Eons before the last Ice Age began, before Perito Moreno Glacier formed, even before the Andes rose from the bowels of the earth, the Patagonian steppe around the lake was a much warmer land. Dinosaurs roamed the forests of immense trees covering these environs 65 - 90 million years ago. Their fossilized remains, some encased in hardened volcanic ash and others in what was once river mud, scatter the landscape. Visitors travel along Lago Viedma’s south shore to the foot of Cerro Los Hornos, and then embark on a three-hour hike to the Bosque Pertificado La Leona to see the fossils.

Getting There

One way to get to Bosque Pertificado La Leona is on a tour with Morresi Viajes (Avenida del Libertador 1341, oficina 14-15, Tel.: 49-2075, E-mail: morresi@cotecal.com.ar)($70 per person, minimum 2, includes snack, transportation and English / Spanish-speaking guide.

Location:
100 kilometers (61 miles) north of El Calafate
El Calafate, Argentina

Other Activity

Travel Tips: The new owner of the property, Hotel de Campaña La Leona, also does fishing and horseback riding excursions.

Relative price: Budget

Travel Skills: None

Head into Parque Nacional Los Glaciares to boat to and trek Glaciar Perito Moreno and the other glaciers, fish at Lago Roca. Go out to the estancias to enjoy an asado del palo and go horseback riding. Explore the ancient indigenous history of the region at Cuevas del Waliche. In town, visit the museums or birdwatch at Reserva Laguna Nímez.

Contact Information:
E-mail: bosquelaleona(at)remove-this.cotecal.com.ar / infolaleona(at)remove-this.hotmail.com
URL: www.losglaciares.com/bosquepetrificado

By Lorraine Caputo

Upon re-declaring her independence at age 29, Lorraine Caputo packed her trusty Rocinante (so her knapsack's called) and began traipsing throughout...

Created: 13 Jul 2009

Updated: 27 Aug 2009

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