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Last Updated on 3 June, 2026 by Daniel Silvente
If you’re looking for the best Things to do in El Calafate, here’s a heads-up: you’re going to be blown away. El Calafate is located in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, this charming Patagonian town sits on the shores of Lake Argentino and is the main gateway to the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier.
But El Calafate is much more than a starting point for visiting the glacier. From boat tours among giant ice walls to ice trekking, 4×4 adventures, Patagonian estancias, and day trips to El Chaltén or Torres del Paine, this is one of the best places in southern Argentina for nature, adventure, and unforgettable landscapes.
In this Howlanders guide, we’ll show you the best tours and activities in El Calafate, how to plan your time, how to get around the area, and our top travel tips to make your Patagonian adventure unforgettable.
Ready to fall in love with the south of Argentina? Let’s go!
Best Things to do in El Calafate
El Calafate is one of the best bases in Patagonia for glaciers, adventure tours, scenic landscapes, and day trips to some of the most iconic places in southern Argentina and Chile. These are the top experiences you can include in your trip:
Things to Do in El Calafate: Visit Perito Moreno Glacier
Perito Moreno Glacier is the main reason most travelers visit El Calafate, and for good reason. Its massive ice walls, constant cracking sounds, and panoramic walkways make it one of the most impressive glaciers in Patagonia. You can visit it on a full-day tour from El Calafate or combine the walkways with a boat ride for a closer view of the glacier front.
If this is your first time in the area, this is the essential tour to include in your itinerary. You can also read our full guide to visiting Perito Moreno Glacier before choosing the best option for your trip.
Walk on Perito Moreno Glacier: Minitrekking
Minitrekking is one of the most popular tours in El Calafate. It allows you to walk on the glacier with crampons and explore a unique landscape of ice formations, small lagoons, crevices, and bright blue tones. It’s the best option if you want to experience ice trekking without choosing the most demanding route.
If walking on the glacier is on your Patagonia bucket list, check availability for the Perito Moreno Minitrekking tour in advance, especially during high season.
Take the Big Ice Trek
Big Ice is the most adventurous option on Perito Moreno Glacier. This tour takes you deeper into the glacier and includes a longer, more demanding ice trek through remote areas. It’s ideal for travelers looking for a challenging experience and one of the most unique glacier hikes in Patagonia.
If you’re deciding between Minitrekking and Big Ice, we recommend reading our comparison guide before booking, as the difficulty level and tour experience are quite different.
Sail Among Glaciers on Lake Argentino
Boat tours from El Calafate are perfect if you want to discover the glaciers from the water. Tours such as Glaciares Gourmet or Todo Glaciares let you sail across Lake Argentino, get close to impressive ice walls, and see glaciers like Upsala, Spegazzini, and Perito Moreno, depending on the route.
This is one of the best options if you prefer a more relaxed experience or want to combine your Perito Moreno visit with a glacier cruise during your stay in El Calafate.
Explore Balcones de El Calafate by 4×4
Balcones de El Calafate is a great half-day adventure if you want panoramic views without spending the whole day away. This 4×4 route takes you through scenic tracks above the town, with viewpoints overlooking Lake Argentino, the Patagonian steppe, and, on clear days, even Mount Fitz Roy in the distance.
It’s a perfect tour for your arrival day or your last morning in El Calafate, especially if you want something active but not too demanding.
Discover the Safari Experience
The Safari Experience is a good option if you want to learn more about the history, landscapes, and wildlife of the region. This tour takes you through old ranching areas, pioneer routes, and Patagonian steppe scenery, with the chance to spot native animals along the way.
If you want to go beyond the glaciers and understand the local history of El Calafate, this is one of the most interesting half-day tours to add to your trip.
Visit Cerro Frías
Cerro Frías is another great half-day tour from El Calafate. The experience combines panoramic views, Patagonian landscapes, and a visit to a traditional estancia. Depending on the schedule, it can also include lunch, dinner, or afternoon tea, making it a relaxed but very complete plan.
