Perito Moreno lies at the junction of routes RP 43, RP 41 and RN 40. Visitors who choose the town as a starting point for a trip will find nature and cultural experiences here: from Laguna de los Cisnes to archaeological exhibits and historic buildings. Destinations in the wider Lago Buenos Aires Department travel region also offer their own highlights, especially hiking trails and landscapes.

Laguna de los Cisnes and the Municipal Campground

Laguna de los Cisnes is a protected natural area and is ideal for birdwatching. A lit path runs along the lagoon; information boards explain its history and natural features. The lagoon is also designated as urban cultural heritage. Nature watching and local history thus come together at a place with a name.

The Municipal Campground is located on the shore of Laguna de los Cisnes. It is open year-round and has a 24-hour reception. Since operating details can change, it is advisable to check them again before traveling.

Archaeology and culture in town

The Museo de Arqueología Carlos Gradin is part of Perito Moreno's museum complex. Its exhibitions focus on archaeology and regional cultural heritage; archaeological materials dating back as far as 9,300 years are on display. A play-based educational area for children complements the exhibits.

The Salón Iturrioz is a building dating from the 1920s. Asociación Identidad restored it in 2006 and put it to a new use. Today, it is designated as local urban cultural heritage and as a provincial historic monument. The building preserves furnishings from former general stores and objects donated by residents. It also has a café, souvenirs, regional products, temporary exhibitions and a varied cultural program; individual offerings may change.

The Paseo Histórico passes by emblematic places in Perito Moreno. These include the Parroquia María Inmaculada Reina de las Victorias, considered an emblematic stop on this historic walk. The walk and the Salón Iturrioz offer different ways to explore the town's history: one follows a route past notable places, while the other is a historic building with preserved objects and cultural offerings.

Cueva de las Manos south of Perito Moreno

Nearby is Cueva de las Manos, south of Perito Moreno, the town that administers it. It was declared a National Historic Monument in 1993 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. In the wider Lago Buenos Aires Department travel region, a 1.5-kilometer footpath leads from the cave to rock overhangs, cliffs and a cave containing rock art. The images include hunting scenes, hand stencils, animal depictions and abstract figures made with mineral pigments by hunter-gatherers more than 9,000 years ago.

Nature trails in the wider Lago Buenos Aires Department travel region

In the Reserva Natural Silvestre La Ascensión, an extensive network of trekking trails runs from the shores of Lago Buenos Aires to the Meseta del Lago Buenos Aires. The trails cross coirón grasslands, wetlands, scrub and rocky slopes; viewpoints, shelters and campsites are scattered along the way through the Patagonian steppe. The Sendero Cerro Negro passes over rocks polished during the Ice Age and leads to a summit at 575 meters above sea level. From there, panoramic views extend across the protected area and the lake.

The Sendero Cerro de la Calle offers a different highlight: it runs past rock walls of Cenozoic teschenite from the Los Antiguos Formation and offers panoramic views. The trail is also a nesting site for condors and eagles. For waterbird watching, the Sendero Laguna COA is a good choice, where visitors can observe various species that live in the area. There are two campgrounds in the La Ascensión sector; check their current conditions before traveling.

The former Estancia La Ascensión

The history of livestock farming is also part of what the wider Lago Buenos Aires Department travel region has to offer. The former Estancia La Ascensión was established in 1912 and was a sheep farm producing wool and meat. Hundreds of farmworkers lived there, immersed in the rural culture and folk traditions of southern Patagonia. The historic route passes buildings with original facades, the shearing shed, corrals, agricultural machinery and the Matera. The walk brings the history of the place to life; the estate can be visited as part of exploring the region's livestock-farming history.

For the wider travel overview: Lago Buenos Aires Department.