Top El Calafate Day Trips
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Dale_H, Sep 2026
Full Day Tour to El Chaltén
We were very fortunate that our tour day was sunny and cloud-free, allowing us to get magnificent, clear views of the unique-looking peaks near El Chaltén. Our guide Carla presented us with interesting commentary during the journey, and our driver Hendri (sp?) made our journey safe. Carla stopped the van spontaneously a few times during our transit to view guanacos, rheas and condors when they were visible from the road. The 1 km hike up to the viewpoint was fairly steep and a bit slippery near the top, while the 500m hike to the Chorrillo del Salto waterfall was flat and easy. The restaurant lunch was plentiful and of decent quality. Overall it was a very satisfying and enjoyable day.
markfreemesser, Apr 2026
An excellent, leisurely way to visit Perito Moreno glacier!
This was an easy way to get up to Perito Moreno glacier and have plenty of time to explore on your own. Our rental car wasn’t available yet and honestly, going up with a small group and letting someone else drive was probably much easier. The boat trip up to the glacier was a good introduction, providing plenty of deck space to have a clear view and take pictures. Having driven up to the glacier, there was no rushing about—just a good deal of time to contemplate Perito Moreno from various angles provided by the boardwalk trails.
Denis_R, Mar 2026
Wonderful day, great guide
Carla and Harry were GREAT! Carla was like a teacher shepherding her students through the best field trip of their lives. Alway patient, knowledgeable, super pleasant, and very clear in both english and spanish. The group we were with also had many friendly people. And, of course, the Torres del Paine park was spectacular... even in slightly rainy weather.
YHEINNY_S, Mar 2026
Beautiful scenery
The glacier is at a national park which you have to pay to enter. There is several stops. The first one you’re getting on the boat to see the glacier. Then the second stop is a walk that you could take pictures with the glacier behind you. This last stop has a restaurant and convenience store.
Marek_S, Mar 2026
Lovely day to view the Glacier and the park
Seem to have dealt with alot of companies on this trip; Tangol, Gigantes Patagones, and the tour operator on the day seemed to be Tiempolibre who supplied the coaches and tour guide. Prompt pickup at my hotel and a bus feeder transfer to a coach outside El Calafate. Was booked to do the optional boat ride at 10AM with balcones after. You can also buy the park ticket at the park entrance 45,000 ars with cash or card. Toilet breaks along the way, and there is a Cafe at the glacier centre. After getting our boat tickets we were then told the boat had departed, and the boat was cancelled until 1PM. So we did the balcones first. No big deal. Stunning glacier and good narration in English. I would recommend this trip.
Kristen_C, Feb 2026
A great tour with incredible views!
It wa so much fun, but REALLY cold- like way colder than the tour company told us. The guides Manuel and Selene were great (Manuel even gave us his jacket)and made sure we got to see different aspects of the glacier as well as learn about it. The ice trekking is well worth the cost- there were many guides with us to make sure we were safe and a lot goes into letting plebs walk on the ice. It was really fun and a thoughtful ending to have whiskey on the glacier! After the trek, and ferry ride, we went to the boardwalks. I couldn’t imagine only getting to see the glacier from the boat or boardwalks- if you can do it, the trek is well worth the extra $!
YuYun_S, Feb 2026
The lady accompanied us...
The lady accompanied us to the airport was so nice. She provided significant help when the airport was chaotic due to yesterday's cancelling. The company "Patagonia Dreams" are really well organized. Not only the airport transfers, all their other tours I joined were wonderful, such as the one going to Perito Moreno with mini trekking.
Robert_B, Feb 2026
Excellent Tour
The boat trip was fantastic; lots of glaciers and icebergs. The boat was comfortable and smooth. The on board commentary in English and Spanish was excellent. Key question is whether to take the walk off option at the Petito Moreno glacier or stay on the boat. If this is your only day in Glacier National Park, take the walk off one hour option. The 1 hour option on this tour does not do the walking trails justice, but it is better than nothing. The better thing to do is spend two days in the park (buy a 2 day ticket and the second day is half price). Take the boat trip on Day 1 and stay on the boat. Return to the park on Day 2 for the walking trails. There are four trails and it takes 3-4 hours to cover all the trails which is well worth doing. By the way, if you are doing the Day 2 trail option, hire a taxi to take you to the park, wait for you and return you to where you are staying. That cost us about $150 US (with tip) which was less than the price of another tour to the park, and you have much more flexibility about when you arrive and leave than with a fixed hour tour.
Peta_B, Feb 2026
Exceptional
We had the most amazing day from start to finish. Natalia shared so much knowledge on the journey to the Glaciar. We were shown maps and pictures of the area and wild life. Our driver was super careful, courteous and friendly. Thank you for a wonderful well organised day to the most beautiful glacier.
Frank_P, Feb 2026
Great Experience. Great Staff. Truly Beautiful
Very helpful team. Nice focus on enjoying the quiet and beauty of the glacier. Very willing to help take pictures and give you the most enjoyable natural experience you can. Help them out by having a tether for your phone/camera so they don't have to worry about dropping YOUR phone while they're helping take a picture of you.
Blake_W, Feb 2026
A great way to experience Perito Moreno Glacier
A very well organized excursion that delivered everything it promised. The pacing was excellent, and the guide was the best—personable, intelligent, and well prepared. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to visit Perito Moreno Glacier in one day’s time and to make good use of their time for their visit.
Blair_C, Nov 2025
An excellent tour, picked...
An excellent tour, picked up by the South Road bus, for the long 15 hour day tour to Chile and back. Silvestre was excellent as a guide. There was a stop each way at La Esperanza and the border crossings were easy. We received our box lunch which contained plenty of food. The scenery was spectacular in the park starting with Lake Sarmiento which has the best panoramic views of Torres del Paine. There were further stops, including for Guanacos, at lakes for different views of the mountains. There was also a short walk to a lookout and an impressive waterfall. We saw everything we had hoped to see. On the way back we stopped to look at Mt Fitzroy away on the horizon.
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El Calafate is a gateway to some of Patagonia’s most dramatic landscapes, from sprawling glaciers and mountain ranges to windswept lakes and ancient forests. El Calafate day trips include excursions to Perito Moreno Glacier, boat rides through icy fjords, hikes in Los Glaciares National Park, and visits to mountain towns like El Chaltén. With transport and local tour guides included, you can allocate the time and energy you’d normally devote to logistics to fully immersing yourself in southern Argentina.
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