Sarmiento petrified forest Jan 21 - 22, 2010

Buses are not as often as in Colombia, to get West 200 KM to a bus at 4:30 PM Jan 24 (on RT 40) we have to take a bus an evening before and stay in Rio Mayo over night (a town of a few hundred). On RT 40 we will visit Cave de los Manos, 9,000 year old cave paintings near Perito Moreno. Then on 1/24 we go RT 40 (gravel road) from Perito Moreno and the caves to El Chalten. There will be a mechnic on the bus - just in case. This route is only open during Summer. Looking forward to this famous ride on RT 40.
Will stay 6 nights in El Chalten (Hotel - Hostels are full or have n private room), hiking to be done there. After that to El cafatel for 3 night reserved hotel again and two trips to the Glaciers and lakes in that region. Then on Feb 1 plane to Bariloche where we plan to stay at least 6 days then Mendoza with a stop in between for 1 - 2 days.


Puerto Madryn trip to Cdr. Rivadavia was 7 hrs in very good bus, from Cdr. ivadavia to Sarmento a 2 hr bus ride the taxi to our B&B. Arrived at 8:00PM and had a great dinnerwith host. We have bed and iving room here and a great bed, Seija is HAPPY! Today we toke a trip with private guide and driver to the Petrified Forest. Beautiful sight and amazing to see 65 million year old tree stumps and partial trees laying. Rested and walked farm (our BB).
Our Place in Sarmiento.

Sarmiento

This is on the way to the West coast 6-7 hours from Puerto Madryn by bus, and we wanted to see the petrified forest, the B&B gives guided tours.

Our place to stay for two night - reservations made.

Chacra Labrador - Hosteria B & B Click HERE for Link
 http://www.hosterialabrador.com.ar/

The Petrified Forest...
30 kilometers south from town lies the Petrified Forest of Sarmiento. This imposing natural reserve's scenery produces many sensations to the observer, notably the feeling of being standing there motionless, facing the remot past.
95 million years ago, Patagonia was inhabited by great dinosaurs. and a lush vegetation covered the land as a result of its warm climate. 30 million years later, the ocean flooded this region and contributed many marine species to the Patagonian floor. Afterwards, clouds of silicon-rich volcanic ash fell heavily on the waters, which over a long period penetrated the vegetal tissues of the submerged forest, substituting silicon particles for their organic carbon. Now millions of tons of petrified  wood lie on the hills, covered in lava, eloquently bearing witness to the past.
A short distance away from this wonder lies the "Moon Valley". Its barren, gray hills, and the greenish, yellow and ochre sediments on bluffs and slopes make up a severe (but very attractive) landscape to watch.