A Panoramic View of a Great Small City

Leaving civilization behind, we got on a 4WD vehicle that led us uphill along a winding road. It was nap time and the city of glaciers was silent and quiet. It was the perfect moment to go on a tour.

We traveled isolated roads along which motorized vehicles are rarely seen. We headed for Balcón del Calafate (Calafate Balcony), known as the viewpoint par excellence, which features a memorable sight.

Slowly but steadily, we moved westwards. The driver activated the double drive to go up a spectacular slope, former glacier and sea bed. We approached the top of Mount Huyliche.

As we moved along, we were dazzled by the view and traits such as the presence of rocks scattered all around the area. "These are erratic blocks and sedimentary formations which date back to over 80 million years ago." The distance back in time is astonishing.

The vehicle kept moving. The sight became more and more amazing. We managed to grasp the true size of Lake Argentino and its corresponding northern and southern arms. As the Patagonian wind combed the steppe, we felt the need to stop and walk along that uneasy ground, where the tide of thorny pastures flows towards one side.

We did not take long to reach our destination. The gusts of wind did not prevent us from getting out of the vehicle. It was impossible not to do so, considering the view outside.

The vastness before us boasted the source of the Perito Moreno Glacier and the pointy peaks of Mounts Chaltén and Torre. On the right, we could see the Santa Cruz River flow. After crossing over 300 kilometers, it ends in the Atlantic Ocean. Below, the quiet City of El Calafate seemed tiny.

An unexpected visitor came to us, flying around us with spread out wings. It boldly crossed the empty sky and gave us a few minutes of its admirable company. Then it left.

We were forced to go back to the truck. The wind, ruler of these lands, was blowing harder and harder. On the way back, we felt as amused as the first time we had crossed this terrain. Or maybe more, as the 30-degree slope made us feel vertigo on the way downhill.

It was natural that once on solid ground we should feel more comfortable than on board the truck downhill. We had a rest from the wind, savoring some tasty mates and chatted about the experience we had just shared. We had certainly caught a new glimpse of El Calafate, that petite city that is no small at all.