Laguna San Rafael

With a total surface area of 170 km2, this lagoon belongs to Laguna San Rafael National Park, declared Natural World Patrimony of the Biosphere by the UNESCO in 1979. The 1,742,000 hectare park encompasses the entirety of Northern Ice Fields (440,000 hectares), home of several snowfields, including San Quintín, San Valentín, Leones and San Rafael.

The latter, with a total length of 45 km and an advance front 3 to 4 km wide and 50 to 70 meter high. It flows into the lagoon bearing the same name, where a pier has been put into working order for minor vessels and which allows access to a trail through which the base of the snowfield and several intermediate lookups can be reached.

San Rafael glacier base melting causes the noisy detachment of huge ice blocks falling into the sea, which float over lagoon waters. Amid this scenery, tourists can get closer by means of motor boats and sail through the white mantle of floating ices to enjoy the traditional whiskey on the rocks with eternal ice.

Weather is humid with intense rains in the coastal area, reaching 3,500 mm per year. Rain and snow can be expected in high areas, reaching 5,000 mm per year. Annual average temperature is 5ºC.

Laguna San Rafael National Park

Laguna San Rafael National Park has an inexhaustible source of water for the numerous rivers, streams and estuaries having their origin within its limits. The initial source of all rivers formed inside the park is a snowfield and they usually have a lake or lagoon along its course.

Its lands own the virtues of a native ecosystem that shelters a rich range of birds, both sea and land birds, like black browed albatross, huala duck, black necked swan, and cormorant, among many others. Visitors can also enjoy watching toninas, sea wolves, chungungos and sea lions.

This fabulous park is located on the highest summit of the Southern Andes, San Valentín Mount, which is 4,058 meters high and has attractive trekking trails and camping areas. Other popular activities are boat tours, climbing and flora and fauna watching.