Perito Moreno

• Location: Patagonia, Argentina
• Area: 250 square meters. km
• Height: 50 m
• Age: about 30 thousand years

Patagonia is an amazing world in which there has never been a man, thanks to which the richness of nature unfolded in all its glory. This is the end of the earth, where you can know the real miracle. Here, in the vastness of Patagonia, the soul tends to skyward, and I want to breathe deeply. Patagonia, as well as Argentina in general, is the glacier Perito Moreno, where the memory of the centuries looks at us through the thickness of the ice.

Visiting the Snow Queen

Still halfway to the glacier, looking at the mountain range rising with a stone idol, the tourists freeze in anticipation. At the same time, tedious waiting sometimes hinders appreciating what is already available for viewing. However, Perito Moreno glacier will justify your expectations to the fullest.

Here are some interesting facts that will introduce you to Perito Moreno:

1. A huge mass of ice rises to 50 m in height. The area of ​​the glacier is about 250 square meters. km. Such a space of cold and ice seems impressive and simply huge for the understanding of the common man in the street. However, wherever the tourist trail leads you, is called the "tongue" of the glacier, and its width does not exceed 5 km.
2. Perito Moreno received its name in honor of the explorer Francisco Moreno. It was he who first explored this region, and acted as a defender of the territorial interests of Argentina . Thanks to this scientist, you do not have to fly to Chile to see this great miracle of nature.
3. The age of Perito Moreno glacier reaches 30 thousand years. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is revered by both tourists and scientists of the world. Transparent blue shade of ice deserves special attention. This color is due to the fact that there is no air gap under the weight of the snow. The explanation is simple, but the view is truly amazing. For the convenience of tourists, they arranged an observation deck, which in some ways resembles a theatrical mezzanine.

Features of visiting the glacier

Every schoolboy knows about the problem of global warming. But hearing the constant crackle of the glacier, or finding the collapse of ice blocks, comes the understanding that for Perito-Moreno this topic is from the level of sore. This huge mass of frozen water slowly melts and constantly moves.

Every year, scientists record the fact that Perito-Moreno is moving forward by 400-450 m. With an enviable periodicity, about once every 4-5 years, there are so-called breakthroughs. As a result of its movement, the glacier hinders the advancement of Rick's tributary to Lake Lago Argentino. This leads to the fact that water accumulates, increasing the level of the lake by 20-35 m, and then breaks through the thickness of the ice. The spectacle is impressive, but unsafe.

The collapse of the glacier is also a real delight for the viewer. After all, when there is still a chance to observe how 15-meter blocks of ice crash into the lake. This pastime is also somewhat risky, especially if you decide to admire the main glacier of Patagonia Perito Moreno aboard the boat, swim closer to it.

How to get to Perito Moreno Glacier?

To admire the main attraction of Patagonia, you need to get to the settlements of El Calafate or El Chalten . This is the starting point for sightseeing tours to the glacier. A rented car from El Calafate to Perito Moreno can be reached via the RP11 motorway, it takes a little more than an hour. The distance from the city to the glacier is 78 km.