El Calafate(Argentina): 1N/2D

December 2019           itinerary link

We took the bus from Puerto Natales, Chile, to El Calafate, Argentina. The border crossing was not complicated. Everyone got off the bus and lined up for an exit stamp at the Chilean border. Then, a few minutes later, we did the same for entering Argentina. After that, rest of the 4 hour bus ride was quiet. We had snacks, took naps etc.

We saw some snow on the ground mid way through the drive, which surprised us since it was supposed to be summer time in South America.

But the temperature rose as we got closer to El Calafate(population: 6,100.) We rented a car in town. El Calafate had the vibe of a ski town in the U.S. It basically has one main street where eateries, ski & sporting goods shops and gift shops are lined up.

We had a late lunch at this restaurant recommended by our Airbnb host. Great food. Friendly service.

Just keep driving on the main street will eventually take you to the destination where everybody is in this town for: Perito Moreno Glacier. I was under the impression that the national park where this glacier is located is open till late, and it would be smart to go there later in the day to beat the crowd. So we drove out after our meal.

Gorgeous scenery all around. El Calafate is on the shores of the biggest lake in Argentina, Lago Argentino. And there are mountains close and far. Unspoiled nature.

We got to the park entrance in 45 minutes and discovered that Glacier National Park closed at 6 PM everyday. Oh, well. We were not sorry we made that trip, though. It was just so beautiful.

Our Airbnb house was in a newly developed area about 10 minutes out of the way from the center of town. We went to a market close by and picked up some groceries to make dinner with & ate dinner at home. We were too tired to go out and party.

We successfully entered the park next morning. That story will be in another blog post. After we came back from the park, we found our lunch at this place. We deserve some high-calorie unhealthy food, we decided.

If we had another day, we could have driven to El Chalten, another part of Glacier National Park 125 miles north. I did not include this area in our itinerary because El Chalten seemed to be mostly for hikers. But the scenery is supposed to be stunning, and we could have just enjoyed seeing that.

Our journey: Puelo -> Puerto Varas -> Puerto Natales -> Torres del Paine National Park –> El Calafate –> Perito Moreno Glacier –> Ushuaia