The Argentinean Patagonia has great natural attractions and one of them is the Perito Moreno glacier. To get to know this and other nearby wonders, we recommend the best tours in El Calafate to do.
If there is one must-see place in Argentine Patagonia, it is El Calafate. Located in the vicinity of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, it is characterized by the large number of glaciers that can be observed on boat trips or trekking…
Although the most famous glacier in the vicinity is the Perito Moreno, with its more than 60 metres high and its imposing ice masses falling over the Argentino Lake, there are other ice masses to visit, such as the Spegazzini and Upsala glaciers.
If you plan to visit the city, we recommend the best tours in El Calafate to do, from a boat trip on the lake to hiking over the Perito Moreno glacier.
🔎 Check out our guide to travel to El Calafate: when to go, essentials and how to get there.
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Best tours to see the Perito Moreno Glacier
The Perito Moreno Glacier is already world renowned and a symbol of the Argentinean Patagonia. The good thing is that there are several alternatives to contemplate this marvellous ice wall that stretches for several kilometres and has a considerable height.
One of the cheap tours in El Calafate is to observe the Perito Moreno glacier from the wooden walkways on the shores of Lake Argentino. From here, you can see the wall of the glacier from the top, with a perfect panoramic view of the immensity of the Perito Moreno.
You can also board a boat and take a short sail on Lake Argentino. The catamaran gets very close to the ice wall, and if you are lucky, you will see ice masses breaking off and hear the loud impact as they fall into the waters of Lake Argentino.
These tours in El Calafate to see the Perito Moreno Glacier can be booked separately or together and can be booked here:
- Visit Perito Moreno on your own, one of the cheapest tours to do in El Calafate. Includes transfer to and from El Calafate.
- Take the boat trip on Lake Argentino to see the ice wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier up close.
- Book the visit to the Perito Moreno and the boat trip including transfer and guide. A way to do both tours in one.
📝 All excursions do not include access to Los Glaciares National Park. You can see the prices on the official website of the National Parks.
Hike on the Perito Moreno Glacier
We highlight this tour because it is an essential experience to do in El Calafate. While not a cheap tour, the sensation of walking on top of the ice mass is something you are unlikely to experience again.
Keep in mind that it requires a medium physical effort and you will have to wear crampons. The reward will be to see crevasses, sinkholes and small lagoons between the ice plus the fabulous adventure of walking on one of the most important glaciers in America.
Minitrekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier is suitable for people from 10 to 65 years old. The walk lasts an hour and a half.
📷 Book the Perito Moreno Glacier hike here and experience a great adventure.
It is recommended to bring warm clothes, sunglasses and sunscreen.
🔎 How many days are needed to visit El Calafate? See our article on El Calafate in 2 days and El Calafate in 3 days.
Best tours in El Calafate by boat
In addition to the aforementioned boat trip to see the wall of the Perito Moreno glacier, another of the best tours in El Calafate to do is to sail along one of the arms of Lake Argentino, entering the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
Here you will have the Patagonian landscape in all its splendour: high mountains surrounding the lake, the turquoise waters of Lake Argentino and the small masses of ice that have broken off from the glaciers and sail across the lake.
One of the best stops on the boat trip is to observe the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers. The Upsala is the largest in Patagonia and the Spegazzini stands out for being the highest in altitude.
There are several alternatives for navigation in Los Glaciares National Park:
- Guided boat trip and short trekking route. This is the cheapest tour in El Calafate to visit the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers.
- Guided boat trip, short trekking route and lunch on board the cruise ship.
- VIP boat trip on the glaciers. In addition to the above excursions, it includes transfer by private minibus to the embarkation point, lunch in the exclusive Captain’s Club Heim lounge and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the boat trip.
Another of the best excursions in El Calafate by boat is a mix of sailing on Lake Argentino and trekking in the Patagonian forest. In addition to the hanging glaciers of Cerro Negro and Cerro Mayo,this tour takes you through Patagonian forests to discover the landscape and find small waterfalls Book the tour here, which includes sailing on the lake and two trekking routes in the mountains.
