Page 232 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

230  ARGENTINA REGION B Y REGION

4 Reserva Provincial Península Valdés

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Península Valdés is one of the
world’s great nature preserves. Its rugged 310-mile (500-km)
coastline is a haven for an astonishing, and easily observable,
array of marine fauna that includes Southern Right whales,
killer whales, elephant seals, sea lions, Magellanic penguins,
and millions of marine birds. Its interior is an arid wilderness,
the eastern extension of the Patagonian steppe, populated
by dry-land fauna including guanacos and the ostrich-like
rhea. It is marked at its center by two large salt lakes. Day-long
safaris depart from Puerto Madryn, though many visitors seek Visitors’ Center
This is where visits to the
longer stays at one of the peninsula’s estancias. peninsula begin. The center
houses a small museum that
provides a useful introduc tion to
the reserve’s stunning array of
flora and fauna.
Punta
Norte

Puerto
Galván
Golfo
San José
Isla de los
Puerto Pirámides Pájaros El Gran
The peninsula’s only village, Puerto Pirámides Viedma Salitral 1
has a smattering of hotels and restaurants. Istmo Ameghino Caleta
It is one of the best places in the world to Valdés
watch whales. Puerto
Pirámides
Golfo Salina
Nuevo 2 Chica
Salina
Grande
Key
Main road
Puerto
Minor road Madryn Punta
Delgada
0 km 10
0 miles 10

KEY
1 Sea lions and elephant seals
inhabit the peninsula’s coast
through the year.
2 Salina Grande is one of
two inland salt lakes that lie in
a basin, which, at 138 ft (42 m) . Golfo Nuevo
below sea level, is the The Southern Right whales visit the Golfo Nuevo between
fourth deepest depression June and December each year to breed and bear young.
on the planet. Whale-watching excursions start from Puerto Pirámides and
visitors can get extremely close to the whales.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp282–3 and pp296–8

230-231_EW_Argentina.indd 230 05/08/16 10:42 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm