Within a few Kilometers of leaving Río Mayo we enter the province of Santa Cruz.The road is well marked, but the 125 km stretch is unpaved for 112 km and lacks services.
The trip continues to pass through the steppes. This region was harshly punished by the rain of volcanic ash from the Hudson Volcano in 1991.
Perito Moreno has approximately 3000 inhabitants. The Indians called this place Pari Aike, which is the name of a plant native to the area. The first European to know this place was Munsters, one of the prolific explorers that traveled throughout Patagonia. In 1981 it was
declared the archeological capital of Santa Cruz, because in its surroundings lie the famous Cueva de las Manos (Cave of the Hands) with pre-historical paintings. Due to its microclimate, some small farms cultivate strawberries.
This is a good place to use as a base to visit the beautiful locality of Los Antiguos, Lake Buenos Aires and the Cueva de los Manos, in the Cañon of the Pinturas River. It is also a good place to rest before continuing on the road towards the National Park Perito Moreno.