All El Calafate Excursions 2026 — The Complete Guide

El Calafate has far more excursions than just Perito Moreno

When someone says "I'm going to see Perito Moreno," that sentence can mean very different things. It can mean standing on the wooden walkways and admiring the glacier from land. It can mean sailing by boat until you're 200 meters from the ice wall. It can mean walking on the ice with crampons for an hour. Or it can mean spending three hours exploring crevasses and seracs deep inside the glacier.

But El Calafate doesn't end at Perito Moreno. With 3 or more days in town, you have access to boat tours to the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers, the historic Estancia Cristina, 4x4 rides across the Patagonian steppe, horseback riding, kayaking, ziplines, sport fishing and full-day excursions to El Chaltén and Torres del Paine. This guide covers the entire 2026 catalog with prices and booking links.

Comparison table — the excursions at a glance

They all leave from El Calafate. The difference is how close to the ice you want to get and how much time and effort you have.

Option 1 — The Perito Moreno Walkways

The walkways are the most accessible and democratic way to visit Perito Moreno. A 4-kilometer network of wooden trails with multiple viewpoints at different heights and angles lets you explore the glacier's face without paying anything extra (only the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee).

The walkways have three levels: lower, middle and upper. The lower level puts you at lake height, almost at water level, right in front of the calving face. The middle level offers a side-on perspective of the glacier in all its extension. The upper level has the most iconic viewpoint: a platform from which the glacier stretches toward the horizon like a river of ice frozen in time.

Sound is a fundamental part of the walkway experience. The glacier talks. It constantly creaks, thunders and whispers. At any moment you might hear a blast like a cannon shot and watch a mass of ice the size of a building break off the face and crash into the lake with a roar that shakes the ground. It's called calving, and it can happen at any time of day.

The walkways are open every day of the year. You can get there on the excursion bus that departs from downtown El Calafate (a 45-50 minute transfer) or by car. No advance booking is needed for the walkways themselves, although park access can involve waiting lines in high season.

Who are the walkways for?

• Travelers of any age and fitness level
• Families with babies and small children (strollers work on some sections)
• People with reduced mobility (some sections are accessible)
• Anyone on a tight budget
• Anyone short on time who wants to see the glacier quickly
• First-time visitors to Perito Moreno (everyone starts here)

Even if you plan to do the Minitrekking or Big Ice, you'll walk the walkways before boarding. There's no way to do the "ice" excursions without first seeing the glacier from the walkways.

Option 2 — The Safari Azul

The Safari Azul (Touch the Glacier) is the closest experience to Perito Moreno Glacier without stepping onto the ice. From Puerto Bajo Las Sombras (70 km from El Calafate, with the option of a transfer from your hotel), you cross the Rico Arm of Lago Argentino by boat and land on the opposite shore.

There you take a walk through the Magellanic forest with a direct view of the glacier's south wall —you hear the cracking and see the calving— until the most special moment: the approach to the ice, where you can touch the glacier, a unique contact with the millennial ice of Perito Moreno.

At the end, the boat sails just a few meters from the ice wall and you return to the panoramic walkways with 2 free hours to explore the 5 balconies at your own pace. It's a full day (8-9 hours) that requires no prior experience or special physical condition.

Who is the Safari Azul for?

• Families with children from age 6 and adults up to 70
• Those who want to touch the glacier's ice without trekking with crampons
• Travelers looking to combine cruising, hiking and the walkways in a single day
• Nature lovers: Magellanic forest and a direct view of the glacier's south wall

Option 3 — The Minitrekking on the Ice

For most travelers, the Minitrekking is the ultimate Perito Moreno experience. Literally: you're standing on the glacier, crampons on your feet, seeing from the inside what the walkways only let you see from the outside.

The Minitrekking day begins in El Calafate with the transfer to the glacier. Upon arrival, instead of heading straight to the walkways, the group boards a small boat that crosses the arm of the lake to the base of the glacier. There, the mountain guides fit each participant with crampons —steel spikes that attach to your hiking shoes— and the experience begins.

The hour and a quarter on the ice is no flat stroll. The glacier is a terrain of hills, crevasses, meltwater channels, ice towers (seracs) and surfaces at every angle. The guides lead the group along a circuit designed to show the widest possible variety of formations in the time available.

There are moments when the crampons bite perfectly into the ice and every step feels solid and secure. There are moments when you have to scramble up a slope or hop over a channel. It's demanding but not extreme. Most participants finish the experience grinning ear to ear, wishing they'd had more time.

At the end of the ice trek, the guides serve whisky with glacier ice — a detail no bar in the world can replicate. The ice is thousands of years old. The whisky, somewhat less. The combination is perfect.

