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Patagonia, ArgentinaFamily-friendly activities

Our most recommended Patagonia, Argentina 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.

Lake Excursion to Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest

2. Lake Excursion to Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest

Start the first section of the tour in the Quetrihue Peninsula where you will visit the Arrayanes Forst.  After a quick walk, arrive at Bosque de Arrayanes where you will stay for 45 minutes and cross the forest on a path that is 2625 feet (800m) long. This part of the trip culminates in the mythical cabin that functions as a tea house. From there, boardoard the catamaran and resume your tour as you head to Bahía Anchorena. After several minutes of navigation, the catamaran will arrive at Puerto Anchorena. Once off the boat, begin your tour of the island. Among the possible activities, you can take the historical route, which is a 1-hour walk where you will have access to information related to the history of the island and its flora and fauna. The other option is to trek to Piedras Blancas on a 5-mile (8km) route. You can also visit Toro Beach, where you can see cave paintings, or the recreation area where you can take a break and even eat lunch. It should be noted that the island has a confectionery stand, where passengers have the opportunity to have lunch or a snack.

Whale Watching from Peninsula Valdes Full-Day Nature Tour

3. Whale Watching from Peninsula Valdes Full-Day Nature Tour

See whales and seals on this day trip from Puerto Madryn. See the small village of Puerto Pirámides, marvel at beautiful nature, and enjoy a view of Caleta Valdés. Begin your tour early in the morning and head towards the Valdés Peninsula Protected Natural Area, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1999. After an hour of travel, arrive at the picturesque ecological village of Puerto Pirámides. From June to November, embark on a whale-watching tour. Between December and March, enjoy a South American Sea Lions and Cormorants tour. Next, enjoy lunch (not included) in Puerto Pirámides or Caleta Valdés. Take some time to tour the southern part of the peninsula, crossing wide landscapes of grasslands and undulations, passing through the Salinas Grande and Chica, and going around Punta Delgada. Stop in Punta Cantor to admire the Atlantic coast and the fascinating geological formation Caleta Valdés. Depending on the time of year, marvel at the southern elephant seals, the largest seals on the planet, relaxing on the beaches. Depending on the time of year, you may visit Las Salinas, and Caleta Valdes, followed by Punta Norte. From there, begin heading back to Puerto Madryn, stopping at the Carlos Ameghino Interpretation Center, a compendium of the natural wealth of the peninsula.

El Calafate: Todo Glaciares Boat Trip

4. 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.

Cruce Andino: San Carlos de Bariloche to Puerto Varas

5. Cruce Andino: San Carlos de Bariloche to Puerto Varas

It is a scenic and tourist route that connects the cities of Puerto Varas in Chile and San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina through the Andes, a mountain range that runs through South America. This trip allows travelers to explore the lakes and mountains of Patagonia while crossing the border between Chile and Argentina. Highlights: 1- Navigation by boat: Travelers cross 3 lakes; 2 Argentinean lakes and 1 Chilean lake. Nahuel Huapi Lake, Frias Lake and Todos los Santos Lake. 2- Bus ride: Each lake is connected by 4 overland routes, scenic routes that pass through places of natural interest such as forests and waterfalls. The following points are connected by bus: Bariloche-Puerto Pañuelo, Puerto Blest-Puerto Alegre, Puerto Frías-Peulla and Petrohué-Puerto Varas. Throughout the trip you will enjoy panoramic views, rainforest and the chance to explore the wildlife, gastronomy and local culture on both sides of the border. Come and live the experience, we are waiting for you!   Itinerary 8:00 AM - Travel overland from Bariloche to Pañuelo Port 10:00 AM - Sail from Pañuelo Port to Blest on Lake Nahuel Huapi 11:00 AM - Sail from Blest to Frías Port on Lake Frías 12:00 PM - Travel overland from Frías Port to Peulla 2:00 PM - Free time in Peulla for lunch 3:30 PM - Sail from Peulla to Petrohue on Lake Todos los Santos 5:30 PM - Travel overland from Petrohue to Puerto Varas 8:00 PM - Arrive in Puerto Varas

Glaciers Gourmet Experience: Full-Day Cruise with Lunch

6. 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

7. 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.

El Calafate: Native Cultures 4x4 Half-Day Excursion

8. 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.

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What people are saying about Patagonia, Argentina

This tour is very good. We first took the boat, and then did the boardwalk, which is much more impressive, as you can see the overall size of the glacier up close. The tour is half the price of other similar tours, but it provided enough time and it is very convenient to go with the tours than do it yourself. But the tour group size is big with a large tour bus. Recommend!

Perfect trip to go see Perito Moreno Glacier. Plenty of time to see the glacier and go on the boat tour. The guide was very great and enthusiastic explained a lot of the history of the glacier and culture.

It is a must-do in Calafate. The views are amazing. Everything was very organized, and the guide was super knowledgeable, she provided information about everything about culture, geography and so son.

The views are absolutely stunning. Our trip to the Arreyenes forest and Victoria Island was amazing. Our guide Melina is an outstanding guide and extremely informative.

One of the best tours ever taken!!! Great service, excellent and unforgettable views, top restaurant. Really fantastic tour...