PERITO MORENO W/ CRUISE  
Full day excursion   

Depart from the  hotel toward Perito Moreno Glacier situated within Los Glaciares National Park, 80 km away from El Calafate (half of it along a gravel route).
From the very beginning this trip will provide pleasant surprises. Departing from El Calafate, the Argentino Lake will appear on the right side of the road with its Bahía Redonda (Round Bay) that shows an interesting and assorted bird species. The first half of the road goes through a landscape typical of the Patagonian steppe, whose characteristic species are the broom sedges (hard, thorny type of grass) and 'calafates' (bushes belonging to the barberry family which is well-known for its yellow flowers and violet fruits), from the national park entrance onwards the landscape drastically changes, the flora grows richer with species that are typical of the Andine-Patagonian Forest such as: ñires, lengas and guindos.
Perito Moreno Glacier is an imposing ice river with an area of 195 square meters, a length of 30Km. and a front  which is 5 Km wide; the frontal walls  are between 30 and 60 meters high over the lake level. In the central area of the glacier the ice reaches a depth of 250 to 350 meters. This frozen river  descends from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field causing, during its slow advance, ice cracks and thunderous bursts that turned the glacier into a marvel in constant movement. A show that is impressing not only for its beauty but also for the continuous roars that are heard from its innermost recesses.
Because of its breathtaking beauty it was declared a Mankind Heritage by Unesco.
A walk along the paths placed in front of its western wall will let you admire this impressive wonder of nature from different points of view.
Free time for lunch (there is in the area a modest restaurant called 'Los Ventisqueros' which offers daily a couple of good menus).
In order to complete a perfect day in touch with nature you will go take a 1-hour nautical excursion that will let you enjoy a unique view of the glacier face from the water level, what allows you to have a better view of the height of its peaks and towers.
Return to the hotel.

Daily departures. Departure: 09.00 hs / Arrival: 17.00 hs.
Tour length: 8 hs. 

Information about the Perito Moreno Glacier

Within Los Glaciares National Park, 82 km from the town of El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier appears immense and majestic before the amazed eyes of the visitors. It is one of the few glaciers in the world which is in constant advance and growth. Its front is 5 km wide and its height reaches 80 meters above sea level.

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

Ice blocks of different sizes continually detach 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 vary from white to sapphire blue tonality, are left adrift until they completely melt.

Although everything seems static and immovable, the erosion caused by the force of the detachment continuously models the shape of the mountains. The joint action of cold weather, the sun and the wind, as well as gravity, constantly modify this impressive landscape.


MOVEMENTS

Perito Moreno, unlike the other glaciers, has shown significant movements. The gigantic blocks of ice that detach from the glacier, fall into the Témpanos Channel consequently blocking it.

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

Due to the water pressure, the ice finally breaks and the drainage through the Témpanos Channel is restored.

This phenomenon occured 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 for the first time. In 1988 the glacier blocked the channel for the last time but the ice has not broken ever since.

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