El Calafate
In the early twentieth century, this area where now stands the beautiful town of El Calafate was inhabited by several isolated stay from each other with a distance of many kilometers. The owners of these had to enter the port of Río Gallegos to send their productions by ship to Europe. Thus, they had to travel long roads, which took them several days in transit.
At this point, comes the need to appoint “stopping” along the way, in order to eat and rest. This is how we determine these "stopping" three miles from each other, the average distance for a day by oxcart. These coincided with streams or ponds, and eventually with a calm wind coming down from the unique canyons, or large mounds of brush.
In the vicinity of one of these stopping, in a small place, there was a large bush that was baptized by the road as El Calafate or mata grande. In this site was established an adobe ranch, where a year later settled immigrants from La Coruna originating the first population settlement.
Tourist attractions in El Calafate
El Calafate is one of the tourist destinations in Patagonia Argentina, which is formed by beautiful scenery where you can experience exciting journeys, developing all kinds of leisure activities in full connection with nature. Owner of unsurpassed beauty, it still treasures some picturesque features of the architecture, in each one of the houses with gabled roofs in many districts of similar buildings.
In the region, the Perito Moreno Glacier is the main attraction. This is a unique natural wonder that attracts thousands of tourists from around the world throughout the year, who comes to discover it, to know its history and why not, also to treasure their visit in a cherished photograph.
On the other hand, during your stay in El Calafate you can do fun activities like walking on ice, navigate through extensive lagoons and lakes, or take horseback rides through the green landscapes of parks and forests. Also, you can venture into different tours in El Calafate in 4x4 vehicles or living the adrenaline doing extreme sports like mountain biking.
The beauty of the scenery will invite you to contemplate the magnificent fauna and flora, while enjoying a pleasant day of fishing and trekking. Similarly, if you want to treat yourself with a time of relaxation and joy, will have access to modern saunas and spa that exist in the region.
Thus, El Calafate symbolizes a destination not to be missed. Realize the most memorable adventure in the Patagonia Argentina, be prepared for the emotions. We will be waiting for you.
Perito Moreno GlacierTodo GlaciaresMinitrekking
Cueva de Las ManosSpirit of the GlaciersCuevas de Walichu
Laguna NimezPetrified ForestEl Chaltén Full Day
Perito Moreno Glacier
The Perito Moreno Glacier is located at the southern tip of Argentina, born of the Patagonian Ice field. Located in front of the Magallanes Peninsula, about 80 kilometers from the village El Calafate, it extends over the southern arm of Lago Argentino with a front of five kilometers long and 60 meters high.
With a privileged location, in an area surrounded by forests and mountains, it belongs to the beautiful Los Glaciares National Park. Thus, it is considered one of the most impressive glaciers of the world, which was determined as the Eighth Wonder because of the spectacular views it offers.
Perito Moreno Glacier suffers a gradual breakage and subsequent leveling of the water, which is a real moving spectacle, unique in the world that is repeated every three or four years. To this natural spectacle attend thousands of people from all over the world to watch the show just 400 meters away. An indescribable show that leaves the people who visit breathless, while touring with astonishment its steps and walkways specially designed.
To get there, you need to take the Provincial Route 11 that links El Calafate with Punta Bandera. Then take the road to the Magallanes peninsula, where walkways are located in front of the glacier paths. Another alternative for access to this natural wonder is to take the Provincial Route 15 and at the midway take the detour to the Peninsula.
To explore the Perito Moreno Glacier will be an experience that will mark a milestone in your life, do not miss it.
Todo Glaciares
Can you imagine a day, surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the continental ice? All Glacier is one of the most impressive excursions and tour companies available for you during your stay in El Calafate. You will opt for this alternative for sure, allowing you to visit and enjoy one of the best attractions of Argentina.
The tour starts from the first moment you are picked up from the hotel in vehicle to take you to the port of Punta Banderas. There you will be transferred to the modern ferrys that will take you to an unforgettable voyage through the northern arm of Lago Argentino.
In its first stretch you will visit the Upsala Glacier, considered the largest area since the height of its walls is 80 meters, and his forehead is six miles long.
Then the tour will continue towards the Bay Onelli. There you will disembark to take a walk of 800 meters, crossing a typical Andean Patagonian forest from which to appreciate the confluence of the Onelli and Agassis Glaciers. An interesting natural environment, where glaciers slide into the valley, framed by the hills that add an almost magical element to the scene.
In the midst of this beautiful area, you will enjoy a delicious lunch with a selection of leading regional flavors, and later you will recommence the navigation. On your return you will go through other glaciers and icebergs channels, on you way to the port of Punta Banderas, the starting point of your excursion.
