In the Territorial Journeys we seek to leave the main roads and follow secondary and coastal paths to travel deeper through the country.

The first stage of the First Patagonian Territorial Journey covered the Atlantic coast from the province of Buenos Aires to Península Valdés and Puerto Madryn, passing through coastal towns, old roadside stops, small family projects and landscapes where the wind, the distances and the sense of belonging still set the rhythm of life.

Journey milestones

In the map illustrated by @decur, every 📍 marks a milestone along the route and a story that honours the territory and those who inhabit it.

Roadside stops.  Coastal towns.  Projects sustained with soul and effort.

1 · Parador La Merced – RN3, km 711 · Buenos Aires Province 🍽️

Classic stop between Buenos Aires and Carmen de Patagones. A roadside restaurant open 24 hours: home-cooked food, a simple bed and road-trip trust. @hotel.paradorlamerced

2 · La Baliza – RP1 · Villa 7 de Marzo · Buenos Aires Province 🌊

In the last seaside resort of Buenos Aires province, a couple opened the town's first seafood diner. Fresh catch of the day and a table facing the sea.

3 · Carmen de Patagones – RN3 · Buenos Aires Province 🧭

Symbolic start of Patagonia. Opposite Viedma and the Río Negro, the historic town centre invites you to walk at leisure. Casa Crespo, a boutique hotel with rest and history. @casacrespo.patagonia

🍷 Bodega Wapisa @bodegawapisa · San Javier · Río Negro

A winery of Atlantic Patagonia, 30 km from Viedma. It produces wines with maritime influence and the only Argentine wine matured on the seabed, in underwater cellars in the depths of the San Matías Gulf.

4 · Bahía Creek – RP1 (Coastal Road) · Río Negro Province 🐚

Self-sustaining domes facing the sea, renewable energy and zero-kilometre cuisine. @plusrefugio

Open cliffs, warm waters and southern right whales in season.

5 · Punta Mejillón – RP1 · Pozo Salado · Río Negro Province 🐦

A protected natural area and little-explored seaside resort on the Río Negro coast. Rock pools, birds and living memory in a landscape that remains intact.

6 · Punta Perdices – RP1 · San Antonio Este · Río Negro Province 🐟

A family roadside stop and artisanal fishing in turquoise, crystal-clear waters on white sand. Nicknamed “the Argentine Caribbean”, 1,050 km from Buenos Aires.

7 · Puerto Lobos – RN3 · Chubut Province 🌬️

On the 42nd parallel —the natural boundary between Río Negro and Chubut— the Parador El Empalme stands among ruins and wind, facing one of the most beautiful beaches on the Patagonian coast: pristine, open and wild.

There, sea lion colonies rest.

8 · Península Valdés – Chubut Province 🐋

One of the great marine wildlife sanctuaries on the planet.

Between May and December, southern right whales approach the coast with astonishing curiosity and gentleness, allowing them to be observed from very close, both from land and at sea. It is one of the few destinations in the world where an encounter with them is practically guaranteed.

What is extraordinary about this territory is the convergence of wildlife: southern right whales, elephant seals, sea lions and Magellanic penguins coexist with a great diversity of seabirds and the fauna of the Patagonian steppe —guanacos, rheas, foxes and Patagonian maras— adapted to this open landscape.

Occasionally orcas can also be seen hunting through intentional stranding, one of the most fascinating behaviours in nature.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a territory where marine life approaches the coast.

9 · Puerto Madryn – Chubut Province 🌊

Puerto Madryn combines sea, nature, science, history and Patagonian culture.

The First La Promesa Dialogue was held here at the Ecocentro @ecocentropuertomadryn, a gathering to share the message of La Promesa Argentina and present the book Patagonia by Leandro Vesco with stakeholders linked to tourism, conservation and the local community. The presentation was led by Leandro Vesco and Guillermo Paats, director of @argentinavision and member of the Federal Council of La Promesa Argentina.

The city is also a gateway to scientific projects, marine conservation initiatives and cultural spaces that help to better understand the Patagonian territory.

Cultural and territorial guide

Marine wildlife watching

🐋 Southern right whales

From the coast at El Doradillo and Las Canteras.

From Puerto Pirámides, boat trips with:

@bottazziwhalewatch · @avistajespekesosa · @puntaballenas · @hydrosportavistajes · @whalesargentina · @southernspirit

Best time: the last departure of the day, at sunset.

Elephant seals

Colonies at Punta Norte, Punta Delgada, Punta Loma and Punta Pirámides.

Historic estancia to observe them: www.rinconchico.com

🦭 Sea lions

Sea lion colonies at Puerto Pirámides, Punta Norte, Caleta Valdés and Punta Loma.

Snorkelling and diving: @puertopiramidebuceo · @aquatours_buceo · @scubadubabuceo

🐧 Magellanic penguins

The largest continental colony in Patagonia. @estanciasanlorenzo

@estancialaernestina — Punta Norte

@estanciaelpedral — Punta Ninfas

🐋 Orcas

The only place in the world where hunting through intentional stranding is observed.

Orcas launch themselves onto the beach to catch young sea lions at Punta Norte and elephant seals at Caleta Valdés.

Near the main observation points: @estancialaernestina · www.rinconchico.com

Nature experiences

Kayaking between cliffs · @patagoniaexplorersseakayak

Horse ride to Punta Pardelas · @pingosdelmar

Cycling between Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San José · @traccion_a_sangre

Full moon trekking · @traccion_a_sangre

4×4 off-road to Cerro Avanzado · @argentinavision

Birdwatching and nature photography · @argentinawildlifeexpeditions

For comprehensive advice throughout Península Valdés: @argentinavision

Accommodation

Estancias

Rincón Chico · www.rinconchico.com

La Elvira – Natural Lodge · naturallodge.com.ar

@estancialaernestina

@estanciaelpedral

@estanciasanlorenzo — cabaña

Puerto Pirámides

@rayentraypiramides

@lasrestingashotel

@rayentrayoceano

Flavours of the sea

Puerto Pirámides · @lacovachapuertopiramides

Puerto Madryn · @cantinaelnautico

Marine olive groves

Estancia La Providencia · www.laprovidenciapatagonia.com.ar

A unique project near Punta Ninfas: olives grown by the sea.

Patagonian culture

Puerto Madryn

Ecocentro · @ecocentropuertomadryn

Provincial Museum of Natural Sciences and Oceanography

Desembarco Museum · @museodeldesembarco

History of the Welsh community that arrived on the ship Mimosa.

Trelew

Egidio Feruglio Palaeontological Museum · @mefpatagonia

Coffee at the historic bar of the Hotel Touring Club · @hoteltouringclub

Welsh tradition

In Gaiman, at the Bethel Chapel, on Sundays you can experience the Cymanfa Ganu, Welsh congregational singing accompanied by a pedal harmonium.

Teahouses: @casadetegaiman · @tycymraeg · @plasycoedgaiman · @nain.glenys · @tygwynpatagonia

Accommodation · @posada.los.mimbres

Science and conservation

@icb.argentina

@pn_orca

@globalpenguinsociety

@avesargentinas

@patagonianatural

@wcsargentina

San Pablo de Valdés Wildlife Reserve · @vidasilvestrearg

This Territorial Journey was made possible thanks to Hertz Argentina, who provided the vehicle to cover this extensive Patagonian route, and to the ongoing support of the Hertz Trelew team. Fuel and additional contributions were provided by MAI 10. A very special thank you to Leandro Vesco for his extraordinary work, sensitivity and commitment throughout the entire journey.

Instagram 

Patagonia – First Territorial Journey

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