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Monte León 4x4: Sea Lions and Penguins is an excursion ideal if you want to discover Monte León National Park from El Calafate and walk among penguins. During the tour, you’ll explore the park in an Overland 4x4 vehicle with a specialized guide, crossing the rugged steppe, the winding Santa Cruz River, and the Atlantic Ocean coastline with its beaches and cliffs. You’ll also take a guided trek among penguins and observe sea lions, guanacos, and other native species. The tour includes a complete packed lunch and allows you to experience Monte León and return to El Calafate on the same day.
Price
Adult12+ years
$ 250,000ARS
Child0 to 11 years
$ 200,000ARS
StartEnd
6:30 am9:00 pm
Start at your hotel in El Calafate
Overland 4x4 tour
Packed lunch and binoculars
Visit to a penguin colony with a 1.5-hour trek
Visit to Monte Cabeza de León and the beach
Guide throughout the excursion
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start
Optionals
Trekking boots
$ 29,600ARS
Recommended
Availability
Highlights
1 / 2
Included
Included
Included
Included
Food
Snack and lunch during the excursion
Included
Includes morning snack, lunch with chicken sandwich, scones and sides, and afternoon snack with alfajor, fruit, cereal bar and water offered at different times of the excursion.
Good to know
It is recommended to bring warm clothes, waterproof jacket and pants, trekking boots, gloves and hat. Not recommended for pregnant women or people with reduced mobility.
When booking this tour,
we'll give you a free airport transfer to your hotel
we'll give you a free airport transfer to your hotel
Free airport transfer
Book any tour with us and the transfer is on us, so planning your trip is much simpler.
How does the benefit work?This benefit applies to the arrival leg, covering the transfer from El Calafate airport to your hotel in the city. Please note that it does not include the return trip to the airport. You will be able to enter your flight details and arrange the transfer in the next step.
Description
The Monte Leon 4x4: Sea Lions and Penguins excursion offers a unique opportunity to explore Monte Leon National Park from El Calafate. It combines the sea, the coast, and the steppe with a landscape teeming with Patagonian wildlife. This tour includes trekking among penguins to a viewpoint overlooking the cliffs, a visit to the famous Lion's Head and a trek along the beach with its natural caves formed by sea erosion.
The tour begins with a 6:30 a.m. pick-up by Overland 4x4 from your hotel in El Calafate to head to Monte Leon National Park. Crossing the Patagonian steppe from west to east, you will travel along Provincial Route Nº9, a gravel road along the Santa Cruz River. From the viewpoint of our Overland 4x4 vehicle, you will enjoy magnificent views of the river valley. During the tour, you will see native Patagonian animals such as guanacos, foxes, rheas, and even, occasionally, pumas.
Around 11:30 a.m., you will arrive at Monte Leon National Park. Near the coast, you will take a 1.5-hour easy hike along the penguin colony trail, where you will walk among penguins and their nests and observe the entire colony from the view point. Monte León National Park is home to one of Argentina's most important colonies of Magellanic penguins.
After boarding the Overland 4X4 again, the excursion continues to the Lobería and Cabeza de León Trail, where you can reach the edge of this imposing cliff that resembles a recumbent lion and gives its name to Monte Leon National Park. Here you can observe flocks of fur-bearing sea lions and, occasionally, cetaceans such as French whales, southern dolphins or white-winged dolphins.
The next stop of the tour will be at the Monte Leon Island Lookout, from where you can observe enormous colonies of cormorants and other species of seabirds characteristic of this environment.
Then, you will return to El Calafate, arriving at approximately 9:30 p.m. after having visited the wonderful Monte Leon National Park, the only one overlooking the ocean, coast, and Patagonian steppe and where you can observe birds and animals that are difficult to see elsewhere.
Important: In the event that heavy rain is forecast for the area, the tour must be cancelled due to the terrain's passability. The excursion operates with a minimum of 4 passengers.
The tour begins with a 6:30 a.m. pick-up by Overland 4x4 from your hotel in El Calafate to head to Monte Leon National Park. Crossing the Patagonian steppe from west to east, you will travel along Provincial Route Nº9, a gravel road along the Santa Cruz River. From the viewpoint of our Overland 4x4 vehicle, you will enjoy magnificent views of the river valley. During the tour, you will see native Patagonian animals such as guanacos, foxes, rheas, and even, occasionally, pumas.
