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Where It's At
Situated in the vast region of Patagonia, Argentina’s
Parque Nacional los Glacieras is an awesome experience.
The unique topography and conditions mean the glaciers can
form at very low altitudes. Daily bus tours from Calafate
take visitors to the heart of the Park, and boat tours which
take you to see several spectacular glaciers can be arranged. |
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Ice, Ice, Baby: Justine Shapiro's
feeling blue in Moreno
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Mighty Mountains
The most breathtaking of the glaciers is the mighty Perito
Moreno, named after the nineteenth -century explorer who
discovered it. More than 70 metres high, 700 metres thick
and 30 km long, Moreno is one of the only advancing glaciers
on earth, creeping at a rate of about 2 metres a year. Its
best visited on foot, and you can hire a guide to take you
on a 3 hour hike across the glacier.
Ice Blue Caves
Rarely visited, but worth a special request, are the cave
formations underneath Moreno. The unusual blue colour of the
ice comes from the way light is refracted by the ice which
has been compacted into crystals over thousands of years.
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Trekkers' Tips
Weather conditions can be changeable in the Parque Nacional
los Glaciares, and many people prefer to camp overnight at
one of several campsites in the Park, to ensure they have
ample opportunity to see the glaciers.
It’s essential to hire an experienced guide to explore
the glaciers - unless you’re familiar with the terrain,
glaciers can be very treacherous. |
