January 8, 2023

El Calafate, Argentina

This morning we left Polaris at Ushuaia, Argentina and flew to El Calafate, Argentina. This was about a 1 1/2 hour flight. We took a bus ride for a quick tour through the city and then went to our hotel, Xelena Hotel & Suites, for lunch. After everyone got situated, we took the bus out of town and met up with two large 4x4 busses, which accommodated our group of 36. The 4X4 busses took us on a tour of the Estancia (cattle ranch) Alice which surrounds the Frias Hill, a structure bigger than a hill but smaller than a mountain.

Ushuaia to El Calafate

We flew from Ushuaia at the bottom of the map to El Calafate near the top of the map.

El Calafate, Argentina

The entrance into the city of El Calafate.

4x4 Bus

We started at the base of the Frias hill and proceeded up, down and around a very rugged unpaved road to the scenic overlook.

Scenic Overlook

To the west, Lake Argentino, the Andes Mountains, and Perito Moreno Glacier.

Scenic Overlook

Looking north across Lake Argentino. The lake is so blue because it is glacier fed.

Scenic Overlook

Looking northwest across Lake Argentino towards the Andes.

Scenic Overlook

Looking south towards El Calafate and the end of Lake Argentino.

Selfie!

It was VERY windy at the scenic overlook.

The two 4x4 busses.

The cabin was hinged to make turning easier. These vehicles are custom made by the ranch for tours.

Scenic Overlook

Looking north over Lake Aregentino.

Scenic Overlook

Looking northwest over Lake Argentino towards the Andes.

Scenic Overlook

Looking northwest towards the Andes Mountians.

Yellow flowers

We saw these small yellow flowers everywhere.

Scenic Overlook

Jim checking out the rocks hoping to find something interesting.

Scenic Overlook

Looking southwest towards the Andes and the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.

Scenic Overlook

Looking southwest towards the Andes and the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.

Scenic Overlook

We headed down a very steep, twisty, unpaved road to the valley where the ranch house is located.

Estancia Alice

Views around the ranch house and restaurant.

Estancia Alice

The horses are free to come and go from the barn whenever they want and roam free over the ranch land.

Estancia Alice

Looking west towards Chile.

Estancia Alice

A Selfie.

Estancia Alice

The horses are standing behind Calafate bushes, which produce Calafate berries. These berries look similar to blueberries but are unique to Patagonia. The berries are used for jellies, jams and candies and also the Calafate Sour, a refreshing cocktail. It is said that if you eat a Calafate berry that you are destined to return to Patagonia.

Estancia Alice

Looking towards the Andes and Chile.

Kitesurfing

When we got back to our room, we could watch kitesurfing in the lagoon. Since this is a glacier fed lake, everyone appeared to be wearing wet suits.

Kitesurfing

It was very windy and they were going very fast.