Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
380
Glaciology 101
A glacier is a large body of snow and ice that slowly moves down a valley or
spreads across a surface due to accumulation and gravity. Glacial ice forms when
heavy snowfall crushes first into snow crystals and then into pellets, finally
becoming a dense mass that takes on transpar ency and hardness over time.
Heavy precipitation and low temperatures are the most significant factors in gla-
cial growth. Dark lines in the glaciers, called moraines, are produced by rock
debris, sand, and clay that accumulate on the ice. They are useful for indicating
past positions of the glacier.
GETTING THERE & GETTING AROUND
At Km 49 (30 miles) fr om El Calafate, you'll pass through the park's entrance en r oute
to the Perito Moreno Glacier, where there's an information booth with erratic hours (no
phone). Here, they charge the entrance fee of $10 (£6.80) per person. They'll also give
you a map if y ou ask for one. I f you're looking for information about the par k and the
glacier, pick up an interpr etive guide or a book fr om one of the bookstor es or tourist
shops along Avenida del Libertador in El Calafate.
To Get to the Park
BY C AR
Following Avenida del Liber tador west out of to wn, the r oute turns into a
well-maintained road that is almost completely pav ed. From here, it's 80km (50 miles)
to the glacier. Give yourself an hour and a half as the final str etch is on a winding r oad
with a few unpaved sections.
BY TAXI OR REMISE
If you want to see the glacier at y our own pace, hir e a taxi or
remise.
The cost averages $70 (£47) for two, $75 (£51) for thee, and $100 (£68) for fou,
although many taxi companies will negotiate a price. B e sure to agr ee on an estimated
amount of time spent at the glacier , and r emember that the par k entrance fee of $10
(£6.80) per person is not included.
BY BUS
Caltur buses, Av. del Libertador 1080 (
&
02902/491368
), leave downtown
El Calafate twice a day (7am and 3pm, r eturning fr om the glacier at 11:30am and
7:30pm), allowing you to explor e the glacier lookout ar ea on y our own. The bus ride
costs a very reasonable $18 (£12), plus the $10 (£6.80) park entrance fee.
Los Glaciares,
Brown 1188 (
&
02902/491158
), has buses depar ting town at 7:30am, 8am and 3pm,
returning at 7pm. They take 90 minutes to get to the lookout. All depar t from the bus
terminal.
BY ORGANIZED TOUR
Several companies offer transportation to and from the glacier,
such as
Gigantes Patagones,
Av. Del Libertador 1315, Loc. 3 (
&
02902/495525;
www.
gigantespatagones.com.ar);
Caltur,
Av. del Liber tador 1080 (
&
02902/491368;
www.
caltur.com.ar); and
Los G laciares Turismo,
Av. Almirante B rown 1188 (
&
02902/
491159
). These minivan and bus services provide bilingual guides and leave around 9am
and again at around 2:30pm, spending an average of 4 hours at the peninsula; the cost is
$30 to $50 (£20-£34) per person, not including lunch. For a more personalized tour—a
private car with driv er and a bilingual, licensed guide—contact
SurTurismo,
Av . D el
Libertador 1226 (
&
02902/491266;
suring@cotecal.com.ar); they can arrange for a half-
day trip costing $70 to $105 (£47-£71) for two people (prices v ary with the seasons).
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