Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you're thinking of getting off at godforsaken Fitz Roy (where locals claim the only
thing to see is the wind!) to make progress toward Comodoro or Río Gallegos, think
again: buses arrive at a demonic hour and the only place to crash is the campground be-
hind Multirubro La Illusion.
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Reserva Natural Ría Deseado & Parque Interjurisdiccion-
al Marino Isla Pingüino
Flanked by sandy cliffs, these aquamarine waters create sculpted seascapes you won't
forget. Considered one of South America's most important marine preserves, Ría De-
seado is the unique result of a river abandoning its bed, allowing the Atlantic to invade
40km inland and create a perfect shelter for marine life. The recent designation of Parque
Interjurisdiccional Marino Isla Pingüino (a mouthful, but essentially a national park) will
likely expand offerings for visitors.
The marine life is abundant here. Several islands and other sites provide nesting habit-
ats for seabirds, including Magellanic penguins, petrels, oystercatchers, herons, terns and
five species of cormorant. Isla Chaffers is the main spot for the penguins, while Banco
Cormorán offers protection to rock cormorants and the striking gray cormorant. Isla
Pingüino has nesting rockhoppers (arriving mid-October) and elephant seals. Commer-
son's dolphins, sea lions, guanacos and ñandús (ostrich-like rheas) can also be seen while
touring the estuary.
The best time to visit is December to April. Darwin Expediciones (
Click here
)
runs
circuits that take in viewing of Commerson's dolphins, Isla Chaffers, Banco Cormorán as
well as a walk to a penguin colony. The main attraction of the all-day Isla Pingüinos ex-
cursion (AR$700) is the punked-out rockhopper penguins with spiky yellow and black
head feathers, but the tour also includes wildlife-watching, sailing and hiking. Tours have
a four-person minimum. Los Vikingos (
Click here
)
makes similar excursions with bilin-
gual guides and organizes overland trips.
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Monumento Natural Bosques Petrificados
During Jurassic times, 150 million years ago, this area enjoyed a humid, temperate cli-
mate with flourishing forests, but intense volcanic activity buried them in ash. Erosion
later exposed the mineralized
Proaraucaria
trees (ancestors of the modern
Araucaria,
