Peninsula Valdes Tour with Optional Whale Watching
4.5
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About
Ideal for nature and wildlife fans, this Peninsula Valdes tour from Puerto Madryn facilitates the opportunity to see elephant seals, sea lions, penguins, armadillos, maras, skunks, and more. Take the chance out of spotting local wildlife and benefit from the expert advice of a naturalist guide. The tour includes round-trip transport, and there’s an option to add on a whale watching trip too.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 20 per group
Duration: 12h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English, Spanish
More
Highlights
- Go on a guided tour of Peninsula Valdes with a naturalist guide
- No need to go to a meeting place—hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Special opportunity to see lots of local wildlife, including penguins
- Learn as you travel—enjoy commentary about flora and fauna
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Whale watching navigation (if option selected)
What's not included- Food and drinks
- Whale Watching Navigation (if option selected)
- Cruise Port pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Entry/Admission - Peninsula Valdes
- Entry/Admission - Peninsula Valdes
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.Pickup details
- The pick up transfer is only from selected centrally located hotels. If your hotel is outside the geographic area, we will confirm you the closest meeting point. Indicate the name and address of your hotel.
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5674P79- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Cruise Passengers are not allowed to take this tour
- Most travelers can participate
- Entrance fees for the Valdes Peninsula are not included
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5674P79
From
$192.33
per adult
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- ilhank5540 contributionsHighly recommended!A wonderful tour seeing so many penguins so close! And the toninas as well. Our guide was a real pro, very knowledgeable and really loving his job! Highly recommended tour that I would love to do again some dayzWritten December 5, 2023
- Norma F0 contributionsMany cute penguinsIt is a 2 hour trip from Puerto Madryn to punta Tombo, but the reserve is very interesting, You are able to walk along the different trails , the Penguins are so noisy calling each other to nest, but they and also friendly to take pictures (but do not touch them)It is a 20 minutes walk to the shore where the colony is bigger and you can see them swimming. One comment there is no WIFI or internet so be prepared to pay lunch in cashWritten November 22, 2022
- 1victor0 contributionsSuch an wonderful tourWe did this as a shore excursion and we booked it directly with El Pedral. The El Pedral team at the Puerto Madryn port were well signed and we found our way to our guide, Rodrigo who directed s to the small 'bus we went touring within. Rodrigo was well spoken and an excellent guide giving us great information on the excursion. We saw some wildlife on the journey to El Pedral property. Our first stop was to observe a small nmber of Elephant Seals laying below our cliff top observation point and then we proceeded to the area of the light house. Then came the reason for our journey - the walk, maybe 1500m or more, to the area where the penguins were located. First we saw moulting birds and then more and more and finally we reached the pebble beach where there were many penguins close to the line of surf. A few walked close to us while we stood upon the beach. After we returned to our bus we went to the El Pedral buildings where we had a lunch which included Argentinian style BBQed lamb and wine. This was the best excursion we have ever been on in our 6 cruises.Written March 12, 2020
- HanleyStrappman0 contributionsVisiting the penguins on Christmas DayWe had a great time visiting the penguins. It was an amazing experience walking and sitting on the beach with them. New born chicks were very cute. The overall experience with El Pedral Penguin Colony Tour was outstanding.Written January 23, 2020
- silverwedding0 contributionsGreat tour and visitWe were met on the dock by 2 guides and taken to the buses. Had a great drive out to El Pedral, seeing llamas and reals en route. Rodrigo also made mate for everyone to try. Went to see the penguins. Be warned that there is quite a long walk from the bus to the beach, but you will see lots of penguins on the way. You will then be taken by bus for lunch. Only negative was that we had to wait on the bus at the port for over an hour, waiting dor people to disembark as they had decided beforehand who should be on each bus. Might be better to just fill up a bus and go and let the stragglers wait for the other latecomers.Written January 13, 2020
- sailing8410 contributionsSimply Amazing!This was an amazing trip. Our guide and driver were great. They answered our questions, gave us history and pointed out animals with stops to take photos before we got to the ranch. They discussed all the amazing features of each We had no idea when we booked the trip that the penguin colony was on the ranch's private property. The daily visitors were limited, so it was really private. We were able to go on Christmas which was great as well. Make sure your batteries are fully charged as you will take a ton of photos The only issue was that the brochure did not mention footwear and photos depicted people in sandals. Please do not do this.... it is hard to walk on the rock beach. I'd suggest a light weight hiking shoe or at least tennis shoes.Written January 13, 2020
