Introduction
Los Glaciares National Park is one of Argentina's most spectacular national parks and a superb tailor made travel destination. The park is named after the 47 major glaciers that lie within it, some of which crumble into the park's great lakes in dramatic fashion. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Los Glaciers National Park also includes Lake Argentino, Argentina's biggest lake and Mount Fitz Roy, one of the Andes' most iconic peaks.
El Calafate is the park's main hub. With a number of ranches offering decent accommodation, the town is the main base from which to explore this extraordinary Patagonian reserve. It's also close to Puerto Punta Bandara, where regular boat trips depart across the national park's lakes on tours to the glaciers. Chunks of ice occasionally break away, crashing dramatically into the placid blue waters of the lakes below.
Glacier Perito Moreno is arguably the most impressive of the glaciers here. This huge bed of blue ice passes down a 20-mile valley before meeting Lake Argentino and rafting spectacularly out across it, at around 65-metres high. Getting up close and watching as the ice ruptures and cascades into the waters far below is a real thrill and a great inclusion to any Argentina travel plans.