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.
Let's visit Hands cave and Pinturas river canyon through this short video...
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...
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.
From Buenos Aires instead, you can plan the flight at your convenience.
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.
Perito Moreno has many option for you to choose from, in town as well in the surroundings...
Lodging at Estancias:
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