We invite you to travel to El Calafate Glaciers and Floes known as “The National Capital of the Glaciers”. This city offers a wide range of activities that combine beautiful natural environment, and exciting adventure. To explore this extraordinary “white landscape”, gives you an incredible insight of Southern Patagonia.
El Calafate is the starting point to “Glaciares National Park” and a prelude to visit “Perito Moreno”, the world known glacier located 50 km away.
The city was officially founded in 1927 to promote settlement in the area, but it was not until the creation of the Perito Moreno National Park in 1937, that developement really happened.
Located it on the southern shore of Lago Argentino, it has grown in the last decade due to the touristic activity and it has lately become a main tourist destination.
Glaciares National Park was declared a UNESCO world Heritage site in 1981. These glaciers belong to the Patagonian Ice Caps, the largest continental ice extension after Antarctica and delights us with its snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes and forests.
For those who just want to enjoy one of the most impressive natural landscapes, the Perito Moreno Glacier can be seen from walkways which lead you to different viewpoints from where you can admire the massive ice walls from different angles.
On the other hand, for those who are looking for adventure, it is possible to know the glacier by foot through ice trekking excursions, and in different difficulties: medium or high.
Due to the precipitations from the Pacific Ocean, the Perito Moreno glacier grows 1 or 2 meters per day during a year. Then by accumulation of snow that sweeps into the ice, the glacier is “pushed” to Lago Argentino.
In irregular periods of two or four years, on different months, a bridge is formed with a cave of more than 50 m which eventually collapses, undermined by the pression of the water, giving a magnificent natural spectacle.
El Calafate offers many options such as trekking along Laguna Nimez Reserve, crossing to Isla Solitaria or visiting touristic Estancias.
A variety of boat excursions take you sailing through Argentino Lake to see other glaciers, as Spegazzini and Upsala Glaciers. During these trips you will be sorrounded by beautiful icebergs from any size and different tones of blue.
Laguna Nimez Reserve is special for “Bird Watchers”, because around 80 different species of birds can be seen. Laguna Nimez offers an ideal habitat to flamingo, cauquenes, black-necked swans, bandurrias, teros, among other birds.
Choose one (or more) of these options to visit El Calafate! And discover the wonderful Patagonia!
As you see, there are a lot of alternatives to travel to El Calafate glaciers and floes and enjoy it in a new and awesome way. If you need further assistance about this Glaciers and Floes tour you can contact your personal Kallpa Executive or simply leave a message in our contact form. We’ll be happy to assist you!.