Glacier Perito Moreno: the sights of the Argentine part of Patagonia

The glacier named after the Argentine scientist F. Moreno, who studied his country two centuries ago, attracts thousands of tourists a year. Often, from a local attraction, huge boulders break with a terrible noise falling into the water, and for the sake of this amazing spectacle, foreigners travel long distances.

Perito Moreno on the world map

The giant snow mountain, projecting over the water column at 60 meters, is located in Patagonia, in the Andean mountain system between Chile and Argentina. It is one of the 48 glaciers found in South America and storing fresh water.

A growing natural phenomenon is located in Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thirty-kilometer sight is considered the main treasure of the reserve and covers most of it, yielding only the surface of Antarctica in size.

Located near the Argentine city of Calafet, the natural phenomenon is a huge ice massif almost 16-storey high with a total area of 250 square meters.

Patagonia is the land of contrasts

A real sensation in the scientific world was the discovery in the XIX century of Perito Moreno. Patagonia, occupying one third of the territory of Argentina, is an incredibly beautiful land of contrasts with giant mountains, sand deserts and iridescent icy valleys.

It is here that the zone of a giant glaciation is located, which some scientists in the area compare only with the Himalayas.

Patagonia is open to free access of icy air from Antarctica. In summer, in early January, the average temperature does not exceed 14 degrees, and in winter (June-August) it keeps at zero. Typical landscape of the country - dried up from lack of moisture trees, affected by strong gusts of wind and cold masses.

Because of the severe continental climate, these corners are little known to travelers who come only to visit the main decoration of the national park.

The greatness of nature

Tourists, even without reaching the right place, still on the way observe how the water surface of the huge lake Lago Argentino overlaps with massive blocks. The giant ribbon of a rich bluish hue, falling into the water, fascinates everyone with the majesty and power of nature.

Perito Moreno glacier is lost behind the mountains, sometimes it seems as if it will not end. Surprisingly, the natural attraction, consisting of 48 snow massifs, is located in an accessible place to visit. It would seem that the glacier growing by two meters a day should absorb the shore of the lake for a long time, but the thing is that it melts at an incredible speed and, in fact, remains in place.

Amazing glacier color

Many visitors to the national park are wondering why the glacier in Argentina has such an unusual bright shade. Some even think that this is a special treatment in photo editors to attract more tourists.

However, the beautiful color of the snow blocks is explained by the fact that the ice itself does not have a color, but absorbs all the others except blue. With age, it becomes denser, and the more piercing is its color.

Observation of a natural attraction

Watching the miracle of nature is best from viewing platforms equipped for visitors. Everywhere there are small bridges, along which it is so pleasant to roam, enjoying a fantastic spectacle from various angles, there are comfortable benches for travelers tired of traveling.

The nearest place to the glacier is the one located on the cape of Magellan. It almost hangs over the Lago Argentino, and from it opens a picturesque view of the snow blocks of the most bizarre shape.

The joy of fixing the moment

From the sites can be heard clicks of cameras fixing the glacier Perito Moreno and its unreal beauty. And many even manage to capture the moment when a lump breaks off and with a terrible roar, reminiscent of a giant's groans, falls into the lake. Such photos are worth their weight in gold, they become a real decoration for any album.

Falling into the lake shards, sparkling in the rays of sunlight, like diamonds, will long float on the surface of the cold lake, until they melt. Such lumps are also found for several tens of kilometers from a stationary glacier.

"The Great Ice"

For those who want to get acquainted with the snow handsome, several excursion routes are offered.

"Big Ice" is an extreme program for the most daring thrill-seekers. To get on the list of its participants, it is necessary to meet many requirements: age restrictions - from 18 to 45 years, testing for physical training and health status check.

The trekking includes four hours of traveling through the glacier and inside it. At the last rigorous selection, climbing equipment is put on, after which the organized group clearly follows the instructions of the head.

"Mini-tracking"

"Mini-tracking", as the name implies, is a gentle walking tour, in which children from ten years old can take part and elderly people up to sixty-five. There are no special requirements to the state of health here, and physical endurance is not taken into account. One and a half hour excursion will be remembered for many years.

Excursion by ship

And for those who do not want to climb the blue trails, the motor ship runs, which will take you to a safe distance. From a distance the massif appears to consist of loose snow, but in fact - from pieces of compressed ice, suddenly crumbling into the dairy water surface.

Tips for tourists

Local guides warn that it is necessary to dress warmer, since the glacier blows cold even on the hottest day, and advise not to forget about strong sunscreen means on excursions and provisions, because the nearest supermarket is located far enough.

And remember: it takes a day to explore all the surrounding glacier Perito Moreno. Since 1937, Argentina has taken care of an amazing natural place, which became the most famous landmark of the national park and attracts the colorful spectacle of new travelers.

La ruptura

Once every four years, an ever-growing important tourist site is pushed to the pond, reaching the opposite shore. To see the breathtaking view, there comes a huge number of people who want to take a closer look at the amazing glacier Perito Moreno, which divides the lake into two parts.

Because of the pressure of the water, the barrier blocking the road with a height from the multi-storey house collapses, and the terrible noise from its fall is heard far away. In Argentina, this natural phenomenon is called la ruptura ("breakthrough").

Located in the Argentine part of Patagonia, the famous glacier Perito Moreno attracts many travelers who dream of looking at a giant block of ice of a unique azure color.