Perito Moreno Glacier, another option for the summer

The Perito Moreno is one of the many glaciers that make up the Los Glaciares National Park. They all form the Patagonian Continental Ice (17,000 kilometers long) which is one of the most important drinking water reserves in the world. It is that 90% of the fresh water of the planet is in the glacial zones and after Antarctica and Greenland, this Argentine region follows.

It extends between the 47º and 51º of the south latitur, reaches the Chilean fjords and in the east to the Argentine lakes. The Northern Continental Ice is located entirely in the neighboring Republic of Chile, while the Southern Patagonian Continental Ice is shared between the two nations.

Here all the glaciers of the National Park are born, among which the Perito Moreno glacier stands out. Tourists can go within 300 or 400 meters of the glacial tongues or go on a walk on ice or “minitrekking”.

Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and forests of lengas and ñires, these ice cover some 195 km2, that is, more than the surface of the Federal Capital, which is located at a great distance of 2,800 km.

A halo of infinite peace over virgin nature, makes it a great attraction for those who want to enjoy the pure air and the sound of silence. Sound that only interrupts the movement of the glacier, which constantly gives Lake Argentino immense blocks of ice. These, when detached from the ablation socket, fall into the Canal de los Témpanos producing a deep and shocking roar.

The ideal season to visit the Park is spring, summer and early fall. That is, from September to April. In winter, the average temperatures go from 0.6 ° C, while, in summer, the minimum is 13 ° C, for the lower areas.

• An excursion to the Glacier costs approximately 5,900 pesos, children from 3 to 10 years old pay 3,900 and from 0 to 2 years old, free of charge.
• The entrance to the glacier is separate and costs $ 50 for students (you must bring a credential), $ 260 for Argentines and $ 500 for foreigners.

El Calafate in 3 days, suggested itinerary

Denominated as a land of glaciers because it is next to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, we recommend this itinerary about what to do in El Calafate in 3 days.

El Calafate is a city different from the others due to the geographical position it occupies. Located on the shores of Lake Argentino and surrounded by mountains of the Andes Mountains, its particularity lies in the large number of glaciers that can be observed in the vicinity, which makes it a must-see for tourists who are visiting Argentina. .

Los Glaciares National Park welcomes all these great masses of ice that seem to hang from the mountain or also descend between them like a slide. The big star is the Perito Moreno glacier, which is connected by road with El Calafate, but also navigating through the lake you can reach others such as Upsala or Spegazzini.

To organize the visit, we have made a suggested itinerary on what to see in El Calafate in 3 days, a place where the walls of ice dye the landscape white.

Summary – Itinerary El Calafate in 3 days:

• Day 1: Visit the Perito Moreno glacier
• Day 2: Hike through the Perito Moreno glacier
• Day 3: Excursion to the Upsala and Spegazzini glacier for your visit to El Calafate in 3 days

And if you have more time to explore this area of ​​Argentina, it is worth visiting El Chaltén, the national capital of trekking.

Day 1: Visit the Perito Moreno glacier

We begin the itinerary by the attraction that concentrates all eyes, the Perito Moreno glacier. Its dimensions are already impressive, 60 meters high and 5 kilometers long, which make it one of the main worldwide. As if that were not enough, it is one of the few glaciers that continues to advance despite climate change.

There are several possible ways, and I would say obligatory, to get to know the Perito Moreno glacier. The first is to walk along the footbridges set up within the national park, where you will see the imposing wall of the glacier up close. If you have some patience, you will even observe the breaking of the bridge that forms the glacier that happens every several years.

Another way to visit the Perito Moreno glacier is by navigating Lake Argentino. The boat approaches the glacier wall and you can hear the roar of the large blocks of ice falling on the water.

You can also walk on the glacier, but as it is a full day excursion, it is best to do it the next day.

Day 2: Hike through the Perito Moreno glacier

The visit that generates the most adrenaline is the walk on the glacier, to see small blue lagoons and deep crevasses sliding on the Patagonian ice. Here you can opt for a short one-and-a-half-hour trek to the so-called Big Ice, a three-and-a-half-hour trek that goes even further into the glacier. Needless to say, both tours are impressive and a must do in El Calafate in 3 days.

