El Calafate is one of the most extraordinary destinations in South America. Located in the province of Santa Cruz, in the heart of Argentine Patagonia, it is the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier.
At Mundo Austral we have been operating excursions from El Calafate for 25 years. We have welcomed more than 110,000 passengers. This guide is written with the same advice we give every family that messages us on WhatsApp.
El Calafate 2026 tour comparison
| Tour / Activity | Duration | Difficulty | Ages | Price | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
❄️ Perito Moreno Walkways | 5–6h | Easy | All | $ Budget | Year-round |
🧊 Minitrekking on the Glacier | 9:30h | Moderate | 8–65 | $$$ Premium | Year-round |
🚢 Todo Glaciares | 9–10h | Easy | All | $$ Mid-range | Year-round |
🏔️ El Chaltén Full Day | 12–14h | Moderate | All | $$ Mid-range | Year-round |
🇨🇱 Torres del Paine | 15h | Easy | All | $$ Mid-range | Oct–Apr |
🛶 Safari Azul | 8–9h | Moderate | 6–70 | $$ Mid-range | Year-round |
⛵ Glaciares Gourmet | Full day | Easy | 15+ | $$$ Premium | Year-round |
🍖 Nativo Experience | 3h | Easy | All | $$ Mid-range | Year-round |
🚐 Airport Transfer | 30–60 min | Easy | All | $ Budget | Year-round |
1. Perito Moreno Glacier — Walkways
The most iconic and accessible excursion in El Calafate. The panoramic walkways of the Perito Moreno Glacier let you admire the glacier from multiple viewpoints just meters from its front wall.
2. Minitrekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier
This excursion takes you to literally walk on the ice of the Perito Moreno Glacier wearing crampons. For most visitors, it is the most breathtaking experience of their lives.
3. Todo Glaciares Cruise — Upsala and Spegazzini
The Todo Glaciares cruise sails past the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers. The Spegazzini Glacier rises up to 135 meters of ice above the water.
4. El Chaltén Full Day — Argentina's Trekking Capital
Located 220 km from El Calafate along the legendary Route 40, El Chaltén is a world of its own with Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
5. Torres del Paine Full Day from El Calafate
This 15-hour tour crosses the border at Paso Río Don Guillermo and explores Torres del Paine National Park aboard a 4x4 Overland.
🛂 You need: a valid ID or passport to cross the border.
6. Safari Azul — Touch the glacier from a zodiac
The Safari Azul is the most exclusive Perito Moreno excursion: an extreme close-up approach to the glacier front aboard a zodiac boat, so close you can touch the ancient ice with your hand.
7. Glaciares Gourmet — Gastronomy and glaciers in one day
The Glaciares Gourmet excursion combines the best of the North Arm cruise with a unique gastronomic experience at Puesto de Las Vacas.
8. Nativo Experience — Dinner in a Patagonian cave
The Nativo Experience combines a Land Rover 4x4 ride to the Walichu Caves with a full Patagonian dinner.
9. Airport ↔ hotel transfer in El Calafate
El Calafate airport is about 20 km from downtown. The transfer with Mundo Austral is the most comfortable way to reach your hotel, with guaranteed punctuality.
How to plan your El Calafate itinerary
Most visitors stay 3 to 5 days. Here are the most popular itineraries:
| Day | Excursion | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival + airport transfer | Get your bearings and book excursions |
| Day 2 | ❄️ Perito Moreno Walkways | The most iconic excursion first |
| Day 3 | 🧊 Minitrekking or 🚢 Todo Glaciares | Minitrekking = adrenaline · Todo Glaciares = relaxed |
| Day 4 | 🏔️ El Chaltén Full Day | Total contrast — mountains, forest, Fitz Roy |
| Day 5 (optional) | 🇨🇱 Torres del Paine | For those with an extra day |
Where to eat in El Calafate
From Patagonian lamb to sushi. The ones marked as "Local favorite" are where the residents actually eat.
Where to stay in El Calafate
El Calafate has options for every budget. We recommend staying downtown to have everything within reach.
Tips for responsible travel
Los Glaciares National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taking care of it is everyone's responsibility.
