El Calafate Tours &
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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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.
ExploreTop 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.
Ice Trekking
Walk on the ice.
Glacier Cruises
Upsala & Spegazzini.
El Chaltén
Fitz Roy peaks.
Torres del Paine
Chilean towers.
Lago Argentino
Glacial lake.
Glaciarium
Ice museum.
Cerro Frías
4x4 & horseback.
El Calafate in 1 day
- 1Perito Moreno glacier
- 2Boardwalk viewpoints
- 3Boat safari
- 4Glaciarium
El Calafate in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Perito Moreno
- 2Day 2: ice trekking
- 3Or glacier cruise
- 4Estancia asado
El Calafate in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Perito Moreno
- 2Day 2: glacier cruise
- 3Day 3: El Chaltén
- 4Glaciers & peaks
El Calafate with kids
- 1Perito Moreno boardwalks
- 2Glacier boat safari
- 3Glaciarium museum
- 4Estancia visit
1.5 hrs awayPerito Moreno
Calving glacier.
Full day awayIce Trekking
Walk on the ice.
Full day awayGlacier Cruise
Upsala & Spegazzini.
3 hrs awayEl Chaltén
Fitz Roy peaks.
Day trip awayTorres del Paine
Chilean towers.
In town awayGlaciarium
Ice museum.
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.
El Calafate through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Glaciers, trekking, long days.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak; book ahead.
- Best for
- Quieter, fresh.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cooler, windy.
- Best for
- Autumn colours.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely shoulder.
- Best for
- Quiet glacier views.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold; tours reduced.