Valdes Peninsula Orca Photography Special – Small Group 9 Days
Valdes Peninsula Orca Photography Special – Small Group 9 Days
This unique and exciting itinerary takes you to the Valdes Peninsula during the heart of the Orca season in Punta Norte. Opportunities to stay within the Punta Norte region are very rare and this unique trip gives you exclusive access to get up close to these rarely spotted majestic members of the dolphin family and enjoy unsurpassed photographic opportunities. April is one of the best months to see Orca due to it being pupping season for the Southern Sea Lions, the Orca's typical hunting targets.
Amongst the company of expert guides you will enjoy a fascinating 3 day Orca programme in Punta Norte studying the Orca’s behaviour and capturing that perfect wildlife picture, before travelling to beautiful Punta Ninfas for 2 night stay. Enjoy guided walks among Magellanic penguins, see rookeries of elephant seals or simply relax by the beach.
Sandwiched between 2 nights in Buenos Aires this excellent itinerary is perfect for photographers of all skill levels, from expert to novice, and is a wildlife viewing opportunity not to be missed.
***Please note: You will be travelling in a small group with a maximum of 6 participants. Prices shown are based on 2 people sharing. Single supplements may apply. Discounts are available for bookings of 4 or more people.
Toni Hart
Namibia Birding and Photography Guide
An accomplished and experienced Namibia birding and photographic guide, Toni holds a Namibia Academy for Tourism and Hospitality Level 3 qualification (the highest level attainable in Namibia) and is widely renowned for her extensive knowledge of the cultures, ornithology, flora, astronomy and wildlife of the country. Read more >
Andy Pollard
Wildlife Guide & Photographer
Andy is a 6th generation Falkland Islander, with a passion for wildlife, plants and photography. Raised in the Falkland Islands, Andy developed a close affinity with the Islands natural environment at a young age. School holidays where spent in the ‘camp’ or countryside with friends and family. For more than 10 years, Andy had the privilege of spending a time on Sea Lion Island, visiting his mother who managed one of the Islands premier tourist destinations. Read more >
Chris Coe
Photographer and founder of the Travel Photographer Of The Year awards
A fascination with natural light and a passion with nature, landscape and travel underpin Chris Coe's photography. His images often have a striking simplicity and graphic quality. More recent work has introduced a subtlety with experimentation with both movement and light.Read more >
Jenny Luxton
Falklands Expert & Guide
Born in Chartres in the West Falklands, Jenny grew up on the family farm where her love for animals was nurtured by the25,000 sheep, horses and cows that lived alongside her. Forever a nature, conservation and wildlife enthusiast Jenny has travelled extensively throughout the Falkland Islands, visiting each and every wildlife island at least once, and even travelling around some by yacht. Read more >
Doug Allan
Special Guest Lecturer
Exclusive to this voyage, Doug Allan, a multi award winning polar photographer and cameraman, will be your special guest lecturer. Doug has been on over 20 expeditions to Svalbard to film its wildlife, and knows the wonders of this area more than most. Read more >
Highlights
- Participate in a unique & fascinating Orca programme in the company of expert guides
- Witness other intriguing wildlife including Magellanic penguins, sea lions and an amazing biodiversity of birds
- Spectacular scenery and beautiful accommodations
- Unsurpassed wildlife photography opportunities
- Pre and post-tour stays in Buenos Aires
What's Included
- 3 day Orca programme with expert guides
- Accommodation and meals as stated in itinerary
- Internal flights between Buenos Aires & Trelew
- Road transfers between accommodations
- Museum of Paleontology tour
- Visit to Puerto Madryn Eco center
Argentina Specialist
Speak to someone who’s been to Argentina. Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our friendly destination specialists on 0800 195 3385 or 44 1625 581143 for outside the UK.
ITINERARY
8 Nights 9 DaysItinerary Summary
- Day 1 | Buenos Aires
- Day 2 | Buenos Aires to Trelew and Estancia La Ernestina
- Days 3 - 5 | Orca Programme in Punta Norte
- Day 6 | Punta Norte to El Pedral Lodge, Punta Ninfas
- Day 7 | El Pedral Lodge, Punta Ninfas
- Day 8 | Punta Ninfas to Buenos Aires
- Day 9 | Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires to Trelew and Estancia La Ernestina
Orca Programme in Punta Norte
Punta Norte to El Pedral Lodge, Punta Ninfas
El Pedral Lodge, Punta Ninfas
Punta Ninfas to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Your Itinerary Accommodation
Palo Santo Hotel, Buenos Aires
This intimate luxury eco-friendly hotel is located in Palermo in Buenos Aires and fantastically showcases the beauty and sophistication of modern Argentinean design. With super stylish bedrooms, a fantastic restaurant serving delicious contemporary cuisine and a delightful rooftop terrace with sundeck and large hot tub this is an ideal base for exploring the area.
The large, modern and expertly designed bedrooms are light and airy featuring all the mod-cons needed for an exceptionally comfortable stay. Each stylish bedroom has a private balcony or terrace, free WiFi, state-of-the-art bathroom, climate control and iconic furniture pieces. Suites feature double balconies, living rooms and hydro-massage bathtubs.
The hotel is located within minutes of the area’s numerous bars, restaurants and coffee shops. Palermo is a trendy, fashionable, avant-garde neighbourhood and is renowned for being the top gastronomic area of the city.
