Top El Calafate Nature and Wildlife Tours

The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the largest in the world, surrounded by an icy wonderland of mountains, lakes, and forests. On this tour, explore Perito Moreno National Park with a local guide who takes you to several viewpoints to admire the glacier from various angles—all with equally spectacular views. Learn how Perito Moreno is one of the few glaciers in the world that isn’t retreating, and why that makes it geologically unique.

Don’t just admire the Perito Moreno Glacier from a distance, discover the highlight of Los Glaciares National Park from three different perspectives during a trekking tour that reveals panoramic views of the landscapes. Hike at your own pace on the ice using provided equipment, sail along the glacier walls by boat, and visit several viewpoints of the glacier. Upgrade to include convenient pickup and drop-off in El Calafate.

We begin the tour by crossing a meadow or mallin, and then climbing the slopes of the mountain. After 30 minutes we have views of the Centinela River valley, Lake Argentino and Torres del Paine. The route continues uphill until reaching elevated fields at about 400 meters above sea level. Where you could eventually see the ranch's livestock (cows) and wild animals such as guanacos, hares, foxes, armadillos and skunks (skunks or skunks). After appreciating the landscapes, the descent begins through a lenga forest, until reaching the barbecue area in the center of the ranch.

Break less of a sweat than you would on traditional El Chaltén hiking tours on a gentle trekking day trip that’s ideal for less-experienced walkers. You’ll embark on two low-exertion walks that still reveal spectacular views of the landscapes, at a relaxed pace that’s tailored to the whole group.

Experience the authentic Patagonian steppe on a scenic horseback ride with panoramic views of Lake Argentino and the surrounding landscapes of El Calafate. Discover native flora and birdlife while riding through open natural terrain in a peaceful and immersive setting. This is a contemplative horseback experience conducted at walking pace, designed to be safe and enjoyable for riders of all experience levels. Trotting or galloping is not permitted, ensuring a relaxed and secure ride for everyone.

Take a break from typical tours and enjoy a unique experience at the Perito Moreno Glacier, sailing up close to the beautiful glacier. Stroll around the glacier and witness ice formations and on the scenic trail along the lakeshore. Capture the beauty with plenty of photographs, creating memories that will last a lifetime with your friends and family. Enjoy this experience with a tour guide who makes the experience even fun and easier.

Go kayaking at Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina with this full-day excursion from El Calafate. Get picked up at the address of your choice in El Calafate and travel to Los Glaciares National Park. Set out on a guided stroll over footbridges and admire views from several lookout points at sea level. After, begin the kayaking adventure and paddle out into glacial waters. Learn about the Perito Moreno area in Patagonia throughout the tour.

Experience the majestic icy expanse of the Perito Moreno Glacier on this full-day tour from El Calafate. Enjoy views of the peaks of Los Glaciares National Park with a professional guide, and take an optional boat ride on Lago Argentino for an up-close perspective on the fantastic formation. You might even witness the glacier’s signature movement and cracking sounds from detaching icebergs.

An experience on horseback through the Estancia 25 de Mayo Nature Reserve where we can feel the immensity of Patagonia, discovering ravines, streams and stories of the southern gauchos enjoying a country lunch in the Cueva del Arroyo. On the way we will cross streams and geological formations that show us the passage of millions of years.

Todo Glaciares, also known as All Glaciers, is one of the most popular boat tours in El Calafate. You will sail on Argentino lake to discover the Upsala, Seco, Heim, Peineta and Spegazzini glaciers. To complete the experience, you will disembark at Base Spegazzini, a facility equipped with a restaurant, cafeteria and rest area, surrounded by the Patagonian forest, which you will have the opportunity to explore on foot. Travellers love its terrace and viewpoint of the Spegazzini Glacier, perfect for taking photographs. You can choose the option of being picked up from El Calafate or arriving in your own vehicle. You can also enhance your experience by adding the Captain's Club, which includes a VIP cabin on the boat and a gourmet lunch at Base Spegazzini.

Exploring Patagonia can be difficult to navigate on your own. Avoid the hassle of renting a car and planning the logistics with this 9-day tour of multinational highlights. From a cruise along the UNESCO-listed Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina to a trek through Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, see alpine lakes and meadows, jagged mountain peaks, and ancient glaciers as you travel through some of the most breathtaking scenery in South America. Enjoy a balance of scheduled activities and leisure time to pursue additional hiking or explore the Patagonian towns of El Calafate, El Chalten, and Puerto Natales.

In this activity you will really get to know the traditional Patagonian culture. Upon arrival at the ranch you will be welcomed with fried cakes and coffee, listening to the story of how the first settlers lived. You will learn about the traditional sheep herding, you will see the corrals and constructions of the ranch, observe the work of the corrals and a shearing demonstration, then a walk on the banks of the Calafate stream, observe the flora according to the time of the year. You will taste a wine from Montañes and a lamb confit. We continue to a room of the estancia to see a projection of recognition to the pioneer families. To end this spectacular afternoon/evening, you will enjoy dinner together with a folkloric show of various typical dances of our country.

