Discover the landscapes of Patagonia on this day trip to Monte León National Park, where we’ll walk through one of the largest colonies of Magellanic penguins in Argentina.
Day Trip Details
At the indicated time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel in El Calafate and head east across Argentine Patagonia aboard an off-roading vehicle.
We’ll take Provincial Route 9, which runs parallel to the Santa Cruz River. Along the way, you’ll be able to look out from the viewpoint located on top of the vehicle, where you may spot Patagonian wildlife such as guanacos, foxes, or rheas. On some occasions, it’s even possible to see pumas. During the journey, you’ll be able to enjoy a light breakfast on board.
After approximately 5 hours traveling across the steppe, we’ll reach Monte León National Park. Once in this protected natural area, we’ll take a 1.5-hour walk along the penguin colony trail. During this walk, we’ll see one of the largest colonies of Magellanic penguins in Argentina.
We’ll also take a 30-minute break to enjoy a picnic-style lunch. After eating, we’ll return to the off-roading vehicle to head to the Cabeza de León cliff. There, we’ll see a notable colony of South American sea lions. Sometimes, it’s also possible to spot cetaceans such as southern right whales, dusky dolphins, or Commerson’s dolphins.
Our next stop will be at the Monte León Island viewpoint, from where we’ll observe its large colonies of cormorants and other native seabirds. While enjoying the views, we’ll have a snack.
Finally, we’ll begin the return journey to your hotel in El Calafate, where we’ll conclude this 15-hour experience.