Exploring Hands Cave and Pinturas River Canyon

The Pinturas River Canyon and Hands Cave are situated in Patagonia in Argentina’s Santa Cruz province. These places are housed within the Francisco P. Moreno National Park and are located some 163 km south of the major town of Perito Moreno.

The Hands Cave or locally known as Cueva de las Manos and the Pinturas or Rio Pinturas were declared as UNESCO world heritage sited in 1999. The main reason for such an honor was attributed to the fact that the area signified the testimonies of pre-historic hunters, who occupied the place some 10,000 years ago.

The main cave is around 24 meters in depth and the entrance is some 15 meters wide and 10 meters in height. The caves have stenciled outlines of human hands and the total number of such outlines stands at more than 890. Besides, there are hunting scenes depicted along with pictures of the common animals of the region like pumas and guanacos.

The hands on the caves show positive as well as negative forms of signs and the colors also vary from violet to red to back and yellow, besides other colors as well. In 1972, the carbon 14 method was used to determine the age of the paintings and it was estimated to have been inscribed in 7,350 years B.C

The area has a vast history as well. The place was sacred for the Tehuelches, who resided in Patagonia prior to the 17th century. However, the arrival of the Europeans changed things and the tribe was completely destroyed. However, they have left a legacy behind, which can never be and probably will never be wiped off.

Let’s go through some of the questions which may be on your mind.

How do I reach the Hands Cave and Pinturas River Canyon?

You first need to enter the country via Buenos Aires International Airport. Once in the country, you can fly to the town of Perito Moreno.

You can then hire a cab to travel to the spot of the cave and river. You need to travel southwards on the Route 40 until you reach Prov. Route 97, from where the site is under 50 kms.

Another way to reach the place is to book an excursion via the local tour operators.

Where do I stay during my Hands Cave and Pinturas River Canyon adventure?

The town of Perito Moreno, which is in close proximity to the site, has various accommodation facilities in its vicinity. Some of the more popular landmarks are La Serena, Suyai, Telken, Menelik, Los Toldos, Lagos del Furioso, Lagos del Furioso, Belgranoa and Americano.

When is the best time to visit the Hands Cave and Pinturas River Canyon?

The best time to pay a visit to the place is during the spring season from September to November. The climate of Argentina tends to get out of control with the rise in humidity; on the contrary, the winters also tend to be very chilly. Hence, the period of spring is ideal for a visit as you can avoid the humidity as well as the freezing temperatures.

In conclusion, you need to visit the Hands Cave and Pinturas River. The places are full of history and there is so much to explore. I can guarantee you history lovers will be very busy exploring the place. So, what are you waiting for, just go ahead and start planning a trip to this wonderful place.