Around 11:30 a.m., you will arrive at Monte Leon National Park. Near the coast, you will take a 1.5-hour easy hike along the penguin colony trail, where you will walk among penguins and their nests and observe the entire colony from the view point. Monte León National Park is home to one of Argentina's most important colonies of Magellanic penguins.
After boarding the Overland 4X4 again, the excursion continues to the Lobería and Cabeza de León Trail, where you can reach the edge of this imposing cliff that resembles a recumbent lion and gives its name to Monte Leon National Park. Here you can observe flocks of fur-bearing sea lions and, occasionally, cetaceans such as French whales, southern dolphins or white-winged dolphins.
The next stop of the tour will be at the Monte Leon Island Lookout, from where you can observe enormous colonies of cormorants and other species of seabirds characteristic of this environment.
Then, you will return to El Calafate, arriving at approximately 9:30 p.m. after having visited the wonderful Monte Leon National Park, the only one overlooking the ocean, coast, and Patagonian steppe and where you can observe birds and animals that are difficult to see elsewhere.
Important: In the event that heavy rain is forecast for the area, the tour must be cancelled due to the terrain's passability. The excursion operates with a minimum of 4 passengers.
Itinerary
6:30
Pick-up at hotel
250 km distance
Stops at panoramic points
Views of the Santa Cruz River
12:00
Arrival at Monte Leon NP.
Hike and lunch
Visit to a sea lion colony
Sea Lion Observation
Visit to Mount Lion's Head
Trekking among penguins
15:00
Visit to the Penguin Colony
Return to El Calafate
21:30
Drop off at hotel
Included ActivitiesOptional ActivitiesTimings, order, and activities may vary based on the day's organization
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Frequently Asked Questions
Discover the questions other travelers also had before booking.What is it like to visit the penguin colony and see the penguins?
The visit to the penguin colony is via a specially designed wooden walkway, allowing visitors to navigate the area safely and respectfully. During the walk, it's possible to observe the penguins up close in their natural habitat, whether moving around the colony, in pairs, near their nests, or interacting with each other.
What is the best time to visit Monte Leon National Park and observe penguins?
The best time to visit Monte Leon and observe penguins is between November and February. During these months, the colony is in full breeding activity, so it's possible to observe adults in their nests, chicks as they grow and the colony preparing for their return to the sea. This period offers the best opportunities to enjoy the penguins' natural behavior in their habitat.
How difficult is the walk in the penguin colony?
The penguin colony walk is easy and lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The route follows marked trails and is easily accessible, allowing for a comfortable walk while observing the penguins in their natural habitat.
Is the experience cancelled due to bad weather?
In the event of heavy rain forecast for the area, the excursion may be cancelled for safety reasons, as terrain conditions could affect its accessibility.
Does the tour include food and drinks?
Yes, the excursion includes meals designed to accompany you throughout the activity. It contains a sandwich, drinks and snacks.
Are there any restroom stops during the excursion?
Yes. Stops are made throughout the tour where you can use the restrooms and rest during the trip. Additionally, the Overland vehicle has an onboard restroom, so you can use it when needed.
Besides penguins, what other animals can be seen during the tour?
In addition to penguins, during the visit it is possible to observe other species typical of Patagonian fauna such as seabirds, sea lions, and occasionally guanacos, pumas, and condors. Their presence depends on the time of year, environmental conditions, and the animals' natural behavior, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.
What type of vehicle is used for the tour?
The excursion takes place in an Overland 6x4 vehicle with an onboard bathroom, specially equipped for the gravel roads characteristic of Patagonia. Its design provides greater stability, comfort, and safety during the journey, allowing you to enjoy the trip and the scenery.
Does the vehicle have USB charging ports?
Yes, the vehicle has USB charging ports available for passengers, so that you can keep devices charged during the journey.
Can I schedule other activities on the same day as the excursion?
As the excursion lasts approximately 15 hours, we suggest avoiding any commitments with strict schedules on the same day, such as flights, bus transfers, or other activities. This will allow you to enjoy the experience without concerns and provide a buffer in case of possible delays in the return time.
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