The boat excursion to spot whales and dolphins on a small-group vessel, and dinner under the stars at the Salinas del Gualicho (all on the first day), are well worth the trip to this great destination waiting to be discovered.
We'll also visit the Villa de los Pulperos, the Cañadón de las Ostras, Fuerte Argentino and the southernmost olive grove in the world.
We'll go snorkeling, ride sand sleds down the dunes, take part in a photography workshop, walk along the beach, and bring home fine handicrafts and great memories.
Don't miss this renewed Las Grutas itinerary, full of surprises.
Province: Río Negro. Region: Argentine Patagonia. Format: photo safari, discovery, nature and adventure. Difficulty level: low, suitable for everyone. Traveler profile: nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.
TRIP PLAN (subject to weather conditions)
DEPARTURE: BUENOS AIRES – LAS GRUTAS.
Departure from Buenos Aires at 7:15 pm (ask about departing from another city).
Day 1: LAS GRUTAS – BOAT EXCURSION + SALINAS DEL GUALICHO.
Reception at 10:00 am in Las Grutas. Minibus transfer from the bus terminal to the hotel. Check in. We travel along Provincial Route 2 toward the Port of San Antonio to board the boat and take the excursion to observe marine wildlife. The route through Bahía San Antonio includes spotting whales, dolphins and a variety of birds.
Lunch: seafood picada. Photo safari at Puerto del Este and transfer to the Salinas del Gualicho, the largest salt flat in Argentina, the second largest in South America and the third largest in the world.
We'll explore this great white plain and see how the salt crystals form. Sunset toast and dinner under the stars with delicious disco-cooked chicken on the salt flat. A UNIQUE SHOW, EXCLUSIVE TO OUR GROUP.
Return to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Day 2: FULL-DAY EXCURSION TO FUERTE ARGENTINO
A great adventure in all-terrain military trucks, sand sleds, snorkeling, Patagonian lamb and stories of the Templars.
We set off early heading south along the Camino de los Pulperos, a gravel road that runs along the Patagonian Atlantic coast. We visit Villa de los Pulperos and Playa de Piedras Coloradas. We stop to slide down the dunes on sand sleds, then take a nature-watching and bird-observation walk.
Ten kilometers to the south is El Sótano, which records the biggest tidal range in the whole country. We continue with a walk through the Cañadón de las Ostras, where you can see 15-million-year-old marine fossils.
Arriving at the foot of the Fuerte Argentino plateau is a good excuse to go snorkeling in the saltwater lagoon, while an unforgettable asado is prepared, accompanied by mysterious tales of the Templars.
Return to Las Grutas. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: CITY TOUR WITH OLIVE GROVE, HANDICRAFTS AND BEACH.
After breakfast, we visit the “southernmost olive grove in the world”, where they'll explain how the olives are grown and harvested, and how olive oil is produced. Tasting included. We then head over to see the fine local handicrafts: blankets, knitted garments, etc.
Farewell lunch with a picnic on the seashore. Free afternoon to enjoy the beach. Transfer from the hotel to the terminal at 4:30 pm (option to take a later service to make the most of the day). End of services.
ARRIVAL: Arrival in Buenos Aires at 7:45 am.
Note: if the boat excursion can't be done on day 1 due to weather conditions, we'll move it to day 2. In that case we'll replace Fuerte Argentino with a similar half-day safari with an asado on the beach. If poor boating conditions persist, we'll replace the excursion with a visit to Valcheta and the Petrified Forest.
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OPTIONAL EXTRA DAY WITH A VISIT TO VIEDMA & CARMEN DE PATAGONES.
Arrival in Viedma, capital of Río Negro province. We cross the Río Negro on picturesque small boats to visit the southernmost city in Buenos Aires province, considered the "Colonia del Sacramento" of Buenos Aires.
We tour the historic center and the Río Negro riverside with a local guide. Museum visits with tickets included.
Carmen de Patagones, located across from Viedma, invites us to travel back in time to the colonial era. We visit a typical colonial house built in the 19th century. We walk through the little streets that lead down to the river, then continue along the riverside promenade. We visit the docks and the old houses where general stores once operated, giving life to the port.
In the first nave of the Parish Church are the Brazilian imperial flags, taken as war trophies during the 1827 invasion. In the back of the church, you can see the tower of the old 18th-century fort, declared a National Historic Monument in 1942. The wooden-carved image of the city's patron saint is also kept here. It dates from the late 18th century and is the oldest in southern Argentina.
We take a journey through Patagonian history, visiting the "Francisco de Viedma" Regional History Museum, the Rancho de Rial – former home of the Salesian School "Santa María de las Indias" –, the birthplace of Commander Luis Piedrabuena, and the "maragata" caves that sheltered the first immigrants.
Lunch on your own.
We cross the river by boat to the city of Viedma.
Transfer to the VIEDMA bus terminal.
Ask us for a quote.
