After our extended stay in freezing Tierra del Fuego we headed north through the southern tip of Chile and back into Argentinian state of Santa Cruz. It might be further north, but it still felt like a long way from home!
21 hours after leaving Tierra del Fuego (via a bumpy bus ride and 2 border crossings) we arrived, bleary eyed, in the snowy city of El Calafate...
The no.1 reason to visit El Calafate is to see the Perito Moreno Glacier in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares; one of the very few remaining glaciers that is still growing (up to 2m per day!). At 60m high and over 30km long, it's an astonishing spectacle...
It was pretty foggy when we first arrived, but the mists parted with perfect timing as we reached the network of viewing platforms and trails...
As you walk along the walkway you can hear loud creaks and cracks as chunks shear off the face and into the lake. As soon as you hear a noise it's a race to see where the ice is falling. If you're lucky, you'll see blocks of ice easily the size of a house crash into the still lake.
Matt: The glacier might be pretty damned amazing, but the best reason to visit is for the hot chocolate. It was, without a shadow of a doubt, the most intense, rich and outright gorgeous hot choc I've ever had. Mmmmm...
The next day we woke up at the crack of dawn for the 2.5hr bus ride north to the mountain town of El Chalten, at the base of the famous Fitz Roy peak. As we headed up on Route 40 our early start was rewarded with a spectacular sunrise...
We began our trek with no other people in sight. However, we were looking out for our Aussie friends who, despite booking their coach ticket to El Chalten through the same hostel, were put on a different coach to us. Both coaches left around the same time and both had only 3 people on each (this is the Argentinian way!).
The trek through two feet of snow was tough but the views were worth it.
Sarah: I was testing out some new facial hairstyles along the way
Sarah: Matt was REALLY happy to take a break along the route!
After a seemingly long trek to the viewpoint (although it took only 2 hours) we were very happy to see the Fitz Roy peaks!
Our Aussie friends, Alison and Joel, arrived about 20 minutes later (even though their coach arrived 40 minutes after ours). They were hardcore!
Sarah: Matt and I were so happy to have some other people's company!!
The view heading back down to the town. Another place where photos don't do it justice...
Joel drying out his socks whilst we waited for our coach home. This time we were pleased we weren't on the same one! (Just kidding guys!)
It finally felt as though we had some momentum north, so we booked our tickets for the bus journey to Bariloche in Patagonia. Surely they would take the direct path straight up Route 40, which wouldn't take too long...?
Never make assumptions in Argentina!!!
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