Day notes
23rd November: Arrive in Buenos Aires
Arrival at Ezeiza Airport and private transfer to NH Crillon Hotel
Transfer from Ezeiza International Airport [EZE] to NH Collection Buenos Aires Crillon
Transfer
Ezeiza International Airport [EZE]
NH Collection Buenos Aires Crillon
Check-in to NH Collection Buenos Aires Crillon
Day notes
24th November: Fly Buenos Aires – Comodoro Rivadavia
Private transfer to the domestic airport in Buenos Aires and fly to Comodoro Rivadavia airport in Patagonia
Pick up 4WD (Toyota Hilux) or similar and drive to Estancia El Sauce and Glamping Isla Leones.
Glamping Isla Leones is located beside the sea, inside Portal Isla Leones. It combines a living and dining area, a fire pit, and six Patagonian-style cabins made of sheet metal and wood, raised on platforms. It also has a wooden deck and trails that lead you to the beach.
Check-out from NH Collection Buenos Aires Crillon
Transfer from NH Collection Buenos Aires Crillon to Jorge Newbery Airport [AEP]
Transfer
NH Collection Buenos Aires Crillon
Jorge Newbery Airport [AEP]
Scheduled Flight from Jorge Newbery Airport [AEP] to General Enrique Mosconi International Airport [CRD]
Aerolineas Argentinas [AR]
Scheduled Flight
Jorge Newbery Airport [AEP]
General Enrique Mosconi International Airport [CRD]
Self Drive from General Enrique Mosconi International Airport [CRD] to Glamping Isla Leones
Self Drive
General Enrique Mosconi International Airport [CRD]
Glamping Isla Leones
Check-in to Glamping Isla Leones
Expert tips:
Mammals:
Southern Sea Lions: Isla Leones is known for its Southern Sea Lion colonies
Southern Right Whales: Patagonia is a prime location for Southern Right Whales
Orcas (Killer Whales): Orcas are sometimes seen in the waters around Patagonia, including Isla Leones.
Commerson's Dolphins: These striking black-and-white dolphins are often spotted in the coastal waters of Patagonia.
Birds:
Magellanic Penguins: Isla Leones is home to a colony of Magellanic Penguins
Southern Giant Petrels: These large seabirds are commonly seen in the region and are known for their soaring flights.
Black-browed Albatrosses: Patagonia offers opportunities to see these impressive seabirds gliding over the ocean.
Cormorants: Various species of cormorants, such as the Rock Cormorant, can be found along the coastal cliffs.
Kelp Gulls: These gulls are often seen in the area, scavenging for food along the shorelines.
Day notes
25th November: Isla Leones
Shared boat navigation to Isla Leones (departure is weather-dependent)
Other activities included:
- Bicycles and e-bikes for exploring
- Walks along the intertidal zone, viewpoints, caves, exploring coastal canyons, combining biking with trekking
- Snorkelling to explore the Patagonian seabed: crabs, anemones, octopuses, and many more varieties, a forest of algae...
Day notes
26th November: Isla Leones
Activities at the Estancia
Day notes
27th November: Drive from Isla Leones – Sarmiento
Drive from Isla Leones to Sarmiento to spend the night
Check-out from Glamping Isla Leones
Self Drive from Glamping Isla Leones to Apartment Sol Sarmiento
Self Drive
Glamping Isla Leones
Apartment Sol Sarmiento
Check-in to Apartment Sol Sarmiento
Day notes
28th November: Drive from Sarmiento – La Posta de los Toldos
La Posta de Los Toldos is a refuge in the deep Patagonian steppe of Patagonia Park. Their experience is based on achieving luxury through simplicity, exploration immersed in nature and the enjoyment of a remote place. Rooms have private bathrooms; they provide fresh, homemade and regional cuisine; cozy common spaces; inspiring maps and books and a star observatory.
Using a local guide, we will drive and hike to discover the wildlife of Parque Patagonia with a focus on the apex predator, the puma.
Pm Visit to Las Cuevas de Las Manos. A 40-minute vehicular safari to the Bajada de Los Toldos trail. This connects us with the Cueva de Las Manos Provincial Park from Patagonia Park; the most important site in Patagonia, housing cave paintings of hunting scenes, negatives of hands, and abstract figures.
Sunset on the banks of the river, walking on foot and observing Condor perches and the species that inhabit the Cañadón such as the largest owl in Patagonia, the Tucuquere.
Drive back to the lodge at the golden hour.
Check-out from Apartment Sol Sarmiento
Self Drive from Apartment Sol Sarmiento to La Posta de Los Toldos
Self Drive
Apartment Sol Sarmiento
La Posta de Los Toldos
Check-in to La Posta de Los Toldos
Expert tips:
Along with pumas, there is more wildlife to see, and other steppe species include mammals: Guanaco, Huemel (South Andean Deer), Wolffsohn’s Viscacha, Pampas Cat, Patagonian Grey Fox and Coypu. Birds include Austral Rail, Darwin's Rhea, Andean Condor and the very special Torrent Duck.
