The Perito Moreno glacier was one of these places that has left an indelible mark on me. I still remember the day I had the opportunity to visit this marvelous place. The winter air was frigid and the sun only peeked through the clouds on a few occasions and for a short time. Staying in front of nature in the purest and wildest state, and spending time contemplating how the great blocks of ice fall down into the largest Patagonian lake, the Argentinean Lake, torn from the glacier by the thaw, has been an unforgettable experience. I suppose the beauty of nature will never cease to amaze us.
LET’S LEARN ABOUT PERITO MORENO
If you ever have the opportunity to travel to Patagonia, the southern region of Argentina, of course, you should not miss the possibility to do so, since it is an area brimming with wonderful places, where the beauty of Nature does not leave its visitors indifferent. The Perito Moreno Glacier, located on the Magellan Peninsula, which is 5km wide and 60 meters high, is one of these wonderful sites. The glacier is also located in the The Glaciers National Park, which contains up to 356 different glaciers, however, the Perito Moreno is one which has obtained the most popularity, and therefore receives numerous visits.
Throughout history the glacier has obtained very different names, among them even the name of the 19th century German Chancellor, Bismarck, stands out. However, it was in the year 1899 when the glacier got its current name, in honor of Francisco Moreno, an Argentine scientist, explorer and geographer, born in Buenos Aires in 1852, who, driven by his adventurous spirit, made various trips through the lands of Patagonia in order to know and document this territory so extensive and so little known even during that time. Likewise, it was he who baptized the lake in which the glacier is located with the name of Argentinean Lake, to claim these lands to his homeland. However, this great adventurer never entered the area of the glacier that later received his name, so he never got to see it with his own eyes. Whoops! By the way, in 1881 the borders between Chile and Argentina were finally established, leaving the glacier in the Argentine part.
A TRIP TO PERITO MORENO
To get to this wonderful place at first I had to fly from Buenos Aires to Calafate. There is also the possibility of taking a road trip to this city, although I recommend this only if you are willing to drive long distances. Don’t forget that Argentina is huge, it reaches up to 4361km long! If I return to this wonderful country for a longer time, I am sure that I will take a trip along the Route 40 that crosses all of Argentina from Cape Virgenes in Santa Cruz (south) to La Quiaca in Jujuy (north). With an essential stop at the Parador de la Leona, where Butch Cassidy and Billy the Kid spent the night fleeing to Chile after robbing several banks. Or the Uruguayan bandit, Asensio Brunel, who, according to the legends, only wore puma skins and fed on raw mare tongues.
In Calafate the best way is to rent a guided excursion, since it allows you to forget about all the inconveniences and enjoy only the beauty of the glacier. I chose my trip The guide will also tell you the history and many anecdotes related to the places you will see on the way to your destination. To see the glacier up close, once you arrive at the Glacier National Park, it is essential to get on a ferry that takes a tour in front of the glacier itself. However, keep in mind that the ferry does not go up to the wall of this immense block of ice for your safety. Large parts of the glacier frequently break off and plunge into the lake. The ferry has a covered part, where you can refuge yourself from the cold, and an open part which you can climb when the ferry stops so that the visitors have the opportunity to take beautiful photos of the glacier. In addition to the ferry, there is the possibility of taking a walk through the walkways, built in front of Perito Moreno. This is another wonderful manner to see the glacier up close. The excursion also ends with a delicious meal in the nearby restaurant that offers typical dishes. I recommend you try Locro, a stew of pre-Hispanic origin that will help you warm up quickly. It has enchanted me.
TIPS:
- Bring war clothes, especially in winter. It`s freezing.
- I recommend you to take a ferry as well to have a walk on the walkways, more opportunities to contemplate this wonderful natural area.
- Don’t forget to try some typical dishes as Locro. It`s delicious.
all about eve`s journeys 
One thought on “VISITING THE GLACIER PERITO MORENO”