Argentina

Drive El Calafate - El Chaltén

Along lakes Argentino and Viedma

Petr Liška
Wrote 2409 articles and follows him / her 241 travelers
Drive El Calafate - El Chaltén
Inserted: 19.11.2013
© gigaplaces.com
They been there:

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 :-)

Around Lake Argentino
Author: © gigaplaces.com

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.
 

Pampa along river Leona
Author: © gigaplaces.com

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.

Along Lake Viedma
Author: © gigaplaces.com

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.

Patagonian weather live
Author: © gigaplaces.com

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.

Direction to Fitz Roy
Author: © gigaplaces.com

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 :-)
 

Panorama of Andes
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Early evening pampa

Even otherwise barren Patagonian pampa with small hills and mountains becomes more magic during beautiful early evening light.
 

Early evening pampa
Author: © gigaplaces.com

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.

Estancie in Patagonia
Author: © gigaplaces.com
Applaud the author of the article!
Share it on:

Articles nearby

Practical information

Part of itienary

Article: Hiking below Fitz Roy

The most beautiful part of the Argentine Patagonia is undoubtedly the area around Fitz Roy. The area is interwoven with many… continue reading

Hiking below Fitz Roy
Thanks!

Have you been there? Write a review of this place

Already rated by 0 travelers

Have you been there? Write a review of this place

You must be logged in to post a review or