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Punta Tombo Full Day: Rawson and Isla Escondida is an excursion ideal if you want to discover Patagonia’s marine wildlife and explore some of its most special coastal landscapes. On this tour, you’ll visit Punta Tombo, home to one of the largest continental colonies of Magellanic penguins, and discover Isla Escondida, home to southern elephant seals. For a more complete experience, you can add a boat trip to see Commerson’s dolphins in Rawson and enjoy an even closer encounter with Patagonian wildlife.
Price
Adult12+ years
$ 190,000ARS
Child3 to 11 years
$ 142,500ARS
Infant0 to 2 years
Free
StartEnd
7:00 am6:00 pm
Start at your hotel in Puerto Madryn
Guide throughout the excursion
Visit to Playa Union in Rawson
Visit to the Punta Tombo Interpretation Center
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start
Access ticket to Punta Tombo Protected Area
-
Optionals
Commerson's dolphin watching in Rawson
$ 180,000ARS
Recommended
Availability
Highlights
1 / 2
Included
Optional
Included
Included
Description
The Punta Tombo full day: Rawson and Isla Escondida excursion from Puerto Madryn explores some of the most important wildlife sanctuaries along the Chubut coastline through an itinerary that combines a navigation alongside Commerson's dolphins off the coast of Rawson, a visit to Isla Escondida and access to the world's largest continental Magellanic penguin colony, all surrounded by some of Patagonia’s most iconic coastal scenery.
The excursion begins early in the morning with the transfer from Puerto Madryn to Rawson, the capital of Chubut Province. From its harbor, you will enjoy optionally a boat tour to observe Commerson's dolphins, a navigation aboard semi-rigid boats that offers the opportunity to observe these charismatic Patagonian dolphins up close in their natural habitat. Known for their coastal habits and playful behavior, they often swim alongside the boats and surf the waves, and are commonly seen in groups of between 2 and 10 individuals.
The journey then continues to Isla Escondida, a pristine Patagonian beach that has become one of the region’s main southern elephant seal haul-out sites. From a privileged observation point, it is possible to admire these enormous marine mammals resting along the shoreline, creating a unique experience for nature and photography enthusiasts.
The excursion then heads to the Punta Tombo Protected Natural Area, where visitors will explore the Interpretation Center before walking along the trails that cross the largest continental Magellanic penguin colony in the world. During the 1.5 to 2 km walk among penguins, it is possible to closely observe the natural behavior of these birds as they nest, feed their chicks, or move throughout the colony, sharing the environment with a variety of seabird species.
Throughout the excursion, sightings of terrestrial wildlife such as guanacos, Patagonian maras, lesser rheas, foxes, armadillos and a wide variety of Patagonian birds are also common, completing an unforgettable experience to discover the natural richness and extraordinary biodiversity of Patagonia’s Atlantic coast.
The excursion begins early in the morning with the transfer from Puerto Madryn to Rawson, the capital of Chubut Province. From its harbor, you will enjoy optionally a boat tour to observe Commerson's dolphins, a navigation aboard semi-rigid boats that offers the opportunity to observe these charismatic Patagonian dolphins up close in their natural habitat. Known for their coastal habits and playful behavior, they often swim alongside the boats and surf the waves, and are commonly seen in groups of between 2 and 10 individuals.
The journey then continues to Isla Escondida, a pristine Patagonian beach that has become one of the region’s main southern elephant seal haul-out sites. From a privileged observation point, it is possible to admire these enormous marine mammals resting along the shoreline, creating a unique experience for nature and photography enthusiasts.
The excursion then heads to the Punta Tombo Protected Natural Area, where visitors will explore the Interpretation Center before walking along the trails that cross the largest continental Magellanic penguin colony in the world. During the 1.5 to 2 km walk among penguins, it is possible to closely observe the natural behavior of these birds as they nest, feed their chicks, or move throughout the colony, sharing the environment with a variety of seabird species.
Throughout the excursion, sightings of terrestrial wildlife such as guanacos, Patagonian maras, lesser rheas, foxes, armadillos and a wide variety of Patagonian birds are also common, completing an unforgettable experience to discover the natural richness and extraordinary biodiversity of Patagonia’s Atlantic coast.
Itinerary
7:00
Pick-up at hotel
Bus tour
Arrival at Playa Union (Rawson)
Commerson's dolphin watching by boat
Visit to Isla Escondida
Elephant seal watching
Arrival at Punta Tombo Protected Area
1.5–2 km walk among penguins
Punta Tombo Interpretation Center
Return to Puerto Madryn
18:00
Return to the 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 should I wear for the excursion?
As wind and temperatures can vary throughout the day, we recommend dressing in layers and wearing:
- Comfortable, warm clothing.
- Winter hat.
- Gloves.
- Scarf.
- Sunglasses.
- Sunscreen.
- Comfortable footwear.
Does the excursion include lunch, or is there time to eat?
The excursion does not include lunch or beverages. A stop is made along the route where passengers can purchase food (boxed meals, light dishes, or empanadas). However, we recommend bringing a bottle of water, snacks, and a light packed lunch to make the most of the time spent at the wildlife viewing stops and walking trails.
Is the Commerson's dolphin navigation canceled in case of bad weather?
As this is an optional semi-rigid boat navigation from Rawson, departures are subject to wind and sea conditions to ensure passenger safety.
Is the entrance fee to Punta Tombo Protected Area included in the price?
No. The excursion price does not include the entrance fee to the Punta Tombo Protected Natural Area. Since the activity takes place within this reserve, each passenger must purchase their own admission ticket to enter.
Is wildlife viewing guaranteed?
The wildlife observed during the excursion is completely wild and free-ranging. Although Punta Tombo is home to the world's largest Magellanic penguin colony and Isla Escondida has an almost permanent presence of southern elephant seals, their behavior, numbers, and proximity depend on natural and weather conditions. The excursion includes visits to the best wildlife observation sites accompanied by professional guides to maximize viewing opportunities.
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