Page 253 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

P A T A GONIA  251

recom mended. The trail passes
through dense forests of lenga
and ñire before reach ing the
glacier and the emerald-green
lagoon that sits at its base. From
the lake’s southern bank, visitors
can also go to Punta Norte on
its northern bank, which offers
fabulous views of the lake and
the north face of awe-inspiring
Mount Fitz Roy.
From Punta Norte, tourists can
trek to the Chilean border post
on the coast of Lago San Martín.
Boats depart from the border
post, crossing the lake to the
Chilean town of Villa O’Higgins. Brightly colored shops at the main shopping center, El Calafate
ranch activities at the estancia ) Río Turbio
( El Calafate El Galpón del Glaciar (see Road map B6. 160 miles (257km) S
Road map B6. 137 miles (220 km) pp310–11). Hostería Alta Vista, of El Calafate. @ from El Calafate, Río
S of El Chaltén. * 17,000. k a ranch built in the late 19th Gallegos. n Plazoleta Augustín del
@ from El Chaltén. n Terminal de century, is in the grounds of Castillo, (02902) 422-850.
Omnibus, Ave Julio A Roca 1004, Estancia La Anita. Excursions
(02902) 491-090. _ Fiesta de across the estancia include Situated in a remote corner of
Bautismo del Lago Argentino. views of Glaciar Perito Moreno. Patagonia, 4 miles (6 km) from
∑ turismo.elcalafate.gov.ar the border with Chile, the gritty
E Museo Regional Municipal mining town of Río Turbio was
Located on the shore of Lago El Calafate known mainly for one thing –
Argentino, El Calafate is the Ave del Libertador 575. Tel (02902) 491- coal. Due to Argentina’s
area’s biggest tourist center. The 924. Open 8am–7pm Mon–Fri. 7 ongoing mining industry
town is the perfect base from E Centro de Interpretación depression, the coal mines
which to explore the southern Histórica Calafate lie abandoned at the edge
section of Parque Nacional Los Almirante G. Brown & Guido Bonarelli. of town, a short distance from
Glaciares, including the magni- Tel (02902) 492-799. Open Dec–Mar: the Villa Dorotea border patrol.
ficent Glaciar Perito Moreno. 10am–8pm daily; Apr–Nov: A small section, where miners
With shops, restaurants, and a 11am–6pm daily. & - = give demonstrations of their
mostly benign microclimate, El ∑ museocalafate.com.ar work, can be visited by guided
Calafate comes as a wel come E Glaciarium tour, arranged at the tourist
relief to visitors arriving from the Camino al Glaciar Perito Moreno. information office in town.
barren Patagonian steppe to the Tel (02902) 497-912. Open 9am–8pm The town’s other highlight is its
north. The city’s main cultural daily (May–Aug: 11am–8pm daily). narrow-gauge railroad line, laid
point of refer ence is the Museo & = ∑ glaciarium.com in the early 1950s to transport
Regional Municipal El Calafate, Río Turbio’s coal to Río
which recounts the area’s history Gallegos on the Atlantic
from the point of arrival of its coast. The ageing
first indigenous groups. Centro locomotives that work
de Interpretación Histórica the line are a throwback
Calafate also traces local history. in time. Once the most
Its photographic and pictorial southerly line in the
displays explain the region’s world, the railroad
human and environ mental past. ceded this distinction
Another fascinat ing place is the after the construction
Glaciarium, a rare glacier muse- of the new railroad line
um. A short walk away is Reserva in Ushuaia in 1994.
Municipal Laguna Nimez, a Turbio’s other draw is
nature preserve on the shore its attractive wooded
of Lago Argentino that protects hillsides 2.5 miles (4 km)
about 100 species of birds. south of the town. This
is where the Valdelén
Environs winter-sports complex
Several ranches near town is located. This ski center
offer comfortable accommo- El Galpón del Glacier, a working sheep ranch, near the has gentle slopes which
dations. Guests can take part in town of El Calafate are ideal for beginners.
The walkway that runs close to the astonishing Glaciar Perito Moreno

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