El Calafate & Los Glaciares National Park

In the south western tip of Patagonia rises a frigid plateau, 1500 metres above sea level, which gives birth to immense ice glaciers. UNESCO declared Los Glaciers National Park a Natural Heritage of Humanity in 1981. Marvel at the Perito Moreno Glacier in all its glory and feel the vibrations of the thunderous cracking of its ice walls. This is a unique vision of the impressive contrast of ice against the greenery of the flora and the woods.

Day 1
El Calafate

Arrive into El Calafate, a quiet and picturesque tourist village, surrounded by dense vegetation that surprises visitors who are used to the aridity of the Patagonic steppe

Day 2
El Calafate

Full day excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world’s largest active continental glaciers. This imposing ice river, 3 km wide and 50 metres high, descends from the Patagonian Continental Icefield provoking ice cracks and explosions during its slow forward movements. Because of its breathtaking beauty and unusual behaviour Unesco declared it a World Heritage Site. B

Day 3
El Calafate

Today enjoy the ‘Rivers of Ice’ cruise, which begins 47 km from El Calafate, at Punta Bandera Port, where comfortable state-of-the-art boats are waiting to navigate the Argentino Lake. First destination will be Upsala Glacier, one of the largest among the continental ices. After crossing “Boca del Diablo”, the lake’s narrowest area, natural gateway to the Northern Canal, the route heads West. While the scenery turns into woods and huge high mountains with hanging glaciers, the boat finds itself surrounded by enormous icebergs, proof of Upsala Glacier’s regression process, until reaching the huge front. Later on, the boat continues to Spegazzini Canal, where the highest National Park’s protagonist stands proudly: its walls reach a height of 130 mts and spread along 25 km. Finally, the Northern Canal leads back to the port, where you disembark to return to El Calafate. B

Day 4
El Calafate

Depart wondrous El Calafate or extend your stay and visit Paine National Park, located in Chile. B

Photo at top of page by Rachel Jarboe on Unsplash