Feb. 14-17: El Calafate, Argentina

-

 


El Calafate is a town in Argentine Patagonia, serving as the main gateway to Los Glacières National Park and the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its massive, advancing ice formations.

The town, named after a local berry bush, grew from a frontier settlement into a tourist hub, offering activities like glacier trekking, boat tours, horseback riding, and exploring local crafts and Patagonian cuisine. 
Key attractions and activities 
  • Perito Moreno Glacier: The primary draw, with walkways for viewing and boat tours for closer access. 
  • Los Glaciares National Park: Explore the park's vast icefields, which contain 47 major glaciers. 
  • Estancias: Visit traditional ranches for horseback riding and Patagonian barbecues (asados). 
  • Town exploration: Walk along Avenida del Libertador for shops, restaurants, and local craft

**************

Sat. Feb. 14

Mostly a travel day, crossing the border from Chilé, then too many hours across the Argentinian steppe. 



Traveler’s Shrine



Sunday, Feb. 15

Calafate, Argentina

Sheep Herding Demo in Calafate



Guanaco Dinner

Calafate Berry Dessert

Visiting Gerardo, a Real Gaucho on his Ranch

This was a great activity. Gerardo is one of the interesting people you get to meet occasionally. 



Lamb on the Smoker/Grill



Fixing Dessert for our Ranch Lunch. 
Chocolate Cookies with Layers of
Dulce de Leche Mix with Cream Cheese





Lobolina, Sheep Dog Extrordinaire

Shearing Sheep




Predator Eliminated

Gerardo with his Bola Thingamajig

Family Style Ranch Lunch 
Lamb from the Grill





Chocolate Torta Dessert We Made

Mañana:
Our Last Day in Patagonia ☹️
Visiting the Glaciers National Park and
Perito Merino Glacier 😁
Farewell Dinner 🥲

Monday, Feb. 16

Another beautiful morning, 
Off to the Glaciers National Park

See the rainbow greeting us as we arrive near the glacier?



Local guide Sylvia explaining the trail system






Iceberg

As has been the case this whole trip, we were again blessed with perfect weather to visit this magnificent glacier. 
¡What a great last day in Patagonia!

Farewell Dinner












Mushroom Risotto

Calafate Berry Ice Cream

Mañana:
Early Flight to Buenos Aires


Day Rooms at Hotel
Overnight flight to Dallas
On to Phoenix

Popular posts from this blog

My First Trip to South America

-
Image
  I'm very excited to be taking another trip with OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel ), this time to explore the Patagonian regions of Argentina and Chile . Why Patagonia? On my Mediterranean cruise last summer, our trip leader was a terrific guy named Gabo Candel. I loved working with him and he runs a great trip. He lives in Buenos Aires and he turned me on to the idea of visiting Patagonia, as he runs summer trips there during our winter. I coordinated with him to nail down his trip dates and signed up to again travel with Gabo and fourteen other lucky people.  I have traveled with  OAT  before, to  Australia and New Zealand  in 2023 , on the  2024 Ultimate Safari trip to Southern Africa ,  on the  Mediterranean Discovery cruise  last May, and to the Italian Riviera and the Dolomites  last October. Below is a map showing the design of this trip, courtesy of OAT. (Ignore the Pre- and Post- trip extension boxes; they were not offered o...
Read more

Jan. 30 - Feb. 4, Around Buenos Aires

-
Image
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, a major global city, and the country's political, economic, and cultural center, known for its European-style architecture, vibrant nightlife, and as the birthplace of tango.   Located on the Río de la Plata, it's a bustling metropolis with diverse neighborhoods (barrios) and a rich history, earning nicknames like "The Paris of South America".   Key Facts  Location:   On the shore of the Río de la Plata, near the Atlantic Ocean.   Population:   The city proper has over 3 million people, with the metropolitan area exceeding 15 million.   Nicknames:   "The Paris of South America," "The Queen of El Plata" (La reina del Plata).   Locals:   Called porteños ("people of the port") due to the city's history as a major port of entry for European immigrants ***************** It all began in a lounge at Phoenix airport followed by a flight to Miami   A Boeing 777 was a bit late leaving...
Read more

Feb. 4-7, Bariloche, Argentina

-
Image
San Carlos de Bariloche, commonly called Bariloche, is a city in Argentina’s Patagonia region, known as the  “Switzerland of South America” for its Swiss-style architecture, chocolate shops, and stunning scenery of the Andes mountains and Nahuel Huapi Lake.  It's a year-round destination most famous for winter skiing at Cerro Catedral and summer activities like hiking, watersports, and exploring the Lake District.   Key features  Location :  Situated in the northern Patagonian Andes on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, within Nahuel Huapi National Park.   Nickname :  Often called the "Little Switzerland of Argentina" due to its alpine landscape and European-influenced architecture.   Activities :  Offers skiing and snowboarding in winter, and hiking, mountain biking, rafting, and fishing in summer.   Culture :  Famous for its chocolate, craft beer, and a mix of German and Swiss cultural influences.   Tourism :  A major tour...
Read more