Founded in 1927 as a frontier town, El Calafate is the base for all excursions to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Glaciers National Park), which was created in 1937.

Getting here may seem like a daunting task, but the experience of seeing the glaciers more than compensates for any difficulties you may encounter. Every year airlines and tour companies are making it easier. From Río Gallegos, the trip can take up to six hours by land across desolate plains filled with more sheep than you can count in a lifetime of sleepless nights. But the journey is occasionally enlivened by the sight of ñanú (rheas), llama-like guanacos, silver gray foxes, and fleet footed hares the size of small deer.