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Los Glaciares National Park and the Perito Moreno Glacier

Santa Cruz

Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the natural wonders of the world, offers a magnificent landscape that will simply leave you speechless. 

 

It is the superstar in Los Glaciares National Park—a World Heritage site—, which protects a significantly large area of Hielo Patagónico Field and the Southern Forests.

You can visit the park all year round. Some excursions are only available from October to April. An entrance fee will be charged.

What to see
Perito Moreno Glacier

It is the most famous of all the glaciers in the park and is notable for its continuous movement of advance and retreat. Witnessing the collapse of its large blocks at a short distance and seeing the ice wall up close, more than 60 meters high, are unforgettable experiences. It is also a beautiful setting to see condors flying over the glacier or a giant woodpecker among the lengas. In autumn, the forest is dyed in beautiful shades of ocher, red and orange.

In the park there is a 4 km circuit of walkways and viewpoints with sensational views of the glacier and the Canal de los Témpanos. Some walkways are long and accessible with assistance, and an elevator connects walkways on different levels. It has infrastructure and services.

Navigations depart from the ports near the peninsula that travel along the north and south faces of the glacier. There are also several navigations to see other corners of the park. Among them, the nautical safari through the Brazo Rico of Lake Argentino, navigation through the Brazo Norte to see the Upsala glacier (the largest in South America) or the one that tours Onelli Bay from where the Agassiz, Onelli, and Bolados glaciers can be seen. and Spegazzini, with walls up to 135 meters high.

Another of the most dazzling experiences is trekking with crampons on the glacier. They are of different duration and are combined with a brief navigation through the Brazo Rico.

Roca Lake

Towards the southwest of the park, visitors can get to Roca Lake, where they will come across a ranger station, campsites, and picnic areas. 

 

Visitors can follow a trail to observe cave paintings, and go hiking to Mount Los Cristales, which overlooks the Rico and South Branches, and Perito Moreno Glacier.

Estancias

Near the area, you can visit 2 estancias (ranches) where you can go on horse rides, trekkings and 4WD rides, and embark on a sailing adventure around the Upsala Glacier and to the South and Rico Branches of Lake Argentino, stopping at the walkways in front of Perito Moreno Glacier.

Surroundings of Lake Argentino

In the surroundings of Lake Argentino, outside the park, you can have a great time with activities of all kinds, such as visits to estancias, 4WD adventures, horse rides and excursions to Nimez Lagoon Natural Reserve for birdwatching.

How to get there and move around

The Perito Moreno Glacier, located in Magallanes Peninsula, is 80 km from El Calafate, following paved Provincial Route 11. You may visit this area by car, bus—which runs on a daily schedule—or on an excursion.

 

Roca Lake is 50 km from El Calafate, through gravel Provincial Route 15. You may also reach this site by car, taxi or take an excursion. During summer, there are bus lines that travel frequently to the lake campsite.

 

In El Calafate, the closest city to Los Glaciares National Park, you will find an airport, rental car companies and a bus station to connect overland with the most touristic places in Patagonia.

Where to stay

As the main tourist city in Santa Cruz, El Calafate offers a wide variety of accommodations of different categories and gastronomic options.

 

In the park, two estancias also provide accommodation.

More information