Do we tour the City?
El Calafate … Land of Glaciers
The Perito Moreno glacier, the eighth wonder of the world, is located near El Calafate. This town is also an access area to a multitude of ice mountains that make up Los Glaciares National Park, and that make it a privileged site in Argentina and the world. So much so that in 1981 Unesco declared this entire Park a “World Heritage Site”.
CITY TOUR
The tour begins first, Cuevas del Walichu and then through the city and its surroundings, to observe the typical first constructions of the pioneers, the Redonda Bay with the birdlife of the place and visit the Historical Interpretation Center, with the tour through prehistory and history.
walking tour through the city center where the theme of the tour will be the Patagonian strikes that took place in the 1920s and 1921 in Argentine Patagonia.
It is located in the shopping center, a building built in 1946, declared a Municipal Historical Monument. You can tour the surrounding area, through an interpretive path, identify the native, exotic or introduced flora. Also a path of historical interpretation, samples of old machinery that were used when the National Park began to function, an event that transformed it into the pioneering institution for the development of the area..
The town takes its name from the small shrub “calafate”, typical of southern Patagonia. According to tradition, those who eat calafate come back for more. According to reality, those who know El Calafate do not want to leave the place. Located 320 km from Río Gallegos and on the southern shore of Lake Argentino in the Andean mountain range, El Calafate is a picturesque town, a haven of peace and vegetation. It is also an important tourist center since all the glacial circuits begin from this point.
Active cultural and scientific center where the latest research on glaciers and their environment is disseminated. Within its spaces it has exceptional thematic areas and audiovisual exhibitions, as well as a permanent exhibition dedicated to climate change; cultural space for art and photography exhibitions and a 3D film is projected in high definition. Located approximately 6 km from the commercial center of El Calafate, there are transfers that depart from the commercial center every hour.
This Municipal Natural Reserve has been identified as an Important Area for the Conservation of birds (AICA), hosting a great diversity of resident and migratory species. The Reserve is located only 800m from the main avenue, reaching the shores of Lake Argentino. It has attention to the visitor and an interpretive trail of 3 km of easy travel, with posters, viewpoints and bird observatories, as well as brochures, bird guides and binocular rental, making the visit a pleasant experience to enjoy the Wetland Calafateño.
El Calafate is a small city of 4000 inhabitants where its streets have a particular charm characterized by a construction of low, warm and rustic houses in the framework of a blue landscape that blends with the sky.
El Calafate is a small city of 4000 inhabitants where its streets have a particular charm characterized by a construction of low, warm and rustic houses in the framework of a blue landscape that blends with the sky
Glaciar Perito Moreno
From El Calafate to the Perito Moreno Glacier there is a distance of 80 paved km. In the first 40 km the Patagonian steppe is crossed, later passing to the entrance of the National Park,
where you can see the arboreal vegetation: ñires, cherries, lengas that make up the Magellan forest. Once in the Glacier, you can appreciate the majesty that impacts the eyes of the traveler, from different balconies,
there is also an accessibility area. The excursion can be done through: regular services, travel agencies, there are alternatives of different
companies, in private or rental car.
The excursion departs every day from Puerto Moreno, located at the foot of the walkways of the coastal walk, on the Canal de los Témpanos. From there, the boat in seconds up in front of the north wall of the Perito Moreno glacier to appreciate the area of its rupture, the height of its walls and its beautiful landslides. Ideal to combine the day of the excursion to the National Park, Perito Moreno Glacier.
The excursion departs every day from Puerto Moreno, located at the foot of the walkways of the coastal walk, on the Canal de los Témpanos. From there, the boat in seconds up in front of the north wall of the Perito Moreno glacier to appreciate the area of its rupture, the height of its walls and its beautiful landslides. Ideal to combine the day of the excursion to the National Park, Perito Moreno Glacier.
The navigation with the kayaks in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier begins, for almost two hours. Once finished, you return to have hot drinks and snacks, and then start the return to the City.
Navigation that takes place from the “Bajo de las Sombras” Port, 7 km from the Glacier Viewpoint. From there the boat navigates through the Rico Arm of Lake Argentino that allows us to appreciate the icebergs and landslides that occur on the south face of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Several daily frequencies.
Los Glaciares National Park
Laguna Capri
Glaciar Vidnam
Cerro Torre
Cerro Fitz Roy
Los Glaciares National Park is located in the southwest of the province of Santa Cruz, has an area of 726,927 hectares and was created to preserve an extensive area of continental ice and glaciers, the southern Andean-Patagonian forest and samples of the Patagonian steppe. It is the most extensive of the National System of Argentine Protected Areas.
In 1937, through Decree No. 105,433, the status of Reserves was established for different territories in Andean Patagonia, destined for the subsequent creation of National Parks. One of these territories was the Glacier Reserve. In September 1942, the Presidency of the Nation, by Decree No. 129,433, expanded the coastal margin of the Reserve over the Canal de los Témpanos and the north coast of Lake Rico.
Years later, in April 1945, Decree Law No. 9504, ratified by Law No. 13,895, declared several reserves a National Park, including Los Glaciares Reserve, which, from that moment on, assumed the category of Park National.
Laguna de los Tres
Glaciar Upsala
Lago la Roca
Cerro Cristal
Recommendations before visiting the park
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As in all protected areas in our country, pets are not allowed.
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Check the status of routes and trails. In winter, due to the presence of snow, the use of covers with nails or chains is mandatory.
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Drive slowly, for your safety and that of other visitors. Respect the traffic signs.
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Get advice on the sectors of the Park where you can camp.
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To avoid falls, use footwear suitable for trekking, both for the nature trails and to travel the circuit of footbridges of the Perito Moreno Glacier since the floor is made up of a system of metal grids.
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Fishing is regulated, fish with the corresponding permit.
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You can only make a fire in the designated stoves and you must bring the wood that you are going to use.
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Respect the park ranger’s instructions. It is the authority of the area.
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Trash outside the Park. Go back with your waste.
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Do not leave traces of your visit. The Park belongs to EVERYONE, among EVERYONE we take care of the National Park.
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Particularly in the North area of the National Park:
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Climbers must register with the Park Information Center.
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Walk on the enabled trails.
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It is not allowed to make fire with wood. The use of heaters is allowed only in camping areas.
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