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SNOW IN CALAFATE /Duration: All day
Calafate has opened its first skiing center, “Parque de Nieve”
The complex is located in the mountainous chain of the Huyliche Range in the Hoya El Chinguen.
Located only 11 kms to the south of Calafate via Route 15, at an altitude of 9000 feet, the park has two “blue’ or intermediate runs, one “red” or difficult run, and one “black” run of extreme skiing.
The skiing together with the ice skating on the Bahia and the visits to the Parque Nacional los Glaciares to view the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier makes Calafate one of the many winter vacation spots of Argentina and sur ely, be fore long, it will become one of the most popular and visited year-around destinations for recreation and relaxation. |
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PERITO
MORENO GLACIER / Duration: All day
This excursion leaves El Calafate for the glaciers area, which can be reached by different means such as buses, vans, hired cars or guided tours from travel agencies. The distance to the glacier is 75 kilometres, all road being made of asphalt . During the journey the vast Patagonian steppe can be seen with its typical flora and fauna, and then, within the park, the arboreal vegetation of the Patagonian Andean woods. On arriving at the glacier, all the footbridges will be walked over in order to get different views from the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier. |
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MINITREKKING / Walk
on the Perito Moreno Glacier / Beginning of the season:
August
This excursion is one of the most interesting and adventurous ways of getting to know the Argentine glaciers. The minitrekking does a tour of around two hours across the glacier ice to see natural variations such as crevasses, seracs, cesspits and small pools. This trekking is of a moderate walk and with the obligatory use of special trekking shoes with spikes, provided by tour guides. At the end of the walk, trekkers return to the shelter through the exuberant Magellan woods. This is a daily service that provides specialized bilingual guides. You will need: sunglasses, sunscreen, warm and comfortable clothing, sun hat, waterproof jacket, gloves, hiking boots, water canteen, snacks, and a backpack to carry all. Don't forget your camera and extra film if needed. |
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BIGICE / The most surprising tour of hiking on ice / Beginning of the
season: September
First of the season: September. Physically strenuous tour for people between 18-45 years old in good health. Leaving Puerto Bajo de las Sombras, you take the boat “Tehuelche” to cross the Brazo Rico, disembarking after ten minutes on the west coast. With the mountain guides leading you on a path nearing the glacier, you soon arrive at a spectacular viewpoint where you attach the crampons to continue walking on the ice. Once on the glacier, you trek around four hours during which time you will observe incredible blue lagoons, deep crevasses, bottomless holes, and surprising caves that will make you feel as if you are in the center of the glacier. You will enjoy a unique picnic while surrounded by unequaled beauty. Then you begin the road back to “civilization” from one of the more spectacular treks of the world.
You will need: sunglasses, sunscreen, warm and comfortable clothing, sun hat, waterproof jacket, gloves, hiking boots, water canteen, snacks, and a backpack to carry all. Don’t forget your camera and extra film if needed. |
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ALL ABOUT GLACIERS
This boat ride takes you through the bays formed by the Spegazzini, Onelli, and Upsala Glaciers. The only time to go ashore will be a two hour stop at Onelli Bay for lunch or for hiking crossing through the forest to arrive at Onelli Lake fed by the melting of the Onelli, Agazzi, and Volado Glaciers. To go on this excursion, you will be picked at 7:15 a.m. at your hotel and will return between 17:00 and 21:00 p.m. depending on the time of the year and the type of boat used. During the winter, the area around Spegazzini Glacier is inaccessible and the time spent on the trip will be accordingly shorter.
Currently, for the detachment of the whole front of the Glacier Upsala, forming a natural barrier of floes that makes the disembarkation impossible in the Bay Onelli, so all the excursion is realized in the catamaran. |
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NAUTICAL SAFARI
/ Rico Lake Voyage
This excursion is a voyage of the Rico Lake which allows to
see the southern side of the glacier. Departure from Puerto
Bandera. Duration: 1 hour. |
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UPSALA EXPLORER
This is one of the most complete excursions and lasts all day.
It starts with a voyage from Puerto Bandera to the Estancia Cristina, which prides on being the best land access to the Patagonian Glaciers. The adventure continues in 4 by 4 vehicles until the arrival at the Upsala Viewpoint, where the greatest glacier of the National Park can be appreciated in all its majesty. This excursion includes trekking of various lengths and degrees of difficulty and stops at the most impressive spots within the historical estancia. There are also horseback rides traversing wooded paths to get to the Glacier Viewpoint. These excursions are led by specialized bilingual guides.
Cañadón de los Fósiles walk:
The ascent to the Upsala Glacier Viewpoint is done in 4 by 4 vehicles up a mountainous road for 9.5 kilometres enjoying the view of various landscapes in the company of a mountain guide.
The descent walk is taken along a path that goes down the Cañadon de los Fosiles. This low-lying field is characterized by the thousands of fossils that have been uncovered by the action of the glacier on its way, turning it into a valley with unique characteristics within the park. This trekking is optional. |
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WALICHU CAVES
At 7 kilometres from El Calafate there is an archaeological
site with a geological structure based on sedimentary rock and
steppe vegetation, with natural caves formerly used by prehistoric
men to express themselves artistically through painting around
4,000 years ago, that have recently been reproduced as a testimony
of this discovery. |
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RIDE IN PATAGONIA
There are different alternatives on the matter of horseback
rides. One-day excursions and journeys of several days with
overnight stays. Panoramic views of El Calafate. Native flora
and fauna watching.
Visits to the Walichu Caves. Tour of the coast of the Argentino
Lake and surrounding hills. |
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THE FISHING QUEST / All inclusive
Fishing in Patagonia for both experts and beginners.
Exclusive fishing sites. Vehicles provided to the sites. Photographic
safaris and local bird watching. Half-a-day and full-day excursions.
All the programs include breakfast, lunch, tea and beverages.
Vehicles and fishing equipment provided. |
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PATAGONIAN ESTANCIAS
Tour of the farmhouse and outbuildings of the estancias. Drove
of sheep, show of shearing work and wool classification. Horseback
rides, 4 by 4 vehicle journeys, 4-seater cycle rides.
Patagonian barbecues at the estancia.
Tourist Estancias:
El galpón del Glaciar
Alta Vista
Huyliche
Nibepo Aike
Maria Elisa
Rincón
Estancia Alice
Estancia Cristina |
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CERRO FRIAS
Guided excursion to the Frias Hill. Choice of trekking, horseback rides 4 by 4 vehicles, mountain bikes or zip lines. In a natural, wild environment, the magnificent panoramic views of the Paine Massif and the Northern and Southern arms of the Argentino Lake. Lunch/dinner at Estancia Alice optional. |
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BALCON DE EL CALAFATE
Journey in a 4 by 4 vehicle. Duration: 3 hours.
15-kilometre tour starting at El Calafate.
Ascent up to 1,050 metres above sea-level by the east side of
the Huyliche Chain, arriving at the Vantage Point, which offers
a panoramic view of the Calafate and the Argentino Lake. The
ascent continues up to the Stone Labrynth, a formation 85 million
years old, where it is possible to find fossils. |
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MIL OUTDOOR
ADVENTURE / Get to know the other Patagonia
Various excursions will take visitors on a tour of the Patagonian
steppe in all-purpose vehicles. |
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