Choose from 14 Fun Things to Do in El Calafate
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Parque Nacional Los Glaciares
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (The Glaciers National Park) protects Argentina’s wild Patagonian expanses of icy glaciers and mountain lakes. With a massive 47 glaciers, the Andean ice cap is the largest outside Antarctica and Greenland. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to several natural wonders, including Perito Moreno Glacier and Mount Fitz Roy.
The Basics
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares attracts outdoor enthusiasts from around the world for its spectacular trekking, mountain climbing, and sport fishing. Most visitors come to see the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier, often on a day trip from El Calafate; other day-trip options include a trek to El Chaltén or guided horseback ride at Estancia Nibepo Aike. Those with more time can opt for a multi-day journey to some of the area’s other peaks and glaciers.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Parque Nacional Los Glaciares is a must-visit for all first-time visitors to Patagonia.
- Choose from among a wide variety of park activities, including boat rides, glacier treks, and horseback rides.
- A full-day tour to the park from El Calafate typically lasts eight to 10 hours, depending on the option chosen; multi-day itineraries last anywhere from three to six days.
- Remember to dress in warm layers, as conditions in the park can be chilly, even during summer.
How to Get There
The park’s main entrance lies 30 miles (49 kilometers) from El Calafate. While it’s possible to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier visitor center by driving, it’s more convenient to join a guided tour. Twice-daily buses take passengers from El Calafate to the glacier-lookout area.
When to Get There
Most travelers choose to explore Parque Nacional Los Glaciares during the Argentine summer, when the weather is at its warmest. Temperatures tend to run a bit cooler during the months of October, March, and April, but sparser crowds make for a more peaceful visit.
Other Glaciers in the National Park
While Perito Moreno is the most famous glacier in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, it’s not the only one—or even the largest. That distinction goes to the Upsala Glacier, South America’s largest, which is only accessible by boat from Punta Bandera. The Spegazzini Glacier boasts the biggest snout, with a wall measuring 440 feet (135 meters) tall.
Address: Argentina
From $ 42
Lago Argentino
If you’re visiting El Calafate, there’s no way to miss the vast Lago Argentino. The city sits on the shore of this massive lake, the largest freshwater source in Argentina. It covers 566 square miles and is a result of glacial meltwater, which causes its milky blue color. The lake is part of Argentina’s Glacier National Park and is home to one of the area’s only advancing glaciers, Perito Moreno, which calves into Lago Argentino.
But Perito Moreno is not the only thing to see at Lago Argentino, and many visitors choose a full day of sightseeing on the lake, starting from El Calafate. Visits up the north arm to Upsala usually give visitors a chance to see calving glaciers up close, and the Spegazzini Glacier is the tallest one in the area, at almost 450 feet. Most visits also include the Onelli Glacier, and visitors are sometimes allowed to disembark along the shores and hike among native beech forest and red-blooming firebush. On clear days, the glaciers spear stark and white, while overcast days show off their bluer tones.
Practical Info
From El Calafate, drive about 40 minutes to Puerto Bandera on the lake’s shore to go sailing and visit a few different glacier fronts, depending on conditions. Temperatures are cool most times of year, so dress accordingly.
Address: El Calafate, Patagonia, Argentina
From $ 42
Walichu Caves
Despite its being toward the ends of the earth, Patagonia has been settled by humans for 15,000 years. Though scant remnants of this era remain, on a tour of the stunning Walichu Caves outside of El Calafate, it’s still possible to find primitive drawings emblazoned on walls of the caves. Believed to represent stories of creation and tales of life in these hills, the drawings sat here forgotten for centuries until Perito Moreno discovered the caves in 1877. Today, while some of the drawings have been defaced, and others are modern replicas, they still tell a tale of primitive peoples who wandered this rugged landscape, where hunting, foraging—and even art—were staples of daily life. Aside from the actual drawings themselves, the setting surrounding Walichu Caves is arguably just as impressive, where rock formations line the shores of crystalline Lake Argentino.
