Parque Nacional Perito Moreno

Introducing Parque Nacional Perito Moreno

Wild and windblown, Parque Nacional Perito Moreno is an adventurer’s dream. Approaching from the steppe, the massive snowcapped peaks of the Sierra Colorada rise like sentinels. Guanacos graze the tufted grasses, condors circle above and wind blurs the surfaces of Technicolor aquamarine and cobalt lakes. If you come here you will be among 1200 yearly visitors – that is, mostly alone. Solitude reigns and, save for services offered by local estancias, you are entirely on your own.

Honoring the park system’s founder, this remote but increasingly popular park encompasses 1150 sq km, 310km southwest of the town of Perito Moreno. Don’t confuse this gem with Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (home to the Perito Moreno glacier) further south.

The sedimentary Sierra Colorada has a painter’s palette of rusty hues. Beyond the park boundary, glacier-topped summits such as 3706m Cerro San Lorenzo (the highest peak in the area) tower over the landscape. The highest peak within the park is Cerro Mié (2254m).

Besides guanacos, the park is also home to pumas, foxes, wildcats, chinchillas and huemul (Andean deer). The abundant bird population includes condors, rheas, flamingos, black-necked swans, cauquén (upland geese) and caranchos (crested cara caras). Predecessors of the Tehuelche left evidence of their presence with rock paintings in caves at Lago Burmeister.

As precipitation increases toward the west, the Patagonian steppe grasslands along the park’s eastern border become sub-Antarctic forests of southern beech, lenga and coihue. Because the base altitude exceeds 900m, weather can be severe. Summer is usually comfortable, but warm clothing and proper gear are imperative in any season. The water is pure but you must bring all food and supplies.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009