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Puerto Madryn
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Puerto Madryn is the entry point to this Central Patagonia rugged coastline. You will then drive a short distance to reach the Peninsula Valdes, famous for watching the Southern Right Whales and viewing other protected species, such as Sea Elephants, Sea Lions, Magellan Penguins, and countless marine bird species. Its rugged coasts outlined by several gulfs, bays, estuaries and cliffs that plunge into the green waters of the Argentine Sea form an exceptionally beautiful natural reserve. Puerto Madryn is the starting point in order to visit many interesting sites that are unique in the world, some of them declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO: First of all the Valdes Peninsula where you can join the boat excursions that enable whale watching. It is a privileged bird and sea fauna reservation, whose peak attraction is the Southern Whale that every year between May and December comes to these coasts in order to breed. Once in the Peninsula, you will have the chance to tour its coasts populated by sea lions and sea elephants as well as a great assortment of birds. Within Valdes Peninsula, Puerto Piramides is the peak tourist attraction. It is a small, cozy town with lodging facilities as well as restaurants. 180 Km. south from Madryn it is also possible to reach the Punta Tombo Natural Protected Area. At this place the most important continental colony of Magellanic penguins is located, with half a million of these charming animals coming year after year. They are named like this because of Ferdinand Magellan who spotted them during his expedition. Also when touring the area, you can't miss the city of Trelew, which is the most important around due to its commercial activity. It also features the must-visit Paleontologic Museum Edigio Feruglio. And at last, Gaiman: the Welsh town. This place conserves the architecture, tradition and even the language of the first Welsh settlers. You simply cannot skip the visit to one of the many Tea Houses that are available in order to taste the famous Welsh Tea served by descendants of those first settlers. And finally, very close to Gaiman and Trelew, you might want to pay a visit to Rawson, an administrative city which is the capital of the Chubut Province. Attached to it there is a beach resort, Playa Union, from where dolphin watching excursions depart.
The characteristic of the region is the contrast between the green of the Patagonia plateau, with its tones of brownish green and gray, and the green-blue of the sea seen at the base of the giant cliffs that show the last of the steps of the valley. From there on, beaches of soft sand and gravel slopes get gently into the sea. In the summer months it's very hot during the day, temperatures rising up to 40 grades centigrade, but it always gets cool at night, so do not forget to bring a jacket, sweatshirt or sweater for these circumstances. Also remember that the closer we get to the polar circle of Antarctica, the less protected we are by the ozone layer, therefore the harming effects of the sun can be sensed clearly. So it's always better to bring with you, along with your swimsuit, your sunglasses and solar protection. In winter, temperatures are low, though there's no snow since we are by the ocean, a great climate controller. There is much wind, so you have to bring not only warm clothes according to the season but also a good jacket, appropriate shoes and a cap.
Fauna Seasons: Birds in general: All year long, Whales: May to December, Sea Elephants: All year long, Sea Lions: All year long, Penguins: October to March, Commerson's Dolphins: All year long, Dark Dolphins: December to March, Orcas: January to April and October to December, Martinetas, Choiques, Guanacos, Hares and Gray Wolves: All year long.
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