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Excursion to Laguna Azul
Overview

Laguna Azul Geological Reserve is located at about 37 miles (60 km) from Río Gallegos in the Pali Aike volcanic field which occurs in the south of Santa Cruz and part of the Magellanic Region of Chile.

This Geological Reserve protects an ancient volcano crater currently occupied by a deep lagoon. The footpath allows you to walk down to the wetland and get good views of a landscape formed just 200 thousand years before the present. It is one of the closest natural sites to Rio Gallegos and also one of the most visited by locals and tourist

Punta Loyola will be the second stop on this tour where you will see the open Atlantic Sea and its attractions and riches. Some pelagic birds can be found there every year such as penguins, cormorants and petrels as well as South American Sea Lion, Commerson’s Dolphin, Peale´s Dolphin and more. Join us and find out for yourself.

Laguna Azul
Tour details

Laguna Azul bird highlights
Lesser Rhea, Flying Steamer-Duck, Chilean Flamingo, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Rufous-chested Dotterel, Two-banded Plover, Magellanic Oystercatcher, Baird's Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Magellanic Snipe, Least Seedsnipe, South American Tern, Magellanic Penguin, Southern Giant-Petrel, Cinereous Harrier, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Short-eared Owl, Peregrine Falcon (South American, included “pallid” form), Austral Canastero, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Chocolate-vented Tyrant, Chilean Swallow, Patagonian Yellow-Finch.

Number of expected species: 35 - 40.

Mammal highlights
Guanaco, South American Gray Fox, Humboldt´s Hog-nosed Skunk, Large Hairy Armadillo.

What’s included?
This tour includes:

  • All ground transportations in a private vehicule

  • Guided services: local guide

  • Spotting scope: Vortex Diamondback HD 65mm

  • Box lunch

  • Drinking water for refill private bottles

  • Personal insurances

It does not include:

  • Flight tickets

  • Alcoholic drinks

  • Tips or anything not mentioned in this page

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Itinerary

08 AM: Hotel pick-up and transfer to the Laguna Azul Geological Reserve, with some photo stops along the way.
09 AM: Visit the protected area and surroundings.
10:30 AM: Transfer to Punta Loyola.
12 PM: Lunch break. Visit the coast, Migratory Shorebirds Reserve and nearby areas.
01 PM: Transfer back to Rio Gallegos. Drop off. End of the tour.

Notes
Itinerary can be changed due to force majeure and accommodation availability.

More information

Habitats
Sea coast, marshes, lagoons, shrublands, grasslands
(Argentine Sea and Magellanic Steppe)

Climate
Cold, semi-arid

Tour category
Nature & wildlife tour, with good opportunities to take photos

Max group size
6 + 1 local guide (ask for larger groups)

Physical requirements
The physical difficulty of this tour is low (easy to moderate terrain).

Recommended equipment
Woolly hat, cap, sunscreen (+30), polarized sunglasses, warm and waterproof clothing, trekking shoes.

Departures
This tour is available anytime from October to March. It requires prior reservation.

Price
If you want a quote for this tour, please send an email to: info@southernpatagoniatours.com

Combined with
This tour can be combined with:

  • Excursion to Cabo Vírgenes (Full day tour) | Read more

  • Monte León NP (4 days / 3 nights) | Read more

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