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ABOUT EL PEDRAL LODGE ACTIVITIES - in their own words:

After checking in at the Lodge, guests will be informed about the scheduled activities during their stay. Activities are subject to weather conditions and fauna watching opportunities, duration of the stay, guest’s main interests, etc. The guide will inform the planned activity for next day the night before.

During spare time, guests can enjoy our bicycles, the library, Snooker and swimming pool.

Some of the activities offered are the following:

·    Navigation & sea lions watching:
Departure to go fishing on a zodiac. The Atlantic Ocean is here home to silversides, tope sharks, brazilian sandperchs, Patagonian smooth hound, Argentine seabass, etc. The views of the shore, dominated by high cliffs, are impressive. Its beaches, which are easy to reach, have been chosen by the sea lions to establish their colony, which can be seen from the boat. If the weather is nice, there is the option of kayaking on the seat-on-top or do some snorkelling.

-          Subject to weather conditions.

-          2 boats available: (one zodiac for 4 people and other for 16 people).

-          We provide neoprene suits and snorkelling equipment.

·    
This activity proposes to discover “el pedral”
(gravel beach), which extends over 9 km along the sea shore. It is a strange geographic formation, unique in Patagonian coast, 900 m wide and 8 m deep. This is the beginning of the Golfo Nuevo (New Gulf), in Punta Ninfas. Depending on the time of the year, guests will be able to appreciate the magnificent spectacle provided by the Southern Right Whale. The coastline here is so deep, that Southern Right whales are able to swim very near the beach. This is a unique spectacle which can be seen while just sitting on the sand, just as good as watching them from a boat, or even better! August and September are the best months to enjoy this show, since it is mating and birthing time. Orcas are also frequently seen, although its behavior is difficult to predict. November is the best time, since they approach our coasts searching for their prey, the newborn elephant seals.  During March and April they hunt sea lions.

·     Penguin Rockery visit (September to March):
Since 2009 a penguin rockery is growing year after year. The first 14 adventurous couples nested in the southern coasts, where the cliffs start. Next year, the rockery reached the 85 nests, and it is expected to continue growing. This is why the area has now been protected and declared the “Punta Ninfas Wildlife Natural Shelter “. The penguin rockery is visited during mid-day, since penguins are more active during the morning and afternoon, so that we do not interfere with their lifestyle.

      Departure on a pick up truck or on bicycle toward the high cliffs which dominate Punta Ninfas. The lighthouse is located at the north end of the Peninsula. From here, stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean are obtained. It is the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset or the full moon on the sea.

·     Elephant seals Colony:
The beaches at the foot of the cliffs, which go from the pedral until Punta Ninfas, have been chosen by elephant seals as their home.  The colony reaches its highest peak of population between September and March. During September, males start arriving, marking their territory and forming their harem. In small groups, they can be seen all year round. The walk is slow, due to the type of land, but Punta Ninfas can be reached. Once here, climbing the cliffs, the lighthouse will be reached, and from here the way back to the Lodge is on a pick up truck. During the walk, depending on the time of the year, Southern Right Whales (august to November), orcas (November mostly) and many species of marine birds can be seen. It is important not to bother the elephant seals; when approaching them it is necessary to crouch down. This way they will not feel invaded.

·     Cayons into the sea:
Driving along the steppe, guest will have the chance of observing typical fauna of the Patagonian steppe, such as guanacos, Patagonian hares, foxes, Patagonian rheas, among others. The first stop will be at a natural viewpoint, from where the immensity of the ocean can be fully appreciated. The beach will be reached by walking down the Fossilsī Canyon, where guests will be able to see the diversity and large number of fossils from the Cenozoic age, in which we highlight the sea urchin fossils, or “dollars”, and fossil oysters. Once at the beach you will have a close up of the elephant seal colony. There are three other canyons too, so the options are many. Pick up truck combination with walking.

·     Rural activities:
Estancia El Pedral invites guests to participate of a days work, visiting the corrals and learning about the different activities carried out: shearing, weaning, classification or marking of the sheep. Currently, they own 5000 sheep approximately. 4 km. away from the Lodge, the corrals are located. Together with the guide, guests will be able to understand and participate in rural activities, which vary according to the time of the year. October is, for example, sheep shearing time.