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Key Info for Visitors
- Currency: ARS
- Languages: Spanish, English (widely spoken by tourists and in the service industry)
- Climate: Cold semi-arid
- Timezone: America/Argentina/ComodRivadavia
- Population: Approximately 22,000 residents
- Best Time to Visit: best time to visit is November to March for milder weather.
- Visa Requirements Visitors from many countries, including the US, EU, and UK, can enter Argentina visa-free for tourism stays up to 90 days. Some nationalities may require an e-visa or visa on arrival. It is recommended to check current requirements before travel as they can vary. A valid passport and proof of onward travel are generally required.
About El Calafate
El Calafate is a charming town located in the Patagonian region of Argentina, serving as the gateway to the stunning Los Glaciares National Park. It is most famous for its proximity to the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few glaciers worldwide that is still advancing. The town’s unique appeal lies in its blend of breathtaking natural landscapes, including vast steppe, crystal-clear lakes, and towering glaciers, making it a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Visitors are drawn to El Calafate for its outdoor activities such as glacier trekking, boat tours, and wildlife watching. The town itself offers a cozy atmosphere with a range of accommodations, restaurants, and shops catering to tourists. El Calafate’s location in Patagonia means it experiences cool, often windy weather, adding to its rugged charm. Its accessibility combined with spectacular scenery makes it a must-visit destination for those exploring southern Argentina.
Top Attractions
1. Perito Moreno Glacier – A massive, advancing glacier with accessible viewing platforms and boat tours that offer close-up views of the ice. 2. Los Glaciares National Park – A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring diverse landscapes, hiking trails, and abundant wildlife. 3. Laguna Nimez Reserve – A birdwatcher’s haven near town, home to flamingos and other native species. 4. Glaciarium Museum – An interactive museum dedicated to glaciers and Patagonian ice fields, providing educational exhibits and a glacier bar. 5. Lago Argentino – The largest lake in Argentina, offering scenic boat trips and stunning views of surrounding mountains and glaciers.
Popular Activities
Visitors can enjoy glacier trekking on Perito Moreno, boat excursions on Lago Argentino to see icebergs and glaciers, horseback riding through Patagonian steppe, hiking in Los Glaciares National Park, and birdwatching at Laguna Nimez. Cultural experiences include visiting local artisan markets and tasting traditional Patagonian cuisine. Adventure options also include kayaking, fishing, and mountain biking.
El Calafate Tours & Experiences
- Top Attractions: Highlights of Patagonia
- Duration Range: Visitors can enjoy glacier trekking on Perito Moreno, boat excursions on Lago Argentino to see icebergs and glaciers, horseback riding through Patagonian steppe, hiking in Los Glaciares National Park, and birdwatching at Laguna Nimez. Cultural experiences include visiting local artisan markets and tasting traditional Patagonian cuisine. Adventure options also include kayaking, fishing, and mountain biking.
- Group Size: Private or shared tours
- Difficulty Level: All Comfort Levels
- Recommended For: The best time to visit is November to March for milder weather. Pack layers, waterproof clothing, and sturdy shoes due to variable weather and outdoor activities. Respect local customs and be prepared for strong winds. Carry cash in Argentine pesos for small purchases, though cards are widely accepted. Stay hydrated and protect yourself from sun exposure at high altitudes. Booking tours and accommodations in advance is recommended during peak season.
Average Tour Price: $95
Lowest Price Tour: $50
Highest Price Tour: $200
244 Available Tour Excursions in El Calafate
An experience on horseback through the Estancia 25 de Mayo Nature Reserve where we can feel the immensity of Patagonia, discovering ravines, streams and stories of the southern gauchos enjoying a country lunch in the Cueva del Arroyo. On the way we will cross streams and geological formations that show us the passage of millions of years.
Price: $180.00
Duration: 4 hours
I am Alexis, I live in Patagonia for 20 years, I invite you to discover the magic of this unique land, its glaciers and more.
Price: $28.00
Duration: 0 hours
Visit the Moreno Glacier walkways in Los Glaciares National Park with a local driver, learning about the culture and customs of our people.
Price: $140.00
Duration: 7 hours
We are a family business dedicated to passenger transport. Speed and good attention are our pillars. We wait for you.
