El Calafate is a small town in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. While visiting the glaciers, I learned that the town was named for the regional Calafate berry. According to Patagonian myth, the berry is named for a beautiful woman - the daughter of the chief of the Aónikenk - with enchanting golden eyes and a very protective father. One day while out on a walk, Calafate met and fell in love with a member of the Selk'nam, a nomad tribe that was rival to her own. Together they decided to runaway - with hopes of living in peace and enjoying true love.
Angered by his daughter's absence, the chief assumed she had been possessed by the evil Gualichu spirit and ordered a shaman to cast a spell to keep her from eloping. The shaman turned Calafate into a bush in the Patagonian countryside, with golden flowers to match her golden eyes. Heartbroken in losing Calafate, the Selk'nam perished.
The shaman, filled with guilt after learning of the couple's true love, turned Calafate's golden flowers into berries that would represent the Selk'nam's heart so that the two could be together again. Today it is said that anyone who eats the Calafate berry must again return to the beautiful Patagonian countryside.
Read below for our recommendations on how to spend one day in El Calafate to make the most out of your trip to Argentina.
1. Visit el Perito Moreno in Los Glaciares National Park
A trip to the Perito Moreno glacier is worth a trip down to El Calafate in and of itself. As a result of climate change, el Perito Moreno is now one of only a few remaining advancing glaciers in the world. The unstable growing edge of the Perito Moreno all but ensures that even in a short visit to the park you will see - and hear - the glacier calve off icebergs. The loud echo of the ice plunging into the lake is a stark contrast to the otherwise peaceful ambiance of the surrounding nature reserve.
There are several ways to experience the Perito Moreno glacier. Most commonly, you can see the glacier by way of Los Glaciares National Park. The entrance fee costs 800 pesos (about $15 US dollars) and allows you a full day to enjoy the park.
Other options include signing up for a mini-trekking tour, a kayak tour, or a boat tour of the glacier. All are sure to be thrilling adventures to add to your trip, but be aware that same-day cancellations may be likely if there is inclement weather.
Spending the day in Los Glaciares National Park is no "consolation prize" though, should your other activities be called off. There are several different landing points within the park to enjoy the glacier, and depending on how far the glacier is advanced when you visit, you are able to get quite close. Taking in the views from across the water remains one of the most breathtaking and peaceful experiences I've had throughout traveling. All of the photos of Perito Moreno in this blog were just taken from the pathways in the park.
2. Eat & Shop in El Calafate
When you're done enjoying the cool glaciers, take the opportunity to explore the town of El Calafate. Everything in town is within a reasonable walking distance, and I've always found that the best way to learn about a new city is to walk its streets. There are several shops, restaurants, and cafes to stumble upon. Maybe even try some of the jam made from the town's namesake - the Calafate berry. - or grab a jar to take home. Just remember that once you eat a Calafate - you are destined to return back.
3. Visit the Walichu Caves
El Perito Moreno and El Calafate will probably be enough to fill up one day, but if you still have energy and are itching to explore more - visit the Walichu Caves. Just a 20 minute drive from town, you can go to these caves to see both original cave paintings that date back to the Paleolithic age, as well as modern replicas.
Entrance to the caves was closed by the time we returned from the glacier parks during out visit, so if you get the chance to explore them - please let us know what you found! The entry fee for this excursion is only 50 pesos (less than $1 US dollar).
Check out our travel guide for Puerto Iguazú to complete your Argentinian adventure!
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Read more for day trips in El Calafate and the best hidden gems in Argentina
Visit the Print Shop below for more photos of <a href="https://fineartamerica.com/art/perito+moreno+glacier">perito moreno glacier art</a>