Summer is approaching, it’s time to head to Patagonia! Why? To see the glaciers, of course. The Glaciers National Park is home to 13 glaciers, all of them impressive. Perito Moreno, though smaller than Upsala, is the most visited.
The trip to the majestic glacier starts in Calafete. There are plenty of hotels, hostels, B&Bs to fit any price range. An excellent choice is the Hotel Kosten Aike. A modern take on Tehuelche tradition and heritage, this hotel is the perfect introduction to a very unique Patagonia.
After settling in at the hotel, it’s time to get down to business. A day trip into The Glaciers National Park, a World Heritage site. As you approach Perito Moreno you can hear the ice expand and contract as it loosens. It almost sounds like a crackling fire. There are few experiences in life that even compare to standing in front of Perito Moreno. 5 km wide and standing tall at up to 70 meters, this glacier is massive. Stand and watch as huge chunks of ice break and fall into Lago Argentino.
The most enchanting part about Perito Moreno is its spectacular breakage. As the ice expands it eventually separates both halves of the Lago Argentino. As the water rises, it erodes the ice causing it to break. Then what seems like a gushing river breaks through the frontal wall of the glacier, and the cycle starts all over again. Since there is no way to know when each cycle will be completed, you can only hope that it’ll happen before your eyes.
Tours vary from sailing the rivers and appreciating the icy, rocky landscape or climbing the glaciers themselves. Whatever your choice, at the end of the day, you will have just witnessed something spectacular. The best time to visit the glaciers is from October-March when temperatures start to rise into the 60′s F. Its the perfect time to visit this mesmerizing winter wonderland.
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