Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
route to Punta Arenas, Chile. The author's illustrations show the little prince on
mountain peaks resembling the Fitz Roy Range (one such peak now bears his
name). And, possibly, meeting two young daughters of a French immigrant after an
emergency landing in Concordia, near Buenos Aires, helped mold the character of
the prince.
St-Exupéry never witnessed the influence his young character would enjoy. In
1944, just after the first publication of The Little Prince,he disappeared during a
flight to join French forces-in-exile stationed in Algiers. His Patagonia years also fig-
ure in two critically acclaimed novels, Night Flightand Wind, Sand and Stars,both
worthwhile reads on long Patagonia trips.
PUNTA DELGADA
In the peninsula's southeast corner, 76km southeast of Puerto Pirámides, sea lions and, in
spring, a huge colony of elephant seals are visible from the cliffs. Enter the public dirt
road right of the Faro Punta Delgada Hotel.
Sleeping
Estancia Rincón Chico
ESTANCIA $$$
$$$
( 0280-447-1733;
www.rinconchico.com.ar
;
d incl full board AR$2300; mid-Sep-Mar)
With a
prime location for wildlife-watching, this refined and recommended inn hosts university
marine biologists, student researchers and tourists. Lodging is inside a modern,
corrugated-tin ranch house with eight well-appointed doubles and a
quincho
for barbe-
cues. In addition to guided excursions, there are paths for cycling and walking on your
own.
Faro Punta Delgada Hotel
LUXURY HOTEL $$$
$$$
( 445-8444, 02965-15-406304;
www.puntadelgada.com
;
d incl excursion US$308)
A luxury
hotel in a lighthouse complex that once belonged to the Argentine postal service. Horse-
back riding, 4WD tours and other activities are available. Nonguests can dine at the up-
scale restaurant serving
estancia
fare. Guided naturalist walks down to the beach leave
frequently in high season.
PUNTA CANTOR & CALETA VALDÉS
In spring, elephant seals haul themselves onto the long gravel spit at this sheltered bay,
43km north of Punta Delgada. September has females giving birth to pups, while males
