguin colonies, home to roughly 500,000 penguins. Walking among these birds during the breeding season is one of the highlights of this Patagonia Wildlife Safari.
Before returning, we'll visit Punta Norte, where Southern Elephant Seals, Southern Sea Lions and, occasionally, Orcas can be observed depending on the season and tides.
Overnight in Puerto Pirámides.
Peninsula Valdés & Return to Puerto Madryn
We'll keep the morning available in case the whale-watching excursion has to be rescheduled due to weather conditions.
Later, we'll continue exploring Peninsula Valdés with a visit to Punta Cantor and Caleta Valdés, a spectacular coastal inlet that hosts breeding colonies of Elephant Seals and Sea Lions, where Orcas are occasionally spotted.
Throughout our time in Peninsula Valdés, we'll also have excellent opportunities to observe guanacos, Patagonian foxes, rheas, armadillos, petrels and numerous seabirds.
Return to Puerto Madryn.
Atlantic Patagonia Wildlife
Today's excursion focuses on the rich marine wildlife found south of Puerto Madryn.
Our first stop is Playa Unión, where we'll board a small zodiac boat in search of the playful Patagonian Dolphins (Toninas Overas).
We then continue south, passing a hidden Elephant Seal colony before arriving at Punta Tombo, one of the world's largest Magellanic Penguin rookeries. A scenic walking trail crosses the Patagonian steppe before reaching the coast, providing excellent opportunities to observe guanacos, rheas and other native wildlife along the way.
Return to Puerto Madryn.
If time permits, we may also visit the renowned MEF – Egidio Feruglio Paleontological Museum in Trelew.
Alternative activity
Instead of visiting Punta Tombo, you may choose one of Patagonia's most memorable marine wildlife experiences:
- Snorkelling with Sea Lions at Punta Loma
- Kayaking alongside Sea Lions in their natural habitat
Unlike when resting onshore, Sea Lions become playful in the water, making this an unforgettable wildlife encounter.
Puerto Madryn – El Calafate
Private transfer to Trelew Airport for your flight to El Calafate.
Depending on your flight schedule, additional activities can be arranged either before departure or upon arrival.
Perito Moreno Glacier
Today you'll visit the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier, one of Patagonia's greatest natural wonders.
Besides walking along the panoramic boardwalks, several optional activities can be added, including a boat excursion, kayaking near the glacier or even glacier trekking.
Overnight in El Calafate.
Puerto Natales
Private transfer to Puerto Natales (approximately five hours), crossing the Argentina–Chile border.
The remainder of the day is free to relax and enjoy this charming waterfront town.
Torres del Paine National Park
After breakfast, we'll drive to Torres del Paine National Park, one of Patagonia's most spectacular protected areas.
If desired, we can stop at Laguna Sofía, an excellent location to observe Andean Condors.
We'll spend the next three nights either inside the national park or at carefully selected accommodations nearby, depending on your preferred balance between scenery, comfort and puma-tracking opportunities.
Puma Tracking in Torres del Paine National Park
Today we'll begin our search for wild pumas in Torres del Paine National Park, widely regarded as one of the best places on Earth to observe these elusive predators in their natural habitat.
Our wildlife outing typically starts around sunrise, when pumas are most active. Accompanied by our expert local tracker, we'll explore different areas of the park while keeping an eye out for its remarkable biodiversity.
Besides pumas, it's common to encounter:
- Andean Condors
- Guanacos
- Rheas
- Foxes
- Numerous bird species
Overnight in Torres del Paine.
Wildlife Safari in Torres del Paine National Park
Another early start gives us the best chance to observe wildlife during the most active hours of the day.
We'll continue exploring different sectors of Torres del Paine National Park, adapting our route according to recent wildlife sightings and current conditions. Depending on your interests, the day can also include scenic drives, short hikes or visits to some of the park's most spectacular viewpoints.
The elusive Huemul Deer may also be spotted on today's excursion.
Overnight in Torres del Paine.
Private Patagonia Wildlife Safari
Our final full day offers another opportunity to search for pumas and other native wildlife with our expert tracker.
Because this is a private Patagonia Wildlife Safari, today's itinerary remains flexible and can be tailored to your interests. Whether you prefer another wildlife excursion, a scenic drive, a short hike or simply enjoying the extraordinary landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park, we'll make the most of the best wildlife opportunities available.
Overnight in Torres del Paine.
Departure
Private transfer to Puerto Natales Airport at the agreed time.
Alternatively, we can arrange a transfer to Punta Arenas or back to El Calafate.
If you'd like to continue exploring Patagonia, this Patagonia Wildlife Safari can easily be extended with additional destinations and wildlife experiences across Argentina and Chile.
