Day 01
Panoramic Balconies and Geological Wonders of El Calafate
- From the Balcón - a stunning natural lookout - you'll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over El Calafate and the central expanse of Lago Argentino. This exceptional tour provides awe-inspiring vistas of the Andes and the remarkable Patagonian ice fields, where glaciers originate.
- You'll see La Boca del Diablo, the lake's narrowest passage leading to the Upsala arm, and on clear days, glimpse the iconic peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre in El Chaltén.
- As we journey, keep an eye out for the majestic condors soaring high - the true "kings" of Patagonia's skies.
- With two daily departures, the tour starts with a convenient pick-up from your El Calafate hotel and covers 35 kilometres over the scenic mountain ridges that encircle the town. The route ascends through striking highland vegetation, reaching 1050 metres above sea level.
- Our first stop is a breathtaking natural lookout, where you'll take in sweeping views of both Lago Argentino and El Calafate below.
- The Andes serve as a constant, awe-inspiring backdrop, offering magical moments when, weather permitting, the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre peaks reveal themselves.
- The journey continues to the intriguing Laberinto de Piedras, a fascinating rock formation dating back to the Cretaceous period, some 85 million years ago. Once a riverbed, it now holds fossils that provide glimpses into a long-lost world.
- During the excursion, we'll pause to enjoy a snack at a panoramic point, then begin our descent along the northern slope towards the unique Piedra de los Sombreros - iron-rich rock formations so rare they can only be found in four places worldwide.
- With Mil Outdoor, you'll have the exclusive opportunity to witness these marvels in El Calafate.
- Finally, we'll return to El Calafate, with the iconic Lago Argentino as our ever-present backdrop.
This tour is available in the morning and afternoon and includes a meal at a restaurant in El Calafate, concluding a truly unforgettable day.
