LAND OF GIANTS: In tourism parlance is called "Land of Giants." Circuit known in Europe before Argentina was considered a benchmark in the industry worldwide. We're talking about glaciers, lakes, land of the end of the world, amazing natural beauty that tourists overwhelm the face of such immensity of the majestic wonders of El Calafate and Ushuaia.
Undoubtedly one of the biggest attractions of the circuit are its wonderful landscapes.
The cold goes away when in the early morning hours of intense sun peeks between the clear sky and begins to form a set of blue lights from the huge walls of ice and icebergs that float on the particular blue of Lake Argentino. "It's intimidating, paralyzes you," "there is so much peace," "you feel tiny at such immensity", as we hear tourists from around the world, while admiring the beauty of the glacier Perito Moreno, the star of the Reserva Nacional Los Glaciares.
The park is located southwest of the province of Santa Cruz and holds more than 700 000 km2 of which at least 2,600 members of vast fields of ice.
It is considered one of the world's largest lungs, essential for the stability of global warming. Here are two large lakes, Lake Viedma and Argentino.
To get from the city of El Calafate must travel 80 kilometers, the trip is wonderful and engaging for the incredible mountain scenery that is crossed.
Perito Moreno glacier travel
The Perito Moreno glacier is the most striking. Has at least 5 km2 in front and spikes of up to 70 meters above water level, with about 257 km2 of pure ice. Still, is third in size, the larger the Upsala, with an area of 870 km2 (nearly 4 times the size of Perito Moreno) and a length of 60 kilometers (twice longer than the Moreno and the most extensive in South America), followed by Viedma.
The advantage is that the Perito Moreno is easily accessible and is also the only one who can see without embarking. One thing that sets it apart from others is that it always remains in balance and the whole mass of ice that gets its catchment area in winter, lost in summer. So the heat of summer is the main attraction for tourists because it represented the largest landslides that generate a separate show.
The entire glacier can be seen from the walkways that are located just 300 meters away, it takes about two hours to go. Thus, the breath, wrapped in an intense cold, which shows this giant might feel about like the constant din produced by shedding their blocks of ice. Given the scale of the landscape tourists spend hours contemplating the majestic scenery and feeling the energy and peace that it transmits. Like a game together in groups and bet what the next block to fall, which also produces a true musical concert.
Unique experience in Patagonia Argentina
For the more adventurous there is the possibility of walking on the glacier to the heart of it, a unique experience that connects squarely with the tourist destination. Under intense sunlight and especially shoes crampons, a kind of sole with iron nails which is attached to shoes, trekking traverse the white desert and silent for nearly two hours, in groups of 20 people maximum . The distracted refrain from the trip, since the entire path must be aware of steps that guide you read the field and shows the safe path. One false move can be dangerous, among other things, because the snow conceals the deep cracks that can measure up to 50 meters deep.
To continue hearing the famous glacier and the rest that make up the park, we recommend embarking on Lake Argentino. The ship sets sail from Puerto Bandera very early towards the West and the tour lasts much of the day. The inhabitants of El Calafate describe it as one of the most fascinating but all advise dressing in layers. Is that the beauty of the landscape is seen in all its splendor from the deck where the wind blows hard.
The first icebergs invite the imagination to fly with different shapes that are highly attractive to tourists: these iceberg, which is only 10% of its size, proximity to announce the largest glacier in the entire park, the Upsala . This boat ride also Spegazzini and Onelli glaciers, entering the bays formed. Falls only within 2 hours of boat, Onelli Bay for lunch, as long as time permits.
