El Calafate | Climate | Lago Argentino (Argentinian Lake) |
Glaciers National Park | Excursions | El Chaltén
Warmth among glaciers
The ancient Calafate village is today one of the most important and modern tourist centres in Patagonia that keeps its people's warmth and its picturesque buildings.
Its complete tourist infrastructure offers varied accommodation services: comfortable hotels, inns, hostels, bungalows, and campsites. There is a great variety of restaurants, grills, pizza restaurants, coffee houses, tea houses, meals houses. Not only is there nature recreation but also city recreation, there is the casino, the shopping mall and its dancing clubs.
El Calafate, located at the base of the homonym hill and at the bank of Argentinian Lake, is 315 km away from Rio Gallegos, the provincial capital of Santa Cruz. With accessible pavement roads, Río Gallegos is 4 hours by bus away from El Calafate.
Soon, there will be a bigger airport that will allow for direct flights from Buenos Aires. Its buildings with chalet-like roofs, the colours of its vegetation, where roses and a great variety of flowers and trees stand out, make up a contrasting feature in the landscape of this tourist village. 4,000 inhabitants with a sense of solidarity and communication make the visitors feel at home.
Climate
El Calafate is located 50º20' southern latitude (equivalent to London in the north hemisphere). Its climate is dry and there are mild temperatures: In summer, the maximum average is 18.6º C, and in winter, the minimum average is 1.8ºC. The length of the day varies according to the season: the longest day in the year is December 21 st , which offers 17.5 hours of light, dawning at 05:30 am and becoming dark towards 11:00 pm. The shortest day is June 21 st with only 8 light hours (from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm)
Winds. winds reach this western sector mainly in Spring and Summer at day hours.
Rains: in the continental ice area rains reach 8000 annual mm. Descending to 1000/1500 mm. In Los Glaciares National Park. Winds from the west carry little humidity to the steppe region. El Calafate receives 300 annual mm.
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Lago Argentino (Argentinian Lake)
Due to its surface, 1560 km2, Argentinian Lake is the biggest in Argentina and it is the third in South America. It is 185 m above sea level, it is 60 km long, and between 14 and 20 km wide.
Its depth varies between 35 and 1000 mts. Above the south coast and the centre; opposite Avellaneda Peninsula Santa Cruz River has its source and drains into the Atlantic Ocean.
The special colour of its waters is due to some fine dust, called glaciers milk, the result of the glaciers abrasion
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Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Glaciers National Park)
The Glaciers National Park was created in 1937 and is located in the southeast of Santa Cruz province. 154.000 of its 600.000 hectares belong to the National Reserve.
It has 365 glaciers, from which 13 are the most important. It was declared Natural Patrimony of the Humanity by the UNESCO in 1981 , with the aim of preserving this exceptional natural heritage for actual and future generations.
What is a glacier?
It can be said that it is a river with ice water; an ice mass in constant movement, with a certain speed, according to the degree and volume of the slope.
The process by which glacier ice formation – crystalline blue mass – results is by the accumulation of snows century after century, producing an air release from the interior of its own weight. The main conditions that exist in the formation of a glacier are great snows and an annual average temperature that keeps ice as it is.
Types of glaciers found in the area
Indlansis : These are huge horizontal Patagonian Continental ice surfaces, 7000 km2.
De Circo : They take the top parts of mountain ranges.
De Valle : They flow through a definite valley
Piedemonte : These are valley glaciers that when they reach the plain become their front in fanshape.
Compuestos : These are the ones fed by minor ones that become thicker in volume as from the sides.
De Calving : When the glacier front is in contact with water, it loses great part of its volume with the detachment of ice floes, like the Upsala, Moreno, Spegazzini in Argentinian Lake and Viedma in its homonym lake.