Practical Info
The Walichu caves are set 5 miles from the city of El Calafate. Most tours will bundle the caves with a tour of El Calafate, and since reaching the caves means hiking across some rocky, rugged terrain, be sure to wear closed-toed shoes for making the short stroll out to the caves.
Did You Know? In addition to the drawings, it’s common to find fossils and ancient arrowheads when making the walk to the caves.
Address: El Calafate, Argentina
From $ 51
Onelli Glacier
Visits to the Onelli Glacier are usually part of a longer cruise of Lago Argentino that includes the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers as well. The Onelli Glacier is currently receding, like all others in the area, other than Perito Moreno, and visitors witness the extraordinary glacier by boat, navigating the milky-blue waters of Lago Argentino.
The glacier in particular does not feed into Lago Argentino proper, but instead drains into Onelli Lake, which is accessible via a walk through a native beech forest from Onelli Bay. The lake offers views of three glaciers: Bolados, Agassiz and Onelli, which is eight miles long, covering 32 square miles.
Upsala glacier is famous for its activity and the Spegazzini for its towering height (nearly 45 feet), but Onelli has its own charm. Because visitors approach the glacier by foot (via a mile-long walk), there is a different sense of Patagonia here. You can see, hear and smell the forest atmosphere in the same way explorer Clemente Onelli did before the glacier was named after him. He found himself visiting the area in the 1880s to determine the precise location of the Chile-Argentina border.
Practical Info
Expect cool temperatures and wind on the boat and strong UV radiation at any time of year. Warm clothing and high-SPF sunscreen are a must.
Address: El Calafate, Argentina
From $ 128
El Calafate Historical Interpretation Center
El Calafate Historical Interpretation Center, a small museum in El Calafate, covers a big chunk of history — 100 million years of history. Recently renovated, the museum provides an excellent introduction to the natural and human history of southern Patagonia from the time it was formed through to today.
The collection, divided into five rooms, includes fossilized skeletons of dinosaurs and mega mammals found in the area, as well as recreations of prehistoric cave paintings and collections of objects, tools and relics from the native Aonikenk culture and colonizers who showed up later.
Practical Info
Plan to spend an hour or so at the Interpretation Center at the start of your visit, as it will give you a better appreciation for the rest of your time in Patagonia.
Address: Av. Brown and G. Bonmelli, El Calafate, Argentina
Hours: Open daily Sept-Apr 10am-8pm; May-Aug 11am-5pm Wed-Mon
Admission: AR$95
From $ 11
Calafate Mountain Park
Perched atop El Calafate’s nearest peak, with access to a vast stretch of snow-blanketed slopes and rugged mountain trails, the Calafate Mountain Park is an obvious choice for outdoors enthusiasts and there is a range of activities on offer. Winter visitors can make the most of the snow by skiing and tubing, or venture into the wilderness on a snowshoeing or snowmobiling excursion, while summer activities include downhill mountain biking and quad biking, along with kayaking and rafting tours around the nearby lakes and rivers.
Even the journey to the Calafate Mountain Park is impressive and riding the chairlift to the 1,050-meter peak of Mt Huyliche serves up jaw dropping views over Argentino Lake and El Calafate below.
Practical Info
The Calafate Mountain Park is located on Mt Huyliche, 15 km south of El Calafate, Patagonia, and can be reached by shuttle bus and cable car from the town. The park is open daily from 10am-4pm all year-round.
Address: El Calafate, Argentina
From $ 150
La Leona Petrified Forest
Before Patagonia was peppered with glaciers and jagged, snow-capped peaks, it was a vast plain of lush forests where dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Granted, that was 100 million years ago, and Patagonia today is vastly different from those early days of its founding.
At La Leona Petrified Forest, however, visitors have the chance to literally walk through prehistoric Patagonia. This 2,000-acre depression in the Earth is amazingly frozen in time, where massive trees and dinosaur bones still lie on the dusty Earth. There’s an enveloping silence in the desert plains, and only the wind and crunch of your boots seem to break the eerie silence. Nearby, at La Leona Hotel, even more mystique is added to the visit by viewing a place where legendary outlaws hid to escape the law. The towering peak of Mt. Fitzroy can often be seen in the distance, and from walking past fossilized dinosaur dung to hiking in a lunar landscape, this easy daytrip from El Calafate can seem like another world.
