How to get to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier. Natacha Pisarenko / AP June 15, 2009, 8:10 AM UTC Second only to the ice surface of Antarctica, the Patagonian ice field covers an area of about 4459 square kilometers, 350 km long and 50 km across at its widest. Although Perito Moreno is by no means the largest of the park’s 47 large glaciers, it is easily the most accessible and most visited. This is a small village at the Northern end of the park that offers some cosy hotels and hostels for people looking to trek the surrounding mountains; including  Mount Fitz Roy (or Cerro El Chaltén), Laguna Torre, the Viedma Glacier, Laguna de Los Tres, Lago Roca, Loma del Pliegue Tumbado and Piedra del Fraile. Over time the glacier naturally moves closer and closer to the shore until every few years a dam of ice is formed between the glacier and the land (just behind which tourists stand). My recommendation, if you are serious about experiencing everything this area has to offer, is to base yourself in El Chaltén. Perito Moreno Glacier lies just 48 miles from El Calafate in Argentina; luckily this was our next stop in Patagonia. What it’s like hiking on Perito Moreno. On the contrary, Perito Moreno is the only glacier in … Other resolutions: 320 × 219 pixels ... English: A Glacier cave on Perito Moreno Glacier, in Los Glaciares National Park, southern Argentina. Personally we stayed in Calafate Hostel. It is one of 47 glaciers in Argentina and the third largest in the country. The Los Glaciares National Park is the epitome of the beauty that this region has to offer and the park offers plenty of other opportunities for hiking. For those of you looking to experience the glacier a bit more up close then the “Big Ice” trek is probably for you. During the decades of this advance, the glacier managed to divide the lake into two parts. Located a relatively short 48 miles from El Calafate and terminating at Argentino Lake, this incredible Patagonia glacier gets its name from 19th century explorer, Francisco Moreno. The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the largest in Patagonia at 30 kilometers long. Being just 48 miles from El Calafate in Argentina, it’s best to stay in town there and get a bus to the Los Glaciares National Park which is home to the glacier. The Southern Patagonian Ice Field covers a whopping 4,800 square miles and is made up by 48 glaciers. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, the park … This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. There are 4 different ways to get to see the Perito Moreno Glacier. 250km² of crushed ice that’s interlaced with warm blue crevices makes for a view that you don’t exactly see every day. Stand and Deliver. Size of this preview: 800 × 548 pixels. If you’re thinking of visiting the glacier soon then here’s the weather forecast for the next few days. All in all we absolutely loved our journey through Patagonia and we were not let down on our visit to Perito Moreno . It’s old. It is located on the territory of the Los Glaciares national Park in Patagonia, included in the UNESCO world heritage list in 1981. Why? The Perito Moreno Glacier amounts to 100 square miles of that; In 1981 the Los Glaciares National Park, of which Perito Moreno Glacier is a part, was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. PHOTO JERRY LEON. The Perito Moreno glacier sits on the edge of Lago Argentino, in Patagonia. This unique natural phenomenon is called in Argentina la ruptura, breakthrough. There are metal walkways that offer a guided trail to see the glacier from every angle. Rock Crystals have 1 cm. Driving from El Calafate to the glacier is easy, although you need to consider the following: a) El Calafate is 80 KM (50 miles) east of the Perito Moreno glacier, and is about a 90 minute drive. Of course the pictures do not show the true beauty of the glaciers. Français : Glacier Perito Moreno, situé dans le Parc national Los Glaciares au sud de l'Argentine. It originates in the Northern part of the National Park, on the slopes of the Fitzroy highlands, just 1500 m above sea level. One of the things that the glacier is most famous for and what draws in so many tourists is the impressive noises that come from the vast mass of glacial ice. So to start off with ... Accommodation in El Calafate is quite varied in price and quality so there’s somewhere for everyone. This trip is a must-do for thrill-seekers and adventure travelers. Perito Moreno glacier in Patagonia Stretching 30 kilometers in length across Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina’s Santa Cruz Province, Perito Moreno is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. When you arrive, the bus drops you at the top of a hill and from there you are taken aback by the sheer size of the block of ice in front of you. Los Glaciares National Park (Parque Nacional Los Glaciares) is home to one of Patagonia’s greatest marvels: Glacier Perito Moreno.Located in El Calafate, Argentina, the glacier is considered by many to be the 8 th natural wonder of the world. 5. But what is most impressive about the Perito Moreno how close you can get to the calving snout of this cobalt blue ice giant. A tourist looks back through a cave in the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, in Argentina's Patagonia region, on May 18. For a better idea of how amazing this hike can be then check out this article. He put much time into studying the glacier but most importantly was pivotal in protecting the nation’s interest in the area during border disputes with Chile. Alternatively, you can buy a tour that picks you up from your hotel, takes you around the park and then drops you can home. This is the most affordable and time efficient option to see the glacier, and still allows you to get stunning photos and see/hear the glacier calve and crash up close. Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park is 78 km (48 mi) from the town of El Calafate, which has direct flights from Buenos Aires. Size: 97 square miles (250 km²) ice formation with a length of 19 miles (30 km) Width/Height: The end of the glacier is 240 feet (74 m) tall and 3 miles (5 km) wide; Growth: Unlike other glaciers which are shrinking, this one is growing. The glacier … Here's a link to find out more. This glacier is the reason why all Patagonia itineraries must stop in El Calafate, the nearest town (5o miles away) and access point to the glacier. The Perito Moreno Glacier amounts to 100 square miles of that; making it the world’s third largest reserve of fresh water. This in time becomes a bridge and eventually the pressure builds so much that the bridge rupture and bursts and vast chunks of ice fall almost 70 metres into the Lago Argentino below. It is home to three shining stars of Argentinian Patagonia - Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre near El Chalten and Perito Moreno Glacier close to El Calafate. The Perito Moreno Glacier, named for a 19th-century explorer, is currently 19 miles long and rises an average height of 240 feet above the water. 1) Drive there yourself . I didn’t even know it was a thing until my tour guide talked about a 30-day trek into the glacier. Note: Some posts may contain affiliate links. Unfortunately for us we missed this opportunity as our bus had to leave! The biggest national park of Argentina, Los Glaciares National Park is not significant only because of its size. There are plenty of different routes available; this article by Swoop Patagonia summarise it all nicely. Picked up from my hostel in the morning, we spent the first couple of hours viewing Perito Moreno from the trails inside the park, listening to the thundering clacks of chunks of ice falling off. Glaciar (glacier) Perito Moreno, caida de hielos, vista panoramica. You can get much closer and I imagine the pictures and atmosphere is all the more spectacular. When it reaches Lago Argentino, it is already 2 km wide and rises at least 60 m above the water surface. Take in the sheer size and beauty of Perito Moreno from a network of viewing balconies. It grows at a rate of 2 meters per day, however this is offset by the amount of ice that breaks off and falls into the surrounding Lake Argentino. We started left and eventually worked our way across; with the glacier growing in size and impressiveness the further we went. Many tours pick you up from your hostel or hotel in El Calafate as well. 4 months travelling through South America, one of the best places we stopped to visit, here’s the weather forecast for the next few days, nothing compared to our time spent hiking in Patagonia, this article by Swoop Patagonia summarise it all nicely. It measures approximately 15 mm and feeds on bacteria that live on the ice brought by the wind. At the glacier itself, they explained that it´s because of the strong and cold winds that exist here. This is one place you can't miss! The terminus of the Perito Moreno Glacier is 5 kilometres (3 mi) wide, with an average height of 74 m (240 ft) above the surface of the water of Lake Argentino. The three main tributaries of the primary ice fields: the Perito Moreno, Uppsala, and Viedma all end at 1,300 m above sea level. Partly because it was cheaper to wait for a bus in a few days back down to Punta Arenas, but mostly because we fell in love with this little town and its abundance of hot chocolate stores all through the town centre! The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of only three Patagonian glaciers that is growing. Not to be confused with the town by the same name (about 12 hours further north), the Perito Moreno Glacier is part of the Los Glaciares National Park. I'm an Economics graduate with a passion for travel. The best time to experience the magnificence from the glacier rupturing is in the afternoon once the weather has started to warm up and larger chunks of ice fall off. The Perito Moreno Glacier is located in the southern region of Patagonia in Los Glaciares National Park. Here’s a video that one lucky person caught from that day. 45 × 12.7 cm • 300 DPI • JPEG. In 1981 the Los Glaciares National Park, of which Perito Moreno Glacier is a part, was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Perito Moreno Glacier Travel Guide. We spent 4 months travelling through South America in total, and this was definitely one of the best places we stopped to visit. Altogether, the glacier covers about 121 square miles. Read more. El Calafate is totally geared for tourism and has loads of hotels, restaurants and transportation/tour companies that provide Perito Moreno experiences. Everywhere in the world, glaciers are shrinking in size due to the slow (or rapid) melting of ice. If you don’t fancy making your way there as described above, then you can get a tour to the glacier. The closer we were getting, the more spectacular the glacier was, one a few growing glaciers in the world. Glacier Perito Moreno, El Calafate, Argentina. The Northern part of the lake has a constant flow, while the southern part remains blocked by an overgrown mass of ice. The Perito Moreno glacier began to form during the last Ice Age, which