Price: $28.00
Duration: 0-0 hours
From the beginning, the trip holds pleasant surprises. Leaving the town, to the right we can see Lake Argentino with its Redonda Bay. In it you can see an important variety of birds, highlighting the black-necked swan, flamingo, steam duck, coot, up-land goose. When we get to the Park we will have a panoramic view of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Brief stop to take pictures and continue to Puerto Bajo las Sombras. Here you will board the boat for the Navigation through the southern arm of the Canal de los Témpanos to have different views of the wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier. (Duration: 1 hour) Back at the Port, we go to the Footbridges where we will have a service sector for visitors and a system of balconies and footbridges that allow walks through different routes and access to different truly incredible views of the Glacier and its proximity. After some free time for walks and lunch (optional), the return to El Calafate begins.
Price: $245.00
Duration: 8 hours
We propose an activity where you will learn about Argentine cuisine with Patagonian products, we will cook together, while we chat and have a snack and eat everything cooked
Price: $110.00
Duration: 3 hours
In a small group, we will head off in a 4×4 vehicle for 9.5 kms, climbing through the Feruglio mountain range to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Lago Guillermo, where our 4 ½ hour hike begins. We will visit Glaciar Upsala’s privileged lookout point and walk down over the eroded trails with exposed fascinating marine fossils. CONSIDERATIONS • Minimum age: 12 years old. • This trekking is only suitable for individuals with a good physical condition. • This is not recommended for people with vertebral column, hips, ankles and knees problems. • It is essential to have trekking shoes, preferably boots with ankle protection.
Price: $420.00
Duration: 11 hours
The journey begins in the private port of La Soledad, located 47 kilometers from El Calafate. From there, at 9:00 AM, you will set sail towards the North Channel of Lake Argentino. The ice floes, which some know triple the size and volume of our boat, will decorate the passage through the Upsala Channel, from where you can see the Upsala Glacier (the third largest glacier in the Southern Patagonian Ice) about 15 km away. . Next, you will go to the Spegazzini Channel to see several hanging glaciers such as Seco, Heim Sur, Peinetta and then disembark at Puesto de Las Vacas. There you will take a 30-minute walk through a Patagonian Andean forest and its beaches. Upon returning to the boat, you will have enough time to have lunch while you continue the tour until you reach the front of the highest glacier in the National Park: the Spegazzini Glacier (135 meters above sea level). lake level). Here you will have time to take pictures and contemplate in silence all the natural beauty.
Price: $314.00
Duration: 11 hours
Our private transportation provides flexibility in the schedules, music and silence you need to enjoy that unique moment you are living.
Price: $15.00
Duration: 3-10 hours
This is a whole day excursion very different from the rest in the area. The site is located in the middle steppe just halfway between El Calafate and El Chaltén. Throughout the walk you can see a large number of petrified logs that lie on the surface, some 70 million years old, some with a diameter of 1.20 m. These remains are testimony to ancient times where the weather was very different from today and allowed the support of a large and abundant flora. Occasionally fossil remains of different types of dinosaurs are discovered.
Price: $260.00
Duration: 9-17 hours
The Blue Safari is designed for those who, in addition to sailing in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier, dream of getting closer to the glacial ice. Enjoy its intense blues, whites and its whimsical shapes. Only for people between 6 and 70 years old. You will walk for 30 minutes always with a view of the southern wall of the Glacier in the hope that you will be surprised by some thunderous landslide. Once next to the ice it will be time for an unforgettable experience. You will be able to fully enjoy its intense and varied blues, whites and its whimsical shapes. You will have time to take many photos and then you will return to the embarkation point always accompanied by an experienced guide. The total walk is approximately 1.30 hours through a natural terrain of sand and stones with some slopes and stairs. Once in the port, you will take the bus to the walkways, where you will have 2 hours to enjoy the incredible panoramic view.
Price: $342.00
Duration: 8 hours
Row the Darwin Route with Patagonia Dreams I lived a unique expedition along the Santa Cruz River, recreating part of Charles Darwin’s mythical journey in Patagonia. We set off in 4x4 on Route 40 to the river, where, after a technical talk, we began kayaking downstream between geological formations and native fauna. After a 15 km journey, an outdoor lunch awaits us at Estancia Río Bote, by the river. An experience that combines history, adventure and nature at its finest. Ideal for travelers looking to connect with deep Patagonia.
Price: $245.00
Duration: 5 hours
The Mini Ice Trekking Perito Moreno Glacier day tour is one of the most popular excursions in El Calafate. This tour allows visitors to walk on the ice of the most iconic glacier in Patagonia, the Perito Moreno Glacier. This guided excursion at Los Glaciares National Park, (in addition to walking on the ice) includes transfers from El Calafate and a stop at the Perito Moreno walkways. On the same day, you’ll get to know the glacier from afar, with stunning panoramic views, and up close, stepping on the ice itself.