The La Leona Petrified Forest is approximately 70 miles—or 1.5 hours—from the town of El Calafate. Since the forest is located on private land it’s only accessible by tour. The best months for visiting are October-April, and be sure to bring water, sunscreen, and shoes for the unforgiving terrain.
Address: Argentina
Hours: Daily 24/7
From $ 124
Upsala Glacier
South America’s largest glacier, in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Los Glaciares National Park near El Calafate, measures 35 miles (56 kilometers) long and 6 miles (10 kilometers) wide. Upsala Glacier is among seven glaciers feeding Lake Argentino, where boats dodge icebergs the size of small islands en route to the wall of ice.
The Basics
Upsala Glacier is only accessible by taking a boat trip on the milky blue waters of Lake Argentino. Most glacier cruises allow visitors firsthand views of both Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers, and countless icebergs. Those with more time to spare can see the glacier as part of a multi-day tour of Los Glaciares National Park (along with Huyliche Hill and Perito Moreno Glacier) or greater Patagonia.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Upsala Glacier is a must-see for adventure travelers and photographers.
- Dress in layers: The wind blowing off the ice can be chilly, even during summer.
- Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
How to Get There
Cruises to view Upsala Glacier depart from Puerto Bandera on Lake Argentino, 28 miles (45 kilometers) west of El Calafate. The easiest way to get there is by joining a guided day trip with round-trip transportation.
When to Get There
The best time to visit Los Glaciares National Park and the Upsala Glacier is between October and March, as many tourist facilities in the region are closed during the winter season in the Southern Hemisphere.
Los Glaciares National Park
As a national park that’s home to 47 glaciers, ice covers 40 percent of this UNESCO-listed site in southwestern Argentina. While Upsala is the largest, Perito Moreno is the most famous, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The Southern Patagonian Ice Field feeds all the glaciers in the park, including Upsala and Perito Moreno.
Address: Argentina
From $ 129
El Chalten
A magnet for hikers and lovers of mountains, the village of El Chalten is flanked by the snowcapped peaks of the mighty Fitz Roy mountain range.
Mountaineers come from around the world to climb the 3440m (1,1283-feet) Fitz Roy peak, while hikers follow mountain trails to backcountry campsites and hilltop lakes.
El Chalten is not only a climbing and hiking hub, it’s also Argentina’s newest town, founded on October 12, 1985. The isolated little town takes great pride in its pristine surroundings and natural environment.
The hiking season is December to March. Rug up, as even in summer the peaks can be covered in cloud and it can feel like a cold and wet winter’s day. Due to the increasingly wintery weather, the town shuts down from April to October.
Depending on your level of hiking experience, you can hike to the Fitz Roy lookout in under two hours, or to the blue waters of Lake Capri. Other moderate hikes include Chorrillo del Salto and Piedra del Fraile.
Longer hikes up to four hours each way wind to the Rio Blanco waterway, Laguna de los Tres and the Maestri lookout. Guided walks for advanced climbers take to the glacier for ice climbing.
Mountaineers come from around the world to climb the 3440m (1,1283-feet) Fitz Roy peak, while hikers follow mountain trails to backcountry campsites and hilltop lakes.
El Chalten is not only a climbing and hiking hub, it’s also Argentina’s newest town, founded on October 12, 1985. The isolated little town takes great pride in its pristine surroundings and natural environment.
The hiking season is December to March. Rug up, as even in summer the peaks can be covered in cloud and it can feel like a cold and wet winter’s day. Due to the increasingly wintery weather, the town shuts down from April to October.
Depending on your level of hiking experience, you can hike to the Fitz Roy lookout in under two hours, or to the blue waters of Lake Capri. Other moderate hikes include Chorrillo del Salto and Piedra del Fraile.
