PENGUINS UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

This full day excursion provides wildlife sightings and an authentic experience of the Atlantic Patagonia from the eyes of the pioneers who populated the area in the last century.

Only 70 km from Puerto Madryn and along Patagonian steppe, we reach the southern end of the mouth of the Golfo Nuevo where we find the Punta Ninfas lighthouse, a valuable reference for navigators entering the gulf. From the cliff we can see the breeding grounds of elephants and sea lions on the surrounding beaches.

We continue on our way to El Pedral, an authentic Patagonian farmhouse built at the beginning of the 20th century. The materials and furniture were brought from Europe by boat and landed on the shores of the estancia itself. The house was inaugurated in 1923 and still keeps the aesthetics and style of those times. 

Minutes away, there’s a Magellanic penguin colony established on the shores of El Pedral. There were 13 couples in 2008 and today there are more than 5000 penguins. We’re lucky to take a guided walk between their nests and learn a bit more about these curious animals while standing really close to them.

El Pedral takes care of a beach control and cleaning scheme, collaborating with the GPS Foundation (Global Penguin Society), which monitors the Magellanic penguin colony of Punta Ninfas.

After the walk, we taste a typical barbecue with a variety of salads, dessert and coffee. Lunch includes drinks and house wine.

In the afternoon -if the weather is right- we can enjoy the pool or the small football field, as well as walk around the property or have a tea accompanied by a typical Welsh cake before leaving the estancia. The way back to Puerto Madryn provides the right time for a nap.

This full day excursion is an excellent option for those who want to avoid long journeys to visit a colony of Magellanic penguins; an ideal family experience!

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Full day regular excursion. Departs from meeting point in Puerto Madryn at 8:30 am and returns at 5:00 pm.
  • Departs every day from September 15th to April 15th.
  • Includes: Visit to the Punta Ninfas Lighthouse and sea elephants and lions observation. Guided walk to the Magellanic penguin colony at El Pedral reserve. A Patagonian lunch in the quincho of the old part of the estancia (wines included). Tea and coffee service with Welsh cake. Transfers to and from Puerto Madryn.
  • Free of charge for children up to 4 years old. 

 

A GOURMET CORNER IN USHUAIA

Down in the Valley of Andorra, 4 km from Ushuaia, you get to an exclusive gourmet corner in a cozy log and stone cabin. 

Ariel Ruiz Díaz -house owner and head cook at Rincón Gourmet- is a renowned local and celebrity chef. With extensive experience, Ariel trained in culinary arts at Gato Dumas school for cooks and at the Ritz-Escoffier school in Paris. He also cooked with renowned chefs such as Pablo Massey and Ramiro Rodríguez Pardo among others. He currently conducts a tv program in Ushuaia and writes a gastronomic column for USH Magazine.

But beyond his resume, Ariel surprises in the city with an original and different gastronomic concept, since it is the only home that opens its doors to local people and tourists, where everyone can share a moment with friends or a personalized intimate dinner.

Rincón Gourmet offers a very exclusive and private but familiar atmosphere, with few tables. All diners can watch the chef cook, ask him questions and make the most of this close and intimate encounter with Ariel’s kitchen.

Offering two appetizers, three main courses and two desserts, the menu is short but exquisite and gourmet. The dishes are simple and with a lot of variety according to the local and artisan products that are obtained during the day.

With the idea of ​​making the traveler feel like a local, Ariel’s food seeks to merge typical products that foreigners look for with what the local people usually eat. All kinds of grilled meats, pastas, stews, tasty desserts with fresh ingredients from the area… no matter the day’s proposal, we guarantee that nothing will be left over!

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Available with previous reservation only.
  • Rincón Gourmet opens only in the evening, from Thursday to Saturday from May to October, and from Tuesday to Saturday from November to April.
  • The price includes an appetizer + a main course + dessert + a glass of wine + a glass of water.

 

THIS IS NOT ANOTHER CITY TOUR

This is an original cultural immersion experience, highly recommended for visitors looking for a behind the scenes encounter with Buenos Aires.

The best way to really learn a language is to live it through day to day situations. That is why we bring you this fun, unique and friendly city promenade, joined by a local person that doesn’t even seem to be a guide, but a friend that shows you around and tells you facts and stories about Buenos Aires.

Walking through the lively and charming streets of Palermo neighborhood, you will merge with locals, hop into designer shops and fascinate yourself with the current street art scene in Buenos Aires.

In the course of the walk, you will experience a different basic Spanish class, distinguished by the introduction of Lunfardo, the porteño slang. Words, expressions and/or verbs such as bondi, laburo, chabón, afanar and al divino botón might be heard and learnt.

Lunfardo was born in Buenos Aires during the second half of the 19th century, due to the contribution of immigration – specially Italian – and words of indigenous, African, and Gaucho origin.

At first, this jargon was used by criminals and soon by people from the lower and lower middle classes. At the beginning of the 20th century, lunfardo began to spread among all social classes, either by the usual use, because it was common in the lyrics of tango, or both.

Nowadays, some of its terms are part of the natural language of almost all of Argentina, Uruguay and, to a lesser extent, Paraguay. While some words of the old lunfardo of the early 20th century have been modified, new ones have also been added. In 2011 it was considered that the lunfardo already consisted of around 6000 words.

On this “city talk”, while going in and out of every kind shops, you will learn how to apply the porteño slang to feel like a local living the everyday life, and learn about the history and present of the capital city and Argentina, interacting with great venues in a real social, cultural and fun immersion.

This unique experience is not only an amusing way to get to know Buenos Aires, but  a must for everyone who wants to get an insider!

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Duration: 2.5 hs
  • Regular excursion operates Tuesday and Thursday at 10.30 hs.
  • Meeting point: Plaza Serrano, in the corner of Honduras and Borges streets. Tour ends in Plaza Armenia.

 

YACHTING THROUGH THE BEAGLE CANAL

There are always memorable activities when traveling, and this is certainly one not to be missed.

This time we get the chance to go across the beautiful city of Ushuaia by sea, on board an enchanting petit yacht.

Setting sail from the local tourist dock along with the captain and a bilingual sailor and guide, we set course towards the Beagle Canal aboard Yate Tango, a cozy and very welcoming little yacht. We navigate in the direction of Alice Island to watch sea lions in their natural habitat.

Then, we continue to the Birds Island, where the king and imperial cormorants inhabit with seagulls and other bird species, typical of the landscape of these latitudes.

We begin to see the mythical Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, one of the most representative icons of Ushuaia, which was first operated on December 23rd, 1920, and that still works today. We get close enough to take beautiful pictures.

On the way back, we stop at Bridges Island for a short hike, discovering the flora and fauna of the surroundings thanks to our guide.

As we also see archeological rests, we learn about the Yamanas – the aborigines who settled here many years ago. We realize how difficult was for them to live on these hostile lands and it’s amazing to learn how they were able to adapt and survive for so long.

During the whole navigation, on board we share snacks, warm tea, hot chocolate and coffee, biscuits and -of course- mate.

Yate Tango offers an intimate navigation experience, where laughter and anecdotes will be shared between a small group of people. This is such a fun and special tour that we´ve been told that friendship emerges and that no one wants to get off in the end!

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • 4 hs regular excursion.
  • Two daily departures: 10 am and 3 pm.
  • From December to February, one more departure at 7 pm.
  • Transfer to the local dock are not included.