- cosconstantinou10 contributionsLong day but great wildlifeThe boat ride to see the toninas was cheaper to book during the day trip (about a third of rhe online trip advisor option price) and well worth doing as the boat ride itself was comfortable and we saw many toninas. The penguin colony is a must see as this is the largest accessible colony anywhere. Our guide was very good but was let down by not having a working microphone which made listening to her difficult on the often bumpy and noisy minivan drive.Written November 17, 2019
- Dunja V0 contributionsExciting wild life tourIn November we saw many toninas y penguins, it is an excellent time of the year to see and observe the wild animals. The tour is best appreciated when also choosing the option to watch dolphins. Otherwise it can be a boring 1,5 hours to wait around for the return of those who chose the dolphin tour.Written November 16, 2019
- zohrehghorban0 contributionsPenguin Island tour from UshiaiI visited penguin island in 22 March 2019 .The Beagle Channel is worth experience.Getting close to nature at the bottom of the world to Martillo Island from Ushuaia, and walk with the penguins in their natural colonies was the most interesting trip. visiting penguin island was incredible. This is the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life.Written April 19, 2019
- Ronald L0 contributionsMust See Penguin ExperienceWe actually signed up for this tour aboard the NCL Sun on our way from Santiago, Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Punta Tombo Penguin Sanctuary was one of the highlights of our trip. Learned all about penguins and other bird and animal life in this area.Traveled directly from the pier to the sanctuary and back. Petrels & orcas kill penguins in water, foxes and sea gulls on land. Most young are born end of November. Now month old. Lay two eggs and parents mate for life. Can live 30 years. Some tagged and have GPS tracker. Eat anchovies. Regurgitate fish for young. Trails run about a half mile from the parking area and are well marked. Five bridges allow penguins to move under the trail system so they are able to reach the sea unimpeded. Estimated one million penguins use this sanctuary. Guanacos, related to camels, also use this area. Allows up close and personal views of penguins and young in their home environment.Written March 15, 2019
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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44 reviews
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Roman D
26 contributions
The tour costs $150 per person, but in return you get a lot of time in the car, few animals and two unnecessary stops. You don't even get a bottle of water.
As for the process: Pick-up was late, the stops were not timed, so we had to wait for others in the hot car.
Not recommended!
As for the process: Pick-up was late, the stops were not timed, so we had to wait for others in the hot car.
Not recommended!
Written January 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hallo,
vielen Dank für Ihren Kommentar. Es tut uns leid, dass diese Tour Ihre Erwartungen nicht ganz erfüllt hat. Wir werden versuchen, diese Tour in Zukunft zu verbessern.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Written April 12, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
osjmateo
Buenos Aires, Argentina6 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
I took this excursion in pesos and they charged me in dollars, so it cost me almost fifty percent more. Furthermore, they came to pick us up more than an hour after the agreed time. Finally, they took us to eat at a very expensive place in Puerto Pirámides: they charged us for a simple meal more than double what we paid in better quality restaurants in Puerto Madryn. I don't recommend them at all
Written November 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hector S
9 contributions
Excellent service at the Tito Botazzi and Turismo Punta Tombo agencies.
A Patagonian experience, not to be missed, on a trip to Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina.
Special mention to our guide Mimí Abdala, very knowledgeable about her job, and very attentive to her passengers. To Enzo
, champion in driving on gravel roads and the crew of the boat.
A Patagonian experience, not to be missed, on a trip to Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina.
Special mention to our guide Mimí Abdala, very knowledgeable about her job, and very attentive to her passengers. To Enzo
, champion in driving on gravel roads and the crew of the boat.
Written November 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ilhan K
17 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
An amazing experience, particularly the whale-watching! The whole tour was great, we got to see so many beautiful animals and nature. Can highly recommend! Also, our guide Juan filled me in perfectly on english.