The detailed Minitrekking program

Who is the Minitrekking for?

• People aged 8 to 65 in normal physical condition
• Families with kids aged 8 and up
• Anyone who wants to stand on the ice without extreme physical requirements
• Travelers with just ONE day in El Calafate who want the most complete experience possible
• People who don't exercise regularly but walk with ease

What do you need to bring for the Minitrekking?

• Hiking or mountain shoes with a stiff sole (essential — without a stiff sole the crampons won't grip properly)
• A waterproof jacket (truly waterproof, not just water-resistant)
• Hiking or softshell pants
• A fleece or thick sweatshirt
• Hat and gloves
• A small backpack with water and snacks
• Sunscreen (the glare off the ice burns)

Option 4 — The Big Ice

Big Ice is the adventurer's version of the ice trek. If the Minitrekking shows you the glacier, Big Ice takes you inside it. It's three full hours on the ice, reaching areas Minitrekking groups never see: deep crevasses of an impossible blue, seracs (ice towers) several meters tall, channels carved by meltwater, and the sensation of being completely surrounded by ice in every direction.

Big Ice groups are smaller (10-12 people maximum versus 20-25 on the Minitrekking) and the guides have a higher level of specialization. The route is more technical: there are sections where you climb short ice slopes, jump across crevasses or lean on your ice axe. It's not mountaineering, but it demands confidence in your body and the terrain.

The age restriction (18-50) is not arbitrary. Under 18: muscle and coordination systems are still developing, and the glacier's uneven terrain demands quick reactions. Over 50: it's not an absolute rule, but the risk of injury from falls on the ice increases with age, and the operators' insurance doesn't cover participants outside the range.

People who do Big Ice agree it's one of the most intense experiences of their lives. Not because of the danger (which is minimal with proper guides), but because of the total immersion in a landscape that exists nowhere else accessible on the planet. Three hours inside a 30,000-year-old glacier changes your perspective on what the scale of time really means.

Who is Big Ice for?

• People aged 18 to 50 in good physical condition
• Anyone who exercises regularly (hiking, running, swimming, etc.)
• Lovers of adventure and extreme nature
• Photographers after images impossible to get from the walkways
• Anyone who already did the Minitrekking and wants more

Big Ice: The advanced trek on the glacier

Big Ice is the most immersive experience there is on Perito Moreno Glacier. While the Minitrekking covers the accessible sectors of the ice for 1h15, Big Ice takes you 4 to 5 km into the glacier over 3 full hours on the ice, reaching areas Minitrekking groups never see.

What makes Big Ice unique is the scale of what you find: crevasses several meters deep glowing an impossible blue, seracs (ice towers) 8 to 10 meters tall, channels carved by meltwater over centuries, and the sensation of being completely surrounded by ice in every direction — no walkways, no viewpoints, nothing but the glacier and your group.

Groups are small (10-12 people maximum) and the guides are glacier specialists. The route includes sections where you climb short ice slopes or cross crevasses. It's not mountaineering, but it requires physical confidence and coordination. Full equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness) is included.

Requirements: minimum age 18, maximum 50. Excellent physical condition (regular exercise). Runs from October to April, not in winter.

Glacier and lake boat tours

Lago Argentino offers several cruise options depending on your available time, budget and the kind of experience you're after. Mundo Austral's two main cruises are the Todo Glaciares and the Glaciares Gourmet.

Todo Glaciares — Upsala and Spegazzini

The most popular full-day cruise in El Calafate. It departs from Puerto Punta Bandera (50 km from El Calafate, transfer included) and sails Lago Argentino to the Upsala glacier —the largest in Argentine Patagonia, 25 times bigger than Perito Moreno— and Spegazzini —the tallest, with a 135-meter wall of ice. Along the way you cruise the Canal de los Témpanos among blue icebergs of every size. A completely different experience from Perito Moreno: more remote, more silent, wilder.

Glaciares Gourmet — Cruise with Premium Lunch

The most elegant way to cruise the glaciers of Lago Argentino. This excursion pairs the glacier cruise with a gourmet lunch on board —Patagonian wines, regional meats and artisanal desserts— while the ship glides among icebergs. Perfect for anyone after a top-tier culinary and scenic experience in Patagonia. Limited capacity to guarantee personalized service.

In addition, there are three more cruise options run by other operators (ask us on WhatsApp for more info):

Moreno Spirit — Short Cruise to the face of Perito Moreno

The cruise that gets closest to the face of Perito Moreno Glacier. Aboard a catamaran, the ship approaches until you're just a short distance from the wall of ice — far closer than on any other excursion. It lasts about 1.5 hours and is a perfect way to round out a Walkways day (do the walkways in the morning and the short cruise in the afternoon), or for anyone who prioritizes the view from the water without trekking.

