Los Glaciares National Park is a site of exceptional natural beauty with impressive peaks and numerous glacial lakes, such as Lago Argentino, which is 160 kilometers long. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981.
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Ice Age Landscapes
Glaciers and ice fields formed during the last ice age creating a mesmerizing and ever-changing landscape. This majestic natural sanctuary offers a rare glimpse of the beauty of Patagonia, with its numerous lakes, lush forests and of course, glaciers. Did you know that the park was created in 1937 and has no less than 7,240 square kilometers and 47 glaciers? We share with you some of the best-known glaciers:
Perito Moreno Glacier
It is one of the most famous glaciers in the world and is one of the main attractions of the park. It has an area of 250 km2 and a length of 30 km.
It extends over and under the waters of the southern arm of Lake Argentino, over a frontage of 5 kilometers and rises above the lake from its height of about 60 meters.
Uppsala Glacier
It is the second largest glacier in the park and one of the longest in the world, with a length of 60 km. You can visit it by catamaran leaving from Punta Bandera. And you can also have a unique experience kayaking the so-called Upsala arm and seeing yourself surrounded by blue icebergs.
Spegazzini Glacier
Its main characteristic is the great height of its front, which reaches 135 m, making it the highest in Los Glaciares National Park.
The lower section of the glacier is located in Argentina, in the Lago Argentino department of the province of Santa Cruz. Its birth is in Chile, in the province of Última Esperanza in the Magallanes region. It is protected by the Bernardo O’Higgins and Los Glaciares national parks.
Viedma Glacier
It is the largest glacier in Argentina, with a surface area of 978 km2. You can distinguish it by the three bands of ash that are the product of past eruptions of said volcano.
It is one of the main attractions of the tourist town of El Chaltén. From there you can hire excursions of various types that range from a catamaran ride to the front of the glacier, navigation to the glacier and trekking, as well as ice climbing.
Onelli Glacier
It is a glacier located in the southern area of the park and is one of the most accessible to visitors. It is in recession, like the others in the countryside, except for Perito Moreno.
The Nunatak
Mount Fitz Roy The Fitz Roy or Chalte is a nunatak or mountain peak that is surrounded by an ice field. In the northern sector of the park is the Fitz Roy massif, which stands out for its height (3,405 meters) and its monumental appearance with very steep slopes where glaciers slide towards the surrounding mountain ranges.
Cristina Country State
Located within the Los Glaciares National Park, it was founded in 1914 by Joseph Percival Masters, an Englishman who had arrived in Patagonia with his wife in 1900 and named it Estancia Cristina in honor of his daughter.
The ranch is located on the coast of Brazo Cristina, the northern channel of Lake Argentino and still keeps alive the history of the Masters family and their perseverance in establishing themselves in a place that is only accessible by lake. It is possible to stay at the ranch, or simply book a full-day excursion that tours it.
This is a catamaran navigation on Lake Argentino that departs from Punta Bandera 4 km from El Calafate and finally disembarks at the ranch. You have the opportunity to visit one of the most symbolic establishments in the region that for several reasons is a unique place. As if that were not enough, its privileged location offers you the best land access to the Upsala Glacier and the continental ice.
Fossil Canyon
It is a medium-demand trek that runs through eroded terrain and will take about 3 hours to complete, until you arrive back at Estancia Cristina and from there board and return to Puerto Punta Bandera.
Hiking
The park has plenty of hiking trails, from short hikes to longer, more challenging hikes. The trails offer spectacular views of glaciers, mountains and lakes. To plan everything you could do, we recommend visiting the park’s website.
In addition to hiking…
In addition to hiking, the park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, including kayaking, fly fishing, rafting, and ice climbing.
Lakes and lagoons
In addition to the glaciers, the park also has numerous lakes with crystal clear waters. The most notable are Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma.
Fauna
The park is home to a wide variety of animal species, such as guanacos, pumas, foxes and condors, among others. It is important to exercise caution when encountering them and respect their habitat.
Perito Moreno gate
El Calafate The town of El Calafate, located on the edge of the park, is a common starting point for park visitors. Here you will find a large number of accommodations, restaurants and shops.
The Argentine capital of trekking: El Chaltén
It is a small town located in the heart of the park. From here you can take some of the most popular hikes in the park, such as the one that leads to the top of Mountain Fitz Roy.
Whether you are a nature lover, an adventure seeker or simply looking for a vacation of relaxation and contact with nature, Los Glaciares National Park is the perfect destination for you.