Palo Santo is the first urban Green hotel in Latin America, with exceptionally environmentally friendly operations.
El Pedral, Punta Ninfas
The charming El Pedral Lodge is a beautiful Norman style historical manor built in 1923 and provides exceptionally comfortable accommodation perfect for exploring the spectacular wildlife of the Valdes Peninsula. Located just a short walk from the wild Patagonian coast, this excellent lodge offers a plethora of activities based around getting to know the unique wildlife that abounds here.
Enjoy guided walks among Magellanic penguins, observation of a rookery of elephant seals, a visit to the Punta Ninfas’ lighthouse, self-guided treks, bike rides, or simply relax by the pool or one of the nearby beaches.
The lodge itself features eight comfortable en-suite rooms, divided between the main farmhouse and a separate guest house. Each room has been beautifully decorated and many offer beautiful views of the gardens. The lodge also has a spacious dining area, a welcoming swimming pool, a cosy bar, a library and a snooker room.
Estancia La Ernestina, Punta Norte
This authentic estancia is located at the edge of the sea and the peninsula road, just a few kilometres from Punta Norte, in an area boasting the highest concentration of marine mammals and birds in the whole Peninsula Valdes. This is the perfect spot from which to see Orcas, Southern Elephant Seals, South American Sea Lions, Penguins, Southern Right Whales, birds and land fauna among many other species.
The estancia features 6 cosy and beautifully decorated bedrooms with ocean views, all set amongst 15000 hectares and 20km of coastline with exclusive access to the beach
.
What Our Customers
Say...
Thank you and your team for arranging what was a fantastic holiday in Argentina...Iguazu falls was exceptional with our guide knowing an awful lot about the falls and the wildlife. Could go on forever, but had better stop.
• We thought the accommodation was good throughout and offered a good mix of activities. All the transfers ran seamlessly and the food exceeded expectations. Really liked the hotel in Buenos Aires and the tango evening was a lot of fun. Thoroughly enjoyed our few days in the Lake district and the Perito Moreno Glacier and Fitz Roy didn’t disappoint and we even got lucky with the weather.
We were really lucky with the orcas and saw stranding every day. Frank, our guide did his very best to get us in the right position at the right time to make sure we all went home with some fantastic photos. I feel very privileged to have witnessed this spectacular event, it was just like the BBC documentary I watched a couple of years ago that first got me interested in whales.
The holiday was very enjoyable and well planned and was the perfect way to celebrate our anniversary. The best bit was the whale watching on the Valdes Peninsula and the copious amounts of red wine and steak we had, not at the same time I might add!
We would like to thank you with all our heart for our fabulous trip. It was amazing. Everything was perfect. I recommend Antarctica and South America to everybody. Doing business with you was also a great experience. You are the best travel agent I ever met. I hope to have the chance to do business with you again in the future.
We've just got back from out trip to Patagonia and the Antarctic and want to say a big thank you to all of you at Wildfoot but specifically you, Tina and Sara, for organising our trip and sorting out all my queries before we went. You've all been thoroughly professional - and friendly with it. I always get concerned that hotels won't have received the booking, the air e-tickets won't be recognised or luggage ends up somewhere other that where we are, but I didn't need to worry as everything was well planned in advance and the various elements, air travel, two cruises, hotels etc, fitted seamlessly. You can take this as a 10 out of 10 satisfaction rating and recommendation for your company. You will certainly be my 'go to' provider if we ever do anything similar in the future. Thanks once again for our trip of a lifetime.
How WILDFOOT creates your holiday Adventure
Talk to someone who knows. Our specialist consultants are here to help you every step of the way – here’s how..
Talk to a specialist
travel expert
Visit the wildfoot website for inspiration on your choice of adventures and destinations, then call us and speak to one of our specialists for first hand advice. We can start the planning process straight away, if you are ready.
Create your personal
holiday adventure
Your specialist consultant will set the ball rolling and work with you to choose the right itinerary (and the right ship, if you are going to the arctic or antarctic) just for you, to suit your requirements and budget.
Help right up
to departure
We will answer any questions about your trip that may arise and, when you have paid your balance (12-15 weeks prior to departure), we will send you your detailed itinerary and go through it with you.
...and after
departure too
We are still there for you even when you have left home – our partners overseas are there to assist, especially for emergencies and you can contact us at any time in the uk by e-mail or telephone.
Related Trips
Hand picked by the WILDFOOT experts...
we are sure we have the perfect trip for you!
Complete Patagonia from Atlantic to Pacific
Argentina + Classic Antarctic Peninsula
Patagonia, Pumas & Glaciers
WILDFOOT Wildlife & Adventure Specialist
Lines are open from 9am -5.30pm
Monday - Friday
Simon Rowland
Managing Director
Unfortunately this voyage has sailed
Fear not, we have many more great trips in this region.
Please click here to view
Alternatively for similar trips please contact us on 0800 195 3385 (Freephone) or click here to make an enquiry.
0800 195 3385 877 7692466 +44 1625 58 11 4
+44 1625 58 11 43
Lines are open from 9am -5.30pm Monday - Friday
Argentina Specialist
Speak to someone who’s been to Argentina. Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our friendly destination specialists on 0800 195 3385 or 44 1625 581143 for outside the UK.