Excursions, travel in Argentina, Patagonia

A trip to El Calafate

Madalyn Roberg

By | May 21, 2020

El Calafate

El Calafate is the gateway to Los Glaciares National park, home to show-stopping El Perito Moreno and Upsala glaciers. The breathtaking nature surrounding El Calafate makes the perfect destination for fans of the untamed outdoors.

The town of El Calafate itself is small and cute, but the must-see sights are mostly located outside of the town. There is no shortage of natural wonders to be discovered in an around El Calafate. Here we break down how to get there, and some of the most awe-inspiring sights that can’t be missed.

Getting to El Calafate from Buenos Aires

If you’re traveling to El Calafate from another destination in Patagonia such as Bariloche or Ushuaia, taking a long-haul bus is a good option to save some money. Thanks to the meal service and fully reclining seating options, an enjoyable journey and good night’s rest are quite feasible. However, if you’re traveling directly from Buenos Aires, the bus to El Calafate is about 35 hours. So, unless you want to spend almost two days on a bus, it may be worth the extra pesos to fly instead.

Perito Moreno Glacier

The electric blue Perito Moreno glacier is not only one of the most impressive sights in Patagonia, but in all of South America. People travel from all of the world to catch a glimpse of this breathtaking slab of ice and witness as chunks crash into the water. In order to get a closer look at the glacier you’re going to need to take a tour. For a post card worthy picture of the glacier from the water, there are boat tours that run every hour. However, If you’re hoping to get up close and personal, you’ll need to do one of the ice trekking excursions. The 2-hour mini ice trekking tour takes you on a tour through lagoons, streams, and stunning ice formations. For a more extreme experience, and some of the most glorious views nature has to offer, consider the Big Ice. This physically demanding 7-hour trek takes you into the center of the glacier. Both tours end with a well-deserved whiskey served over ice from the glacier.

Lago Argentino

Though the Perito Moreno is by far the most popular glacier, it’s not the only must-see glacier in the region. Take a boat tour through the creamy aquamarine Lago Argentino on a sunny day in order to catch a view of some of the others. The tours head up the northern arm of the river where you can’t miss the magnificent Upsala Glacier, and and then float south past the Seco Glacier, and the towering Spegazzini Glacier. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to capture photos of the icy blue glaciers framed by the jagged Andean peaks. For the more adventurous, kayaking tours through the icy waters are also available.

Cerro Frías

Located only about a 30 minute drive outside of the town of Calafate, Cerro Frías is a 1,300 meter epic lookout point. Thanks to the lack of surrounding mountains, unobstructed panoramic views of Lago Argentino, Torres de Paine, and Mount Fitz Roy are all visible from the top of the hill.The summit can be reached by jeep tours, horseback, mountain bike, or trekking. Along the way you’ll likely see gazelles, guanacos, condors, and hares. And at the top, breathtaking 360 views await.

Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine isn’t super close to Calafate – taking a tour there will begin at about 5:00 am and includes a boarder hop into Chile— but it’s worth the long day. Unless you’ll be traveling through Chilean Patagonia as well, it’s a shame to be this close to one of the world’s most famous national parks without checking it out. Renowned for the soaring peaks, and bright blue lakes, Torres del Paine, offers gorgeous views and many photo-ops. Though you’ll be seated in the bus for the majority of the tour, there will also be plenty of stops at lookout points, and opportunities to walk around and explore the land. Don’t be surprised if you come upon grazing cattle, sheep or alpacas, or spot and eagle in the sky. Torres del Paine is teeming with wildlife.

Laguna Nimez

For a more relaxed activity, head to Laguna Nimez, which is just a short walk from the town of Calafate. Perfect for bird watchers, this ecological reserve is home to 80 different species of birds, including Chilean Flamingos and swans. The paths around the laguna and nearby lakes are also great for some light self-guided hiking.

A few things to know about El Calafate when planning your trip: Many of the shops, hostels, and tours are cash only. The weather changes frequently and quickly – a beautiful day can end with a violent wind storm. Airfare and most of the tours are quite reasonably priced, but restaurants are a bit expensive. The food is excellent though. All in all, a trip to El Calafate is a great vacation from your vacation.

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