Along lakes Argentino and Viedma
More than three-hour lasting bus ride between El Calafate and El Chalten offer varied views on the largest Argentine lakes, barren Patagonian pampa with llamas and infinite ridge of Andes with protruding towers of Fitz Roy. It's such a juncture of two worlds – the mecca of organized tours in El Calafate, where every day crowds of tourists depart to admire the stunning Perito Moreno glacier and national town of trekking in El Chalten, where you can usually meet slightly different types of people.
Around Lake Argentino
The first phase of the bus route from El Calafate leads along the largest Argentine Lake Argentino, which is the remnant of a gigantic glacier. On the horizon we see the ridge of the Andes, over which is visible the variable Patagonian weather – somewhere is the sun shining, elsewhere it is snowing. Here it is about beeing at the right time in the right place :-)
Pampa along river Leona
We later join to the most famous Argentine road Ruta40, which has in many sections still only a gravel surface. After crossing the river Santa Cruz flowing out from Lake Argentino (one of the longest and largest in Patagonia) the way leads through an interesting landscape of Patagonian pampas. You can see llamas, arid table mountains and other interesting rock formations around. You are going in Leona river valley, which connects the upper lake Viedma with Argentino.
Along Lake Viedma
The most beautiful passages come after moving towards another giant Lake Viedma. On the horizon rises beautifully illuminated ridge of the Andes, over which chase different types of clouds.
Patagonian weather live
The most variable weather is on the ridge of Andes, where are driven from Chile clouds from the ocean. The Chilean side is in this area much rainier than Argentinian.
Direction to Fitz Roy
A nice asphalt road leads to El Chalten and as Fitz Roy approaches, the passengers often go to the front of the bus to take pictures of this beautiful scenery through the glass window.
Panorama of Andes
If you are lucky, the bus driver stops (you can try to persuade him as well) slightly ahead of El Chalten on a beautiful outlook point where you have the whole ridge at your fingertips. You can get a feeling that you have not even begun trekking and you have already seen everything :-)
Early evening pampa
Even otherwise barren Patagonian pampa with small hills and mountains becomes more magic during beautiful early evening light.
Estancie in Patagonia
When traveling in Patagonia, you will certainly be attracted by infinite thousand kilometers of fences surrounding the barren pampa. These are all local giant estates – Estancie.
After 220 kilometers of quite interesting travel, you finally arrive to El Chalten.
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