Todo Glaciares is one of the most interesting trips that will surprise you during your stay in El Calafate. Make your choice and be amazed, you will have much to discover and admire.
Minitrekking
Minitrekking is one of the most popular activities in El Calafate because it lets you enjoy a perfect connection with nature, while walking on the ice from time to time, it is stained with a light blue color and full of untamed energy difficult to forget. In this way, you will find cracks, crevasses, drains and ponds that provide the place with an almost magical dye, a journey that lasts about an hour and a half.
You can practice this fun and healthy outdoor sport with a tour that is undertaken from the village to the base of the Perito Moreno Glacier. To do this, you must first go 85 miles to the Los Glaciares National Park. From this point continue another five miles to reach the gateways and then the landing stage "Bajo de las Sombras", where you will set sail on navigations through the arm of Lago Argentino. After 20 minutes away, and after watching the south wall of the glacier, you will disembark to take the walk to the glacier base.
Once you are there, the guides in the area will proceed to put the needed crampons in you to walk on the ice and will give you the necessary information. The hike is moderate, since it runs an ice surface irregular, but firm and safe. Therefore, this tour is only suitable for people over 10 years.
As a closing of the ride, you will cross the lake and remain more or less an hour and a half on the runways of the national park, where the wonderful spectacle of the Perito Moreno Glacier will leave you totally fascinated.
The minitrekking in El Calafate is a truly unforgettable experience. Do not hesitate to do it, you will live completely indescribable sensations.
Cueva de Las Manos
Cueva de las Manos is another interesting attraction that El Calafate offers you to discover and learn. This is a two-day expedition, which includes a ride that you will cross various sites that are unique and interesting, by its nature and its landscapes. Then notice the Lago Argentino, Santa Cruz River, La Leona River, the singular Chalten and the Torre and Fitz Roy mounts.
The first track lasts a whole day, so after visiting these sites and enjoying a delicious regional cuisine, the tour will take you to the town of Bajo Caracoles where you will spend the night, with the comfort and services of excellent quality.
In the morning, you must prepare again to start the trip, and after traveling about 50 miles you will discover the spectacular Cueva de las Manos, located in a section of the Cañadon of the Pinturas River.
This treasure of rupestrian art offers an impressive series of over 800 hands, images of hunting, animals and geometric figures, printed on the Canyon itself. The prints are original and were made by the inhabitants of the steppe as a result of spiritual manifestation and as a way of connecting with their religious beliefs. Its walls invite you to take pictures that will be unique and will be the faithful witness of your passing by.
The visit to the Cueva de las Manos involves a journey through the mysterious and lonely steppe of Santa Cruz, where you will discover and learn about the living testimony of the beautiful Patagonia Argentina. Give yourself the opportunity to live an unforgettable experience, visit this Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Spirit of the Glaciers
Traveling for two days the glaciers located in the Lago Argentino is one of the expeditions which you can not miss when you visit El Calafate. Surprise and excitement are the words that define this excursion, which will perpetuate in your mind with the wonderful and matchless panoramic views, that will you surely discover during your ride.
The trip starts from Puerto Punta Bandera and ends at the Glacier Perito Moreno, crossing in ships the beautiful north arm of Lago Argentino. Once the ride started, and after crossing the Boca del Diablo with its characteristic red rocks, you will find towering icebergs that you will be observing along the way, with their different shapes, sizes and a unique bluish tint.
The magic that the Patagonian glaciers have, will allow you to visit and to feel amazed at the Canal Upsala, from where you will get a panoramic view of the glacier of the same name and is considered the largest in the National Park. This area will be the perfect setting for a delicious lunch, with the most relevant of the regional cuisine.
In the afternoon you will travel towards the Spegazzini Glacier, moment in which you will enjoy the landscape at sunset light, the perfect and unique postcard of the south of Argentina. After that visit, you will arrive to the captivating the Puesto Vacas bay, where you will spend the night after having dinner in front of a fascinating context that combines crystal clear water with ice illuminated by a giant moon as the background.
The next day will begin navigating at the Canal de los Témpanos, where you will see various pieces of ice floating in the waters of Lago Argentino. Thus, you will come to the front of the Perito Moreno Glacier where you will not only feel overwhelmed by its beauty, but you will also see the different detaching ice floes and to take the most enviable photographs. This will be the last stop of the tour, previous to the return trip that will take you back to Punta Bandera, where you will disembark and will be transferred to El Calafate.
Experience the most amazing cruise, while you get to knows each one of the glaciers in the region of El Calafate. Be surprised with the best moments of your life, in an infinite connection with nature, being part of a select group of tourists that will enjoy the bliss of enjoying the force of nature in all its magnitude.