Day notes
29th November: La Posta de los Toldos - Puma Trekking
Wake up at 7 am to watch the sunrise from the Badlands viewpoint in El Cañadon del Feo. Then return to the lodge for a delicious breakfast.
At 10:30 am, we set out with private transportation and a local guide to the best possible area to walk and observe wildlife, focusing on the search for Patagonia's top predator, the puma.
Finally, we will go to contemplate the sunset at Estancia Ana Maria looking out across the plateau and the large herds of Darwin's Rhea that inhabit the area,
At night, we will take a night walk to the Star Observatory, accompanied by heat banks and Rocket stoves. Excellent time for night photography.
Day notes
30th November: La Posta de los Toldos - Puma Trekking
Wake up at 7 am to watch the sunrise in Estancia La Buitrera overlooking the Cañadón del Río Pinturas and large herds of Guanacos and Darwin's Rhea. Return to the lodge for breakfast.
At 10:30 am, we set out with a private car and a local guide to the best possible area to walk and observe wildlife, focusing on the search for pumas and the great and imposing Condor.
Finally, we will go to watch the sunset in Los Balcones at Cañadón del Río Pinturas and viewpoint to Cueva de Las Manos, in search of the Chinchillón Anaranjado (Wolffsohn's viscacha) an endemic species.
Day notes
1st December: La Posta de losToldos - Puma Trekking
Wake up at 7 am, to watch the sunrise in the perches of Andean Condor. Condors usually take off at less than 50 meters and often fly over people. It is considered the best place in this area to photograph the largest flying bird in the world, overlooking the Cañadón del Río Pinturas. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
At 11:00 am, we set out with a private car and a local guide to the best possible area to walk and observe wildlife, focusing on the search for pumas.
Finally, we will go to watch the sunset in Tierra de Colores.
Day notes
2nd December: Drive to Campamento Darwin
Here is the site of the old town of the Estancia Cerro del Paso, located on the southern bank of the Ría Deseado. This Estancia was a strategic point in the transportation of wool and other merchandise, linking the most distant Patagonia with the Pampas through the estuary. Today transformed into Camp Darwin- Eco Lodge, it offers activities full of history, adventure and nature.
The contrast of these lands and their landscapes will captivate us as they captivated Charles Darwin back in 1833, choosing this site to camp and capture its richness in drawings and his subsequent theory of evolution. The imposing estuary, its canyons full of history and unforgettable characters, the immensity of the steppe, the spectacular nature of the most remote Patagonia and the enormous wealth of marine and steppe flora and fauna - are part of the natural reserve of the Estuary.
Check-out from La Posta de Los Toldos
Self Drive from La Posta de Los Toldos to Campamento Darwin Eco Lodge
Self Drive
La Posta de Los Toldos
Campamento Darwin Eco Lodge
Check-in to Campamento Darwin Eco Lodge
Day notes
3rd December: Campamento Darwin
Today we will go to Puerto Jenkins to take a boat to Penguin Island. Look out for Dolphins, Commerson's Dolphins, seabirds and Sea Lions.
Once on the Island, we will walk a trail that will bring us to meet our hosts: a colony of Magellanic Penguins.
We will continue our journey until we reach an old abandoned construction that was used to extract oil from sea lions and for the exploitation of Cormorant guano.
One of the most outstanding pictures during our journey is an old lighthouse, now in disuse, at the highest part of the island. We will stop and have a break there, and then we will continue all across the island until we meet our next hosts: a colony of Rockhopper penguins, one of the smallest species of penguins. This colony grows year after year, on an island that is still undiscovered and away from other tourist areas.
Day notes
4th December: Day at leisure
Day notes
5th December Campamento Darwin – Buenos Aires
Drive back to Comodoro Rivadavia Airport to drop off the car and catch a domestic flight back to Buenos Aires.
Private transfer back to NH Crillon
Check-out from Campamento Darwin Eco Lodge
Self Drive from Campamento Darwin Eco Lodge to General Enrique Mosconi International Airport [CRD]
Self Drive
Campamento Darwin Eco Lodge
General Enrique Mosconi International Airport [CRD]
Scheduled Flight from General Enrique Mosconi International Airport [CRD] to Jorge Newbery Airport [AEP]
Scheduled Flight
General Enrique Mosconi International Airport [CRD]
Jorge Newbery Airport [AEP]
Transfer from Jorge Newbery Airport [AEP] to NH Collection Buenos Aires Crillon
Transfer
Jorge Newbery Airport [AEP]
NH Collection Buenos Aires Crillon
Check-in to NH Collection Buenos Aires Crillon
Day notes
6th December - Buenos Aires - London Heathrow
Private transfer to the international airport and flight back to the UK
Check-out from NH Collection Buenos Aires Crillon
Transfer from NH Collection Buenos Aires Crillon to Ezeiza International Airport [EZE]
Transfer
NH Collection Buenos Aires Crillon
Ezeiza International Airport [EZE]
