Chubut

A Patagonian coastal province where whale watching on the Valdés Peninsula and penguin colonies are the highlights of wildlife travel.

Chubut lies in central Argentine Patagonia, with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Andes to the west. Puerto Madryn is the gateway to the World Heritage–listed Valdés Peninsula, where you can see southern right whales, sea lions, elephant seals and the Magellanic penguin colony at Punta Tombo. The Gaiman and Trelew area preserves Welsh immigrant culture and a tradition of tea houses, and Los Alerces National Park in the west has beautiful lakes and forests. The whale-watching season runs roughly Jun to Dec, and the penguin season roughly Sep to Apr. Trelew and Puerto Madryn have airports.

Destinations

• Puerto Madryn & Península Valdés
• Esquel & Los Alerces
• El Bolsón

Itineraries

• Ruta 40: Bariloche to El Calafate – Drive south along Route 40 for about 1,600 km, crossing from the Lake District through the steppe to the Cave of the Ha…
• Valdes Peninsula Whales & Penguins – Based in Puerto Madryn, see the peninsula's marine wildlife, take a whale-watching boat, and visit the penguins at Punt…