Arrival in Punta Arenas
Arrival at Punta Arenas Airport, Chile, followed by a private transfer to your hotel. The idea for these first two days in Punta Arenas is to explore some of the magnificent landscapes of the Chilean Fjords. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Francisco Coloane Marine Park
Enjoy a full-day navigation through Francisco Coloane Marine Park, a pristine marine protected area in the Chilean Fjords.
After an early departure from Punta Arenas, you’ll sail through spectacular fjords surrounded by glaciers, mountains, and native forests. This region offers excellent opportunities to observe humpback whales, dolphins, Magellanic penguins, sea lions, cormorants, petrels, and many other marine species, while also enjoying views of Cape Froward, the southernmost point of the South American mainland.
This is an unforgettable wildlife experience in one of Patagonia’s most spectacular natural settings.
Optionally, this excursion can be replaced or complemented with a guided sea kayaking experience, weather permitting.
Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales
We’ll keep this as a spare day in case bad weather prevents the navigation the previous day. Then, enjoy a private transfer to Puerto Natales, approximately three hours from Punta Arenas.
Begin your wildlife exploration in Torres del Paine National Park, maximizing your opportunities to observe wild pumas in their natural habitat.
Wildlife outings typically begin around sunrise, when pumas are most active. Together with our expert local tracker, we’ll explore different sectors of the park while remaining attentive to the area’s rich biodiversity.
Besides pumas, you may encounter Andean condors, guanacos, rheas, foxes, and numerous bird species.
Continue exploring Torres del Paine National Park in search of wild pumas and other Patagonian wildlife.
The wildlife excursions can be combined with scenic drives, short walks, or hikes, depending on your interests and the best opportunities available that day.
There is also the possibility of encountering the elusive huemul deer, one of the most iconic and endangered species of Patagonia.
Enjoy a final full day of wildlife exploration in Torres del Paine. The itinerary will be adapted to weather conditions, wildlife activity, and your personal interests.
Depending on the conditions, the day may include additional puma tracking, scenic drives, hikes, short walks, or boat trips through some of the park’s most spectacular landscapes.
We’ll spend the nights either inside the National Park or at carefully selected accommodations nearby, depending on your preferred balance between scenery, comfort, and puma-tracking opportunities.
Torres del Paine – El Calafate
At an agreed-upon time, enjoy a private transfer to El Calafate, approximately five hours away in Argentina.
Depending on your schedule, additional activities can be arranged either before departure or upon arrival.
Today you’ll visit the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier, one of Patagonia’s greatest natural wonders.
Besides walking along the panoramic boardwalks, several optional activities can be incorporated, including boat navigation, kayaking near the glacier, or even glacier trekking.
Overnight in El Calafate.
El Calafate – Bahía Bustamante
After breakfast, you’ll have a private transfer to El Calafate Airport for your flight to Trelew.
Upon arrival, continue by private transfer to Bahía Bustamante, approximately four hours away, depending on transportation and road conditions.
Located on Patagonia’s Atlantic coast, Bahía Bustamante is an exclusive seaside lodge and one of Argentina’s most remarkable wildlife destinations. It is often described as Argentina’s answer to the Galápagos thanks to its extraordinary biodiversity and remote setting.
Originally established as a seaweed-harvesting settlement, Bahía Bustamante is now one of Patagonia’s most remote wildlife destinations. Surrounded by protected landscapes, islands, rocky shores, and crystal-clear bays, it offers exceptional opportunities to observe marine and terrestrial fauna in an uncrowded environment.
In summer, you may see Magellanic penguins, sea lions, elephant seals, guanacos, rheas, foxes, and, on many occasions, armadillos, dolphins, sei whales, and an impressive variety of seabirds.
Bahía Bustamante
Enjoy a full day exploring the diverse ecosystems of Bahía Bustamante through the lodge’s guided excursions.
Activities vary according to weather and tides and may include boat trips to nearby islands, visits to penguin colonies and sea lion rookeries, scenic hikes through petrified forests and coastal landscapes, kayaking, whale-watching excursions, or 4WD adventures across the Patagonian Steppe.
The region is also an exceptional destination for birdwatchers and photographers, offering extraordinary wildlife encounters far from the crowds.
Continue exploring Bahía Bustamante and its remarkable coastal ecosystems.
Enjoy another day of guided wildlife excursions, with opportunities to discover islands, beaches, rocky shores, and protected areas inhabited by an extraordinary variety of marine and terrestrial species.
Between excursions, relax at the lodge and take in the tranquility of one of Patagonia’s most secluded coastal environments.
After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer to Comodoro Rivadavia Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your Patagonia Wildlife Safari.
Where to Stay
Some places where you could stay, from unique premium lodges to classic accommodations.
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Beyond BA Latam is a local travel agency based in Argentina that designs personalized tours in Argentina, Chile and Antarctica. We are very proud to work with a knowledgeable team capable to design trips based on your interests and traveling style. We are able to bring you a different and more enjoyable experience.
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