Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pioneer-era building from the 1890s, now housing Museo de los Pioneros, Río Gallegos
of that period, as is the 1890s
building that houses Museo de
los Pioneros . This museum
narrates the story of the early
sheep settlers. The nearby
Museo Ferroviario Roberto
Gailán is housed in an old
railroad depot and run by
workers laid off after the closure
of the old Río Turbio-Río
Gallegos train line. Restored
50-year-old steam engines that
once worked the line are on
display in the forecourt.
sheep-shearing and herding
demonstrations as well as
trekking, and horse riding.
One trail leads to Monte
Dinero, a hill with breathtaking
vistas of the Magellan Strait
and Tierra del Fuego. Excur-
sions from the estancia run
into Reserva Provincial Cabo
Vírgenes, which is only 9 miles
(15 km) away.
second biggest colony of
Magellanic penguins in South
America after Reserva Provin-
cial Punta Tombo (see p232) .
Over 100,000 penguins use the
cape as a nesting ground from
September to April. Visitors can
observe these charismatic birds
along a 1-mile- (2-km-) long
nature trail.
In the northeastern corner
of the preserve is the Faro de
Cabo Vírgenes lighthouse,
built by the Argentinian Navy
in 1904. Its 400-watt bulb
throws a beam at least 25 miles
(40 km) over the sea. Visitors
can climb the 91 steps to the
top for splendid vistas of the
strait. A short stroll away is the
lovely Al Fin y al Cabo
teahouse, owned by the
Estancia Monte Dinero. Daily
excursions to the preserve are
arranged by tour operators
from Río Gallegos.
u Reserva
Provincial Cabo
Vírgenes
Road map B6. 90 miles (145 km) S
of Río Gallegos. & n Ave Kirchner
863, (02966) 438-725. Reserva:
Open Sep-Apr: 8am-8pm daily. 8
R Catedral Nuestra Señora
de Luján
Ave San Martín 739. Open 9am-6pm
Mon-Fri.  catedralrg.com.ar
E Museo de los Pioneros
Elcano & Juan Bautista Alberdi. Te l
(02966) 437-763. Open 10am-7pm
daily. 8 Spanish only.
E Museo Ferroviario Roberto
Galián
Mendoza 75. Te l (02966) 426-766.
Open 2-5pm Mon-Fri. 8 Spanish only.
Located at the far southern tip
of the Argentinian mainland, at
the entrance to the Strait of
Magellan, Reserva Provincial
Cabo Vírgenes protects the
y Estancia Monte
Dinero
Road map B6. 75 miles (120 km) S
of Río Gallegos. @ Te l (02966) 428-
922. Open Oct-Apr.
 montedinero.com.ar
Founded in 1880 by a
pioneering Patagonian family,
the Fentons, this ranch is a
working sheep farm. Guests
stay in the main house,
while activities include
The lighthouse built by the Argentinian Navy at Cabo Vírgenes
 
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