This is a whole day excursion very different from the rest in the area. The site is located in the middle steppe just halfway between El Calafate and El Chaltén.
Throughout the walk you can see a large number of petrified logs that lie on the surface, some 70 million years old, some with a diameter of 1.20 m. These remains are testimony to ancient times where the weather was very different from today and allowed the support of a large and abundant flora. Occasionally fossil remains of different types of dinosaurs are discovered.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
9:00 AM
Next available
Thu, Oct 15
Adult (ages 13+)
$250
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 4.
Tour Options
Petrified Forest La Leone
Pickup included
Itinerary
La Leona Petrified Forest
Admission included420 min
Explore a site of petrified logs and fossil bones in an impressive eroded landscape.
What's included
Included
entry to paleontological site
Air-conditioned vehicle
The lunch offered is a Box Lunch
Pickup Locations & Times
The collection is done by Hotels and all types of accommodation
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
6 reviews
5
6
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in El Calafate
Starting price $250 is close to the typical $256 for tours of similar length in El Calafate
Excurgo comparison of 299 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
not available for children under 6 years
only available for people with good physical condition
The difficulty of the walk is Demanding.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does La Lioness Petrified Forest take?
La Lioness Petrified Forest lasts about 9–17 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does La Lioness Petrified Forest cost?
Prices start at $250 per person for this El Calafate experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does La Lioness Petrified Forest run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM.
Can I cancel La Lioness Petrified Forest for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. The collection is done by Hotels and all types of accommodation Pickup points include Cerro Calafate Hotel, Hotel Aikendor.
What languages is La Lioness Petrified Forest offered in?
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 18 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
not available for children under 6 years
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is La Lioness Petrified Forest worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 6 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by SALUM TOUR & TRAVEL.
Reviews(6)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
O
Oana_D
January 6, 2026 · via Viator
Absolutely amazing experience!
Our visit to La Leona Petrified Forest with our guide Paul was unforgettable. Paul was fantastic—knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the area. We truly couldn't have asked for a better guide.
The landscape itself is surreal. I felt like we were walking on the moon… only with oxygen, gravity, and a bright blue Patagonian sky above us. 😄 The petrified trees, the dinosaur fossils, and the silence of the desert made the whole experience feel otherworldly.
Seeing the ancient wood and real dinosaur bones up close was something we’ll never forget.
Highly recommended—this was one of the highlights of our trip!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re truly happy to hear that your visit to La Leona Petrified Forest was such a memorable experience. Paul will be delighted to know that his passion and knowledge made a difference. The landscape is indeed unique and otherworldly. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again in Patagonia!
C
Chelsea_Z
December 4, 2023 · via Viator
Must do experience while in Calafate or during transfer from Chalten to Calafate
What a fantastic tour!!! Our guide, Leo was so friendly and knowledgeable. He really made the trekk through the forest interesting! All of that is to say that he was a great accompaniment to one of the most unique landscapes you'll ever experience! This forest has existed for well over 60 million years and is complete with dinosaur bonus, petrified tree logs, natural rock formations and things you just don't see everyday and can't see everywhere. We also arranged to have this tour as a transfer between El Chalten to El Calafate and it was seamless. We booked the tour and then reached out to add on the transfer from El Chalten to La Leona where we met up with the rest of the group. It was simple and very cost effective. Perfect way to spend a transfer day between Chalten and Calafate!! Highly recommend taking this one!!
1 people found this helpful
V
Verônica C
February 17, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Another imperative
I loved the experience. It's different from everything you'll see in the region of Patagonia. This tour is held in the middle of the Patagonian steppe and you enjoy magnificent and different landscapes. On the day we did, I was very, very well ventilated, yet, the guide Léo gave us great safety in making the tour and had a differentiated attention with me, who despite loving to do trails, I am quite afraid to fall on them. He was very patient and professional with me and my husband. I closed this tour with the agency Patagonia Dreams, which I also recommend for professionalism and attention to the customer.
Operator response
muchas gracias por tus comentarios y calificacion
D
Dana S
December 18, 2022 · via Tripadvisor
Great excursion between El Chalten/El Calafate
Kind of an obscure excursion but on a nice day this is a great way to make the most of your time in El Calafate or El Chalten. I booked it so I did this excursion to transfer from El Chalten to El Calafate and it was a great decision. Leo was a great guide and extremely knowledgeable about the area and geology. I really enjoyed it!
Operator response
thank you very much Dana for your comments, they help us to keep improving. have a great trip back home.
S
soniadS814OL
February 11, 2022 · via Tripadvisor
Excursion to the petrified forest la Leona
A very interesting and different walk to the usual excursions in Calafate, highlights a lunar landscape located in a canyon with rare rock formations product of erosion. Walking between trails that rise and fall where petrified logs are observed. Very nice excursion
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Muchas gracias Sonia por tu opinion y calificaciones !!!
6
68wassimam
January 20, 2020 · via Tripadvisor
Great experience
A completely different landscape than the gletsjers and el Chalten mountain area. Very worth a visit.
Operator response
Thank you very much for your comments and for choosing La Leona Petrified Forest as an excursion in your visit to Chalten and Calafate.
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