Chubut
Península Valdés, Southern Right Whales, Punta Tombo Penguins, Welsh Patagonia, Dinosaur Fossils, Los Alerces National Park, La Trochita, Patagonian Steppe
Chubut is a province of Argentine Patagonia, stretching from the Atlantic coast across the windswept steppe to the forests and lakes of the Andes. It is one of the best places in South America to see marine wildlife, and its towns carry the unusual heritage of Welsh settlers who arrived in the 19th century.
On the coast, Península Valdés is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where southern right whales come to breed, typically from June to December, alongside sea lions, elephant seals and orcas. Further south, Punta Tombo is home to one of the largest colonies of Magellanic penguins in the world. Puerto Madryn is the main base for exploring both.
Inland, the Chubut valley towns of Trelew and Gaiman keep Welsh traditions alive in their chapels and tea houses, and Trelew's paleontology museum showcases the region's dinosaur fossils. In the Andes, Los Alerces National Park, another World Heritage Site, protects ancient alerce forests, and the La Trochita steam train runs from Esquel.
Top Reasons to Visit Chubut
1. Whales at Península Valdés
Watch southern right whales from boats and the shore during the breeding season, and see elephant seals and sea lions on the peninsula's beaches.
2. Punta Tombo Penguins
Walk among a vast colony of Magellanic penguins on the Atlantic coast, usually present from September to April.
3. Welsh Patagonia
Take afternoon tea in Gaiman, visit Welsh chapels and learn the story of the settlers who arrived on the Mimosa in 1865.
4. Dinosaurs in Trelew
See giant fossils at the Egidio Feruglio Paleontology Museum, one of the most important in South America.
5. Los Alerces National Park
Explore lakes, rivers and forests of ancient alerce trees in the Andes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
6. La Trochita
Ride the Old Patagonian Express, a narrow-gauge steam train, across the steppe from Esquel.