Excursions and activities
Perito Moreno Glacier
Lasting:Whole day
In place services: Moreno Glacier area offers 2 restaurants, a snackbar, restrooms and a paid camping
Description
From El Calafate to Perito Moreno Glacier there is an 80- km distance, by paved road (50 km) getting into Los Glaciares National Park in the remaining 30 kms. As from the departure, the trip provides the traveller with amazements. Departing from the locality, to the right, we can observe Argentinian Lake with its Bahía Redonda (Round Bay). We can watch a great variety of bird fauna, mainly the black neck swam, flamingo, steam duck, ‘gallareta', ‘cauquén'.
The colour that stands out is yellow from the countryside, this is due to its grass called ‘coirón'. There is white ‘coirón' and short ‘coirón'. In the first 40 kms, we can see the Patagonian steppe, and later, at the National Park's entrance, we can observe tree vegetation that belongs mainly to the ‘notofagus' family (ñires, cherry trees, lengas), there are also a few cinnamon trees. As regards flowers, they are varied in colour, ‘notro' stands out because of its intense red, this type of flower belongs to the Andean Patagonian wood. Once at the Glacier, we see the majestic view that is amazing to the eyes of the traveller. Afterwards, we take the footbridges and sets of stairs to get a different view of the Glacier's front.
We would like to remark that we should respect the signals that this part of the park has. And we should go along the footbridges without going off them. The park rangers are in charge of preserving the beauty of the place and carry out an important task as informers. The excursion can be carried out by regular transport services, special or alternative from different tourist agencies, or in a private or rented car. It usually lasts the whole day.
Small trekking (walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier)
Lasting: Whole day
Description
The excursion starts at the Port located at ‘Bajo de las Sombras' (Under the Shadows) Bay, - around 7 km before the Glacier viewpoint – Where you get on board to cross Rico Lake, up to the southeast coast and then around 20 - minute navigation with a view of the south wall of Perito Moreno Glacier. After the landing we go to the refuge where the guides organise the groups and then we start a walk around the bank of the Lake of around 20 minutes up to the Glacier. When we reach the ice border, the guides put the travellers crampons and give instructions about the way in which the travellers should move on ice.
We will stay on the Glacier for an hour and 50 minutes. you will be able to watch a great variety of ice formations like: cracks, ‘seracs', ‘sumideros', small lakes, etc. the walk is mild. The ice surface on which we will walk is uneven, but it is firm and safe. You will receive explanations about the flora, fauna and general Glaciology about the region. You will also have information about the singular phenomenon of the breaking of the Glacier. Finally, we will return to the refuge going through the thick ‘magallanico' wood, where the visitors have lunch contemplating a beautiful view. Once lunch has finished we return to the Port, where the bus is waiting to transport us to the Mirador del Glaciar (viewpoint) and the footbridges, where you will be able to stay for an hour. Then we will return to El Calafate.
Nautical Safari (Rico Lake sailing)
Lasting:1 hour
Description
We board at the Port located in Bajo de las Sombras Bay, around 7 kms away from the Mirador del Glaciar. The excursion consists of navigating in Rico Lake and this lets us watch the ice floes made of Perito Moreno Glacier ice. The excursion is about sailing in Rico Lake, this allows us to gaze at the ice floes from Perito Moreno Glacier. Reaching the south extreme of the Ice floes Channel, the ship stays at a safe distance away from the glacier's wall. The ship sails along the side of the wall and we will be able to see the detachments produced. This excursion offers the possibility of watching the amazing Glacier's walls and the falling of the pieces of ice into Rico Lake's waters from a totally different perspective.
Moreno Plus (Punta Bandera – Perito Moreno Glacier)
Lasting: whole day
Departure from Punta Bandera sailing for 1:45 hs by the Ice floes Channel until we reach the wall of the breaking of the Perito Moreno Glacier. After sailing parallel to all the wall of the glacier, we land in opposite the glacier, at Perito Moreno quay and then we go to the footbridges, typical view point. Return to Puerto Bandera.
