Starting from:

3075 USD

per Adult

Self-drive trip on the Patagonia Blue Route

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Trip crafted by:
Gabriela
Travel Expert
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Choose the self-drive Atlantic Patagonia Blue Route for one of the most liberating Argentina trips, where true travel freedom takes the wheel. Design an authentic, tailor-made itinerary that follows windswept steppe and empty coastal roads, with the freedom to pause for breaching whales, penguin colonies, and landscapes once explored by Darwin.

Travel at your own pace, shaping each day around discovery and a deep connection to place. Select flexible dates, customize every stop, and begin planning a route that reflects your curiosity and style today.

Self-drive trip on the Patagonia Blue Route highlights

  • Scenic coastal drives: Drive winding Atlantic roads between windswept cliffs and hidden beaches, customizing stops to match your pace.
  • Wildlife encounters: Spot penguins, sea lions, dolphins and migrating whales from coastal viewpoints or private boat excursions.
  • Hidden beaches and dunes: Find secluded white-sand coves and dramatic dunes for quiet picnics or sunset photography.
  • Local culture and gastronomy: Meet fishermen, taste freshly caught seafood and artisanal wines, and design immersive experiences with locals.
  • Flexible itinerary and personalized service: Tailor each day's route, activities and pace with expert local support.
DayLocationActivityOvernight
1Buenos Aires

• Arrival and hotel transfer

• Personalized itinerary and local tips

• Evening at leisure for rest or neighborhood dining

Buenos Aires
2Puerto Madryn

• Pick up rental vehicle in Trelew

• Drive to Puerto Madryn

• Visit Punta Tombo penguin reserve

• Welsh tea experience in Gaiman

Puerto Madryn
3Valdés Peninsula

• Full day wildlife exploration

• Whale watching from shore at El Doradillo (seasonal)

• Boat excursions from Puerto Pirámides

• Elephant seals, sea lions, penguins

• Optional Patagonian lamb estancia visit

Puerto Madryn
4Comodoro Rivadavia

• Scenic coastal drive south

• Flexible photo and beach stops

• Seafood dining, Petroleum Museum, or waterfront walk

Comodoro Rivadavia
5Puerto Deseado

• Drive to Puerto Deseado

• Arrival at Darwin Camp

• Explore Estancia Cerro del Paso

• Self-guided trails and coastal wildlife

Puerto Deseado
6Puerto Deseado

• Steppe excursion to Darwin’s 1833 sites

• Painted canyons and rock formations

• Seabird and fossil spotting

• Visit to historic Boliche de Ramos Generales

Puerto Deseado
7Monte León

• Drive to Monte León National Park

• Coastal walks and marine wildlife viewing

• Historic estancia and coastal caves

Monte León area
8Monte León

• Free day at leisure

• Guided coastal walks or ranger-led tour

• Kayaking or a picnic by the shore

• Photography and wildlife observation

Monte León area
9Puerto San Julián

• Scenic coastal drive

• Wildlife sightings and photo stops

• Guided harbor walks

• Evening estancia dinner

Puerto San Julián
10Caleta Olivia

• Drive to Caleta Olivia

• Visit Petrified Forest National Park

• Fossilized trees and desert landscapes

Caleta Olivia
11Bahía Bustamante

• Drive to Bahía Bustamante Lodge

• Pristine beaches and petrified forest

• Seaweed harvesting and sheep farming

• Outdoor and archaeological activities

Bahía Bustamante
12Bahía Bustamante

• Leisure day at the lodge

• Wildlife watching and coastal walks

• Kayaking, spa time, and local dining

Bahía Bustamante
13Trelew

• Coastal drive north

• Paleontology museum visit

• Welsh tea houses in Gaiman

• Cultural experiences with local guides

Trelew
14Trelew

• Vehicle return at airport

• Departure or optional extension to Península Valdés

Places you'll visit

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Day01

Buenos Aires arrival

Our team will welcome you at Buenos Aires Airport and escort you to your hotel for check-in. You will receive a personalized itinerary, key contacts, and detailed information about your hotels, along with local tips to enhance your Argentina travel experience.

The evening is free to explore Buenos Aires at your own pace, rest, or enjoy a relaxed neighborhood dinner as you prepare for the journey ahead.

View from the helicopter for Buenos Aires
Day02

To Puerto Madryn

Transfer to Trelew Airport to collect your rental 4x2 vehicle with CDW insurance and credit card guarantee, then begin the drive to Puerto Madryn.

En route, visit Punta Tombo Reserve, home to more than 400,000 Magellanic penguins between August and March, with well-maintained boardwalks that allow close and respectful wildlife viewing.

Continue to Gaiman, a charming Welsh village on the banks of the Chubut River, where you can enjoy traditional tea and homemade pastries in historic tearooms that preserve classic recipes.

Drinking traditional Argentinian yerba mate tea from a calabash gourd with bombilla stick.
Day03

Valdés Peninsula

Explore the Valdés Peninsula, a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site near Puerto Madryn and one of the country’s premier wildlife destinations.

From El Doradillo Beach, observe southern right whales from shore during the June to October breeding season, considered the best time to visit Argentina for this rare and moving natural spectacle.