started approximately 2.6 million years ago and ended around 11,700 years ago. The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few glaciers that do not get smaller. All day chunks of ice intermittently fall from the edge of the glacier into the water below making an impressive roar. There is also a 330 pesos entrance fee to the park. Maravilla naturaleza. Perito Moreno is one of the only glaciers in the world that is growing instead of shrinking. Later in the season, busses run more frequently and you have more choice. The Perito Moreno Glacier is part of Los Glaciers National Park, a protected area of the Austral Andes stretching across over 7,000 square kilometres that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. Perito Moreno Glacier Facts. Due to its size and accessibility, Perito Moreno is one of the major tourist attractions in southern Patagonia and the rupture of this glacier is considered one of the most impressive natural spectacles in the world. . If you fancy learning a bit more then I’ve provided links below to some tour operators. Perito Moreno glacier, Lago Argentino department, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina Dimensions: 7 cm x 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm Rock Crystals - Quartz. I’d recommend using booking.com as they have the best prices and options for hostels and hotels near to Perito Moreno. The journey takes about an hour and a half each way and is 560 Argentinean pesos for a return ticket. If you’ve been here and experienced the Los Glaciares National Park then let me know below. If our budget wasn’t an issue then we would have done it I’m sure, and based on what other people said, would recommend it if you have the money. It was reasonably priced and was spacious and comfortable (with good Wi-Fi most importantly!). We spent around 2 hours walking around taking pictures before heading down along the final blue walkway that leads you to a restaurant they have. Also called "the pearl of the Andes" or "dragon of Patagonia" is a kind of plecoptera of the family Gripopterygiidae that inhabits the Patagonian glaciers, in Argentina and Chile, spending its entire life on the ice. As signs warn you when viewing the glacier, it is wise to not cross any closer past the barriers due to the risk of death. Their meltwater fills huge lakes with water of an incredibly bright blue hue, from which the edges of glaciers rise like majestic icebergs. This “mini-trek” across Perito Moreno Glacier lasts up to about 5 hours and is suitable for all ages. Argentina Exactly why the glacier is growing while others around the world are shrinking is a bit mysterious. The glacier descends from the Southern Patagonian Icefield (image top)—2100 meters elevation (6825 feet) in the Andes Mountains—down into the water and warmer altitudes of Lago Argentino at 180 meters above sea level. Large • 5314 × 1500. pixels. Introduction: Perito Moreno Glacier is undeniably spectacular and coming to Patagonia without visiting this blue-hued natural wonder would truly be a shame. There comes a time when the ice is not able to hold all this mass of water, which with primitive force breaks free. Perito Moreno Glacier is one of 48 glaciers located in the Andes system and fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. This impressive Patagonian glacier was named after the famous Francisco Moreno. When pieces fall off—a process known as calving—they make a tremendous roar and splash. This continual growth is actually very rare, and, On average the ice rises to 74m above the surface of Lago Argentino, and at. Perito Moreno Glacier trekking. As befits real icebergs, the bulk of the ice up to 130 m thick is hidden under the surface of the water. Perito Moreno Glacier Viewing Platforms; After paying the park entry fee and listening to a detailed summary of the flora, fauna and geology of Los Glaciares, we had about 45 minutes to admire and photograph Perito Moreno from the glacier’s many viewing platforms. These sharp jagged cliffs and ledges rise 60 m above the water. The closest town to Perito Moreno Glacier is El Calafate. It isn’t the cheapest day out, especially if you are on a tight budget like us, however it is well worth doing for something you’ll likely never see anywhere else. Southern Argentina is a spectacular landscape to witness and for me nothing compared to our time spent hiking in Patagonia. The face of Perito Moreno Glacier resembles a colossal fortress, its jagged spires of ice towering about 200 feet above a lake dotted with icebergs. Select size / format. The glacier remains roughly the same mass all year round. Specimen size: 7 x 4.5 x 3.5 cm. A guide will provide you with crampons and all the necessary equipment and then lead you across the glacier and give you the chance to see up close the turquoise blue cracks in the ice, ice peaks, caverns in the ice and lagoons. Here are a couple of tours, with their prices as well: Perito Moreno Glacier day tour with included boat tour, Perito Moreno Glacier day tour with ice trekking. Glacier Perito Moreno is located in the Santa Cruz Province in the Patagonian Argentina, more specifically in the national park “Los Glaciares.” It is a huge glacier, 250 km2 (96 sq mi) ice formation and 30 km (19 mi) in length. M above the water more up close then the “Big Ice” trek is probably for you cookies to ensure get... Half each way and is 560 Argentinean pesos for a better idea how! There comes a time when the ice is not able to hold all this mass of,... 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