Written November 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark Brincat
Feltham, UK62 contributions
Great day and Juan the tour guide was excellent. We managed to see seals, sea lions and some penguins. Unfortunately no Orcas came out to play but that did not deter us. Was an excellent day
Written March 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victoria Z
Puerto Rico81 contributions
Our bilingual guide Juan was excellent, very knowledgeable. He made our trip an unforgettable experience. We didn’t get to do the whale watching (January is out of whale season), but nevertheless it was so worth it. We got to see sea lions, sea elephants and penguins. Also guanacos (similar to lamas), patagonic hares, armadillos, patagonic ostriches, owls... Our driver was also very good, and would be very attentive for wild animals, pointing them out to us, stopping or going very slowly to take pictures. Our van was comfortable, with good A/C. A wonderful day. Note: even if the weather may seem hot in Madryn, do take a jacket, as it may get very windy (and thus cold) momentarily.
Written January 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gabriele M
Bellheim13 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
This was a full day with interesting and amazing experiences. We went to the bird's Island. Then we went to the Museum to get some Information about the flora and Fauna. We continued to Puerto Piramides. We went on a whale watching tour where we still saw some whales, although it was late in season. We went with Bottazi, who did a great job. We weent on to Caleta Valdes, where we saw Elephant seals, sea lions, penguins and several other birds species and a wonderful landscape. At last we got to the Northern Point where we saw more animals. On our way we saw guanacos aand owls and Patagonian ostriches. Cesar die a great Job drivingg and giving a bunch of infor,´mation.
Written December 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
straea
United States260 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
I did the full day tour and chose to do the optional whale watching tour. My day was amazing, my bilingual guide was fantastic, and we saw Southern Right Whales on the boat trip. On land we saw many birds, including penguins, and several mammals. I've talked to a number of people who took shorter tours of the Peninsula and were disappointed. While this tour's length makes for a long day, I think this makes for a more rewarding experience. My guide was a local who talked about the history and culture of the area as well as the nature we were seeing, and she made sure we were as comfortable as possible during our long trip.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
Written August 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel
Poznan, Poland9 contributions
Amazing experience with wild nature of Peninsula Valdes and his history with really professional guide and stuff that's work there.
Written September 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sofia Bellisomo
2 contributions
Aug 2022
I would not recommend it at all! Apart from the local flora we saw very little. If the period is not recommended then they should not offer this kind of tour because it is really a waste of money and time. It has been completely different from what was in the description. In particular:
- I had requested the tour to be in English and the tour operator kept speaking in Spanish despite me asking to translate. He said only 2/3 sentences in English and I could tell it wasn’t the full explanation he had given in Spanish. So, I didn’t understand almost anything as I don’t speak good Spanish.
- The description stated that the access to the Peninsula Valdes is approx. 650 ARS but we had to pay 2800 ARS per person
- Before the trip started we asked the tour operator if we needed cash to pay in restaurants and shops and he assured us that we could use credit cards, but this wasn’t the case and we couldn’t even have lunch because we didn’t have cash as we had to pay the high amount to enter the Peninsula
- The description didn’t really specify what we could do if we hadn’t purchased the wale experience so we assumed that there were other activities in place or a trip back to the hotel. But when we got to Punto Piramides in the afternoon, we were told we had to wait in the bus for 2 hours which is unacceptable. So, we had to go back to the hotel with a taxi which cost us 10500 ARS.
- Also, there were basically no animals. The very few we could see were so far away that we couldn’t even tell what they were.
It felt like we have wasted our money and I don’t even understand what the price I paid included besides the transport as I wasn’t provided with what I was supposed to receive. I don't recommend this experience to anyone as my experience was so bad that I wouldn’t want anyone else to experience the same.
I send a complaint on August 18 and I'm still waiting to hear a final answer from them despite the many follow-ups.
- I had requested the tour to be in English and the tour operator kept speaking in Spanish despite me asking to translate. He said only 2/3 sentences in English and I could tell it wasn’t the full explanation he had given in Spanish. So, I didn’t understand almost anything as I don’t speak good Spanish.
- The description stated that the access to the Peninsula Valdes is approx. 650 ARS but we had to pay 2800 ARS per person
- Before the trip started we asked the tour operator if we needed cash to pay in restaurants and shops and he assured us that we could use credit cards, but this wasn’t the case and we couldn’t even have lunch because we didn’t have cash as we had to pay the high amount to enter the Peninsula
- The description didn’t really specify what we could do if we hadn’t purchased the wale experience so we assumed that there were other activities in place or a trip back to the hotel. But when we got to Punto Piramides in the afternoon, we were told we had to wait in the bus for 2 hours which is unacceptable. So, we had to go back to the hotel with a taxi which cost us 10500 ARS.
