Top Activities on the Ground in El Calafate

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.

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.

Embark on a thrilling 4-hour hike across Patagonia's iconic Perito Moreno Glacier. Traverse crevasses, ice caves, and waterfalls more safely with the help of a professional guide. Experience breathtaking views from various vantage points and enjoy a 20-minute boat ride on Lake Argentino. A unique adventure for nature lovers and adrenaline seekers alike.

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.

The hilltop location offers privileged panoramic views of the region's main attractions. You can also enjoy our cuisine in the ranch's barbecue area and experience a unique experience in Southern Patagonia, Argentina.

Relax on your Patagonian vacation by pre-booking this one-way transfer service to or from Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE). You can bypass the long taxi lines at the airport and proceed directly to your El Calafate hotel in a comfortable shuttle with plenty of room for your party and all of your luggage. This transfer is also available from your hotel to the airport.

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).

I lived the unique experience of walking on one of the few advancing glaciers in the world. For about an hour, you will explore its crevasses, caves and formations accompanied by specialized guides. The excursion includes a sailing through the South Arm of Lake Argentina, which offers breathtaking views of the glacier from the water. At the end, you will enjoy a toast with views and walk the walkways of Los Glaciares National Park. Depending on the contracted option, the experience may include transfer to and from your hotel, or take place without transfers. A complete and unforgettable adventure in the heart of Patagonia.

See some of the world’s most amazing glaciers on this full-day tour of Lake Argentino. View multiple glaciers from the ship including Upsala and Perito Moreno, as you cruise down the Iceberg Canal. Choose between classic or gourmet options with enhanced viewing platforms, and packages that include hassle-free round-trip transfers.

El Chaltén Express – Soft walks and unforgettable scenery I left at 7:30 am from El Calafate to El Chaltén, stopping at the historic Estancia La Leona. When you arrive, you will enjoy 5 hours in the national capital of trekking, with two easy guided walks: to the Mirador de los Condores, overlooking the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, and to the charming Chorrillo del Salto waterfall. Includes lunch in local restaurant (depending on option chosen). Ideal for those looking to discover El Chaltén without physical demand. Return to El Calafate between 18:30 and 19:00.

Spend a full day trekking the Perito Moreno Glacier on this tour from El Calafate. Leave the city life behind to explore the glacier's balconies and some hidden corners of the glacier with your guide. Navigate the area more efficiently with a guide and avoid the hassle of organizing transportation as you travel aboard an air-conditioned coach.

Can you imagine walking on the Perito Moreno Glacier? A unique experience that will allow you to closely appreciate the immensity and beauty of this ice giant. In this mini trekking , you will tour the glacier on a path of medium difficulty, surrounded by impressive views. You will have the opportunity to observe ice falls, cracks and waterfalls. Don’t miss this unique opportunity! Book your excursion now and experience the magic of the Perito Moreno Glacier.

"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.

Simplify arrival to El Calafate in Argentina with a private airport transfer and hotel pickup. Get picked up by your private driver in the airport arrivals hall and receive help with your luggage. Skip the stress of finding a taxi and travel directly to the address of your choice in El Calafate. Drivers are bilingual and a round-trip transfer option is also available.

Discover a side of Patagonia that’s different from the usual mountains and lakes on a day trip to La Leona Petrified Forest, home to trees said to be more than 70 million years old. Letting someone else drive you from El Calafate saves you the hassle of navigating, while your guide provides insight that puts the fossils and ancient trees into context.

Discover Chilean Patagonia without worrying about crossing the border between countries alone on a tour of Torres del Paine National Park from El Calafate. Take in the park’s magnificent scenery of alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and glaciers without having to worry about navigating. See the spectacular Grey Glacier and Grey Lake, and hike to the Salto Grande waterfall. Round-trip transportion from your El Calafate hotel and lunch are included.

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.

Take the stress out of planning a trip to El Perito Moreno Glacier with this full-day tour from El Cafate, which includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in El Calafate, a boat ride from Bajo de las Sombras port, and crampons so that you can safely and efficiently navigate the ice. You just need to pack your own lunch.

Kick off on a thrilling escape to the heart of Patagonia, where nature reigns supreme and adventure calls at every corner! Start with the adrenaline-pumping Minitrekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier, where you’ll step onto the massive ice field and feel the rush of standing on one of the world’s most iconic glaciers. Embark on the Optional unforgettable Native Cave Journey. A rugged 4x4 ride along the shores of Argentine Lake takes you to hidden caves, covered in ancient rock art. As the sun sets, enjoy a spectacular dinner inside one of these caves. For those seeking even more adventure, the Optional Full-Day Trip to El Chaltén offers an epic journey into the heart of the Argentine Patagonia. Hike through awe-inspiring trails, with sweeping views of jagged peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and endless wilderness. For over 20 years, Signature DMC has specialized in crafting unforgettable experiences, not just trips, recognized as one of the best in Argentina and South America.

Set off on a thrilling multi-adventure excursion along the historic Santa Cruz River, where Charles Darwin once explored. This unforgettable journey blends a scenic 4x4 ride along Route 40 with an exhilarating kayak descent of 15 km. After a technical briefing and gearing up in dry suits, paddle downstream while observing stunning geological formations and diverse wildlife. The adventure culminates at Estancia Río Bote, where a delicious riverside lunch awaits. Experience the beauty of Patagonia like never before, guided by experts who ensure your safety and enjoyment throughout the day.

Surrounded by a landscape of great natural beauty and geological interest, Kayak Santa Cruz invites you to paddle and walk through the wild steppe where the senses are heightened and the sounds of silence are witnesses to us.

Spend an afternoon hiking and exploring outside of El Calafate on a visit to La Leona Petrified Forest. Along the way you’ll stop at Hotel La Leona, an old roadhouse that once housed Butch Cassidy, and travel past some of Patagonia’s most alluring scenery, including Mt Fitz Roy and Argentino Lake. Then enjoy an easy guided trek through La Leona’s moon-like forest, keeping an eye out for fossilized dinosaur bones and petrified trees. Your day-long tour includes round-trip air-conditioned transport and a boxed lunch.

I lived a unique journey to the top of Cerro Frias, designed for lovers of trekking and Patagonian adventure. The tour begins in the hull of the stay and, after an initial walk, we arrive at the Woodsman's Refuge, where the ancient farmhands collected firewood at the beginning of the 20th century. The trail then enters the lengas forest and, after a challenging ascent of an hour and a half, the landscape opens up to offer views of the Cordon de los Cristales, the valley of the Sentinel River and, hopefully, the Torres del Paine. At 1,095 meters above sea level, the summit gives a 360° panoramic view: Lake Argentino, the Andes Mountains, Cordon de los Baguales and, on clear days, the Fitz Roy on the horizon. The descent along alternative paths reveals new perspectives of the hill and allows you to stop at historical refuges to enjoy a Patagonian life. The experience culminates in the hull of the stay, where a traditional snack brings the end to an epic day in the middle of Patagonia. Distance: 13 km