Longer hikes up to four hours each way wind to the Rio Blanco waterway, Laguna de los Tres and the Maestri lookout. Guided walks for advanced climbers take to the glacier for ice climbing.
Practical Info
El Chalten is in Santa Cruz Province, beside the Vueltas River in Los Glaciares National Park. El Calafate is 220km (136 miles) away to the south.
Address: Argentina
From $ 616
Mt. Fitz Roy
Mt. Fitz Roy, the highest mountain in Los Glaciares National Park, rises 11,171 feet (3,405 meters) above the snow-blown landscape of Southern Patagonia to a granite peak that only serious climbers should consider. This recognizable landmark was named after Sir Robert FitzRoy, who once guided Charles Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle.
The Basics
The resort village of El Chaltén serves as the starting point for hikes around Mt. Fitz Roy. The hike to the top is challenging, even for experienced hikers, but visitors will find plenty of trails affording stellar views of the granite peaks.
Spend a full day hiking on a day trip from El Calafate, or opt for a multi-day trekking tour through Los Glaciares National Park to soak up the landscapes of Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre, Piedras Blancas Glacier, and Laguna Madre e Hija as well.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Mt. Fitz Roy is a must-see for adventure travelers and first-time visitors to Patagonia.
- Guided hiking tours to the Mt. Fitz Roy area can last anywhere from a full day to five days, depending on the option chosen.
- Don’t forget to wear sturdy hiking shoes suitable for traversing uneven surfaces.
- Dress in layers, as temperatures can be chilly even during summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
How to Get There
The easiest way to access the national park is by car or guided tour. It’s also possible to take Bus 40 from El Calafate. Once inside the park, several trails offer views of the peak, depending on your time constraints and fitness level.
When to Get There
The best season for hiking this region of Argentina is from November to April—summer in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s best to visit on a clear day when the peak will be visible, but weather conditions can always change quickly.
Other Attractions in Los Glaciares National Park
Mt. Fitz Roy may be the star attraction for trekkers within Los Glaciares National Park, but it’s not the only highlight of a visit. The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also home of the Perito Moreno Glacier, Southern Patagonian Ice Cap, Cerro Torre peak, and Lago Argentino, the largest lake in the country.
Address: Ruta 23, El Chaltén, Argentina
Admission: Free
From $ 90
Laguna Nimez Reserve
The Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve is an important conservation spot and stopover for many migrating bird species. It’s also home to dozens of Patagonian bird types, and in all, there are about 80 species that can be seen here. Most notable are the flamingoes and black-necked swans, but visitors are also likely to see geese, silvery grebes, ibis and hawks, among others.
The reserve has a walking path of about a mile and a half that runs in and out of vegetation with full vantage of the two lagoons in the middle. There are two shelters from which you can observe the birds in relative secrecy, and the reed-filled areas of the lagoons are almost always bustling with activity. The best time to visit this area is very early in the morning or later in the evening around sunset, when birds return to rest for the evening.
Practical Info
Assume that a visit to Laguna Nimez will take about an hour or longer if you’re a serious birder or photographer. Written guides and binoculars are available on request, and from the reserve, you also get a good view of Cerro Calafate.
Address: El Calafate, Argentina
Admission: AR$2
From $ 51
Perito Moreno Glacier
The beauty of Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia has earned it the nickname of the "Eighth Wonder of the World” in Argentina. It’s the planet's third-largest reserve of fresh water and one of the continent's last advancing glaciers, slowly making its way in crackling celestial blue from the granite spires of the Chilean Torres del Paine into Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park (Parque Nacional Los Glaciares).
The Basics
One of the most accessible ice fields on the planet, Perito Moreno sits at the top of many travelers’ must-see list in Patagonia. While many visitors are content to stay on solid ground and observe the ice from a series of platforms across the Iceberg Channel (Canal de los Tempanos) from the glacier, more adventurous travelers can explore the inlet on a boat tour, or don crampons and head out onto the ever-shifting ice field itself. The Glaciarium, located in El Calafate, serves as an excellent introduction to the science of glaciers.
