Part of the Argentina Travel Guide
← Back to ArgentinaNorthern Patagonia covers two very different halves. Inland, Bariloche sits on a deep glacial lake surrounded by forest and mountains, with alpine architecture, serious chocolate, and the Route of the Seven Lakes running north through some of the best driving in the country. On the Atlantic side, the Valdés Peninsula is one of the great wildlife destinations in South America.
The wildlife runs on a calendar. Southern right whales come into the gulfs around Puerto Madryn to calve between roughly June and December, close enough to see from shore. Punta Tombo holds one of the largest Magellanic penguin colonies anywhere, with a walking path that puts you among them. Time your trip to the species you want.
Between the two halves sit the smaller towns most itineraries skip. Esquel and El Bolsón are worth the stop, and we would rather break the drive there than fly over it.
Other Chilean Patagonia articles
Quick Resources to Plan Your Trip to Argentina
Argentina's Northern and Atlantic Patagonia articles
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The main reason people visit the Valdes Peninsula is to see the southern right whales. Learn about whale watching in Puerto Madryn and the best way to see them.
The Best 4 Day Itinerary for the Valdes Peninsula
A 4 day itinerary to explore the Valdes Peninsula, including how to see the wildlife and maximize your time in the Atlantic Patagonia region.
First-hand
