From Patagonia to the Wild Wetlands: A Family Safari in Argentina

So you can get to know the city a little better on your first full day here, we’ll arrange for you to take a tour of the capital with a local guide. In the company of an expat who knows Buenos Aires like the back of their hand, you’ll spend half a day immersing yourself in its culture between street food markets and secret spots. This is also a great opportunity to learn more about the daily life of the porteños (port city locals).

After the tour, you have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure: stroll through the Cementerio de la Recoleta and the chic neighbourhood of the same name; get lost in the pretty cobbled streets of San Telmo, known for its antique shops; attend a dance show in an authentic milonga; explore the Caminito street museum in the colourful La Boca neighbourhood; go window shopping in Palermo or treat yourself to a unique piece by a local designer; steal away from the children to go for an Argentinian wine tasting; visit the fantastic Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts); or stroll through the city centre to explore the Plaza de Mayo, the city’s social and political epicentre.

Dinner this evening is already taken care of: we’ll book you a table at one of the city’s best parrillas (steakhouses). Here, you’ll enjoy delicious cuts of meat grilled over charcoal in a traditional setting. Grown-ups might also be interested in the renowned Argentinian wines on offer here – you are on holiday after all…

It’s time to see some wildlife, so today you’ll take a private transfer to the airport and board your two-hour flight to Trelew. When you land, pick up your hire car and make your way to Puerto Pirámides, about an hour and 45 minutes away. Today, it’s not just about the destination – this journey is an opportunity to take in the incredible landscapes of Chubut: desert expanses covered in low vegetation that gradually give way to the grandiose panoramas of the Valdés Peninsula. Immense and solitary, the Patagonian Desert reveals itself to you as far as the eye can see. And though it may look hostile, the sight of a guanaco, mara, armadillo or bird of prey will remind you that it’s full of life.

With your car at the ready, you can explore the peninsula at your own pace. The Isthmus Ameguino Museum is a great place to start, offering a good introduction to the marine life in the area and Patagonia in general. You can then head to the Lobería viewpoint, which gives you a spectacular 180° view of a sea lion colony and the waters of the Golfo Nuevo. You’ll spend the next two nights in the small village of Puerto Pirámides, a former whaling fishing port. Your accommodation will be simple and comfortable, and offers an excellent homemade breakfast.

Considered one of the most precious ecosystems on the planet, the Valdés Peninsula is a site of global importance for the preservation of marine mammals. It’s home to large populations of endangered whales along with elephant seals and southern sea lions. In the clear waters of the surrounding gulfs, sea lions and penguins converge every year. Because of this, the peninsula has been listed by UNESCO as having Outstanding Universal Value since 1999.

We’ll arrange for you to head out to sea to go whale watching today. Aboard a large Zodiac boat, you’ll cruise on the Golfo Nuevo to see southern right whales that have come to give birth off the coast of the peninsula. Needless to say, this promises to be an absolutely magical experience for all ages. If you like, we can also arrange for you to go snorkelling with sea lions.

You have the whole day today to explore the Valdés Peninsula and its surroundings before heading to Gaiman this evening. We recommend that you travel along the coast between Punta Delgada and Punta Norte, a nature reserve full of moors and beaches populated by marine animals, rheas, guanacos, maras and armadillos. Along the way, you can stop at Caleta Valdés, a long pebbled beach that serves as a refuge for the only continental colony of elephant seals; at Punta Cantor, well-marked footbridges and trails lead to viewpoints where you can admire these curious animals. Continue exploring to an estancia where we’ve planned a trip to see Magellanic penguins. The exceptional location of this property means you can come up close to a colony that’s taken up residence on the private beach.

When you’ve had your fill of incredible wildlife for today, you’ll drive on to Gaiman, about three-and-a-half hours away. You’ll spend the night in a posada built over 100 years ago that has a lovely reading room and a pretty garden.

You’ll drive back to Trelew airport this morning (about 20 minutes away) before returning your rental car and taking a flight to Posadas. When you land, you’ll be whisked away by private transfer to your hotel in the heart of a 17-acre park complete with a swimming pool, sauna and spa. If you’re feeling peckish after the flight, head to the restaurant for a Mediterranean-inspired meal.

Your next stop is Puerto Valle, which you’ll reach by private transfer. Your home for the next three nights is an unparalleled spot on the banks of the Paraná River that’s surrounded by a magnificent garden full of birds. The few rooms here are all spacious and look out across the river. When the children aren’t busy playing in the pool, take advantage of the many activities on offer including guided hikes, bike rides, horse rides and kayak trips to discover the area’s fauna and flora.

The Esteros del Iberá is a wetland in the far north-west of Argentina. Located on the border with Paraguay, it promises to completely immerse you in the sights and sounds of nature. Because you’re staying in Puerto Valle, you’re in prime position to enjoy the Iberá National Park, whose name means ‘shining waters’ in the Guaraní language. This freshwater reserve is one of the largest on the continent, and is made up of canals, lakes and swamps that contain 85 mammal species, 35 reptile species and 45 amphibian species.

There are so many different ways to explore this incredible place, and you can choose from a range of activities on offer here. During a safari for you and your family in the national park, you might see tinamous, caimans, capybaras, marsh deer, maned wolves, capuchin monkeys and many birds. You can also take a guided hike to the Laguna Valle and Portal Cambyretá, where the red-and-green macaw has been reintroduced, or head out on a cruise on the Paraná River. Next up is a walk where you’ll look out for the tracks of birds, howler monkeys, lizards and capybaras. If you like horses, you can go for a peaceful ride along the waterfront. And finally, don’t miss a visit to the hotel’s nursery, where they grow eucalyptus and yerba mate, used to make traditional Argentinian tea.

If you’ve got the adventure itch after all those activities, we can also arrange for you to visit a tea plantation where you’ll learn about the history and harvesting methods before lunch on site, or plan a kayaking trip so you can see the park in a different way. The UNESCO-listed ruins of San Ignacio are about an hour and 20 minutes from here, and well worth a visit. Or, if you just want to relax, you can simply spend your downtime lazing around the pool.

Today you’ll take a private transfer back to Posadas Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. When you land, we’ll transfer you to your first hotel for one last night in the capital before your flight home tomorrow.