Both excursions are carried out in small groups with a specialized guide. They also provide you with the necessary elements such as crampons, harnesses and a helmet. Due to the physical effort that the walk requires, people over 65 years of age or pregnant or with heart problems cannot access it.

To make the walk through the Perito Moreno glacier you have to go between August and May, since the winter months due to weather conditions cannot be done.

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Day 3: Excursion to the Upsala and Spegazzini glacier for your visit to El Calafate in 3 days

Within Los Glaciares National Park, not everything is the Perito Moreno. Between high mountains and Lake Argentino there are other ice masses such as the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers, which can be reached on a lake excursion.

The difference with the Perito Moreno glacier and for which it is worth doing the excursion is to observe very closely the large ice floes that drift aimlessly over the lake and the magnitude of the Spegazzini glacier, whose height exceeds the Perito by 40 meters Dark.

In addition, the landscape that surrounds the boat at all times is a true marvel. The greenish waters of the lake, the mixture of white and blue of the ice floes and the high snow-capped mountains in the background. Patagonia in its purest form.

Where to sleep in El Calafate

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The city of El Calafate concentrates the offer of accommodation near the Perito Moreno glacier (within the national park you can only camp). There are many hotels and cabins with a marked Patagonian style to sleep in El Calafate.

Cheap accommodation

Like any tourist city and in Patagonia, the prices of accommodation to sleep in El Calafate are not usually cheap compared to other cities in the country. However, you can find cheap hostels and hotels because the offer is very wide. Our recommendations to avoid overspending are the following:

• El Calafate Hostel is a perfect place to sleep in El Calafate if you travel alone or have a low budget. It has everything, even if you want to stay in double or triple rooms, you have that possibility.
• Run by its own owners, Hospedaje Manantiales is one of the budget hotels in El Calafate. A simple, clean place, no frills, but overlooking the lake. It has a garden and a shared kitchen.
• Another excellent hostel is America Del Sur Calafate. It has shared and private rooms at a good price, an unbeatable location and a living room with large windows and views of the lake and mountains.
• If you are looking for a central, family-run inn, then Hostería Patagonia is an excellent option. Excellent attention from their owners and very good breakfast

Hostels and hotels to sleep in El Calafate

Both near the center and in the surroundings of the city, the inns and hotels of El Calafate offer a lot of comfort and convenience. Our recommendations for staying in El Calafate in hostels and inns are the following:

• Located on the main avenue and a few blocks from downtown, Sierra Nevada has a careful decoration and beautiful views if you are traveling as a couple. It also has family rooms.
• Ideal if you go to El Calafate by car, Hostería Los Gnomos is a bit far from the center, but it enjoys a quiet atmosphere and views. Run by its owners, it has a very rich breakfast with jams and fruits.
• Family-run, Posada Larsen stands out for its impressive views of the lake and mountains, the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms.
• Central and modern inside, the Hotel ACA El Calafate has excellent services such as restaurants, a living area with large windows, and a varied breakfast. Ideal for families and couples.

Charming cabins in El Calafate

Do you want to rest in a typical place in Patagonia? So these cabins in El Calafate provide privacy, excellent taste and beautiful decoration.

• Altos del Lago are a complex of cabins that stand out for their views of the Argentino Lake, equipped kitchen and modernity in their facilities. It is not very close to the center (only 1.5 km). Recommended for families who travel by car and at their own pace.
• Close to the city’s bus station, Cabañas Marias del Sur are spacious, well-equipped and with a small garden in front of the complex.
• Far from the center, Tierra de Glaciares Aparts Cabañas stands out for the personalized attention of its owners, its cleanliness and the recommendations of plans to do in the city and its surroundings.
• With alpine style and surrounded by a beautiful garden, the Nevis Cabins offer a lot of comfort. Spacious and with views, they are close to the center. They also have a grill in the garden.

How to get

By plane: Aerolineas Argentinas and Jetsmart fly.

And Car: From the city of Buenos Aires you must take National Route 3, through the province of Buenos Aires to the city of Bahía Blanca. From there continue along Route 3, bordering the Atlantic coast and beginning the Patagonian steppe.