Continue to Puerto Pirámides for boat excursions, snorkeling, or scuba diving, then visit Caleta Valdés, Punta Delgada, and Punta Norte to see elephant seals, sea lions, and seasonal penguins.

An optional stop at Estancia La Elvira offers the chance to sample traditional Patagonian lamb and spot guanacos, rheas, and native birdlife.

Puerto Madryn
Day04

To Comodoro Rivadavia

Begin the day with a scenic drive toward Comodoro Rivadavia, following rugged coastlines where salt-scented sea air and wide open views invite spontaneous stops for photography, beach walks, and visits to small coastal towns.

In Comodoro Rivadavia, immerse yourself in local life with fresh seafood, a visit to the Petroleum Museum, or a relaxed sunset stroll along the waterfront.

Comodoro Rivadavia
Day05

Rivadavia to Puerto Deseado

Drive from Comodoro Rivadavia to Puerto Deseado, arriving at Darwin Camp in the afternoon for check-in and an introduction to this remote retreat, set in one of the best places to visit in Argentina for raw coastal landscapes and wildlife.

Explore the historic Estancia Cerro del Paso, visit the shearing shed and stables, and follow self-guided trails that reveal Patagonian scenery and coastal wildlife at your own pace.

Puerto Deseado
Day06

Puerto Deseado

From Puerto Deseado, travel across the vast Patagonian steppe to the dramatic cliffs that astonished Charles Darwin in 1833.

Explore the campsite where he stayed, the triangular rock depicted by Conrad Martens, and the painted canyons and stone formations known as La Virgen and El Pájaro, with opportunities to spot seabirds and fossil remains.

Conclude with a visit to the historic Boliche de Ramos Generales to sample local flavors and connect with the local community.

Boliche de Ramos Generales
Day07

Monte León Estancia and coast

Drive from Puerto Santa Cruz to Monte León National Park, where rugged coastlines meet open Patagonian steppe. Explore windswept beaches, enjoy low tide coastal walks or sea outings, and observe wildlife such as sea lions, Magellanic penguins, guanacos, and imperial cormorants. The park protects both marine and land ecosystems of remarkable scale.

Visit the historic estancia to see traditional wool workshops, then explore coastal caves that reveal Tehuelche archaeological remains, fossils, and traces of old shipwrecks.

Argentina
Day08

Monte León

Enjoy a free day to take in Monte León’s windswept coast, dramatic cliffs, and abundant wildlife. Choose from tailored activities such as guided coastal walks to spot seabirds and sea lions, beachcombing for fossils, or photography stops at scenic viewpoints.

The day can be customized with a ranger-led excursion, a kayak outing, or a relaxed picnic by the shore, ideal for travelers seeking authentic and personal exploration.

Penguines
Day09

To Puerto San Julián

Drive to Puerto San Julián along the windswept coast, with opportunities to stop for panoramic ocean views, wildlife sightings, and photo breaks tailored to your pace.

In Puerto San Julián, enjoy guided walks through the historic harbor, observe seabirds and sea lions, and spend the evening at a local estancia savoring authentic Patagonian cuisine, a memorable highlight of your Argentina itinerary.

Puerto San Julian
Day10

Puerto San Julián to Caleta Olivia

Drive from Puerto San Julián to Caleta Olivia, with time to explore the remote Petrified Forest National Park. Walk among massive fossilized tree trunks, photograph striking desert landscapes, and learn about the dramatic Cretaceous era that shaped Patagonia.

This quiet, immersive stop blends geology, solitude, and unique photo opportunities, making the journey as rewarding as the destination.

Andean Range
Day11

Caleta Olivia to Bahía Bustamante

Drive from Caleta Olivia to the remote coastal settlement of Bahía Bustamante. The lodge sits within a unique marine and land wildlife sanctuary, offering pristine beaches, a 60-million-year-old petrified forest, and insight into the pioneering lifestyle of the 1950s.

Explore the area through guided activities such as sustainable seaweed harvesting tours, sheep farming and wool production visits, as well as biking, trekking, horseback riding, and archaeological exploration.

Bahia
Day12

Leisure at the lodge

Enjoy a day at leisure with a selection of curated lodge activities, including wildlife watching, coastal walks, kayaking, spa treatments, and intimate dining that highlights Patagonian flavors.

This flexible day allows you to customize outings, arrange a guide, or simply relax and take in the dramatic coastal scenery and photographic moments.

Day at leisure to enjoy the activities lodge.
Day13

To Trelew

Drive to Trelew along the Atlantic coast, shaping the day with scenic lookouts, seabird colonies, and unhurried stops in small towns and estancias to suit your pace.

In Trelew, visit the renowned paleontology museum, explore the Welsh tea houses of nearby Gaiman, and enjoy hands-on experiences arranged by local guides that connect you deeply with Patagonia’s landscapes and culture.

Trelew
Day14

Departure from Trelew

Conclude your self-drive Argentina trip with a short transfer to Trelew Airport, where you will return your vehicle. Enjoy a final coffee in town, visit a local museum, or arrange an extension to explore Península Valdés and its rich coastal wildlife before departure.

Departure