Tour to a Patagonian ranch in El Calafate
Rural estancias have been an important part of the history and culture of Argentine Patagonia. These large properties, located in remote places and surrounded by nature, have served as a base for animal husbandry, mainly sheep.
Estancia Cristina is one of the most emblematic estancias in Argentine Patagonia. It is located on the edge of Lake Argentino and was built at the beginning of the 20th century. The owners lived for many years in extreme climatic conditions, raising their livestock.
The tour to Estancia Cristina not only includes a tour of its premises, but also a boat trip on one of the arms of Lake Argentino and a short trekking route.
📷 Book here the tour to Estancia Cristina including navigation on Lake Argentino. You can choose between the tour without or with food. We recommend the tour with lunch to taste the Patagonian lamb, the most traditional dish of the Argentinean Patagonia, in a mythical place.
Tour to El Chaltén from El Calafate
Known as the national capital of trekking, the small town of El Chaltén is an ideal place to hike in the mountains and to see one of the most emblematic mountains in the south of Argentina, Mount Fitz Roy.
This rocky wall stands out for its pointed peak and for being at the foot of the Laguna de los Tres, a mirror of water that reflects the silhouette of the mountain. Although the trek is of a medium level of physical exertion, the uphill trail is well marked and can be done in one day. This is the most renowned trekking in El Chaltén.
There are other hiking trails to do in El Chaltén such as waterfalls, desert lagoon and lagoon and Cerro Torre. In this article about things to do in El Chaltén we tell you about it.
There are two possible tours from El Calafate to El Chaltén. Both include transfers.
- Day trip from El Calafate to El Chaltén: includes guide, lunch and a short hike without physical difficulty to one of the viewpoints to see Fitz Roy. Ideal for those who can’t or don’t want to do the trekking to laguna los Tres, but just visit the village for the day.
- Two-day excursion from El Calafate to El Chaltén for tekking at Laguna los Tres and a close-up view of Mount Fitz Roy. For the more adventurous, willing to do a trekking of medium difficulty, sleeping in a tent in a campsite. You can find more information in our article on trekking to Mount Fitz Roy.
Tour to Torres del Paine from El Calafate
Visiting one of the best places in Chilean Patagonia is possible from El Calafate. If you are short of time, a day trip to Torres del Paine is one of the best things to do from El Calafate.
Torres del Paine is characterised by its location in the middle of the South Patagonian Ice Field and is famous for its three mountain peaks that stand out in the middle of the landscape, formed by the Central, Monzino and Dagostini Towers, its lakes and glaciers.
To make a complete excursion to Torres del Paine, you would have to dedicate at least five days, enough time to do the so-called W circuit and see the three mountain massifs from the Base de las Torres viewpoint. In addition, a good physical condition is required due to the fact that it is an ascending mountain road.
If you book the day trip from El Calafate to Torres del Paine you will be able to see the mountain peaks and lakes from the viewpoints, but without a physically demanding trekking route.
🔎 See our article on things to do in Torres del Paine.
4WD excursion in El Calafate
A trip into the Patagonian steppe is an ideal excursion for the more adventurous, and even better if it is done in a 4×4 vehicle.
The steppe is characterised by an extremely arid landscape with little vegetation and gentle elevations. On this 4WD tour you will enter this landscape to contemplate the high mountains of the Andes and the Argentino Lake in the distance.
In addition, there are two extra stops: the fabulous balconies of El Calafate and the estancia Huyliche for lunch or a snack.
📷 Book here the 4×4 excursion in the Patagonian steppe.
Where to stay in El Calafate
El Calafate is a small town on the shores of Lake Argentino. Much of the accommodation is concentrated in the centre, although there are inns and cabins in the surrounding area overlooking the lake.
🏨 View and book the best place to stay in El Calafate.
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