Description
Monte León 4×4: Sea Lions and Penguins is an unmissable excursion from El Calafate to discover Monte León National Park, a unique environment where the sea, the coast, and the Patagonian steppe combine, home to incredible wildlife.
The experience includes trips in Overland 4×4 vehicles, trekking among penguins to a panoramic viewpoint over the cliffs, a visit to the emblematic Cabeza de León (Lion’s Head), and walks along the beach, where you can see natural caves sculpted by the action of the sea.
The tour begins with pick-up at your hotel in El Calafate from 6:30 a.m., crossing the Patagonian steppe along Provincial Route N°9, bordering the Santa Cruz River. During the tour, you can enjoy privileged views of the valley, and it is common to see guanacos, foxes, choiques, and, occasionally, pumas.
Around 11:30 a.m., you will arrive at Monte León National Park, where you will take an easy trek of approximately 1.5 hours along the penguin colony trail, walking among nests and penguin colonies. This park is home to the largest penguin colony in Argentina.
The excursion continues towards the Sea Lion Colony and Lion’s Head Trail, an imposing lion-shaped cliff that gives the park its name. From there, it is possible to observe sea lions and, at certain times, cetaceans such as the southern right whale, dolphins, or Commerson’s dolphins.
Before returning, visit the Monte León Island Viewpoint, from where you can see large colonies of cormorants and various seabirds. The return to El Calafate is scheduled for around 9:30 p.m., after an unforgettable day in one of the most unique national parks in Patagonia.
Important: The excursion may be canceled in case of heavy rains due to the transitability of the terrain. It operates with a minimum of 4 passengers.
Includes
- Transfer from and to El Calafate
- Breakfast, lunch, and snack
- Binoculars
- Visit to Penguin Colony with 1.5 hours of trekking
- Visit to Monte Cabeza de León (Lion’s Head) and beach
- Bilingual professional guide
Useful information
- Total duration: 15 hours approx.
- Difficulty: Low
- Season: October to March