Things to Know Before You Go
- This natural wonder is a must-visit for nature lovers and adventure travelers.
- Marvel at the ice from afar, or get a closer look with a boat ride or ice trekking adventure.
- A full-day tour of the glacier from El Calafate can last anywhere from six to 12 hours depending on the chosen options and activities.
- Dress in warm layers, as the national park can be chilly, even during the Argentine summer.
How to Get to Perito Moreno Glacier
El Calafate, a town about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the glacier, is served by El Calafate International Airport, with regular service from cities in Argentina and Chile. While a vast majority of visitors head to the glacier as part of a guided tour, once you're in El Calafate, you can catch a bus to the glacier (as well as other points in Los Glaciares National Park).
When to Get There
Summer in Argentina (wintter in the Northern Hemisphere) is the most popular time to visit the glacier, as the weather is warmest. While temperatures cool down in October, March, and April, the tradeoffs are sparser crowds and a more peaceful environment for communing with Mother Nature. If you travel between May and August, expect frequent rain and average temperatures around 36° F (2° C).
Hear the Thunder
One of the most magical experiences at Perito Moreno Glacier is hearing the thunderous crack of ice as a berg is birthed into the channel. This glacier is one of the best places from which to take in the phenomenon. It happens most frequently on sunny days in the late afternoon after the sun has had time to warm the ice.
Address: Ruta 11, El Calafate, Argentina, Argentina
Admission: Free
From $ 42
Laguna Torre
There’s no doubt the small town of El Chaltén has incredible scenery. Located about three hours from the city of El Calafate, it is known as the hiking capital of Argentina, with the trail to Laguna Torre as a hard-to-beat spot.
The trailhead is easy to find and begins with a gentle uphill walk through native beech forests. The Fitz Roy River flows alongside, and just 15 minutes into the hike, you’ll come to the first viewpoint over the Cascada Margarita waterfall. The hike continues uphill for a couple of hours, until the final ascent up the steep moraine that arrives at the Cerro Torre Mirador lookout. From this point you can see Cerro Solo, the Adela range, the 10,000-foot, near-vertical Cerro Torre with its distinctive surrounding “mushroom” of snow and also Mount Fitzroy.
To get closer, continue to the DeAgostini base camp. After about another 15 minutes in, you will come to Laguna Torre itself, which sometimes has icebergs floating in it.
Practical Info
The weather is very turbulent in this area, and snow is possible even in summer. Photos of the sunrise over the spires are especially sought after, because of the astounding colors.
Address: El Calafate, Argentina
From $ 1,088
Estancia Cristina
Patagonia, Argentina, is a place that makes people want to pack up their bags and move to this natural paradise. Estancia Cristina, an old sheep ranch (estancia) dating back to 1918, makes that a possibility. In 2005, the site opened its doors as an inn, as well as an agro-tourism day trip destination.
A visit to the estancia provides background information about the history of how Argentine Patagonia was settled, in addition to explaining the functions of the farm. A Patagonian barbecue is a highlight of the region and to this site specifically, which normally features spit-roasted lamb, often accompanied by a glass of Argentina’s iconic Malbec wine.
Access to Estancia Cristina is on a boat from Puerto Bandera, itself only a 40-minute drive from El Calafate. It is easy to combine a trip to Estancia Cristina with a visit to the Upsala Glacier, one of the most active in the area.
Other activities from the estancia include horseback riding with local gauchos, hiking to waterfalls and a canyon hike with fossil spotting. Keep your eye out for Andean condors, a species of bird with a wingspan of up to 10.5 feet. They can often be seen coasting on thermal updrafts in the late afternoon.
Practical Info
Estancia Cristina is accessible via boat from Puerto Bandera, which itself is a 40-minute drive from El Calafate. The two-hour-long boat ride is on the milky blue waters of Lago Argentino, Argentina’s largest source of fresh water, whose color is influenced by glacial silt that calving icebergs and glaciers deposit into the lake.
Address: 9 de Julio 57, El Calafate, Argentina
From $ 160