El Calafate · Argentina
El Calafate Tours, Tickets & Things to Do
Discover the best El Calafate tours, the gateway to Argentine Patagonia’s frozen wonders: stand before the thundering blue wall of the Perito Moreno glacier, lace up crampons for a mini-trekking walk on the ice, cruise among towering icebergs to the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers, and venture to the jagged peaks of El Chaltén and the wilds of Torres del Paine. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Patagonia trip.
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El Calafate
The Spirit Of The Glaciers: 1 Night Guided Cruise from Calafate
from$900/ person
via Viator
El Calafate
El Calafate: Full Day to Viedma Glacier and Chorrillo del Salto
from$285/ person
via Viator
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Explore El Calafate by interest
Whatever brings you to El Calafate — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Perito Moreno
Calving blue glacier.
ExploreIce trekking
Walk on the glacier.
ExploreGlacier cruises
Upsala & Spegazzini.
ExploreEl Chaltén
Fitz Roy & hikes.
ExploreTorres del Paine
Chilean Patagonia.
ExploreGlaciarium
Ice museum.
ExploreEstancias
Patagonian asado.
ExploreIceberg navigation
Lago Argentino.
ExploreWhat to see
Top attractions in El Calafate
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Perito Moreno
Calving blue glacier.
90+ toursView tours
Ice Trekking
Walk on the ice.
50 toursView tours
Glacier Cruises
Upsala & Spegazzini.
60 toursView tours
El Chaltén
Fitz Roy peaks.
50 toursView tours
Torres del Paine
Chilean towers.
20 toursView tours
Lago Argentino
Glacial lake.
60 toursView tours
Glaciarium
Ice museum.
30 toursView tours
Cerro Frías
4x4 & horseback.
30 toursView tours
1 day
El Calafate in 1 day
- 1Perito Moreno glacier
- 2Boardwalk viewpoints
- 3Boat safari
- 4Glaciarium
2 days
El Calafate in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Perito Moreno
- 2Day 2: ice trekking
- 3Or glacier cruise
- 4Estancia asado
3 days
El Calafate in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Perito Moreno
- 2Day 2: glacier cruise
- 3Day 3: El Chaltén
- 4Glaciers & peaks
With kids
El Calafate with kids
- 1Perito Moreno boardwalks
- 2Glacier boat safari
- 3Glaciarium museum
- 4Estancia visit
1.5 hrs awayPerito Moreno
Calving glacier.
from €40View trips
Full day awayIce Trekking
Walk on the ice.
from €120View trips
Full day awayGlacier Cruise
Upsala & Spegazzini.
from €90View trips
3 hrs awayEl Chaltén
Fitz Roy peaks.
from €70View trips
Day trip awayTorres del Paine
Chilean towers.
from €130View trips
In town awayGlaciarium
Ice museum.
from €18View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every El Calafate visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
The Patagonian summer (November–March) brings the warmest, longest days, ideal for glaciers, trekking and cruises.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Peak season with long daylight and milder weather, but busy — book glaciers and trekking well ahead.
Shoulder (Oct–Nov & Mar–Apr)
Spring and autumn are quieter and beautiful, with autumn colours in April, though cooler and shorter days.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Cold and quiet, with some tours reduced; the glacier is still spectacular, but El Chaltén hikes are limited.
Patagonian wind
Wind is a constant in Patagonia year-round, so bring windproof layers whatever the season.
Long summer days
In summer, daylight lasts late into the evening, giving more time for tours and golden glacier light.
One day
The Perito Moreno glacier and boardwalks.
Two days
Add ice trekking or a glacier cruise.
Three days
The sweet spot: glaciers and El Chaltén.
Patagonia trip
Add days for Torres del Paine and El Chaltén.
Trekking
Stay overnight in El Chaltén for the hikes.
With kids
Mix the boardwalks, a boat and the museum.
Tours & transfers
The Perito Moreno, cruises and El Chaltén are reached on guided tours or transfers from El Calafate — the easiest way to visit.
