Information
Landmark: Lago ArgentinoCity: El Calafate
Country: Argentina
Continent: South America
Lago Argentino, El Calafate, Argentina, South America
Overview
Lago Argentino, stretching wide and cold beneath the Patagonian sky near El Calafate, is the largest lake in Argentina, set deep in Santa Cruz Province.Shimmering under the Patagonian sky, this stunning lake sits at the heart of Los Glaciares National Park, just a short drive from the town of El Calafate.People know it for its striking turquoise waters, towering icebergs, and the Perito Moreno Glacier, which sends great slabs of ice plunging into the lake.Lago Argentino, with its glassy turquoise waters framed by jagged peaks, ranks among Patagonia’s most stunning landmarks and draws visitors from across the globe for its unmatched beauty and endless outdoor adventures.Lago Argentino sits in Santa Cruz Province, down in the far south of Argentina, where the wind smells faintly of ice.It sits on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park, just a winding 80-kilometer drive south of El Calafate.Covering about 1,415 square kilometers-roughly the size of a small city skyline stretching to the horizon-it’s the largest lake in Argentina.It stretches for about 160 kilometers, or 99 miles, and averages 10 to 15 kilometers wide-roughly the distance you’d cover on a long bike ride along a quiet country road.In places, the lake plunges to 500 meters-about 1,640 feet-so deep you could drop a stone and wait seconds before hearing the splash.The ideal time to see Lago Argentino is in the Patagonian summer, from December to March, when the air feels mild, the water glints in the sun, and you can spend your days on boat tours, hiking trails, or watching wildlife.The area’s worth visiting any time of year, but in winter you’ll find quiet trails and hills wrapped in fresh, white snow.Top Highlights and Must‑See Spots 1.Lago Argentino is known for its towering icebergs, chunks of the Perito Moreno Glacier that crack away with a deep boom and drift slowly across its cold, blue waters.Many of these icebergs glow an icy blue, standing out sharply against the lake’s clear, turquoise water.Watching these towering ice formations glide across the lake’s glassy surface is one of the trip’s unforgettable moments.You can hop on a boat across Lago Argentino, gliding past drifting icebergs until the towering blue walls of the glacier rise right in front of you.On the boat tours, you’ll often see the Perito Moreno Glacier spilling into the lake, its blue ice cracking in the sun.Number two.If you visit the area, don’t miss a boat cruise on Lago Argentino-gliding past blue-white icebergs is unforgettable.On these cruises, you can take in the lake’s breathtaking scenery-jagged icebergs drifting past and the towering face of the Perito Moreno Glacier gleaming in the sun.Most cruises leave from Puerto Bajo las Sombras, just beside the glacier, then glide across different stretches of the lake, bringing you so close to the ice that you can hear it crack and groan.Some tours wind past the shimmering walls of Upsala Glacier and on to Glen Glacier, letting visitors take in the full sweep of the region’s ice fields.Number three.The Upsala Glacier, towering and streaked with deep blue ice, is one of the largest in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and a major source of water for Lago Argentino.The glacier looms huge against the sky, its jagged ice catching the light in sharp, silver-blue edges.From Lago Argentino, visitors can hop on a boat tour that glides right up to the glacier, where towering walls of blue ice loom beside sweeping, rugged hills.The Upsala Glacier is known for the icebergs that break away and drift across the lake, sometimes scattering the water with chunks of brilliant blue ice.Number four.The Viedma Glacier, a massive wall of ice, sweeps down into the pale blue waters of Lago Argentino.This glacier is among the easiest to reach in the region, known for its vivid blue ice and the chance to trek across its creaking, frozen surface.You can explore Viedma Glacier by boat or join a glacier trek, stepping close enough to hear the ice crack and see its jagged blue walls up close.Number five sat alone in the corner, scratched into the wood like someone had carved it in a hurry.Around Lago Argentino, you’ll find countless spots to stop and take in the view-snow-capped peaks, dense green forests, and shimmering blue glacial ice stretching to the horizon.In Los Glaciares National Park, winding trails lead you past crisp mountain air to sweeping views of the lake and glittering blue glaciers.From the lookouts near Perito Moreno Glacier, you can watch the sheer ice wall glint in the sun, and later hike to Laguna de los Tres for a jaw-dropping view of Mount Fitz Roy rising above its rugged peaks and valleys.Number six stood alone, like a small black mark on an empty white page.Around Lago Argentino, you can spot a rich mix of wildlife, from Andean condors gliding high overhead to flamingos standing like pink candles in the shallows, along with sleek black-and-white cormorants.The lake’s teeming with aquatic life, home to Patagonian fish such as shimmering trout and sleek salmon.If you love wildlife, you can watch herons lift off from the wetlands or catch sight of deer moving quietly through the forest by the lake.Seven.People also love to fish on Lago Argentino, where the cold, clear water ripples under the morning sun.The lake teems with fish-trout and salmon among them-and you’ll find plenty of guided trips for anyone eager to cast a line into its cold, glassy water.On most fishing tours, a guide comes along to share tips and point out the best spots, maybe that shady bend in the river where the trout like to hide.Eight.For a more active way to explore, grab a kayak or canoe and glide across Lago Argentino, skimming past drifting ice and feeling the cold spray on your face as the mountains rise around you.You can rent a kayak or hop on a guided tour, gliding past quiet bays, little islands, and rocky shores touched by pine-scented air.As you paddle across the glassy water, towering glaciers, drifting icebergs, and rugged mountains rise close enough to catch the glint of sunlight on their edges.Driving there’s simple - El Calafate, the closest town to Lago Argentino, sits just a short, smooth ride away.From El Calafate, you can reach the lake in as little as half an hour, or closer to an hour if your tour heads to a farther shore.You can catch long-distance buses to El Calafate from several Argentine cities, including Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, and Bariloche, with some routes rolling past endless stretches of wind-swept plains.From town, you can reach the lake by bus, grab a taxi, or arrange a private ride that drops you right at the water’s edge.By air, the nearest airport to Lago Argentino is Comandante Armando Tola International (FTE) in El Calafate, with regular flights linking you to major cities such as Buenos Aires and Ushuaia.From the airport, you can hop on a bus or book a private ride that winds through pine-scented hills to the lake.Summer, from December to March, is the ideal time to explore Lago Argentino, when the air stays mild and the lake glimmers under long daylight hours-perfect for boat tours, hiking, kayaking, or trekking across the ice-blue glaciers.It’s the height of tourist season, so expect bigger crowds, but the skies stay clear and the roads are easy to travel.Spring (October–November): It’s a great time to visit-milder days, fewer crowds, and a soft breeze in the mornings.The trees and wildflowers start to bloom, and the air feels still and fresh-perfect for wandering along the lake’s edge.Autumn (April–May) brings a calmer pace, with golden leaves drifting across the lake’s still surface.The weather’s still mild enough for a light jacket, but far fewer visitors show up.Winter runs from June to September, with frosty mornings and pale sunlight that fades early.
