Top El Calafate Day Trips

An experience out of this world, it is wonderful and truly impressive, the views of the Perito are unique and beautiful, we were really delighted with the visit, we had snowfall and it was quite an experience. The guide Mariana, very good and very knowledgeable, the views wonderful from everywhere.

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.

The drive from El Calafate is about 2.5 hours. On the way you stop at several spots for photographs of Lake Argentina and landscapes. After you enter the national park we drove to some catamarans, boarding one to go to within 200 meters of the south face of the Perito Moreno glacier. Afterwards we went to a restaurant located near walking paths that provide views of the north and south face of the glaciers. The paths are very well constructed but there are hundreds of steps down and them back up. The views were amazing. We saw and heard “calving” of the glacier (where pieces break off and fall into the lake). The drive back was just over an hour.

Excellent experience! We were picked up at our hotel, the entrance and exit from Chile worked perfectly, and the park is absolutely amazing. Despite being about 3 hours away from El Calafate, this is one of the simplest and most practical ways to access the National Park where are the Torres del Paine. We stayed about 6 hours in the park, so it was possible to see many different landscapes and make small trails. I also highlight the excellent work of Rocío, a very friendly, competent and informative guide. I highly recommend the experience!

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.

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 $!

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.

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.