Add dates

El Calafate Family-friendly activities

Our most recommended El Calafate Family-friendly activities

El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier & Optional Boat Cruise

1. El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier & Optional Boat Cruise

Depart from your hotel in El Calafate at around 10:30 AM and set off for the Perito Moreno Glacier located inside the Los Glaciares National Park. Travel to the west end of the Magallanes Peninsula and enjoy plenty of time to explore this natural ice formation. Begin your tour of the national park by strolling along a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) network of boardwalks. Admire the glacier from multiple perspectives as you climb up to different levels and balconies. Spend 2 hours exploring the runways and use this time to eat a packed lunch or make a stop in at one of the restaurants. Go on an optional 1-hour boat ride in front of the northern wall of the glacier. After the tour, return to El Calafate via the same route and arrive in the evening.

El Calafate: Todo Glaciares Boat Trip

2. El Calafate: Todo Glaciares Boat Trip

Start the tour with a pickup from your hotel in El Calafate around 7:00 AM to undertake the 47km route to the Punta Bandera Port where your boat departs at 9:00 AM.  The first part of the trip takes place in the north arm of the Argentino Lake before crossing into the Boca del Diablo, the narrowest part of the lake. Then, go to the Upsala and Spegazzini channels where you can view the respective glaciers. The Upsala Glacier is the largest on Argentino Lake and can be seen from about 20km away. The Spegazzini Glacier is the highest and you can also see the Dry, Heim Sur, and Peineta glaciers. After entering the Spegazzini Channel, a 300-meter path will be crossed without difficulty through the forest along the coast of the lake making stops at viewpoints overlooking the entire Bay of Glaciers.  Arrive at the Spegazzini Refuge where you can enjoy an optional 3-course lunch with drinks, visit the shop, and contemplate the landscape from the terrace.  For those who enjoy walking, the mountain path offers a 700m trek of medium difficulty through a wooded path with natural viewpoints of the Spegazzini Glacier ending at the landing point. Return to the boat and head back to El Calafate where you’ll be dropped off back at your hotel.

El Calafate: Native Cultures 4x4 Half-Day Excursion

3. El Calafate: Native Cultures 4x4 Half-Day Excursion

Embark on a 4x4 Patagonian adventure trip from El Calafate. Venture into Los Glaciares National Park and walk along Argentino Lake. Learn about indigenous cultures while exploring the stories of the first expeditions and inhabitants of the area. After hotel pickup, hop into a 4x4 vehicle and begin your journey through the Patagonian steppe. Between the cliffs and overlooking the Andes Mountains, the tour focuses on the first contact between expeditionary explorers and the indigenous Tehuelche population. Arrive at the shores of Lake Argentino, then listen to a talk from your guide about the formation of the landscape and the native fauna and flora. Drive up the mountain to take in an incredible panoramic view of the city below and its surroundings. From there, appreciate the extension of Lake Argentino and the Cordillera de Los Andes. Walk 500 meters on foot to the archaeological site as you interpret the meaning of rock paintings and the techniques used to make them. End the tour by enjoying a Patagonian-style lunch.

Glaciers Gourmet Experience: Full-Day Cruise with Lunch

4. Glaciers Gourmet Experience: Full-Day Cruise with Lunch

Sail in luxury around Southern Patagonia's Los Glaciares National Park during this full-day sightseeing cruise. Board at La Soledad Port, before visiting the stunning Escuadra Bay and the Condor Nesting Wall. Watch these beautiful birds in action. Marvel at the majestic natural wonders of the Seco, Heim and Spegazzini Glaciers from the catamaran's four outer decks. Disembark at "Puesto Las Vacas" station for a short walk. Then, visit Upsala Canal, and enjoy panoramic views of the spectacular Upsala and Bertracchi Glaciers. Indulge in a gourmet lunch onboard. Admire the cruiser's glacier-themed decorations, which bring nature indoors. Let your kids play in the recreation area, which features illustrations of the National Park’s native fauna. Navigate along Canal de los Témpanos towards the Northern face of the Perito Moreno Glacier, and disembark at La Soledad Port. 

