El Calafate – Travel Guide
The small town of El Calafate sits on the shores of Lake Argentino, it is the gateway to the fascinating world of Los Glaciares National Park. A popular travel destination with an abundance of outdoor attractions and endless activities. Believe it or not, the many magnificent glaciers in the region include the spectacular sights of Perito Moreno and Upsala along with the majestic Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. As one of the must-visit cities in Argentina, El Calafate has plenty to offer for adventure lovers. Undoubtedly, the stylish town of El Calafate itself is pretty small but cozy, making it very walkable for all visitors of all ages.
All about El Calafate
El Calafate FAQ
Getting Around El Calafate
Top Attractions
Petrified Forest
Is a Provincial Natural Monument, a forest from the Cenozoic Era that has petrified wood of primitive conifers and palm trees.
Spegazzini Glacier
Spegazzini Glacier is a hugely impressive sight, if for no other reason than the sheer size of its wall, which can tower as high as 135 metres (440 feet).
Upsala Glacier
The Upsala Glacier is a large valley glacier on the eastern side of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Its higher portion lies in a disputed territory between Chile and Argentina.
Lake Argentino
The unique colour of Lago Argentino is attributed to ‘glacial milk‘ – suspended fine sediment produced by the abrasion of glaciers on rock.
Unique Experiences
Balcones de El Calafate 4×4.
Adventure and nature lovers get both on this half-day tour of Patagonian highlights around El Calafate, Argentina. A chairlift and a hardcore 4-wheel-drive vehicle give exciting access to views over Argentino Lake, the Andes mountains, and the Perito Moreno Glacier
Chalten Full Day.
This experience combines navigation and trekking to discover the great Vespignani Glacier, in the Lago del Desierto provincial reserve. The activity begins with the pick up from your hotel in El Calafate. We travel 37 kilometers along a gravel road until we reach the Punta Sur pier.
Darwin Experience – Kayaks and Adventure.
Darwin Experience is a Kayak crossing on the Santa Cruz River, El Calafate. We do about 15 km of paddling until we reach a typical Patagonian stay where we will wait for you with an outdoor lunch.
Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate.
Learn about countryside living in Patagonia when you visit the May 25th Ranch in El Calafate. See old tools that were once used at the machines museum, learn about sheep shearing and wool production, and walk through an onsite plant nursery.
Amazing Minitrekking in Perito Moreno Glacier.
Go hiking over the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina with this small-group, full-day tour from El Calafate. Travel by coach from El Calafate to Los Glaciares National Park and get up close to Patagonias famous glacier.
What to expect while traveling
