PERITO MORENO GLACIER

Within Los Glaciares National Park, 82 km from the town of El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier appears giant and grandiose before the amazed eyes of the visitors. It is one of the few glaciers in the world which is constantly advancing and growing. Its front is 5 km wide and its height reaches 80 masl.

The glacier and its surroundings officially became Perito Moreno National Park in 1937, with the aim of protecting the lenga tree forests and two important water systems that include glaciers, waterfalls and a portion of the Patagonian steppe.

Ice blocks of different sizes constantly separate from Perito Moreno glacier and fall into the waters of Lake Argentino, causing spine-chilling sounds and amazing waves on the surface that make of this view an unforgettable sight.

Once in the lake, these ice floes, which may differ from white to sapphire blue tonality, are left adrift until they totally melt.

Although everything seems static and immovable, the erosion caused by the force of the disconnection continuously forms the shape of the mountains. The joint action of cold weather, the sun and the wind, as well as gravity, constantly change this exciting landscape.

MOVEMENTS

Perito Moreno, not like the other glaciers, has shown important movements. The colossal blocks of ice that detaches from the glacier, fall into the Témpanos Channel consequently and block it.

When this happens, the waters of the South and Rico arms of Lake Argentino dam up outstandingly raising their level. In 1988 a 25-meter-high increase was recorded, and a maximum of nearly 30 meters is calculated.

Due to the water pressure, the ice finally breaks and the drainage through the Témpanos Channel is restored bringing the level it had before.

This phenomenon has occurred every three years since 1935. At the end of last century, the glacier was as far as 750 m from the Magallanes Peninsula and it was only in 1917 that it reached the coast and blocked the channel for a couple of weeks. In 1988 the glacier blocked the channel for the last time but the ice has still remained not completely.

As a consequence of this process, there is a coastal strip along the Rico and South arms, as well as along Lake Roca of changeable width, whose vegetation (originally wooded) has been considerably modified.

Since 1983, glacial investigation on the Southern Patagonian Ice was started as part of a joint project among Japan, Chile and Argentina. One element of this project implied the monitoring of Upsala, Ameghino and Moreno glaciers, which has provided precious data about their behavior.

HOW TO GET TO PERITO MORENO GLACIER

In order to get there, you must take Provincial Route Nº 11, that links El Calafate with Punta Bandera. A few kms before getting there, there is a road to the Magellan's Peninsula leading to the footbridges in front of the glacier.

Another option -also from El Calafate- is to take Provincial Route Nº 15, which takes to the National Reserve by Lake Roca. Halfway along this road there is a branch road to the peninsula.

It is worth remembering the importance of respecting the National Park rules at all times, don't forget that tourists must only circulate along the authorized tracks.

VISITING PERITO MORENO GLACIER
This is the most well-liked and significant excursion in the area. The glacier is a spectacle difficult to describe that fills the traveller with wonder and admiration, even from the first sights several kms away on the road.

The trip from El Calafate to the glacier is a series of lakes, streams, rivers, woods and snow-capped mountains. Visitors from all over the world are left out of breath contemplating this natural phenomenon.

Duration
This visit to the glacier takes practically the whole day; it starts in the morning and finishes in the evening.

Means
The trip can be taken either privately (on your own car or on a rented one) or through one of the various alternatives offered by the travel agencies in El Calafate.

During the high season, planned excursions leave every day toward the glacier in the company of qualified guides. They usually include walks along option tracks in the surroundings of the footbridges; stops to take pictures from vantage points during the trip; packed meals and even binoculars for the tour.

Depending on your expectations, time and budget, there are various options (lake trips and trekking) to get to know and enjoy this natural wonder.