Explorers and Adventurers: on Darwin’s footsteps across the wild, secret Atlantic Patagonia

Day 1 : International Aiport Ezeiza

Meet your driver at Ezeiza International Airport – transfer to Buenos Aires in a private vehicle. Transfer with an English-speaking guide. Visit Buenos Aires (half day, walking tour).

Today, discover the political and historical centre of the capital . Start with the 9 de Julio Avenue , the widest in the world, dominated by the Obelisk , a symbol of Buenos Aires. You will pass the Colon Theatre , one of the jewels of the Argentine architecture, before arriving on the Capital main square, P laza de Mayo.

Your visit then takes you to San Telmo : this historical neighbourhood is a dynamic mix of tourists and locals: picturesque alleyways, old typical cafés, antique shops … This lively barrio is animated day and night – a famous flea market takes place every sunday around Dorrego square.

End your visit with the picturesque neighborhood of La Boca , with its small alley of El Caminito : painters, tango dancers and singers meet between the ancient colourful wooden houses.

Return to your hotel after the visit.

Excursion carried out with an English-speaking guide. Night at the Tango de Mayo Hotel in standard room.

Day 2 : Buenos Aires

Transfer from your hotel to Buenos Aires Domestic Airport in a private vehicle. Domestic flight Buenos Aires* – Trelew.

*National o international airport depending on time schedule and availability. 1 day vehicle rental, Category G, like Renault Duster or similar GPS included Drop off of your vehicle at the airport. Suggested itinerary:

Leave Trelew for the small village of Bahia Bustamante. You will drive across the steppe of Patagonia: straight line, flat landscape, no one on the horizon, and the ever-present winds! You will feel the power of Patagonia as you barely begin to enter it.

Leave Road 3 to take a track that leads to the sea and to the village of Bahia Bustamante. Bahia Bustamante was born as a seaweed fishing village. True sanctuary of wild life, some biologists, families, adventurers, artists from different corners of the world, have taken up residence in this private (and secret) paradise.

The story is quite original: Lorenzo Soriano started harvesting seaweed in the 1950s. Followed by more than 400 workers, he founded a village whose streets are named after seaweed.

The silence here is only broken by gusts of wind, the song of hundreds of bird species and the breaking of the waves on the shore. The ocean on one side and the endless steppe on the other.

At Bahia Bustamante, luxury is being able to enjoy the immensity of the nature that surrounds you. The purpose of the experience is to connect with nature and with the authenticity of this curious place and its inhabitants.

One included activity to book on site depending on weather conditions and your wishes:

– navigation in Caleta Malaspina

– visit to the Gravina Peninsula

– walk in the penguin islan

– visit to the petrified forest

– historical visit of the village

– visit of Cabo Aristizabal

– trekking in a canyon.

Full board and night in standard Casa de Mar

Day 3 : Bahia Bustamante

Bahia Bustamante was born as a seaweed fishing village. True sanctuary of wild life, some biologists, families, adventurers, artists from different corners of the world, have taken up residence in this private (and secret) paradise.

The story is quite original: Lorenzo Soriano started harvesting seaweed in the 1950s. Followed by more than 400 workers, he founded a village whose streets are named after seaweed.

The silence here is only broken by gusts of wind, the song of hundreds of bird species and the breaking of the waves on the shore. The ocean on one side and the endless steppe on the other.

At Bahia Bustamante, luxury is being able to enjoy the immensity of the nature that surrounds you. The purpose of the experience is to connect with nature and with the authenticity of this curious place and its inhabitants.

One included activity to book on site depending on weather conditions and your wishes:

– navigation in Caleta Malaspina

– visit to the Gravina Peninsula

– walk in the penguin islan

– visit to the petrified forest

– historical visit of the village

– visit of Cabo Aristizabal

– trekking in a canyon.

Full board and night in standard Casa de Mar

Day 4 : Bahia Bustamante

Suggested itinerary:

Leave Bahia Bustamante to drive a little further south following the Atlantic Ocean. On one side, the sea, and on the other side, the steppe, guanacos, eagles, armadillos, maras, etc, all part of the native wildlife.

You arrive at Caleta Olivia located by the sea. This region is known for its oil – in the center of the small town, a monument is dedicated to oil workers, who had to settle in rough natural conditions. But what captures the traveler the most it the coast and its diverse fauna. Night at the Hotel Robert in standard room.

Day 5 : Caleta Oliva

Suggested route:

Departure for the small villages of Tres Cerros and Jaramillo. The latter was built following the Patagonian railway and offers a Wild West kind of atmosphere.

A few kilometers away, you enter the Bosque Petrificado Jaramillo National Park (petrified forest). The petrified forest is made up of fossilized woods where organic materials have been replaced by minerals. The paleobotany site is unique in the world, covering around 70,000 hectares whose landscapes tell a story more than 150 million years old.

Drive on towards Puerto Deseado, sanctuary of marine fauna! Night at a Hotel Los Acantilados in standard room.

