As with Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine, El Calafate is the main town closest to the town of El Chalten (which is inside the national park). In Argentina though. The main attraction at El Calafate is glacier Perito Moreno. Its the most accessible and most active glacier in the region. A nice daytrip. Since everyone from Team Fantastico were heading the same way, we would go visit it together. After El Calafate we would all head for El Chalten to go see Fitz Roy, but I’ll get to that in a bit.
Calafate is a fruit found in Patagonia and the town is named after it. Quite a nice town, but expensive.
We got a cab to the glacier as it was cheaper and we could decided when to leave. The whole trip is expensive. About AR$170 for a 2hour return taxi ride and entrance to the park (AR$100). But when you arrive you can possibly comprehend why the entrance is so expensive. After all, we are rich tourists.
There are walkways in front of the glacier with various viewpoints. So you can get quite close to the glacier. And we were treated to some action while we were there. 2 or 3 large chunks fell off while we were there. Spectacularly loud.
Outside an outdoor shop – The main street of El Calafate
A long shot of Perito Moreno – The pro’s at work – Team Fantastico
Getting close to the glacier – 2 pics through my newly acquired sunglasses
Having seen the glacier, there wasn’t much more to do or see here. So we headed for El Chalten. We were able to book a cabin for the 5 of us, well when we got there we took what looked like two trailers with a great feel! It was like being in trailer park heaven :)
”Chalten” means “Mountain of Fire” in the native language and is named such because Fitz Roy looks like its burning…pretty much constantly. There is a mist that comes off the top of the peak making the sight of the whole peak very rare. But we were lucky…for a moment :)
After hiking up to the mirador through the snow (this time with my tekkies) we thought we saw the Fitz Roy. It was only when we got down that the weather cleared and the base stuck out. So we waited for the peak to clear. It was actually fun, with the strangest taunts being used.
Unfortunately this would be the last adventure for Team Fantastico…for now. Gary, Sallie and Orlagh headed for El Bolson, while Alex and I were heading to the Carretera Austral, Chile. Hopefully to hitchhike all the way.
Life in the trailer park: Supper & out front yard – The Fitz Roy river
View of the town (take through my sunglasses) – The river heading to town – Some of the many obstacles on the way to Fitz Roy peak
Jip, that's me hiking in the snow to the Fitz Roy mirador…in my tekkies :) – The view (not Fitz Roy as we thought) – Looking back at town
Waiting for Fitz Roy to clear – Fitz Roy (now you understand “Chalten”) – Sunset over the valley
Sorry, I almost forgot the maps for perspective:
Puerto Natales to El Calafate
and
El Calafate to El Chalten
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