Don't just admire Perito Moreno Glacier from afar. Instead, get closer to the glacier for the ultimate perspective on a blue safari that includes both ice trekking and a cruise on the waters of Los Glacieres National Park. You won't have to bring equipment such as crampons and an ice axe, either, as everything is included.

El Chaltén Express – Soft walks and unforgettable scenery The day begins at 7:30 am in El Calafate, and then travel 220 km to El Chaltén, crossing the Patagonian steppe. Along the way you stop at Estancia La Leona and, weather permitting, at the Viedma Glacier Lookout, overlooking the glacial valley and Fitz Roy and Torre hills. Already in El Chaltén, you have about 5 hours to tour the village inside the Los Glaciares National Park, making two low difficulty hikes with local guide : the first to the Mirador de los Condores (2 km, 100 m elevation), overlooking the Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and the village; then, after homemade lunch (according to option chosen), you visit the Chorrillo del Salto, a waterfall accessible by a 500 meters trail. Return to El Calafate begins at 16:00, arriving at hotels between 18:30 and 19:00.

Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier in just one day is easy on this guided tour from El Calafate with hotel pickup included. An early-morning departure helps you beat the crowds, so you can wander along the walkways in front of the glacier without too much interference once you arrive. Then, get close within 490 feet (150 meters) of the glacier on a sailing tour around the south face (available as an upgrade option upon checkout).

The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of Patagonia's top attractions, but reaching the rural landmark alone can be tough. Visit the glacier with ease on this full-day trip from El Calafate, which includes convenient coach transportation to Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore the park's scenic lookouts and walkways to see the glacier from a multitude of different angles. Opt for a boat ride along Perito Moreno's dramatic front side for close-up views of the icy giant.

It is a journey in 4x4 ideal for lovers of nature, photography and for those who like to see landscapes with great natural and historical richness. The opportunities to see species of flora or fauna are excellent, as well as to see marine fossils or to walk to panoramic points. Having lunch or dinner looking at the landscape inside an authentic Patagonian ranch house is a magnificent experience!

Admire the UNESCO-listed Perito Moreno Glacier and the spectacular landscapes of Los Glaciares National Park from two different perspectives on a day trip from El Calafate. Not only will you enjoy ample time to see the glacier from the boardwalks, you’ll also get closer to the ice during a boat trip on Argentino Lake (Lago Argentino).

"Minitrekking 2" began operating in 2023 and is the best alternative for travelers wishing to hike longer on the Perito Moreno Glacier. This tour offers an intermediate-level hike (more demanding than the Minitrekking but not as difficult as the Big Ice). You’ll hike about 3 miles (5 km) instead of the minitrek’s nearly 2 miles (3 km). When you book, you can include pick-up in El Calafate or meet directly at Puerto Bajo Las Sombras. Starting with a boat tour along Perrito Moreno's south wall, you’ll reach the shore and then hike to the glacier´s moraine. Your group will continue until reaching the ice hike’s starting point, where you’ll put on your crampons before getting onto the glacier. Let´s begin!! For almost two hours, hike on the glacier using crampons. After, take a short walk to a waterfall and finally, get back onboard to return to the port. The package with pick-up also includes a one-hour visit to the footbridges of Perito Moreno before returning to El Calafate.

Set out on a six-day tour of Argentina’s stunning Patagonia region with a range of lodging budgets to choose from. This multiday excursion includes guided adventures like a boat cruise to Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, as well as ample time to explore on your own. Embark on a full-day hike up Mt Fitz Roy if you’re feeling up to it, or simply bask in the scenic beauty of El Chaltem. Learn about Patagonian culture throughout your trip, which begins and ends in El Calafate.

Immerse yourself in the icy beauty of the iconic Perito Moreno Glacier—without worrying about the logistics and navigation—on this day trip from El Calafate. Following hotel pickup, travel to Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once there, you can do a four-hour hike to the glacier or choose an optional boat tour.

Embark on an off-road adventure in Patagonia—and leave the driving and logistics to someone else—on this 4x4 tour leaving from El Calafate. Your guide drives your group in a 4x4 vehicle through the rugged landscape to a hilltop, where you’ll see panoramic views of Chile and Argentina, including Torres del Paine, Argentina Lake, Cerro Fitz Roy, and El Calafate from above. Enjoy lunch before returning to the city.

Travel to Torres del Paine in a rugged adventure truck, using an unpaved short cut to shave hours from your time in transit. That means more time in Torres del Paine National Park, where you’ll spend the morning hiking to viewpoints with spectacular perspectives on the mountain landscape. After a provided, picnic lunch, set out on a 2-hour hike to Lake Pehoé and Lake Nordenskjöld.