Puerto Madryn · Patagonia
Birding before Antarctica
Add a private birding day or a two- to three-day Patagonia extension before your expedition to Antarctica, the Falklands or South Georgia. We start in Puerto Madryn and plan around your embarkation.
Choose how much time to spend
Birds and habitats to look for
From Puerto Madryn, we can visit Monte scrub, steppe, coast and lagoons. We choose stops around your target birds and the time you have before boarding.
For a deeper species overview, see our Endemic and Specialty Birds page and the dedicated Monte & Steppe Specialties tour.
- Patagonian Canastero — Argentine endemic, Monte and steppe scrub.
- White-throated Cacholote — A key dry-country target around Puerto Madryn.
- Sandy Gallito — Elusive endemic tapaculo of sandy Monte habitat.
- Carbonated Sierra Finch
- Band-tailed Earthcreeper
- Elegant Crested-Tinamou
- Burrowing Parakeet
- Coastal birds
- Lagoons and shorebirds
Route and season matter
Longer routes, specific dates or seasonal conditions can add birds such as Least Seedsnipe, Snowy Sheathbill, Rusty-backed Monjita, Magellanic Plover, additional shorebirds and coastal specialties. Longer regional extensions can be discussed separately for targets outside the immediate Puerto Madryn area, such as Steinbach's Canastero.
To prepare for your outing, explore our illustrated regional wildlife checklist.
Wildlife that can complement the route
Birding stays at the center of the plan. When dates fit, October and November can also add classic Patagonia wildlife before your Antarctica voyage: Southern Right Whales, Southern Elephant Seals, South American Sea Lions, Magellanic Penguins, Guanacos, Patagonian Maras, Lesser Rheas and the wild coastline of Península Valdés.
We discuss Península Valdés and other wildlife stops around your dates, target birds and available time.
Planned around your embarkation
This page is for travelers boarding an Antarctica, Falklands or South Georgia expedition ship in Puerto Madryn. Many birders arrive one, two or three buffer days early; here, those days can become real birding time rather than just a safety margin. If your ship only calls in Puerto Madryn for the day and you return to that same vessel, use our Birding Shore Excursion instead.
What we need to plan
- Your ship and embarkation date
- How many days you have before boarding
- Your target birds and birding intensity
- Photography interests, mobility needs and walking pace
Your ship and the time available
Tell us your ship, boarding date and arrival date in Puerto Madryn. We can then suggest a full day, a short extension or an outing on embarkation day.
Hondius
For Oceanwide guests boarding Hondius in Puerto Madryn and wanting a landbird-focused Patagonia day or extension before the voyage.
Plancius
For Plancius guests arriving early in Puerto Madryn, including birders, naturalists and wildlife photographers.
Seaventure, Ortelius and other expedition ships
For travelers on Seaventure, Ortelius, Ultramarine, Ocean Explorer or similar expedition vessels, tell us how Puerto Madryn fits into your itinerary. We’ll suggest a birding day or short Patagonia extension that fits your ship, date and target birds.
Local experience and guest accounts
Guided by local field specialists with published work on birds of coastal Chubut and Península Valdés.
"We would have loved to have had longer and would really recommend booking with Agus."
"This was my first time birding not just in Argentina but in the neotropical region."
"For three days he not only located and identified the endemic and special birds..."
Plan your birding before boarding
Tell us your ship, embarkation date, group size, available days and target birds. We'll recommend the most worthwhile one-day plan or Patagonia birding extension for your time before boarding.
Booking and cancellation terms
By booking or participating in an activity with Birding Puerto Madryn, the passenger and, where applicable, the agency, hotel or operator requesting the booking accept these terms.
1. Confirmation and deposit
An enquiry, availability request or quotation does not hold space or resources. A booking is confirmed only when the stated deposit has been received and Birding Puerto Madryn confirms receipt. For agencies, hotels and other intermediaries, a booking may also be confirmed in writing under a previously accepted credit agreement.
The standard deposit is at least 20% of the total price and is credited toward the balance. If specific advance and non-recoverable third-party commitments exceed that amount, the proposal may require a higher deposit and must state it expressly before confirmation.
2. Balance payment
Unless the proposal states a different deadline, the balance must be received at least 48 hours before the start of the service. Bookings made within that period require full payment. Failure to pay on time may be treated as a cancellation by the contracting party.
3. Cancellations and no-shows
Except where a statutory withdrawal right or a special condition expressly stated in the proposal or product applies:
- Cancellation more than 48 hours before the service: 20% of the total price.
- Cancellation within 48 hours, on the day of the service, or no-show: 100% of the total price.
Amounts already paid are credited against the applicable fee; two penalties are not added for the same event. Changes of date, passenger numbers or service are subject to availability and any non-recoverable costs already incurred.
4. Bookings requested by agencies, hotels or other intermediaries
The same terms apply unless a different written agreement is in place. Without a received deposit or a written credit confirmation, there is no firm booking. An intermediary contracting in its own name is responsible for cancellation amounts and must disclose these terms to its passengers before confirming.
5. Operational changes or cancellations
Because of weather, tides, road conditions, closures, authority instructions, safety or other reasonable circumstances beyond our control, the itinerary may be modified or rescheduled. Operational adjustments that do not substantially alter the service do not entitle the customer to a refund. If Birding Puerto Madryn cancels the entire service and cannot offer a reasonable alternative within the dates provided, all amounts paid for the unprovided service will be refunded.
When a separable component is operated by a third party, its cancellation will result in the alternative, credit or refund applicable to that component under the proposal and applicable rights. A special condition published for a product — for example, a cruise excursion when the ship does not dock — prevails only for that circumstance.
6. Wildlife, safety and scope
Wildlife is free-ranging and its presence, proximity or behavior cannot be guaranteed; lack of sightings is not grounds for a refund. The booking includes only what is listed in the proposal or voucher. Participants must follow the guide's instructions and are responsible for their belongings. Appropriate travel assistance or insurance is recommended.
7. Mandatory rights
Nothing in these terms limits non-waivable rights under applicable law. For distance contracts with consumers, the statutory withdrawal right applies within the legal period; for tourism services on a fixed date it must also be exercised with the minimum notice required by current law. This consumer regime does not apply to purchases made for resale or integration into services supplied to third parties.