Today, we left El Chalten and headed to El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier.  It took us 3 hours to get back to El Calafate.  We dropped our luggage at the hotel and drove for another 1 1/2 hours to one of the most important tourist attractions in Argentinian Patagonia: The Perito Moreno glacier.  This ice formation is smaller (only 97 sq. miles by 19 miles in length) than the Viedma Glacier; but, larger that the entire city of Buenos Aires!  It actually is one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field located in the Andes system shared with Chile. This imposing ice field is on Lake Argentino, the world’s third largest reserve of fresh water and the largest lake in Patagonia.  It is considered the eighth natural wonder of the world because of the fabulous view it offers. It is one of the most visited places in Argentina.  So far, we have seen the Grey Glacier in Torre Del Pines and the Viadma Glacier in El Chalten; however, the magnificent Moreno far surpasses both of these glaciers.

The Perito Moreno is one of the many glaciers that form the Los Glaciares National Park.  An interesting fact we learned was that all the glaciers in the park form the Patagonian Continental Ice (17,000 kilometers long) which is one of the largest drinking water supplies in the world.  90% of the world’s fresh water is found in glacial areas. After Antarctica and Greenland, it is the region of Patagonia.

Unlike 95% of the earth’s glaciers that are gradually disappearing, the Perito Moreno glacier is one of the few advancing glaciers of the world and the only one in Patagonia! It advances approximately 100 meters a year.  It seemed like there were miles of platforms, stairs and viewpoints once we arrived at the glacier.  The size, height, width, color and sound of this crystal mass makes your senses come alive.  It is one of the few places that a picture does not do this colossal structure justice.  You have to see it in person to believe it. Within twenty minutes of our arrival, we suddenly heard a deep rumble and then a thunderous crackling sound.  An enormous chunk of ice broke off the glacier collapsing into the water.  This is know as “calving”.  It was absolutely awe-inspiring.  This calving process happened twice in twenty minutes and we caught pictures of it, as well!  The term “calving” is because cows have calves and glaciers calve icebergs – fascinating!

We will be signing off for 3 days; as we are on our way to Marrakesh via one night in Buenos Aires, and an overnight flight to Madrid and then on to Marrakesh the same day.   See you in Morocco on Thursday.