PATAGONIA – PENINSULA VALDES - Wildlife
Estancia Rincón Chico
Some 165 km from Puerto Madryn, on the shores of the ValdésPeninsula, one of the most extraordinary wildlife reserves in South America, lies Estancia Rincón Chico. A stay here ranks as one of life’s unforgettable experiences, waking up to the song of the mockingbirds and larks, walking along wind-whipped beaches among elephants seals and penguins, and returning to mouth-watering meals of Patagonian lamb under a night sky sown with a brilliant profusion of stars. The Estancia belongs to one of the pioneer families of Chubut who colonised the peninsula in 1880 principally to raise sheep, and their descendants, Agustín and his wife María are entertaining and generous hosts.
The estancia has access to some 10km of coastline, including a stretch of beach just 7km from the main house with its very own colonies of elephant seals and sea lions, which offer guests a privileged opportunity to stroll among these great creatures and observe their lifestyle, including quite a few amusing antics. Other activities include trekking, biking and horse-riding, all ideal ways of enjoying the stark beauty of the peninsula and sighting wildlife, including lesser rheas (South American ostrich), maras (Patagonian hare), foxes, guanacos, armadillos, skunks as well as owls, petrels and oyster-catchers, among an immense number of different species of birds.
The Estancia is 35 km from Puerto Pirámides, one of the best places from which to see the Southern right whale when large herds of mothers and young whales visit the coasts from August to early December. Also worth a visit is the penguin rookery in Caleta Valdés.
Rincon Chico has eight bedrooms, each with en suite bathrooms, well adapted to the rigours of the climate and offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. A cosy living-room with an open hearth is the perfect place to end the day and chat to the hosts after a home-cooked dinner in the dining room.
Estancia Elvira
Estancia La Elvira lies on the open coast of the Valdés peninsula, at Caleta Valdés, a unique inlet in the embrace of a long slim spur of land running parallel to the coast, home to a broad array of mammals and sea birds.
The La Elvira Roadhouse Restaurant lies on the top of a cliff with spectacular views over the inlet and its restaurant, which is one of the best eating-points on the peninsula, offers visitors a wide range of delicious dishes, including the Estancia’s very own roast lamb. From the cliff-top a number of attractive paths lead down into the rookery of elephant seals on the beach below, past the newly-created colony of Magellan penguins.
The Caleta Valdés inlet is also frequently visited by killer whales who hunt young sea lions particularly from December to April, and it is also a beautiful point from which to spot the southern right whale as well as several species of dolphin.
The Elvira country hotel offers eight comfortable double rooms with private bathrooms and central heating. Its peace and tranquillity as well as the harmony of its simple décor make it an ideal place to relax and enjoy the seclusion and silence.
Estancia La Elvira offers visitors a wide range of outdoor activities which ensure that each person makes the most of their stay and enjoys a uniquely experience of the natural surroundings
Highly qualified bilingual (Spanish-English) tour guides are available to accompany guests on the activities which can be programmed on a daily basis.
Activities include horse-riding, photo-safaris, rides in horse-drawn carriages, mountain-biking, trekking and walking tours, excursions to places of palaeontologist and archaeologist interest, sheep-shearing and handling, astronomy, bird-watching, diving at Puerto Pirámides, whale-watching and excursions to natural reserves.