Cuevas de Walichu
Las Cuevas de Walichu represent a part of the rupestrian paintings found in one of the archaeological sites of Santa Cruz. Located on the borders of Lago Argentino and eight kilometers from El Calafate, you will be able to enjoy and learn more about the history of the region, through paintings and numerous trails.
Cuevas de Walichu y Punta Bonita are perfectly combined with the blue of the lake and the nature of the forests that surround them, thus surprising the visitors with a unique and unparalleled landscape. This area can be visited at any season, although it receives a bigger influx of visitors during the months of September through April.
This archaeological site allows you to scroll from one end to its geological formation rare sedimentary rock and steppe vegetation. There you will have the chance to appreciate natural caves used by prehistoric men to carry out their pictorial manifestations. Walking through them will be a trip into the past, discovering in each step the remarkable and unique forms of life and culture of the ancestors.
Visit Cuevas de Walichu and soak up with the stories and mysteries, left as faithful witnesses of the existence of Aboriginal over 4000 years ago in the area of El Calafate.
Laguna Nimez
Laguna Nimez is one of the ecological reserves that you can visit on your next stay in El Calafate. It preserves about 80 species of birds, that enjoy their days in a large area of vegetation and deploy all their charm to the thousands of tourists who visit annually.
The Laguna Nimez Municipal Ecological Reserve is located one kilometer from the commercial center of El Calafate, in an area close to Lake Argentino.
Goin through the facilities will permit you to enjoy the encounter with numerous species of beautiful and colorful birds, flamingos, geese, swans, black-necked storks, lapwings and ducks, among other various species that bring life and grace to the place. Also, during your visit to the park you will be amazed by the conservation and cleanliness of the lagoon.
In terms of the vegetation that will find here, according to the season, trees and shrubs that highlights for its green, or also, tinged with ocher colors as a sign of autumn.
The reserve represents the ideal place to live unforgettable sunrises and sunsets, especially in the summer because it combines an exquisite landscape accompanied by lush sun, or a gigantic moon.
You can visit the Laguna Nimez in private vehicles or hire a guided tour with bilingual explanation about the particular characteristics of each species and its relationship to the ecosystem.
Laguna Nimez is the pure expression of traditional flora and fauna of El Calafate. Do not miss it, you will be very pleased.
Petrified Forest
Making an excursion that takes you by the Bosque Petrificado La Leona, is one of the activities that will permit you to enjoy the fresh air of the south, accompanied by extensive vegetation that provides shades, ideal to take a break after enjoying the expedition.
The contingent will depart from El Calafate to the east, where after a few kilometers will take northbound Route 40. During this journey you will enjoy the fantastic views of the bluish Lago Argentino, Santa Cruz River, La Leona River, and a majestic panoramic view of the Andes, including the Fitz Roy Mount.
After a few kilometers you will reach the area where the ground makes a depression, there you will discover a large number of petrified logs, which represents an opportunity to get off the bus begin the exploration among the fossils.
On the ground surface, in an environment so inhospitable as dazzling, you will see lots of petrified logs and impressive dinosaur fossils. Some with a diameter of 1.2 meters, lying as irrefutable proof of a past warm where the privileged weather allowed the existence of a vast and full forest.
Each of these may cherish in a fascinating picture that will reveal, in the near future, an unforgettable journey through this most important area of El Calafate.
With a duration of three hours, this tour is perfect for lovers of history, geology and anthropology. A true tour of the Petrified Forest La Leona, which is compounded by the mystery and intrigue that pervades this exciting sector of Patagonia.
El Chaltén Full Day
Can you imagine living a day full of activities among the wonderful landscapes of El Chaltén? Then get ready to live an unforgettable trip to this unique town that holds the most amazing scenery, and will be available to you through the services offered by the numerous companies in El Calafate.
The ride to El Chaltén starts early in the morning departure from El Calafate, directly to the tourist town located 210 kilometers from the city.
During the trip to the Patagonian steppe you will live fascinating thrills, that will offer beautiful panoramic views of the La Leona River, surrounded by the lakes Argentino and Viedma, the Viedma glacier and the stunning mountain range.
From the moment you arrive to the village menu of activities includes hiking in the mountains in which you will feel overwhelmed by the lovely scenery and the fresh clean air of the heights. This activity can be done by people of all ages, through the marked trails in the company of an experienced mountain guide.
Also, you will enjoy the magic that involves a entertaining short trekking journey, through the Canyon of the Rio de las Vueltas; in this moment you will reach the Andes mountain range near the border with Chile.
Exploring El Chaltén is a fascinating experience, hanging glaciers and ancient forests await your visit. Enjoy doing big tours in El Calafate, you will be captivated by its beauty.