This is a good alternative if you’re looking for a scenic experience close to town with a more traditional Patagonian feel.
Walk Around Laguna Nimez
Laguna Nimez is one of the easiest activities to do in El Calafate. Located close to town, this nature reserve is ideal for a quiet walk and birdwatching. You may see flamingos, black-necked swans, and other Patagonian birds, all with views of Lake Argentino in the background.
Things to Do in El Calafate: Take a Day Trip to El Chaltén
If you have an extra day, El Chaltén is one of the best day trips from El Calafate. Known as Argentina’s trekking capital, this mountain town is the gateway to some of the most famous hikes in Patagonia, including the route to Laguna de los Tres and views of Mount Fitz Roy.
If you don’t have time to stay overnight in El Chaltén, a full-day tour from El Calafate is a practical way to discover its landscapes and get a first taste of the Fitz Roy area.
Visit Torres del Paine from El Calafate
Torres del Paine National Park, in Chile, can also be visited from El Calafate on a full-day tour. It’s a long day, but the landscapes are worth it: mountains, turquoise lakes, glaciers, guanacos, and some of the most iconic views in Patagonia. This is a great option if you want to combine Argentina and Chile in one trip.
If Torres del Paine is not in your main itinerary, this tour is one of the best ways to visit the park from El Calafate without organizing border crossings, transport, and logistics on your own.
What to Do Depending on How Many Days You Have
Depending on how much time you have in El Calafate, you can plan your visit in different ways:
- If you have half a day:
Choose a short activity such as Balcones de El Calafate, Laguna Nimez, Cerro Frías, or the Safari Experience. These are great options for your arrival day or your last morning before leaving. - If you have one full day:
Focus on Perito Moreno Glacier. You can visit the walkways, add a short boat ride, do the Minitrekking tour, take on the Big Ice trek, or choose a glacier cruise on Lake Argentino. - If you have two or more days:
Combine Perito Moreno with other experiences, such as a boat tour among glaciers, a 4×4 route, a day trip to El Chaltén, or even a full-day tour to Torres del Paine from El Calafate.
What to Do in El Calafate Depending on Your Travel Style
Not every traveler visits El Calafate in the same way. Some come for the glaciers, others for adventure, and others simply want to enjoy Patagonia without rushing. Here’s how to choose the best experience depending on your travel style:
- If it’s your first time in El Calafate:
Start with Perito Moreno Glacier. The walkways are the classic must-do, and you can add a boat ride if you want to see the glacier from a different perspective. - If you’re looking for adventure:
Choose Minitrekking or Big Ice. Both allow you to walk on Perito Moreno Glacier, but Big Ice is longer and more demanding. - If you prefer a relaxed experience:
Go for a glacier boat tour on Lake Argentino, Cerro Frías, Laguna Nimez, or a traditional estancia experience. - If you love hiking:
Add a day trip to El Chaltén. It’s the trekking capital of Argentina and one of the best places to see Mount Fitz Roy. - If you want panoramic views:
Balcones de El Calafate is a great option, with 4×4 tracks, steppe landscapes, and views over Lake Argentino. - If you want to combine Argentina and Chile:
Visit Torres del Paine from El Calafate. It’s a long full-day tour, but perfect if you want to see one of Chile’s most iconic national parks during the same trip.
So, What Are the Best Things to Do in El Calafate?
El Calafate is one of those places that deserves more than just a quick stop. Whether you want to see Perito Moreno Glacier for the first time, walk on the ice, sail among giant glaciers, explore the Patagonian steppe, or take a day trip to El Chaltén or Torres del Paine, this town is the perfect base for discovering southern Patagonia.
The best plan will depend on how much time you have and the type of experience you’re looking for. If it’s your first visit, Perito Moreno Glacier is a must. If you want adventure, Minitrekking or Big Ice are unforgettable. And if you have extra days, combining glaciers, 4×4 tours, and nearby destinations will make your trip even more complete.
Ready to plan your Patagonia adventure? Check out all the El Calafate tours available with Howlanders and choose the experience that best fits your trip.
