Punta Tombo Penguin Colony Tour: Walk Among Thousands

You walk directly among the penguins instead of watching from a distance.

This shore excursion from Puerto Madryn takes cruise passengers to Punta Tombo, home to the largest Magellanic penguin colony on the American continent, where you spend approximately 2 hours in the reserve observing thousands of penguins alongside guanacos, maras and native armadillos in their natural habitat. The tour includes a 2-hour drive each way, a stop at a dinosaur replica, and a panoramic city tour of Puerto Madryn on the return if time allows. A live guide in English or Spanish, hotel or port pickup, bottled water, sandwiches and WiFi are included. The full day runs about 7 hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Punta Tombo and Puerto Madryn

• Drive 2 hours to Punta Tombo
• Stop to see dinosaur replica
• Explore Punta Tombo Penguin Colony
• Drive 2 hours back to Puerto Madryn
• Panoramic city tour of Puerto Madryn

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from your cruise ship or hotel in Puerto Madryn and heads inland across the Patagonian steppe. The first stop comes after about 15 minutes at a replica of the largest dinosaur ever discovered in the world, found in the province: a quick look before the drive continues toward Punta Tombo, roughly 2 hours from the port. The landscape shifts as you move away from the coast, and the guide explains what you are crossing through.

Punta Tombo itself holds the most important Magellanic penguin colony on the American continent. You spend approximately 2 hours in the reserve walking among thousands of penguins in their natural habitat instead of viewing them from a boardwalk or viewing platform. The area also shelters guanacos, maras and piches, Patagonian armadillos, so the reserve is not a penguin-only stop. The guide points out behavior and species as you move through, and the reserve is wheelchair accessible with paved surfaces throughout.

The return journey takes another 2 hours back to Puerto Madryn. If the ship's departure schedule allows, a panoramic city tour of Puerto Madryn's landmarks and viewpoints fills the final hour before you return to the port. Bottled water, a ham and cheese sandwich, a chicken sandwich and a muffin travel with you. WiFi is available on the coach.

What’s included

• Live guide in English or Spanish.
• pickup from your cruise ship or Puerto Madryn hotel.
• bottled water.
• ham and cheese sandwich, chicken sandwich and muffin.
• WiFi on board.

Information

Lasts 7h, runs every day at 07:30, from US$ 120 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 221 private ›

Live guideEnglish and SpanishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 21 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Animal Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if your ship docks in Puerto Madryn and you want to use the morning or afternoon for a full inland excursion. The timing is built around cruise schedules, the guide knows exactly when you need to return, and the walk among the penguins is something you cannot do anywhere else in the region.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the actual time spent at Punta Tombo penguin colony?

You spend approximately 2 hours in the reserve at Punta Tombo, walking among the penguins and observing the other native species that share the habitat.

What is the dinosaur stop on the way to Punta Tombo?

The first stop is a replica of the largest dinosaur ever discovered in the world, which was found in the Patagonia region. The stop lasts about 15 minutes.

Does the tour include a city tour of Puerto Madryn?

A panoramic city tour of Puerto Madryn's landmarks and viewpoints is included on the return drive if time permits, lasting approximately 1 hour.

What animals will I see besides the penguins?

The Punta Tombo reserve is also home to guanacos, maras and piches, Patagonian armadillos, along with many other native species that inhabit the region.

Is this tour accessible for people using wheelchairs?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. All areas and surfaces at Punta Tombo are accessible, and specialized infant seats are available on the coach if needed.

What food and drinks are provided?

Bottled water, a ham and cheese sandwich, a chicken sandwich and a muffin are included. WiFi is available on the coach during the drive.