Moreno Fiesta (Perito Moreno Glacier)
Frequency: Daily departures all year round
Boarding: Perito Moreno Glacier. Moreno quay
Description
This sailing of about an hour, departs from Moreno Quay, located 2 km away from the footbridges, above the Ice floes Channel. The ship will sail the north wall of the Glacier, this wall is also called ‘Breaking Wall' and as from the ship we will be able to get a spectacular view of the glacier's wall, that is 80 metres high.
Mayo - Moreno Trekking (Perito Moreno Glacier – Mayo Glacier and Cerro Negro (Black Hill))
Lasting: Whole day
Boarding: Perito Moreno Glacier. Moreno quay
Description
Sailing from Moreno Quay to Mayo Hill; landing and trekking along the de icing waters of Black Glacier up to Black Hill's base. View of Black Glacier and of Mayo Hill and Glacier. Sailing carries on by Ice floes Channel up to the wall of the breaking of Perito Moreno Glacier . Return to the quay.
Only Upsala (Cristina Channel – Upsala Glacier)
Lasting whole day
Departure from Punta Bandera, we will arrive at Cristina Bay and we make a 3- hour walk upwards, with the view of North Hill and Tanhauser Lake in the West. We cross a pre mountain range wood to later cross the fossil valley, arriving at the Scientific Base of the Argentinian Patagonian Continental Ice Institute, Upsala Refuge, Upsala Glacier, Murallón Glacier, Cono Glacier and Condors' Nest. Walk back, around 2 hours. Return to Quay.
Ice Rivers (Upsala Glacier – Onelli or Ice floes Bar)
Lasting whole day
Frequency: Daily all year round
Boarding: Punta Bandera. Cross Quay
Description
Departure from Punta Bandera sailing the northern branch of Argentinian Lake. After crossing Boca del Diablo (Devil's Mouth) (the narrowest sector of the lake), we find the first ice floes; these will be seen throughout the trip, with its different shapes and sizes. When we reach Upsala Channel we get a panoramic view of the biggest glacier in the National Park, Upsala Glacier; then we will sail towards Onelli Bay where we will land and we will have an 800-meter walk through a typical wood, until we reach Onelli Lake, from where we will watch Onelli, Bolado and Agassiz Glaciers. Return to the port.
All Glaciers (Upsala Glacier – Onelli or Ice floes Bar – Spegazzini – Vacas Port)
Lasting: whole day
Boarding: Punta Bandera. Cross Port.
Consult departures
Description
Departure from Punta Bandera sailing the northern branch of Argentinian Lake. After crossing Boca del Diablo (Devil's Mouth) (the narrowest sector of the lake), we find the firs ice floes; these will be seen throughout the trip, with its different shapes and sizes. When we reach Upsala Channel we get a panoramic view of the biggest glacier in the National Park, Upsala Glacier; then we will sail towards Onelli Bay where we will land and we will have an 800-meter walk through a typical wood, until we reach Onelli Lake, from where we will watch Onelli, Bolado and Agassiz Glaciers. Sailing carries on towards Spegazzini Glacier, whose characteristic is to be the highest (up to 135 ms high). Seco Glacier view. Return to port.
Upsala Explorer (Upsala Glacier exploration and Cristina Ranch)
Description
Departure from Punta Bandera sailing the northern branch of Argentinian Lake and Upsala Channel, until we reach the occidental front of Upsala Glacier. We will go on sailing along Cristina ranch; which has the privilege of being the best land access to Upsala Glacier and Continental Ices
The second part from Cristina ranch, where we will land; with trekking activities and horseback ridings, crossing the rivers, woods and contemplating varied landscape. When we return from the trekking to Dogs Downfall and from the horseback riding in the valley, we will enjoy a Patagonian lunch in the ranch. The excursion ends with a walk around the ranch to discover a little bit of history about the place. On going back we will have tea time with homemade cakes and sweets. Finally we return to the departing port.
Options
Horseback ridings or walks
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