After yet enough overnight bus ride from Puerto Madryn to Calafate (with the required layover in Rio Gallegos), Jed and I arrived in Calafate. We spent our first day here exploring the small town and the main Liberatador Avenue with its restaurants and shops and visiting a myriad of travel agencies to try and figure out our best options for glacier trekking and trying to make it down to Torres Del Paine. The following day, we had a 7am departure with Hielo y Aventura to Perito Moreno, the only advancing glacier left in the world, where we boarded a boat to the glacier, outfitted our shoes in spikes, and proceeded to trek on the ice with guides. It was absolutely incredible... the blues reflecting from the glacier, the pristine water, everything... Our group was fortunately small and we ended our trek at a small wooden table on the ice, where our guides poured us cold whiskey for a celebratory toast. Back on land, Jed and I did a picnic lunch on the rocks, overlooking the southern face of the glacier where we were able to witness some unbelievable calving ' or chunks of the ice shaving off and falling into the water. The sounds it produced were a mix of loud thunder and crackling. Afterwards, we took the boat back to the viewing sites where we had the opportunity to view the northern side of the glacier and get a better perspective of just how massive it is.
Today we are heading to another park in Calafate to see the flamingos before boarding our shuttle to El Chaten where we will spend the next four days hiking and camping Fitzroy.
Practical Information: Bus to the Perito Moreno Park is 100 pesos, Boat ride is 50 pesos, and Entrance fee is 100 pesos. Two additional tours are offered which include transportation and the boat ride, but do not include the park entrance fee. The first tour is Minitrekking which is 500 pesos and includes 2 hours of trekking on the ice. The second is Big Ice which is 740 pesos and is only for fit individuals and includes 4 hours of more serious trekking on the ice. Both tours also include an hour in the park for walking to the various viewing points. Prices for these treks are the same everywhere and the only tour operator in the park is Hielo y Aventura. For minitrekking you can wear any sort of sneaker whereas big ice requires trekking shoes and those who don´t have will need to rent them for the day for 40-50 pesos. Clothes: Wear comfortable walking clothes and definitely layer. A windbreaker is crucial. It is really cold on the boat and when you begin, but you will quickly warm up as youre walking along the ice. Also make sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, water, and a picnic lunch.
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