The Complete Circuit
If you are going to do this amazing trip visiting the whole Peninsula Valdes, you should fill your tank in Puerto Pirámides, in order to be safe for the rest of the impressive journey. Besides this, you should drive at no more than 60 km/hour because all gravel routes, even though they are in excellent conditions. For security, there are emergency boots all across the tour.
The map below shows how, starting in Puerto Pirámides, you can go through the Peninsula in two directions. One, clockwise, going to Punta Norte, and down to the coast until you reach Punta Delgada, and from there back to the starting point. Or you can do t the ther way about and start from Punta Delgada.
What will determined which one we are choosing? The tides and what we want to observe The best option is to ask for help at the office of tourism in Puerto Piramides. They will know at what time the tides are and what can we see. For example, killer whales in Punto Norte can be seen only at high tide.
Finally, one can choose a totally different circuit, going through the coast from Punta Norte to Caleta Valdes. This is an interesting option taking into account that you have to pay to get into Punta Delgada, which is closed to public. It only adds a few kilometers.
A Possible Schedule, Step By Step
From Puerto Pirámides, only 5 kilometers away, is the first reserve: the Punta Piramides Sea Lions Reserve. Here they mate and have their offspring, from December to March.
Next stop would be Punta Norte. Here, also in summer, there’s an important population of sea lions and sea elephants. With high tide it is possible to see killer whales too. There’s an Interpretation Center and a ranger post.
a specie that
spread through
the Peninsula
Afterwards, there is Caleta Valdes. From various viewpoints, located at the riff, you can observe the heavy sea elephants. Restaurants, sanitary services, regional crafts, and a ranger post come along this reserve. Two kilometers North there is a small colony of Magellan penguins.
Then, Punta Delgada, at te South part of the peninsula, the next and last reserve to visit. As we already mentioned, there’s a fee. Here you can watch the sea elephants with a guided tour. This place also offers horse riding, trekking, restaurants, gift shop and 4x4 excursions.
Another option, if you wish to be soaked in the tranquility and beauty this place offers, you should sleep at the inns the Peninsula offers, which are five in total.
The return should be through Punta Piramides, taking Provincial Route 2, and from there you could go to Madryn or National Route 3. But this journey can’t be done in a hurry. If you pay attention you will notice the guanacos and maras and many other native animals.