Hands Cave
and Pinturas River Canyon..
An amazing display of cave art in Patagonia

Hands Cave and Pinturas river canyon is located in Patagonia, Argentina - Santa Cruz province - 163 km. south of the town Perito Moreno, within the boundaries of Francisco P. Moreno National Park.

The main cave measures 24 meters in depth, with an entrance 15 meters wide and initially 10 meters high.

Its named after the stencilled outline of human hands in the cave (more than 890 of them), combined with hunting scenes and pictures of animals such as guanacos and pumas, still common in the region.

The hands occur as both positive and negative form, in varied colors: from red, violet, white, black and yellow, to orange, ochre and green.

Argentina Travel: Patagonia, Hands Cave at Pinturas River canyon

Hand Cave at Pinturas River Canyon - © Secretariat of Tourism Buenos Aires

Have You Been to the Hands Cave?..Recommend a must-see Argentina tourist attraction

The Hands cave (Cueva de las Manos) and Pinturas river (rio Pinturas) was declared World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999, not only for its artistic magnificence but as one of the main testimonies of prehistoric hunters that occupied the area 10.000 years ago.

It was a sacred sited for the Tehuelches, who inhabited Patagonia before the arrival of European settlers in 17th. century.

They were exterminated, but they have left a legacy for the humanity's patrimony...

Argentina Travel: Patagonia, Cave Art at Hands Cave

Cave Art at Hands Cave- © Secretariat of Tourism Buenos Aires

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How to Get There

To reach Hands Cave and Pinturas river canyon you can travel to the town of Perito Moreno through a regional flight from El Calafate or Rio Gallegos, if you happen to be in Patagonia exploring Glaciers National Park or on your way to Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia.

For more info on airlines and airports, please visit Argentina airports.

By car: Heading south from the town of Perito Moreno on the legendary Route 40, drive 118 km. until you reach Prov. Route 97. Turn left at the intersection and follow it for 46 km.
Alternatively, you can book an excursion through local tour operators.

Where to Stay

Perito Moreno has many options for you to choose, in town as well in the surrounding area...

Lodging at Estancias:

La Serena
Route 43, 20 Km. from P. Moreno - Mobile: 0297-15-6250750
Lagos del Furioso
228 km from P. Moreno - Phone/Fax: 49-0253 / (011) 4812-0959
Los Toldos
Route 40, 60 km.from P. Moreno - Phone: 011-4901-0436
Menelik
200 km. from P. Moreno - Phone: (011) 5371-5555
Telken
Route 40, 25 Km from P. Moreno - Mobile: 011-4797-7214 Phone/Fax: 43-2079
Suyai
220 km. from P. Moreno - Phone: (0297) 448-0225