Here are the top 5 things to do in El Calafate and its surroundings. It is one of the most visited cities in Argentine Patagonia thanks to the impressive Perito Moreno glacier.
Located on the Andes Mountains and the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, El Calafate is known as the land of glaciers.
Not only the Perito Moreno, the most renowned, is one of the glaciers you will be able to see. There are more than four glaciers apart from the one mentioned above, and if you visit El Chaltén, you will have the chance to see even more.
In this article we summarize the five must-see places to visit in El Calafate, based on our experience touring the place.
You can click on each of the activities for more information, excursions and recommendations.
🔎 Check here our guide to travel to El Calafate.
Table of Contents
1) Perito Moreno Glacier
Perito Moreno glacier is undoubtedly the main attraction to see in El Calafate. Located inside Los Glaciares National Park and about 80 km from the city of El Calafate, it is the best known and most visited glacier in Argentina. Its imposing mass of ice can surpass the 60 meters of height over the Lake Rico with about 5 km of extension in the front.
Inside the national park and a few meters from the Perito Moreno glacier there are wooden footbridges (pasarelas) so that the visitor can have a complete view of the front of the glacier. You can also navigate in Lake Rico to see the glacier from close up.
If you are lucky, you can see the natural break of the bridge of the Perito Moreno glacier, an impressive spectacle that nature offers us. This event occurs on average every four years, but lately the frequency of the event has accelerated.
2) Walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier
One of the 5 must-do’s in El Calafate is to walk on the Perito Moreno glacier, over huge masses of ice, spotting crevasses, blue lagoons and caves, an unparalleled experience!
The minitrekking on the Perito Moreno glacier takes about 10 hours (with the transfer from El Calafate and the boat to cross the Rico Lake), the walk on the glacier is an hour and a half. This tour can be done all year round.
The tour includes a guide in Spanish, English or Portuguese. In addition, bus transfer from El Calafate to the port, navigation to cross Rico Lake and crampons to walk on the ice.
🔎 Trekking on the Perito Moreno glacier
3) Upsala and Spegazzini Glacier Excursion
Glaciers are the must-see in El Calafate. In addition to the Perito Moreno glacier, there are other glaciers around the city that can be reached on a catamaran excursion.
Unfortunately there is no other way to visit them than on an excursion, which depart from Puerto Bandera or Puerto de La Soledad.
Among the glaciers seen during the excursion are the Upsala glacier, for which the northern arm of Lake Argentino is sailed between icebergs, and the Spegazzini glacier, with its more than 100 meters above lake level.
🔎 Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers boat trip
4) Visit El Chalten
Known as the national capital of trekking, it is another must-see in El Calafate. El Chaltén is located about 200 km north of El Calafate and is reached by a fully paved route. It is worth staying in the town for at least three days, as it is surrounded by the high mountains of the Andes and beautiful lakes and lagoons.
There are many hiking trails around El Chalten to take long walks and contemplate the mountainous landscape, the best known are:
- Salto del Chorrillo: a small waterfall easily accessible from El Chalten.
- Trekking to Laguna de los Tres: it is more demanding but has as prize to see the Cerro Fitz Roy from near.
- Path to Laguna Capri: of little difficulty.
- Trekking to Laguna Torre: one of the most beautiful lagoons in El Chaltén.
5) Torres del Paine in Chile
Although you have to go through the border crossing Cancha Carrera that divides Argentina and Chile, visiting Torres del Paine is another thing to do in El Calafate (and also from Puerto Natales).
About 200 km from El Calafate, you can access the imposing Torres del Paine National Park, where the mountain range landscape surprises you all the time.
There are several trekkings that can be done inside the national park, the most famous are the W and O circuits, with more or less physical effort. During the hike, there are many emerald lakes and clear water lagoons, in addition to the high snowy mountain peaks that surround it.
🔎 Guide to visit Torres del Paine National Park
Other things to do in El Calafate
In addition to the activities mentioned above, El Calafate has other places of interest such as visits to estancias, trekking in the Patagonian steppe and experiences such as the Ice Bar. See our articles on El Calafate in 4 days and El Calafate in 5 days, with detailed itinerary and tips.
Where to stay in El Calafate
If you are looking for recommendations on where to stay in El Calafate, check out our article on the best hotels to stay in El Calafate with options for all budgets.
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