Price: $445.00
Duration: 10 hours
Get to know the world of the glaciers from a privileged place, by performing unique excursions. Go trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier and then discover the magnificent Estancia Cristina and its surrounding. Choose between a 3 or 4-star hotel accommodation, breakfasts included.
Price: $3,459.60
Duration: 120 hours
This is a unique experience that will allow you to spend a magnificent day visiting the most spectacular Glacier! One of the seven most wonderful places in the world according to The Condé Nast Traveler magazine: Perito Moreno Glacier! We leave early in the morning from El Calafate and after 80 km we arrive in the walkaway area in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier. During this morning you will have time to walk around the walkways which connect different viewpoints through paths and stairs and where you can enjoy different views of this spectacular Glacier! You will also be sailing for approximately 1 hour through the Rich Branch of Argentino Lake at a distance of 150 meters from the South face of Perito Moreno Glacier! You should purchase the National Park entrance tickets on the webpage. The one you need to buy is for Rio Mitre & Glaciar Perito Moreno 1-day option. You can also purchase the entrance the day of the tour, in cash or credit card at the park entrance.
Price: $226.00
Duration: 8 hours
The Cañadon Experience is a medium difficulty trek that allows us to travel along the riverbed of the Calafate Creek, until we reach the 25 de Mayo Stay Section. The surrounding hills form a canyon that invites you to discover it enjoying the stream, always safe from the wind that the valley offers. In the course of the walk you will see a lot of birds, river trout and flora characteristic of the steppe. They are 7 kilometers on the rise where you will travel through canyons, streams, geological formations containing marine fossils that show that the environments that are transited were mutated over the years. Trekking culminates when you arrive at the Section, house located 800 meters above sea level, in a valley with a magnificent view of the hills, ideal for relaxing and enjoying lunch. The tour is private by vehicle. During lunch you can share with other passengers of another excursion if any.
Price: $1,500.00
Duration: 5 hours
Located in the heart of the Chilean Southern Patagonia, 150 kms north of Puerto Natales and 300 kms south of El Calafate, Torres del Paine National Park has an area of 242,000 hectares, furrowed by 150 kms of gravel roads and hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails that allow us to access panoramic views of its innumerable natural attractions.
Price: $275.00
Duration: 16 hours
The Perito Moreno Glacier Tour with Safari Azul is the perfect choice for anyone wanting to experience the Perito Moreno Glacier up close. You can either choose the option with transfers from El Calafate or arrive at the port on your own. The tour includes a 20-minute boat ride across the Brazo Rico of Lake Argentino, followed by a 30-minute walk through the Patagonian forest until you reach the glacier’s edge (note: you won’t be walking on the ice). You’ll have some free time to take in the breathtaking views before heading back along the same trail. The return boat ride takes you along the front of the glacier’s impressive southern wall. If you choose the transfer option, the tour also includes a stop at the Perito Moreno walkways before heading back to El Calafate. Ready to enjoy an unforgettable day?
Price: $215.00
Duration: 7 hours
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Important Tour Information
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- Check tour cancellation and refund policies
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
- Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Food & Cuisine
El Calafate’s cuisine highlights Patagonian specialties such as grilled lamb (cordero patagónico), trout from local rivers, and hearty stews. The town offers a variety of restaurants serving Argentine barbecue (asado), fresh seafood, and regional desserts like calafate berry jam. Popular dining spots include cozy parrillas (steakhouses) and cafes where visitors can sample local wines and craft beers.
Getting Around
El Calafate is primarily accessed by air via El Calafate Airport with regular flights from Buenos Aires and other Argentine cities. Within town, transportation options include taxis, shuttle services, and rental cars. Walking is convenient in the compact town center. For excursions outside town, tours and buses are common. Transportation costs are moderate, with taxis and shuttles priced reasonably.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit is November to March for milder weather. Pack layers, waterproof clothing, and sturdy shoes due to variable weather and outdoor activities. Respect local customs and be prepared for strong winds. Carry cash in Argentine pesos for small purchases, though cards are widely accepted. Stay hydrated and protect yourself from sun exposure at high altitudes. Booking tours and accommodations in advance is recommended during peak season.
Culture & Customs
El Calafate’s culture reflects Patagonian traditions with a strong emphasis on outdoor life and hospitality. Social customs include greeting with a handshake or cheek kiss. Local festivals celebrate regional heritage, such as the Calafate Festival featuring music and food. Visitors should be punctual for tours and respectful of natural environments. Tipping is customary in restaurants and for guides.
