Welsh Patagonia: Heritage, Wildlife and Remote Landscapes
This itinerary offers a distinctive perspective on Argentina, exploring the landscapes, wildlife and Welsh heritage of Patagonia through a carefully paced journey across one of the country’s most unique regions. Beginning with your flight from the UK to Buenos Aires and concluding with your return from the Argentine capital, the itinerary combines cultural discovery, dramatic scenery and remarkable wildlife encounters.
Your journey begins in Buenos Aires, where grand avenues, historic neighbourhoods and tango culture provide an introduction to Argentina before travelling south to Puerto Madryn on the Atlantic coast of Patagonia. From here, guided journeys through the Río Chubut Valley reveal the Welsh heritage of Gaiman, where traditional tea houses and local customs continue to preserve the strong connection between Wales and Patagonia.
Exploration of Península Valdés reveals one of South America’s most important wildlife regions, home to whales, penguins, sea lions and marine birdlife depending on the season. The journey then continues west to Esquel and the Andean landscapes surrounding Los Alerces National Park, where forests, mountain lakes and ancient Alerce trees create a dramatic contrast to Patagonia’s windswept Atlantic coastline.
Alongside its landscapes and wildlife, the itinerary also highlights Patagonia’s rich cultural traditions through visits to Welsh communities, artisan producers and regional farms. The journey concludes back in Buenos Aires with a traditional tango experience before your onward flight back to the UK.
Visit several regions in Welsh Patagonia
Accommodation detailed in itinerary
All included as per below
10 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 1 dinner included
What you'll experience
- Tour the Welsh settlement of Gaiman: Discover the heart of Welsh Patagonia, where traditions, language and heritage offer a fascinating first introduction to this unique cultural landscape
- Observe wildlife in Península Valdés: Spend time in this important wildlife reserve, watching sea lions along the coast and, in season, spotting southern right whales offshore
- Enjoy a Patagonian barbecue at Estancia San Lorenzo: Experience a traditional Patagonian asado on a working sheep farm, with locally sourced produce and a strong sense of place
- Explore the town of Trevelin: Visit a town shaped by Welsh heritage and home to the largest Welsh diaspora in the world, with time to learn about its history and daily life
- Discover Los Alerces national park: Explore a landscape of clear lakes, forested valleys and mountain scenery, where rivers and streams wind through ancient woodland
What's Included in our Welsh Patagonia Holiday
International flights
10 nights’ accommodation
14 meals: 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner
Half-day Buenos Aires city tour
Full-day Rio Chubut Valley tour
Full-day Peninsula Valdes tour including whale watching boat trip
Full-day Welsh heritage, Artisans & flavour tour
Full-day Los Alerces National Park tour
Dinner and Tango show
Transfers and domestic flights as per itinerary
Prices from £4,799pp
Excludes:
Meals not indicated in your itinerary
Local departure taxes payable locally
Items of a personal nature such as laundry and drinks etc
Tips for guides and drivers (discretionary)
Camera or video fees at any sites
Quick Itinerary
Welsh Patagonia 13-day holiday iinerary
Days 1-3 UK - Buenos Aires
Arrive in Buenos Aires from the UK, where you can experience the best of Argentina's stunning cosmopolitan capital and enjoy a guided tour of some of its most famous spots.
Days 4-7 Puerto Madryn
Your tour of Welsh Patagonia and its wildlife will start from Puerto Madryn.
On your first full day, you will head to the valley of Rio Chubut, stopping off at Rawson, Chabut’s capital, to enjoy a dolphin-watching boat trip before heading to Trelew where you will have the opportunity to visit the museum of Palaeontology Egidio Fergulio. One of Latin America’s most important museums where visitors stroll through the different geological eras, from the first humans back to the Big Bang.
After Trelew, you will head west to Gaiman. A true small welsh town in the picturesque valley, with architecture, tea rooms and tasty Welsh fruit cake awaiting visitors.
On your second day, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the provincial wildlife reserve of Peninsula Valdes. Here you will take a whale-watching boat tour, keeping your eyes open for southern right whales (between June and December) and southern sea lions and cormorants (between January and March). There is no navigation between April and May.
You will then drive on to Estancia San Lorenzo, a traditional sheep farm where you will be able to enjoy a lamb barbeque and visit a stunning Magellanic penguin colony just over 4 miles from the house.
Your last stop of the day will be the Wildlife Reserve of Punta Norte where you will be able to watch sea lions and, from December, orcas.
Days 8-10 Esquel
Today you will fly to Esquel via Buenos Aires.
Enjoy a full-day tour of the Welsh heritage, artisans and flavours. You will head west on Route 259, enjoying visits to farms and establishments dedicated to the production of fine fruit, jams, and natural juices, among other delicacies.
You will first visit the Nant y Fall vineyard, where young wines are changing the wine map in Patagonia. You will then continue the tour by visiting the fish farm station before enjoying a traditional asado at the Meraki Sur farm.
After lunch you will visit the Nant Fach mill and then onto Paso Ancho Berries, where delicious natural fruit juices are made. Your last stop will be Pulau Pelangi farm where you will be able to see more than 60 breeds of exotic trees and fine fruit plantations and taste the products in handmade jams and pies.
On your second day you will visit the UNESCO Natural World Heritage site of Los Alerces National Park. Observe the vast expanse of this natural area, admire cave paintings, take pictures of the stunning reflections in the clear-water lakes and marvel at the Alerce forest. A forest containing the longest-living population of Alerce trees (conifer endemic to South America), with the oldest tree being nearly 60 metres tall and approximately 2,600 years old.
Days 11-13 Buenos Aires - UK
Today you will return to Buenos Aires for your last night in Argentina. Enjoy a traditional dinner and tango show, to say goodbye to the country in style.
Next day, you will transfer to Buenos Aires airport for your onward flight, arriving back in the UK on day 13.
Speak to a dedicated Welsh Patagonia Holiday Specialist
All our Argentina itineraries can be tailored to your unique requirements. Enquire about our Welsh Patagonia holiday and let us plan your perfect Latin American adventure.
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Welsh Patagonia Facts & Travel FAQs
Why did the Welsh go to Patagonia?
In 1865, a group of Welsh pioneers left Britain to form a colony in Patagonia where they could protect their language and culture. Led by minister Michael D. Jones, they settled in the Chubut Valley, far away from English persecution. Though the conditions were harsh, more Welsh migrants followed, especially after Argentina officially granted them the land in 1875. Their efforts turned the region into a fertile, thriving area - one that still bears the mark of Welsh heritage today.
Do they speak Welsh in Patagonia?
While Spanish is more commonly spoken, there are estimated to be between 2,000 and 5,000 Patagonians who speak a form of Welsh, known as Patagonian Welsh.
What is the local name for Welsh Patagonia?
The local name for Welsh Patagonia is ‘Y Wladfa’ which means ‘The Colony’
Where is Welsh Patagonia located?
Welsh Patagonia is situated in the Chubut province of Argentina, specifically along the lower Chubut River valley.
Can you recommend a Welsh Patagonian dish?
Try the Torta Negra Galesa (Patagonia Black Cake), also known as Cacen Ddu. Similar to the famous Welsh bara brith, this rich fruitcake was invented by Welsh settlers in the Chubut River region in the late 18th Century and is still a staple of Welsh Patagonian teahouses today.