Calafate Balcony

From El Calafate, in just a few minutes, we will begin the ascent to the Huyliche range, the tour begins walking along the slopes of the Cañadon del Arroyo Calafate, from where we can see the native fauna: guanacos, foxes, hares, loicas, bandurrias, caranchos and hawks among other species. We will continue along the winding uphill path surrounded by erratic blocks, witnesses of the power of glacier erosion until we reach the First Balcony, the scene of the Cenozoic Era, dated at 65 million years old, on the bed of an ancient sea that is exposed in the form of fossils, sediment and pieces of fossilized vegetation. After descending from the vehicles for a few minutes, we will continue up to 1100 meters above sea level, the upper Balcones, a panoramic viewpoint of the Andes Mountains, the Patagonian Continental Ice and all the arms of Lake Argentino, surrounded by curious rock formations. On clear days you can see from Mount Stokes to Mount Fitz Roy and Mount Torre in El Chalten, as well as the Patagonian Continental Ice on the Cordillera. If the valley is cloudy, we will be able to see the Cordillera above the clouds -which are normally located at 700 meters- about 400 meters below our position. In addition to the unforgettable views of Lake Argentino, Brazo Rico, the Devil's Throat and the Cordillera, the location of Los Balcones above the condor nests makes it an ideal place to appreciate the majestic flight of the Andean Condor, the largest bird in Continental Patagonia. The descent in 4x4 will be done by the southern slope of the hill, where we will stop for a walk to the Labyrinth of the Stones, a curious rock formation product of wind erosion over thousands of years, where we will find marine fossils, various rocks and particular stones and fantastic caves product of erosion, fantastic site for unforgettable photographs. *In times of thaw or heavy rains, this stop does not take place. Continuing the descent we will arrive at Estancia Huyliche, a historic cattle ranch that dates back to the 1920's, the time of the historic events known as the Patagonia Rebelde. Then, in the oldest house of the Estancia we will serve lunch, snack or dinner according to the reserved schedule. ** The Cerro Huyliche 4x4 excursion has 3 options for the descent: 4x4, Tyrolese or Trekking. If you travel with your family or friends and choose different options, you will share the ascent to the mountain in 4x4 and the time in the Estancia Huyliche. ** The tour lasts between 3.5 and 4 hours depending on the number of participants. In the winter season, when part of the 4x4 tour becomes inaccessible due to the large amount of accumulated snow (or mud in the thaw season), the ascent is made up to about 800 meters to reach the "East" balcony from which you can appreciate the magnificent panoramic views of El Calafate, Lago Argentino and the Andes Mountains.