A wetland reserve at the edge of town, where flamingos feed in shallow lagoons against the backdrop of Lago Argentino.
The Reserva Laguna Nimez protects a patch of wet meadow and shallow lagoons on the shore of Lago Argentino, a short walk from El Calafate's main street.
A signed loop trail circles two lagoons, with hides and boardwalks along the way, and long views over the lake to the mountains.
The star birds are the pink Chilean flamingos, joined by black-necked and coscoroba swans, upland geese, ibises, grebes and ducks. Hawks and caracaras hunt over the grass.
Come when the reserve opens: the light is soft, the wind usually lighter, and the birds are closest to the path before the day's visitors arrive.
Easy, flat and best taken slowly.
Head north from Avenida del Libertador through the residential streets to the reserve gate.
Pay the entry, pick up a map and ask which birds have been seen lately.
Look for the flamingos feeding head-down in the shallows, and swans further out.
The trail runs along the edge of Lago Argentino, with the Andes across the water.
Complete the loop and walk back for breakfast in town before the day's excursions.
_pair_with_cygnets_Laguna_Nimez.jpg?width=960)
About 20 minutes on foot from the main street, or a short taxi ride.
Opening hours change with the season; check in town or at the gate the day before.
The wind picks up through the day; mornings and evenings are calmer.
Calafate & Chaltén practical notes →Photographs from Wikimedia Commons and Pexels under their licences.
_pair_with_cygnets_Laguna_Nimez.jpg){kind=link}
