Parque Nacional Los Glaciares Things to Do Tips by Waxbag Top 5 Page for this destination

Watch in Amazement the Perito Moreno Glacier

There are many glaciers in this world on both hemispheres. However, the Perito Moreno Glacier allows you an access that most glaciers do not allow. The Moreno Glacier is an advancing glacier that moves between Lago Argentino and the Brazo Rico. In between is the Peninsula de Magallanes. From this peninsula you can watch the Moreno Glacier fairly close from the various catwalks. You can sit for hours watching the glacier crack and groan and break and crash. The glacier advances two meters a day and breaks off bergy bits, called calving, several times an hour large and small. The most amazing aspect of this glacier is when it advances fast enough, it can cut off the Brazo Rico from the Lago Argentino and ice dam can cause a build up of water on the Brazo Rico to create up to a 35 m difference. The water begins to erode the ice and form a tunnel to relieve the pressure, but it eventually destroys the ice dam due to tremendous pressure. This must be one of the most amazing natural phenomenon?s to witness. This has happened fifteen times since 1917.

The Moreno Glacier has a length of about 30 km/ 20 miles and a surface of 195 km2/ 76 sq. m. Its width is 4km/ 2.5 miles and its height at the water is 40-60 m/ 100-200 ft. It is not the largest here in Los Glaciers National Park, but it is the most accessible and most beautiful.

The Moreno Glacier is very accessible with your own vehicle. It is 80 kms from El Calafate. If you don?t have your own car you must book a tour. I believe Solo Patagonia is the only operator but it is easy to book at any hostel, hotel, or travel agent in town. There are plenty of these. I think the cost is 20 pesos for park entrance and an extra 40 pesos for transportation to and from your hotel or hostel.

Address: Los Glaciers National Park

Directions: 80 km from El Calafate, Santa Cruz Province

Take a Tour of Lago Argentino in Los Glaciers

Solo Patagonia offers tours of Lago Argentino in large touring vessels that carry from 150 to 300 people. The ships are in excellent condition and relatively new.

The tour is excellent. You are picked up by a bus at your hotel or hostel and then taken to Puerto Bandera where you embark on the lake. The ship first goes up the Brazo Upsala which is loaded with icebergs calved off of Upsala Glacier, the largest glacier off the Patogonian icefield.

From there you will visit either Glacier Spegazzini, which is the highest glacier, or disembark and hike up to several smaller glaciers that feed into one lake.

There are other trips offered to other glaciers as well. The lake is the largest in the country and has a lot to explore.

This is truely spectacular trip that shouldn't be missed if you are in Calafate for a few days.

You will pull back into port later in the afternoon. Sandwiches and drinks are available on the ship, but I recommend bringing our own.

Address: Lago Argentino

Directions: You can book this trip from any hostel or travel agent in El Calafate

Website: http://www.solopatagonia.com.ar