El Calafate Things to Do Tips by swesn

EL CALAFATE : LAGUNA NIMES

While the most impressive places to visit here in El Calafate are the glaciars, do not forget the simple charm of a nearby bird reserve, Laguna Nimes.

The area is abundant with various birdlife and is extremely peaceful for a relaxing stroll.

I felt totally in touch with nature there. It was a wonderful feeling.

EL CALAFATE : PERITO MORENO GLACIER

One of the most impressive sights in Argentina, for sure, are the massive glaciars located in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. The chunk of ice at southern Patagonia of Chile and Argentina is the third largest ice block in the world, after Antartica and Greenland.

The glaciers descend into the park and melt into Lago Argentino and Lago Viedma.

Perito Moreno Glacier used to advance across the lake, cutting one end of the lake off. Slowly, the pressure would build up and one day, break up the ice and reopen the channel. This last happened in 1988.

The vivid blue hues of the ice are spectacular. Ever so often, you will hear a deep groan as ice breaks up from the snout and crash into the lake, floating away as ice-bergs.

Trek up the side of the glacier with a tour company. If not, you will still come quite close to the glacier on a series of wooden catwalks built right opposite it.