El Calafate Balconies Experience: 3-Hour 4WD Tour

5. El Calafate Balconies Experience: 3-Hour 4WD Tour

Choose from 2 daily departures and get picked up from your hotel in El Calafate. Hop into a 4WD vehicle and set off on a 35 km adventure into the hills behind the village. Drive along a trail which takes you through marvelous landscapes with varied vegetation reaching up to 1050 m above sea level.  Make your first stop at a viewpoint where you can admire impressive panoramas of El Calafate and the central body of Lake Argentino. In the background, observe the unforgettable and imposing Andes Mountains, and at times, views of the glaciers, towards Boca del Diablo. Occasionally it is possible to see the Fitz Roy and Torre hills in El Chaltén. With some luck, you might even be able to spot a condor, the master of the Patagonian skies. After this, follow the trail to the Labyrinth of Stones which is only accessible through the Calafate Mountain Park. This Cretaceous formation dates back to 85 million years and was once the bed of a river. Learn about how numerous fossil remains have been found here which enable paleontologists to observe millions of years of history.  Next, stop for a snack at the Huyliche confectionery before beginning the descent down the northern slope of the hill. Arrive at the Stone of the Hats, curious iron concretions that are only found in 4 places in the world. Finally, return to El Calafate with taking in the incredible views of the omnipresent Lake Argentino en route.

From El Calafate: Argentino Lake and 4WD Discovery Tour

6. From El Calafate: Argentino Lake and 4WD Discovery Tour

On this excursion from El Calafate you’ll spend a day in awe of the spectacular natural wonders of Los Glaciares National Park. Begin with a sail from the Punta Bandera port on board a modern and comfortable boat. You’ll be surrounded by icebergs as you sail on Argentino Lake and marvel at the stunning views. Continue the sail through the North Arm and the Cristina Channel, finally disembarking at Estancia Cristina. When you arrive at the Estancia you’ll enjoy a history tour, and a visit to the museum and old shearing shed. Head out on a guided walk up to the Caterina River, where you’ll see the chapel and the old house of the Estancia. From here you’ll ascend by 4x4 vehicle to the 9.5-kilometer continental ice shelter, which is an area of significant geological interest. From the shelter you’ll take a 20-minute walk to the Upsala viewpoint, along terrain that has been eroded by the glacier. From the viewpoint you’ll enjoy stunning views of the glacier, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and the Andes Mountain Range.

Frequently asked questions about El Calafate

What top attractions are a must-see in El Calafate?

The must-see attractions in El Calafate are:

What are the best day trips and excursions from El Calafate?

The best day trips and excursions from El Calafate are:

Perito Moreno Glacier

Other Sightseeing Options in El Calafate

Want to discover all there is to do in El Calafate? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about El Calafate

The Perito Moreno glacier was absolutely incredible. We spent hours looking up and down the face from different vistas, hoping to witness the next ice block calving from the main glacier, which occurred with surprising frequency on the day we were there. To top it off we even had a Condor fly over at very close range while we were watching the glacier. Our ride there and back was one time and in a comfortable coach. Our guide, Sebastián, informative, helpful and professional. We could not have asked for anything better.

Perfect sunny day for Perito Moreno Glacier. Well organized tour pick up from hotel. Our guide Rebecca was great very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Driver Diego was also greet very funny and kept bus clean. Great driver. Spoke both English and Spanish. This tour on a sunny day was a highlight of Argentina for sure. Beautiful glacier well worth the trip.

Good communication from patagonia dreams about pick up. I booked the captains club which was a private (16seats) in front with the captain and included food and drinks and a guide. If you can spare the extra $ I definitely recommend. Relaxing day viewing the glaciers and a iceberg.

Discovery of the Patagonian steppe by bus and fantastic arrival at Perito Moréno. Unforgettable panoramic view.

suggest to book with local agency. it is much cheaper