- Also, there were basically no animals. The very few we could see were so far away that we couldn’t even tell what they were.
It felt like we have wasted our money and I don’t even understand what the price I paid included besides the transport as I wasn’t provided with what I was supposed to receive. I don't recommend this experience to anyone as my experience was so bad that I wouldn’t want anyone else to experience the same.
I send a complaint on August 18 and I'm still waiting to hear a final answer from them despite the many follow-ups.
Written August 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sofia Bellisomo, thank you very much for your comments,
We are sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations.
All the guides we work with are bilingual and have experience doing excursions in different languages on day-to-day. However, we have forwarded your complaint to the tour guide who was in charge that particular day so, can improve in this aspect.
The entrance fees to the national parks or reserves, as indicated on the website, are approximate. Argentina is going through a macroeconomic process that causes prices to change constantly. On arrival at the reserve, you indicated to the guide that you did not have the money to pay (18usd per passenger) as you were not aware that you had to pay. In this situation, the guide helped you to pay so that ypu could get in without any problems.
Puerto Piramides is a small port where whale watching, the best seller excursion of the season, takes place. Anyway, arriving at Caleta Valdes (180km from Puerto Madryn) you told the guide that you wanted to return to Puerto Madryn. A comment that, frankly, surprised the guide, as well as the fact that you did not want to wait for the rest of the group. Also, you told him that you had a flight scheduled in the afternoon and you should return. The guide indicated that you would not miss the flight but you insisted on returning to the city. As per your request, the guide offered and helped to arrange for a taxi to take you from Puerto Piramidas to Puerto Madryn. The next day, the guide went to pick up other passengers at a hotel and saw you, which made us wonder if you have missed the flight or what happened.
Finally, as for the animals, as they are in their natural habitat, they are free to move around. Sometimes they show up and sometimes they don't. It is not a guarantee. It is not a zoo.
We are sorry to hear that your expectations were not met. Thank you for your comments as it help us to improve our services.
Best regards,
Tangol Tours.
Written October 24, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hola, Hicieron la excursión desde Madryn, o se hospedaron en P. Pirámides en la cabaña "Cristal" (segunda bajada al mar) ? Hicieron la excursión de avistaje de ballenas con el Peke Sosa?. Recorrieron con vuestro propio auto? ¿Cómo están los caminos?. ¿cuanto es el tiempo mínimo? ¿2 noches?. Istmo Ameghino, Punta Tombo, la Isla de los pájaros, Madryn, etc. VALE LA PENA este viaje?
Written December 2, 2023
Hicimos la excursión desde Puerto Madryn completa península y avistaje , sin Punta Tombo .
Con Botazzi .
Los caminos de ripio , ¡ un desastre ! para romper coches o accidentarse . Nuestro conductor Enzo , del bus , un capo baqueano .
La experiencia : ¡ maravillosa ! Aunque hay que ir en época de alta temporada de ballenas , para ver muchas y activas .
Written December 3, 2023
Que bien ni discapacitados ni jubilados podemos ver ballenas.Una maravills
Written November 14, 2023
Hola buenas de cuántas horas es el recorrido? Es buena fecha para ir en noviembre para ver animales?
Written September 5, 2023
Could I reserve online and pay in cash later instead?
Written October 31, 2022
I think that there is a option but the best way is to contact with agency by agency Whatsapp that is in the description. They are replying quiet fast. 😀
Written November 1, 2022
Buenas noches, queria consultar si ¿alguien viajo y pudo utilizar la tarjeta de previaje para agar la excursion a avistaje de ballenas y gastronomia?
Saludos
Written October 21, 2022
Gabriela S
Resistencia, Argentina
buenas el costo de la navegacion esta incluido
Written September 11, 2022
Pienzo viajar la primera semana de agosto quisiera saber cuales el costo de la Excursion a la Peninsula de Valdes desde puerto Madrin incluyendo el avistage de ballenas en lancha. Somo un total de tres personas.
Written July 18, 2022
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.