Get ready for Patagonian weather
El Calafate operates year-round, with very different conditions depending on the season.
| Season | Max temp. | Min temp. | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec – Feb (Summer) | 18–22°C | 5–10°C | Trekking, families, first visit |
| Mar – May (Fall) | 10–15°C | 0–5°C | Photography, fewer tourists |
| Jun – Aug (Winter) | 3–8°C | -5–0°C | A unique winter experience |
| Sep – Nov (Spring) | 10–16°C | 2–7°C | Great weather/price balance |
Ready for your Patagonian adventure?
Tell us your travel dates, how many days you have and which experiences interest you. At Mundo Austral we build your ideal itinerary with 25 years of local experience.
Things to do in town — without leaving El Calafate
The big excursions get all the spotlight, but El Calafate also has interesting activities within the town itself. They are perfect for your arrival day, the afternoon of your departure day, or as a complement to a free morning.
🦩 Laguna Nimez — a bird reserve steps from downtown
A 10-minute walk from Av. del Libertador, Laguna Nimez is an urban nature reserve with easy trails and direct views of Lago Argentino. It's the place to spot Patagonian flamingos, steamer ducks and black-necked swans without any excursion or transportation. There are interpretive signs for each species and the full loop takes about 45 minutes.
Laguna Nimez is open from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM between September and April, and from 10 AM to 6 PM in winter. Admission for foreign visitors is approximately $12.000 ARS. Perfect for the morning of your arrival day or the afternoon of your departure day.
🧊 Glaciarium — the Ice Museum
The Glaciarium (opened in 2011) is the world's only interactive museum devoted entirely to Patagonian glaciers. It explains how they form, how they advance and why they are freshwater reserves essential to the planet. The building's architecture was designed to evoke the shape of a glacier.
It's 8 km from downtown and has a free shuttle from the city: the van leaves from 1° de Mayo street (one block from Av. del Libertador) every hour from 11 AM to 7 PM. Hours: 11 AM to 7 PM (until 8 PM from November to March). Inside you'll also find the Glacio Bar, the ice bar kept at -10°C.
🌊 Costanera Promenade and Historical Interpretation Center
The Paseo Costanera Presidente Néstor Kirchner runs along the lakeshore with panoramic views of the Andes — the same landscape Darwin described from his expedition aboard the HMS Beagle in 1833. It's free and can be walked at a leisurely pace in half an hour.
The El Calafate Historical Interpretation Center covers the history of Southern Patagonia from the Aonikenk (Tehuelche) peoples to the arrival of the first settlers and the town's founding in 1927. Open every day from 10 AM to 8 PM with free or minimal admission.
🐑 Patagonian estancias — ranch life close to town
To experience ranch culture without going too far, there are three options across different experience levels:
- Estancia 25 de Mayo: the most accessible, just 10 min by car. The afternoon tour (departs at 6 PM) includes sheepdogs, a bonfire, calafate berries, mulled wine and a traditional dinner. Operates from October to April.
- Estancia Cristina: the most spectacular — you arrive by boat sailing among icebergs, with unique views of the Upsala Glacier. Includes trekking, a 4x4 ride, museum and lunch. Available from Oct 1 to Apr 30.
- Estancia Nibepo Aike: herding, sheep shearing and horseback rides of 1 to 3 hours. Lunch or dinner included. Available from Oct 1 to Apr 30.
⚠️ The estancias are seasonal. Estancia Cristina and Nibepo Aike operate exclusively from October 1 to April 30. If you travel in winter, only Estancia 25 de Mayo may have special activities. Ask us about availability for your dates.
Where to stay in El Calafate: Apart Mundo Austral
Brand-new apartments in the heart of El Calafate. Full kitchen, WiFi, Smart TV + Netflix, central heating and free private parking. Minimum 3 nights. From $50.000 ARS/night (up to 2 guests).
By staying with Mundo Austral you can book your excursions directly with the agency — no middlemen, at the best price.
See the Apart and availability → 📱 Contact via WhatsApp
Packages and Combos in El Calafate
If you want to make the most of every day and save money, Mundo Austral put together packages combining airport transfers + excursions. Booking the combo works out cheaper than hiring each service separately.
Frequently asked questions about El Calafate excursions
Ready to discover El Calafate?
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