CITY TOUR EL CALAFATE  

El Calafate is situated on the Argentino Lake shores, quite close to the high Andean peaks and the deep glacial valleys. The circuit starts along the old town streets, with the typical constructions built by the first pioneering settlers in the beginnings of the XX century . It will offer you a panorama of the development of this human settlement in the area from the later XIX century  till nowadays. It will be a trip along time: from the old Calafate, when the town  used to be just a place for carts to stop for some little rest on the route and center for goods distribution; the period of the estancias;  and the touristic destination it is nowadays.
A visit to Nimes Lagoon, a few meters from the lake coast, will allow you to spot the abundant local bird fauna. There, a great number of pink flamingoes, black-necked swans, cauquenes, corn ducks, coots and diving ducks nest and live in harmony with the landscape, swimming in these quiet waters.
It is also interesting to have a glimpse to the surrounding farms, where the fine fruits (such as strawberries, raspberries and the like) and the vegetables locally consumed are cropped.
The Walicho Caves, an archaeological site located 8 km from El Calafate, are also interesting enough for a short visit which will let you follow the prints of the first human beings that walked over these lands looking for shelter, food and a temporal habitat. There is an interesting museum which hosts  a collection of fossil material, archaeological pieces and antique photos. Walking along these caves, excavated in the calcareous rock of the lake shore;  and following the interpretative path, you will be able to discover copies of rupestrian paintings (most of them are reproductions, only a few of the original ones remain) made by these prehistoric local  inhabitants that where real explorers of this arid land 3,000 years ago.
The last photo stop will be at the lookout of the Virgen de la Paz, from where you will have the chance to contemplate El Calafate, a seemingly desolate place but, indeed, full of life.
Return to the hotel.

Departures. Daily - 9 AM and 6 PM.
Tour length: 2 hours and a half