|
Declared a "Patrimony of Humanity" by UNESCO in 1981, the wild expanse of the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares encompasses environments which range from the enormous sterile glaciers that flow down from the heights of the Southern Continental Icecap, to thick, sub-Antarctic woodland of deciduous lenga and nire , and evergreen guindo and canelo ; from savage unclimbed crags where 5000mm of precipitation falls in a year, to billiard-table Patagonian meseta that receives little more than 100mm. A southern chunk of the park was ceded to Chile in 1999 after the dispute over borders in the area of the icecap, but it remains Argentina's largest. The vast majority of this, nevertheless, is off limits to the public. Most will visit only the Fitz Roy sector for trekking in the north and the sightseeing area around the Perito Moreno Glacier , one of the world's most famous glaciers, as it plays push and shove with the lake it feeds. In this southern sector, there are three main destinations. Firstly there is the glacier itself. This lies in front of the Peninsula de Magallanes , which is not a part of the park, apart from the fringe of land around the lake channels. The park's main gate is here, and the trees nearby are a favourite evening roost of the rabble-rousing austral parakeet ( cachana ), the most southerly of the world's parrots. From here it is a forty-minute drive (a little more than 30km) past several campsites, picnic spots and one hotel to the boardwalks in front of the glacier. The ripio road is poor and very dusty in hot weather, but traversible by any family car. A second destination is Puerto Bandera , from where boat trips depart to Upsala and the other northern glaciers. Finally, the RP15 to the south leads to Lago Roca and the southern arm of Lago Argentino, the Brazo Sur . Entrance to the park costs $5 per person and $3 per vehicle, which you must pay at the respective gates. Within the boundaries, be especially aware of the dangers of fire and extinguish any campfire with plenty of water (earth is not as effective) - an area of forest near Glaciar Spegazzini  © 2003 by Rough Guides Ltd. as trustee for its Authors. Published by Rough Guides. All rights reserved. Rough Guides name is a trademark of Rough Guides Ltd. Buy the book here!
|
accidentally burnt in the 1930s (perhaps by Padre de Agostini himself) still hasn't even remotely recovered. Mammals in the park include the gato huina wildcat, pumas and the endangered huemul, although you are highly unlikely to see any of these due to their scarcity and elusive nature. Instead, enjoy the flora, such as the notro bush, with its flaming red blooms in November and March, and birds such as the majestic black and red Magellanic woodpecker ( carpintero patagonico ).
Your Tips For Parque Nacional Los Glaciares
|
