Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Friday 27th July
Long drive today leaving behind Bariloche and the other ski resorts. Gradually the landscape changes as we reach the vast estancia - ranches - with cattle and sheep grazing. The ground is very boggy and mostly frozen, as are many of the rivers. We have clear blue skies and sunshine but the sun only feels warm for a couple of hours mid afternoon. We are travelling in the truck with our hats, coats, gloves, thermals etc on as well as being wrapped in a quilt! We camped on the riverside tonight and the tents froze as soon as we put them up - minus 4 degrees! We had a campfire tonight to warm ourselves before going to bed.
Saturday 28th July
Another long drive today. Fortunately Route 40 is open which is the direct, but unmetalled, road to Calafate. We set off at 8 am before sunrise - that was a spectacular sight over the Patagonian steppe. We passed through only a couple of very small towns all day and set up camp in a gravel pit, being the only place where the truck could safely leave the road - it also gave some shelter from the wind which blew up overnight. In summer some of the estancia allow camping but not at this time of year. We've made good progress so should reach Calafate tomorrow.
Sunday 29th July
Left before dawn again and saw another beautiful sunrise. As predicted, our progress on Route 40 was good and we arrived in Calafate, which is on Lake Argentina, at 4.30. Plenty of time for us to have a long awaited shower and wash our clothes before enjoying the Patagonian cuisine once again - steak and lamb tonight! The hostel is the best we've stayed in and its oh so warm!
Monday 30th July
This morning we took the icy road to Los Glaciares National Park to see the Moreno Glacier. We travelled 80 km from Calafate through the Patagonian steppe and the forests along Lake Argentina. The road was sheet ice in places but we had a very experienced driver and guide. We saw a family of eagles eating breakfast on the side of the road and condors soaring overhead. But the sight of the glacier was WOW! We viewed the glacier from viewing balconies, waiting and listening for the huge pieces of ice to break off. Then we took a boat trip along the base of the glacier. This is definitely another highlight for us both and worth all the freezing days and nights to get here!
- comments