Departures: Mayo till end of October
The Lake Argentino is the third biggest lake in South America. Surrounded by mountains and nourished by giant glaciers, this lake astonishes locals and foreigners for its immensity and special color. It was precisely its light blue color, the mountains covered in white and a light-blue sky that inspired Francisco P. Moreno to name it “Argentino.”
Other expeditionaries had arrived before, and many others didn’t make it when they tried to go up the Santa Cruz river. That was the case of Darwin and Fitz Roy, who abandoned the odyssey due to the endless length of the landscape and the fearful watch of the natives.
Nativo Experience- Lakes & Caves is a half day excursion in a four wheel drive vehicle along the shore of the Lake Argentino. This is an ideal excursion for your first or last day. It has an anthropological approach, doing a tour that will take you through time and show you the passage of men in these lands, rediscovering stories of the first expeditions and of those who dared to venture into the unknown.
Among cliffs and with a great view to the Andes, the excursion is mainly focused on the first contact of the expeditionaries with the natives, and then enters the Tehuelche world. On the shore of the lake you may see the caves where this cultures left their mark on the rocks thousands of years ago, which now allow us to interpret them.
The excursion ends in another cave with either lunch or dinner, which will transport us to that time.
PROGRAM. DURATION: 3 HOURS
DAILY TOURS 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Pick-up from the hotels starts at 11 a.m. and at 6 p.m.
First stop: On the shore of the Lake Argentino. Interpretation of the flora and the landscape.
Glaciology and geology explanation.
Second stop: Punta Bonita Cliffs: Panoramic views of the lake and the Andes.
Third stop: Archaeological area. Cave art.
Lunch or dinner in the cave. Return to El Calafate.
MENU
Starter Home-made soup.
Main course Lamb stew with vegetables.
Optional for vegetarians: Wok of rice and vegetables.
Dessert Chocolate mousse with almond praline.
Wine, water and terma Patagonic beverage (bitter herbal beverage.)
PRIVATE SERVICES
Private vehicle:
Payment rate is equivalent to 6 seats.
(Sharing lunch or dinner with the regular group.)
Completely private: Payment rate is equivalent to 18 seats.
Included services:
Pick-up from the hotels in El Calafate. Lunch or dinner.
Entrance to the archaeologist area.
English or Spanish speaking guide driver.
PERIOD OF VALIDITY:
May 1 to October 31.
Shared tours guaranteed. No minimum of passengers required.
Maximum amount of passengers: 18 in a shared tour.
Transportation is made in a Land Rover (6 people per vehicle.)
All rates are subject to change. In case of changing, the confirmed reservations will be respected.
The complete tour is 20 kilometers.
Walking distance between the vehicle and the caves is 200 meters and the level of difficulty is low.
Recommendations: Please consider that both lunch and dinner are served in a cave. Although the cave has been prepared for tourism and protected from rain, it may be cold. We recommend that you bring warm clothes, gloves and a hat.