Espíritu de los Glaciares — Premium full-day cruise

The most complete cruise available in El Calafate. In a single day it visits the Upsala Glacier (the largest in Patagonia), the Onelli and the Spegazzini — more glaciers than the standard Todo Glaciares. It's the option for anyone who wants to maximize the number of glaciers in one day with a premium cruise experience.

Mayo Spirit Trek — Cruise + Trekking combined

The most exclusive combination: in a single day you sail to Perito Moreno by boat and also trek on the ice. It's two experiences fused into one day, with the unique thrill of living the glacier from the water and from on top on the same day.

Estancia Cristina and the Upsala Glacier

Estancia Cristina is, alongside Perito Moreno, the most iconic excursion on Lago Argentino. Founded in the early 20th century by the Masters family, this estancia can only be reached by boat across Lago Argentino —roughly 3 hours of sailing from Puerto Banderas— and sits at the far north end of the lake, facing the Upsala Glacier, the largest glacier in Argentine Patagonia.

The estancia preserves its original architecture and its rural activities: horses, sheep, the historic dining hall with glacier views, and the trails that wind around the mountains. It's a journey back in time to the Patagonia of the early 1900s.

The three ways to visit Estancia Cristina

• Estancia Cristina Upsala Discovery: arrive by boat, tour the historic estancia with its horses and sheep, and have lunch in the dining hall overlooking the Upsala Glacier. The most relaxed option, ideal for families or travelers who prioritize the cultural experience.
• Estancia Cristina Upsala Trekking: same as the Discovery but with a guided mountain trek to see the Upsala Glacier up close, from a viewpoint you can only reach on foot. Requires good physical condition.
• Estancia Cristina Upsala Classic: the most complete version — a full day at the estancia with every activity available.

4x4 adventure across the Patagonian steppe

The Patagonian steppe surrounding El Calafate hides landscapes, wildlife and corners you can only reach in a 4x4. Guanacos, gray foxes, pink flamingos, rheas, condors, hidden lakes and geological formations that appear on no standard tourist map. There are several options depending on what you're after:

Horseback riding in Patagonia

Riding through Patagonia on horseback, with a local gaucho as your guide, is one of the most authentic experiences in El Calafate. There are options for every level, from absolute beginners to experienced riders:

Sport fishing, kayaking, ziplines and more

El Calafate offers a range of adventure sports and water activities most tourists never hear about. Beyond the glacier, the region has rivers, lakes and hills made for these experiences:

Tourist estancias near El Calafate

Patagonian estancias are a window into the region's rural life: spit-roasted lamb, horses, sheep, endless landscapes and the hospitality of the Argentine countryside. There are three options within reach of El Calafate:

Excursions from El Calafate: El Chaltén and Torres del Paine

From El Calafate you can take two of the most spectacular full-day excursions in Patagonia: El Chaltén (the trekking capital) and Torres del Paine (Chile's most famous national park). Both require an early start, but every kilometer is worth it.

How to combine them — The best itinerary for your days

Quick test — Which excursion is right for you?

A typical Minitrekking day — Hour by hour

So you can plan your day precisely, this is the full schedule of a Minitrekking day from El Calafate:

Common questions before booking

After years of assisting travelers, these are the most frequent doubts before choosing an excursion:

Can I do the Minitrekking if I'm afraid of heights?

The Minitrekking doesn't involve extreme heights. The highest point of the ice circuit is about 20-30 meters above lake level. It's not mountaineering. That said, there are a few sections with slopes where you'll have to trust your crampons. If verticality triggers severe anxiety, mention it to your guide before starting — there are always alternative routes.

Can I do the Minitrekking with knee or hip problems?

It depends on the severity. Mild knee issues are manageable with poles (the guides carry spares to lend) and a comfortable pace. A recently operated knee, a hip replacement or significant chronic pain: check with your doctor first. We can also guide you over the phone if you describe your situation.

What happens if it rains on the day of the Minitrekking?

The excursion runs in light or moderate rain. Wet ice is not slippery with crampons — on the contrary, they grip just as well. It's only canceled in case of electrical storms, extreme wind or exceptional weather conditions. In that case it's rescheduled or fully refunded.

Do I need previous mountain experience for the Minitrekking?

No. The Minitrekking is designed for people with no prior mountaineering or glacier experience. The guides teach everything you need on the spot. The only requirements are good hiking shoes and the fitness to walk 2-3 hours on uneven terrain.

Packages and Combos in El Calafate

If you want to make the most of every day and save money, Mundo Austral has put together packages combining airport transfers + excursions. Buying the combo works out cheaper than booking each item separately.

10 frequently asked questions about Perito Moreno excursions