El Calafate is the gateway to the Glaciers field of Patagonia. Located 2700km from Buenos Aires, 300km from Rio Gallegos and just about 80km from the Perito Moreno Glacier, the city lies on the shores of Lake Argentino, the largest in Argentina and third in South America.

El Calafate, officially founded in 1927, was a stop on the way of many locals from the Andes to the coast. Suddenly, it began to welcome many others on their way to the Perito Moreno Glacier and started to be the base from where to leave to the 80km route, “adventure” at that time. The name came from the local bush “calafate” which fruit is used to make a delicious jam.

Once a place characterized for its sheep breading Estancias, it is now a tourist village with many accommodation and dining facilities to offer which preserves the Andean Patagonia atmosphere through its decoration and food.

Despite of being located in the southern Patagonia, El Calafate enjoys of a better weather compared to surrounding steppe areas because of the moderating actions of Lake Argentino and for being protected by hills. Temperatures fall below zero during the night in fall and winter, windy days are common during the summer. Dry cold is the way we may define its weather due to the lack of rain, the humidity increases as you get closer to the Perito Moreno Glacier and others glaciers’ area, where you may find frequent drizzles during the fall and winter.

El Calafate can be visited all year round. There are no limitations during winter apart from the fewer amount of bus departures to El Chalten, and excursions can be done everyday. From October to March the area can be a bit crowded.

If you really want to enjoy El Calafate and the Glaciares National Park, we suggest you stay at least three nights so you can take the two main excursions to Perito Moreno and Upsala Glaciers, they leave early in the morning and return to the hotel in the evening. Staying just two nights will allow you to just visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, which is recommendable for those in a lack of time.

El Calafate can be accessed by air from Buenos Aires (3h) and Ushuaia (1h) everyday all year round, and from Bariloche (2h), and Puerto Madryn (1.4h) according to the airline schedules in high season. By bus, you can reach the city from El Chalten (5h), Rio Gallegos (3 to 4h), Ushuaia (12h) and Puerto Natales (7h).

- El Calafate Regional Museum

- Historical Interpretation Center

Small Circuit Tour

During the tour you’ll appreciate San Carlos de Bariloche surroundings. We’ll start in downtown from where we’ll take Bustillo Avenue to reach Playa Bonita at Km8. You’ll visit Campanario Hill, where you can optionally take the lifting chair. After crossing the San Pedro Peninsula at Km25, we’ll reach the Llao Llao area, where you’ll find the San Eduardo Chapel and the luxurious Llao Llao hotel, in front of Puerto Pañuelo, the departing pier of many lake excursions. We’ll visit Villa Tacul, Escondido Lake, López Bay, Moreno Lake and El Trébol Lake after getting to the lookout point. Return to the hotel.

Perito Moreno Glaciar Tour

Upsalla & Onelli Glaciers Navigation

You will leave your hotel early in the morning to the pier in Punta Bandera, where you will board your boat for the full day navigation among glaciers in Lake Argentino. You will be sailing among floating icebergs to reach Upsala Glacier, the largest one in the area, with walls up to 80 m height. Landing in Onelli Bay find us surrounded by forest, a typical Patagonian forest of Lenga and Guindo covered by "old man's beard". After crossing the forest, you will reach Onelli Lagoon and Onelli glacier. You will, then, sail back to Punta Banderas where the transportation will be waiting to return to El Calafate in the evening.

Torres del Paine Tour

Early morning departure from El Calafate to the Chilean border reached at 10am in the morning and from where, after customs, you will head 90 km straight to Torres del Paine. Taking the internal route, you first pass by Lake Sarmiento and Amarga Lagoon. After a few kilometers from there you will get to the first lookout point for a panoramic view of the Paine Horns. You will continue to Lake Pehoe and Paine River. You will finally reach Lago Grey B&B/Inn, where you will have time at leisure for lunch. You will then get back to the Park’s Administration office and start a short trek to Salto Grande to enjoy the magnificent sights. Return to El Calafate in the afternoon arriving late in the evening. Note: You can opt for taking a bus to Puerto Natales or staying in the National Park when the tour ends in Paine.