Begin your journey with a scenic drive from Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo, home to the largest continental colony of Magellanic penguins in the world. This shared shore excursion is operated exclusively for passengers from the same cruise ship, with schedules carefully adapted to your ship’s arrival and departure times.
After disembarking, we kindly ask all guests to leave the ship as early as possible. This allows us to make the most of the day, avoid crowds at the reserve, and ensure a relaxed schedule while always guaranteeing a timely return to the ship.
We will meet outside the cruise port, where our local staff will be waiting with a sign displaying the group name. The tour operates in small groups of up to 23 passengers, travelling in comfortable vans and mini buses, never large coaches. During the drive, your professional guide will share information about the Patagonian steppe, local wildlife, and the history of the region as we cross the vast open landscape of Chubut Province. About halfway through the journey, we make a brief comfort stop in Trelew for bathrooms if needed.
Upon arrival at Punta Tombo Natural Reserve, you will explore the area along a clearly marked 3 km walking trail, designed to protect the colony while allowing visitors to observe the penguins at very close range. Magellanic penguins move freely across the paths, offering exceptional photo opportunities and an immersive experience in their natural habitat. Depending on the time of year, you may see penguins courting, incubating eggs, feeding their chicks, or molting before their annual migration north.
Your guide will accompany the group throughout the visit, explaining penguin behaviour and the conservation efforts that protect this unique ecosystem. The pace of the tour is relaxed and well organised, allowing ample time to enjoy the reserve comfortably.
This is a fully organised shore excursion, with everything arranged in advance. Entrance to the Punta Tombo Protected Natural Area and a box lunch are included, meaning no additional payments are required during the tour. From meeting point to return, everything is taken care of so you can simply enjoy the experience.
After the visit, we begin our return journey to Puerto Madryn, always keeping your cruise schedule in mind. We guarantee arrival back at the port well before your ship’s departure, providing a safe and worry-free shore excursion.
For your convenience, detailed meeting instructions and final timing will be sent again by email or WhatsApp prior to the tour, so you will have all the information readily available on the day of your excursion.
This excursion is operated by a local company based in Puerto Madryn, with extensive experience working with international travellers and cruise passengers. Tours are led by English- and Spanish-speaking guides, and the entire operation is designed to provide a smooth, reliable, and memorable visit to one of Patagonia’s most iconic wildlife destinations.
