Things to do in El Calafate and how to visit Perito Moreno Glacier: a practical guide with tours and tips

You can visit El Calafate all year round. Its biggest attraction, Perito Moreno Glacier, is open in every season. Still, the best time to go is between September and April, when more activities are available and the weather is milder.

We went in March, and the beautiful fall colors were already starting to show in the landscape. In summer the days are longer, but there can be strong winds. Between May and August it's colder, with snow, which can limit access to some trails and tours.

The fastest and most comfortable way is by plane. The airport gets regular flights from:

• Buenos Aires
• Ushuaia
• In high season: also from Bariloche, Trelew and Córdoba

You can also get there by bus or car, depending on your route through Patagonia.

Although Perito Moreno Glacier is the star of the show, El Calafate has many more activities and landscapes that will surprise you. Here are our favorites:

1. Perito Moreno Glacier

It's in Los Glaciares National Park, 75 km from El Calafate, and it's one of the most impressive natural wonders in Argentina. The park is open all year, with these hours:

• Summer (September 1 to April 30): 8:00 to 18:00 (you can stay until 20:00)
• Winter (May 1 to August 31): 9:00 to 16:00 (you can stay until 18:00)

How to get there:

• Rent a car
• Book a tour with a travel agency
• Hire a taxi or private car (remis)

Park entrance fee (2025):

• Residents of Argentina: ARS 15,000
• Foreigners: ARS 45,000

It includes access to the walkways, restrooms and picnic areas. Camping isn't allowed.

The glacier walkways

Walking the Perito Moreno Glacier walkways is something you can't miss. Several viewpoints let you see the glacier from different heights and angles. The circuit is accessible, with ramps and stations with audio guides. There's also a café and a restaurant.

📸 Recommendation: if you don't have a car, you can book a tour to the glacier walkways, ideal if you don't want to miss anything.

Walking on the glacier

Did you know you can walk on Perito Moreno Glacier? It's an unforgettable experience! There are two options:

• Mini Trekking: a walk of about 2 hours on the glacier. Available from July 1 to May 31.
• Big Ice: a longer walk, about 3 hours on the glacier and 2 hours through the forest. If you have the budget for this one, we highly recommend it. You walk on other parts of the glacier, where you can see rivers and ice caves, which is mind-blowing! It runs from September 15 to April 30.

The agency gives you the crampons you need to walk on the ice and a safety helmet. This is without a doubt one of the best tours in El Calafate.

Boat trip in front of the glacier

You can also take a boat trip in front of Perito Moreno Glacier. It leaves from Puerto Bajo Las Sombras, a few minutes before the walkways parking lot, and sails for an hour up to the north wall of the glacier. You can book your Perito Moreno boat trip here.

Kayaking in front of Perito Moreno Glacier

Another activity you can only do at Perito Moreno Glacier is paddling a kayak in front of its giant walls of ice. You can see more about this incredible experience here.

2. Boat trips to the glaciers

Besides Perito Moreno, there are other glaciers you can visit by boat. The most popular tour is Ríos de Hielo, also known as Todo Glaciares, which sails the Brazo Norte (North Arm) of Lago Argentino and lets you see Upsala Glacier and Spegazzini Glacier up close.

This is another of the most recommended boat activities in El Calafate.

You can book the Todo Glaciares tour here

3. Laguna Nimez and walks near town

For a quieter plan, you can visit Reserva Laguna Nimez, a protected natural area ideal for walking and birdwatching. It's very close to downtown and has well-marked trails. At sunset, the views of Lago Argentino are spectacular.

You can also stroll around downtown, visit Glaciarium (a museum about glaciers with an ice bar) or go up to the Cerro Calafate viewpoint to see the lake and the steppe from above.

4. La Leona Petrified Forest

The petrified forest is halfway between El Chaltén and El Calafate, so you can do the tour from either place. From El Calafate it's about 100 km to Cerro "Los Hornos", where the trail starts.

The walk takes about 3 hours, and along the way you can see petrified trunks lying on the surface that date back some 70 million years.

La Leona Petrified Forest tour

5. Walichu Caves (Cuevas de Walichu)

It's an archaeological site where you can see traces of the first people who lived on these lands. The caves are just 7 km from the city of El Calafate.

One of the most interesting tours to this incredible place is "Nativo Experience: Lagos y caverna", which you can do at sunset. After going along the cliffs above Lago Argentino, you end up at the caves, with dinner included.

Walichu Caves tour by day and Nativo Experience tour by night

6. Patagonian estancias and rural experiences

El Calafate also lets you see rural life in Patagonia at one of its tourist estancias (country ranches that take in visitors). Some tours combine 4x4 transfers, boat trips and a Patagonian lunch of spit-roasted lamb. The best known are:

Estancia Cristina + boat trip to Upsala Glacier

Estancia Nibepo Aike + boat trip to Perito Moreno

7. Tour to El Chaltén

Many agencies offer day tours to El Chaltén. Our advice is that if you have time, you go on your own and for at least 2 days. In this guide to El Chaltén we tell you everything you need to know to go on your own.

But if you don't have enough time and want to take a day trip to El Chaltén, we'd definitely do one of these two tours:

• From El Calafate: hiking tour to Laguna de los Tres: This tour includes the hike to the famous Laguna de los Tres, at the foot of Fitz Roy.
• From El Calafate: full-day tour and short excursion in El Chaltén: This tour gives you more panoramic views of Fitz Roy without going as far as Laguna de los Tres.

8. 4x4 experience on the Balcones

This tour takes you to the top of a plateau with panoramic views of Lago Argentino, El Calafate and the peaks of the Andes. It's a different kind of activity, with a bit of adventure in off-road vehicles.

9. Visit Torres del Paine National Park on a day trip

Although you need more than a day to see this incredible national park in Chilean Patagonia, we think it's a good option if you want to see it and don't have much time. It's known for its imposing mountains, glaciers, turquoise lakes and wildlife like guanacos, foxes and condors.

Among all the tours on offer, we found this full-day one that we think is worth it.

There are many places to stay in El Calafate, for all tastes and budgets. Here are some options.

One-of-a-kind experiences in nature

• Estancia Patagonia El Calafate - Pristine Luxury Camps: glamping with a private bathroom, heating and gourmet meals. 30 km from downtown, ideal for disconnecting in nature.

Luxury hotels in town

• Hotel Xelena: facing Lago Argentino, ideal for relaxing after your tours
• Design Suites Calafate: modern design and incredible views
• Hotel Mirador del Lago: good location, excellent value for money and comfortable rooms.

Mid-range options

• Hotel Kosten Aike: Patagonian style, warm and central
• Hotel Sierra Nevada: on the main avenue, comfortable and well located

Budget options

• Hostel América del Sur: lake views, young crowd
• Hostel Calafate: simple, clean and quiet
• Hostería Puerto San Julián: cozy, with breakfast and parking

Our minimum recommendation is 3 full days, to enjoy the glacier and at least one extra tour.