Where Is Los Glaciares National Park?

If you’re planning a trip to Argentina and one of your bucket list items includes seeing Patagonian glaciers, make sure you’ve planned a stop at Los Glaciares National Park. Located in Argentina’s southern province of Santa Cruz, the park sprawls across the southwestern region of the country, near the Chilean border. Los Glaciares National Park rests in the heart of the southern Andes Mountain range, just 50 miles northwest of El Calafate, the park’s primary entry point and the jumping-off point for your Argentina glacier tour.

Five Fantastic Facts About Los Glaciares National Park

There are more than 300 National Parks in South America, but Los Glaciares National Park is the largest! The park covers 336 square miles, is 27 miles long, and has more than 300 glaciers within its boundaries. Plus, most of the park is covered in ice from the Southern Patagonia Ice Field.

• Los Glaciares National Park was established in 1937 to safeguard Argentina’s Santa Cruz province and preserve its glaciers, lakes, forests, and wildlife.
• The defining features of the park include its magnificent glaciers, most notably the Perito Moreno Glacier. These glaciers were formed from centuries of snow accumulation and compaction and are constantly shaping the landscape through processes like calving and erosion.
• Los Glaciares National Park was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.
• The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including graceful guanacos, soaring Andean condors, and curious Andean foxes. Bird watchers will be excited to learn that flamingoes can be spotted in many of the park’s lakes!
• Every year, outdoor enthusiasts flock to Los Glaciares National Park for its incredible ice-climbing opportunities. The towering peaks and vertical ice walls of the park’s glaciers offer a challenge to adventurers, who can test their climbing skills in the frigid wilderness on an Argentina glacier tour.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Los Glaciares National Park?

If you are planning to visit Patagonian glaciers, the first question to ask is: “Where is Los Glaciares National Park?” But once you know how to get to the park (or you book your trip with a reputable tour operator like Gondwana Ecotours), you’ll want to know the best time to visit!

Like most destination vacations, the best time of year to visit Los Glaciares National Park in Patagonia depends on the activities you want to experience during your trip. Here is a quick breakdown of the best times of year to visit the park, based on activities that are popular with tourists.

• Summer (December to February): These three months are peak tourist season in Argentina, bringing warm weather, long days, and accessible park trails. It’s a time ideal for hiking, boat tours, and glacier walks - but expect crowds.
• Fall (March to May): The fall season brings milder temperatures, fewer crowds, and picturesque autumn colors. Some trails may be affected by changing weather, but it’s great for photography and tranquility. It’s also a great time to take Argentina glacier tours, like mini-treks across the face of the Perito Moreno Glacier!
• Winter (June to August): Winter months bring cold temperatures and snow, which limits trail access for park visitors. However, it’s a perfect time for winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing, offering guests the opportunity to witness a serene, snowy scene.
• Spring (September to November): This transitional period offers tourists mild weather and reopened hiking trails. It’s a good time to observe wildlife, but the weather can be unpredictable during the spring season.

Always keep in mind that no matter what time of year you visit, weather conditions can be unpredictable. Check the forecast and come prepared, and even consider making your reservations in advance – especially if you are planning a trip during the peak tourist season!

Planning Your Argentina Glacier Tour

The thousands of tourists who visit Los Glaciares National Park each year come for many reasons, but most of them travel to Patagonia to see Patagonian glaciers! Los Glaciares National Park is the perfect place for an Argentina glacier tour. The park is home to two of the most famous glaciers in Argentina: The Perito Moreno Glacier and The Upsala Glacier.

The Perito Moreno Glacier

The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most famous of the Patagonian glaciers. It covers a total of 100 square miles and is 3 miles wide! The glacier towers above Lake Argentino and is the third largest reserve of fresh water on the planet apart from the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. Scientists have discovered that the Perito Moreno glacier began to form during the last Ice Age and have calculated the glacier’s age at approximately 18,00 years old. But perhaps the most interesting thing about this glacier is that it is advancing – moving forward approximately six feet a day!

One of the most popular activities in Los Glaciares National Park is to trek across the face of this amazing glacier. Tourists can book a guided mini-trek or big trek tour with a professional guide. Both options allow you to explore the cracks and crevasses of the glacier for either a half or full day. Crampons and other equipment are included in the cost of the tour, and explorers are treated to a unique way of experiencing this massive natural phenomenon.

The Upsala Glacier

Although the Perito Moreno Glacier is perhaps the most famous in Argentina, the Upsala Glacier is much bigger. In fact, it is the largest glacier on the South American continent. Upsala covers 336 square miles, is 37 miles long, and 230 feet high. It’s one of several glaciers that feed into Lake Argentino, and its melt waters are the reason behind the lake’s milky blue color.  However, unlike Perito Moreno, Upsala is shrinking at an alarming rate. Images taken by NASA satellites have shown that the glacier’s ice front has retreated 2 miles since 2001. In addition, the extensive calving of ice from the main body of the glacier has made it difficult to access the glacier. Still, one of the most popular attractions in the park is to take a cruise past this magnificent natural wonder as part of an Argentina glacier tour.

An Adventure In Los Glaciares National Park

Los Glaciares National Park is a bucket-list destination for the Argentinian traveler. With its rugged peaks, deep valleys, and breathtaking landscapes, the southern Andes Mountain range has enhanced the park’s beauty and aided in the formation of its incredible glaciers. If you’re interested in seeing Patagonian glaciers, Los Glaciares National Park is the place to visit! With 1,500 square miles of ice fields and 47 glaciers, the park offers visitors the chance to experience towering glaciers and magnificent arctic landscapes. Book now to start planning your incredible tour of this icy wonderland with Gondwana Ecotours today.