In town
El Calafate’s main street, shops and restaurants are walkable and compact.
Car hire
Renting a car gives flexibility for the glacier and El Chaltén, though tours handle the logistics and park entry.
Getting there
El Calafate has an airport with flights from Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, plus bus links across Patagonia.
Park fees
Los Glaciares National Park charges an entry fee, often not included in tour prices — carry cash or card.
Windproof clothing
Bring warm, windproof layers for the glaciers and boats, even in summer.
Argentine peso
Argentina uses the peso; carry some cash for park fees and small purchases, though cards are accepted at agencies and restaurants — check current exchange options.
Layers and windproofs
Patagonia is cold and windy at the glaciers even in summer, so bring warm, windproof clothing and sturdy shoes.
Book ice trekking early
Mini-trekking and Big Ice have limited daily places and age limits — book well ahead.
Consider El Chaltén overnight
For the famous Fitz Roy hikes, staying overnight in El Chaltén beats a long day trip.
Park entry fee
Budget for the Los Glaciares National Park entry fee on top of tour prices.
Pre-book in summer
Glacier trekking and cruises sell out in the December–February peak — book ahead.
Ice trekking
Mini-trekking and Big Ice have limited places — book well ahead.
Glacier cruises
All-Glaciers navigations sell out — reserve early.
Perito Moreno tours
Popular glacier tours fill up — pre-book.
El Chaltén trips
Day trips and transfers are in demand — book ahead.
Torres del Paine
Cross-border tours are limited — reserve early.
Summer peak
December–February is very busy — plan ahead.
Perito Moreno tour
Around €40–90 for a glacier day tour with boardwalks.
Ice trekking
About €120–250 for a mini-trekking or Big Ice experience.
Glacier cruise
Roughly €90–180 for an All-Glaciers navigation.
El Chaltén day trip
About €70–130 for a day tour to El Chaltén.
Torres del Paine
Around €130–250 for a cross-border day trip.
How to save
Join group tours and combine the glacier with the boardwalks only.
When to visit
El Calafate through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Dec–Feb
- Best for
- Glaciers, trekking, long days.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak; book ahead.
Spring (Oct–Nov)
Oct–Nov
- Best for
- Quieter, fresh.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cooler, windy.
Autumn (Mar–Apr)
Mar–Apr
- Best for
- Autumn colours.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely shoulder.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Jun–Aug
- Best for
- Quiet glacier views.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold; tours reduced.
People also ask
El Calafate travel FAQ
What are the best tours in El Calafate?
The highest-rated experiences are the Perito Moreno glacier, ice mini-trekking, a glacier boat cruise to Upsala and Spegazzini, a day trip to El Chaltén, and the Glaciarium ice museum.
What should I book in advance in El Calafate?
Book glacier ice trekking and boat cruises well ahead, as they sell out, especially in the Patagonian summer of November–March.
How many days do I need in El Calafate?
One day covers the Perito Moreno glacier, two add ice trekking or a glacier cruise, and three include a day trip to El Chaltén.
Is El Calafate worth visiting?
Yes — El Calafate rewards with the spectacular calving Perito Moreno glacier, thrilling ice trekking, glacier cruises among icebergs to Upsala and Spegazzini, and access to the peaks of El Chaltén and Torres del Paine, making it the gateway to Argentine Patagonia’s frozen wonders.
What are the best day trips from El Calafate?
Top trips are the Perito Moreno glacier, the glacier boat cruises, El Chaltén and Fitz Roy, and the cross-border Torres del Paine in Chile.
When is the best time to visit El Calafate?
The Patagonian summer from November to March is best for glaciers, trekking and cruises with the longest days; spring and autumn are quieter, and winter is cold with reduced tours.
How do you get around El Calafate?
The glaciers and El Chaltén are reached on guided tours or transfers, with the small town centre walkable; El Calafate has an airport with flights from Buenos Aires and Ushuaia.
300 El Calafate experiencesfrom €30 · free cancellation
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