Day 6 : Puerto Deseado

This morning, leave in a zodiac accompanied by a biologist guide. During the navigation, you will approach colonies of penguins, cormorans and sea lions. Disembark on the mainland, to the north of the estuary, for a stroll on a beach rich with famous explorers history : Magellan, Darwin, Perito Moreno …

At the top of the hill, you will have a panoramic view over Río Deseado, surrounded by the magnificent Patagonian steppe. Night at a Hotel Los Acantilados in standard room.

Day 7 : Puerto Deseado

From Puerto Deseado, embark on a boat to observe one of the largest maritime parks in Argentina. You will be able to observe the Commerson Delphins following the boat.

Disembark on the southern side of Pinguino Island: a guided, careful hike (so as not to disturb the wildlife) leads you to the highest point on the island where the legendary Pinguino lighthouse is located, still in use, guiding brave sailors.

The locals will keep you company during your walk: Magellanic penguins, sea lions, elephant seals and a large number of seabirds can be spotted along the way.

The path crosses canyons to reach the highlight of the excursion: the observation of rockhopper penguins, in their natural habitat. Unique on the continent, you will have the rare opportunity to admire very closely their famous rock-to-rock jumps, characteristic of this species.

Picnic planned at the foot of the lighthouse. Night at a Hotel Los Acantilados in standard room.

Day 8 : Puerto Deseado

Suggested itinerary:

Follow the Atlantic coast south, across the Patagonian steppe until reaching Puerto San Julian (about 4 hours drive). In Puerto San Julian, embark on a small cruise to cross to Justicia Island, where the tombs of two former captains lie, executed in 1520 by Magellan and in 1578 by Drake. This Justice Island is also home to many wild birds, cormorans, oystercatchers, skuas etc.

The second stop is Cormoran island, where more than 120 000 Magellanic Penguins nest – some Commerson Dolphins may swim along the boat, their black and white skin easily spotted against the blue waters.

Go back to Puerto San Julian.

1-hour navigation Night at the Hosteria La casa de Ketty in standard room.

Day 9 : Comandante Luis Piedrabuena

Suggested itinerary:

Explore the Monte Leon Park. The land was bought by environmentalists Douglas and Kristine Tompkins from the CLT (Conservation Land Trust) association, to create the first national marine park in Argentina.

Go for a walk along the coast to reach the penguin colony and the colonies of sea lions and cormorans. Observe closely hundreds of guanacos, ñandous, gray foxes and is you’re in luck, the king of these lands: the puma, nicknamed lion by the locals ( leon ). Night at the Estancia Doraike in standard room.

Day 10 : Monte Leon National Parc

Suggested itinerary:

Drive to the Estancia Monte Dinero: head south between the Atlantic Ocean and the Patagonian steppe. Founded in the early 1880s, the estancia is run by the Fenton family, direct descendants of the Scottish pioneers. The estancia has 26,000 hectares devoted to the breeding of 14,000 Merino sheep.

Night at the Estancia Monte Dinero in a standard room (shared bathroom)

Day 11 : Rio Gallegos

Drop off your vehicle at the rental office Take a long-distance coach from Rio Gallegos to El Calafate.

Departure 20h30 – arrival arount 00h30 – 4 hour journey. Transfer with a private vehicule from the bus station to the hotel in El Calafate. Night at the Roble Sur in standard room.

Day 12 : Perito Moreno Glacier

Around 9 a.m., a pool service will pick you up from the hotel to head for the Perito Moreno Glacier some 80 km from El Calafate. This full-day excursion allows you to thoroughly enjoy the exceptional natural surroundings with panoramic views from the numerous footbridges facing the glacier and its surrounding lenga forest.

Return trip to El Calafate at 4:30 p.m. Entrance to Los Glaciares National Park included. The Rancho Aparte experience offers the opportunity to savour a home-cooked meal in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The Chef opens the doors to his home, a small house overviewing El Calafate.

What Gabo says: Travel through the encounters you make – and what best way to get to know us than sharing a meal, listening to some nice music, making new friends while living a different experience. I will make yourself feel at home, come meet me in Rancho Aparte

3-course meal, 1 non-alcoholic drink and 1/2 bottle of wine per person included. Night at the Roble Sur in standard room.

Day 13 : El Calafate

Transfer from El Calafate to the Airport in a private vehicle. Domestic flight Calafate – Buenos Aires*.

*National o international airport depending on time schedule and availability. Transfer from Buenos Aires domestic airport to your hotel in a private vehicle. Tango Dinner Show

In El Querandí , enjoy an authentic and traditional tango show accompanied by a delicious dinner, in the intimate and exclusive atmosphere of the early twentieth century (1920s building entirely renovated). Round trip to the restaurant. Night at the Vain Boutique Hotel in standard room.

Day 14 : Buenos Aires

Transfer from the hotel to Ezeiza International Airport in a private vehicle.