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Viewing El Calafate, Land of Glaciers in ArgentinaEl Calafate, Land of Glaciers in Argentina
By mlizana
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El Calafate is one of the most wonderful zones of Argentina. Here, visitors will find glaciers and the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier. Near El Calafate is also El Chalten Zone, the trekking capital in Argentina, and Fitz Roy Mountain. El Calafate is the capital of Santa Cruz province in Andean Patagonia, Argentina, and it is located at the shores of Argentino Lake, becoming the central point of all excursions in the zone, from Los Glaciares National Park, Chalten, and Torres del Paine National Park, in Chile. It has been named El Calafate because of a bush with blue fruits that usually grows in this sector. El Calafate is the closest urban zone to Los Glaciares National Park, which was named Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO in 1981, for its natural beauty. This is a wonderful place for adventure tourism and outdoor excursions like trekking, navigation, horseback riding, and other activities. El Calafate is also the beginning of the Patagonian Ice Fields and the first stage of the amazing glacier circuit. Inside El Calafate, there is also the Los Glaciares National Park Administrative Division, the starting point of every tour and excursion to Los Glaciares National Reserve, located 80 kilometers away from the zone. Inside Los Glaciares National Park, visitors will be amazed by natural wonders like the world-famous Perito Moreno Glacier, where impressive masses of ice fall into the water, attracting the attention of tourists who try to catch the exact moment of the fall. Visitors can discover this wonderful Argentinean park using the artificial footbridges created to watch the glaciers or by navigating through the waters of the De Los Tempanos Channel and Argentino and Viedma Lakes. This is the closest journey you can take to the glaciers, which allows you to see them in all their magnificence. Los Glaciares National Park has 47 impressive glaciers, and some of the most important are Onelli, Upsala, Spegazzini, and Seco. Another attraction of El Calafate is the zone of El Chalten, located 200 kilometers away. Chalten is called the trekking capital of Argentina because it has the famous Fitz Roy Mountain, a difficult and attractive mountain that every year is visited by climbers from the entire world. In El Calafate, there is also adventure tourism. The Santa Cruz River is perfect for rafting and fishing. In the waters of the zone, you will find different species such as rainbow trout, salmon, and lake trout. Another interesting place in Santa Cruz is the famous 'Hands Cave', which is located in the rocks of the Pinturas River. This is a cave with ancient paintings, representing scenes of hunting and superimposed hands in some kind of magical ritual of the old zone natives. El Calafate is also one of the best places to observe the flora and fauna of Patagonia, in the Natural Reserve of Nimes Lagoon, located on Solitaria Island in Argentino Lake. Here you will find animals like red fox, hare, condors, eagles, flamingos, and swans in their natural environment. El Calafate mixes the most incredible nature and vegetation in one place, besides the impressive beauty of the glaciers, making it the perfect escape for anyone who looks for adventure, wants to discover new places, or simply desires to rest and relax. About the Author: Mariel Lizana writes several articles about Argentina destinations, tours, and hotels. For more information, visit the website http://www.exploreargentina.com. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com) |
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