The Mylodon Cave Hike

This cave complex is one of the most ancient and most significant paleontological and archaeological sites in Southern Patagonia. On this site, in 1895, a team led by Captain Eberhard found a very well preserved piece of skin, bones, fur and excrement for a huge, prehistoric ground dwelling sloth, which they named the Mylodon. Evidence of human presence has been found here dating back 12,000 years to the time of the Mylodon. It is believed these early settlers hunted the oversized herbivorous sloth by trapping them in the cave you will enter. The surrounding hills and cave formations have become a paleontological treasure. Scientists who worked with National Geographic marked over 14 sites of interest including cave paintings, remains of animals and stone tools. The hike starts at the first cave, where we start to delve into this major archaeological discovery; you may then head to the middle cave, and finish in the main cave, which astounds with its dimensions: two hundred meters deep, eighty meters wide at the mouth, and thirty meters high (650 by 260 by 100 ft). The actual Mylodon found here in 1895 is on exhibition today at the London Museum of Natural History.

NOTE: This excursion is offered as part of Quasar's Patagonia Safari programs and cannot be booked independently. If you are booked on one of our trips, please refer to your detailed trip itinerary and to your Guide to Excursions document for details.