Tailor-made trips to El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier
The heart of southern Patagonia: cathedrals of turquoise ice, historic estancias at the foot of the Andes and boutique retreats facing Lago Argentino.
Argentina — El Calafate and Perito Moreno Glacier
El Calafate is the gateway to a world of thundering ice, clean winds and endless horizons. Here nature isn’t watched from afar: you walk with crampons over ancient moraines, sail among icebergs the size of buildings and witness massive ice falls that make the Patagonian steppe tremble.
We design your trip to El Calafate with private boat trips, ice walks with high-mountain guides and exclusive estancias where luxury means silence, a crackling fire and Patagonian lamb roasted over open flames.
Name
El Calafate — Santa Cruz, Argentina
Known as
The Glacier Capital
Climate
Dry Patagonian cold with prevailing westerly winds
Airports
Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE)
Face to face with the ice
The Perito Moreno wall, creaking just meters away
An ice front five kilometers wide and sixty meters high that keeps advancing, seemingly defying the laws of physics. Seeing the glacier from the catwalks is overwhelming, but hearing it crack from within before a tower of ice crashes into Brazo Rico is a feeling that stays with you forever.
We time your arrival to avoid the busiest hours, with private access and flexible schedules so you can take in this natural giant in complete calm.
Activities and experiences
Five ways to experience the kingdom of ice
01
Crampon trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier
After crossing Brazo Rico by boat, you strap on crampons to explore blue crevasses, deep sinkholes and inner lagoons with guides who specialize in glaciology. The perfect finale: a whisky served over ancient glacier ice.
02
Gourmet cruise to the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers
A journey across Lago Argentino aboard a premium catamaran. Enjoy the VIP lounge as you take in the park’s tallest glacier wall —the Spegazzini— over a multi-course lunch paired with select wines.
03
A countryside day and estancia life in deep Patagonia
Visit historic, still-working estancias: guided horseback rides through canyons, hiking along the Cordón Cristina and a traditional asado of spit-roasted lamb, prepared criollo style.
04
Dawn photo safari and exclusive catwalks
We schedule your transfer before the park opens to the public so you can capture the first rays of light painting the glacier’s ridges blue and gold, when the only sound is the Patagonian wind.
05
Signature retreat and fine dining with lake views
Stays in boutique hotels and country lodges built of wood and native stone. Signature menus with Patagonian produce —wild trout, foraged mushrooms and red berries— and spas with panoramic lake views.
When to go
A steppe that changes with the light of the year
Sep — Nov · Spring
Clean winds and a blooming steppe
The days start to lengthen and the steppe shows its first shoots. The perfect time to watch the lake’s birdlife and enjoy cool walks with fewer travelers around.
Dec — Feb · Summer
Endless days and mild temperatures
With up to sixteen hours of daylight, summer lets you make the most of long treks and boat trips. It’s the busiest season, with the mildest weather.
Mar — May · Autumn
Brick and gold in the forests
The groves of lenga and ñire beeches turn deep red, orange and yellow. The wind eases, bringing calm days that are ideal for landscape photography.
Jun — Aug · Winter
Snow, stillness and dramatic scenery
The Patagonian winter dresses the Andean peaks in white. An intimate time to visit the glacier without crowds and enjoy long evenings by the fire at your lodge.
Downtown El Calafate · Red fox · Guanacos · Argentine flag
Practical information
The practical side, sorted
- Airports
- El Calafate’s Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE), 20 minutes from town and 1 hour 15 minutes from Los Glaciares National Park.
- Transfers
- Private 4×4 vehicles and executive vans with a bilingual driver, guaranteed for park transfers, boat trips and intercity transfers to El Chaltén.
- Climate
- Cold and dry, with wide temperature swings. Layered clothing is a must: thermal layers, a waterproof windbreaker, UV-filter sunglasses and sunscreen.
Frequently asked questions
Before you book
Why explore El Calafate with Tripology?
We skip the canned tours. We book premium boat departures, human-scale lodgings with personal service and seamless logistics to connect with El Chaltén or Torres del Paine.
How many days should I stay?
We recommend a minimum stay of 3 to 4 nights: a full day for the Perito Moreno Glacier, a day sailing to Spegazzini and Upsala, and a day to rest or enjoy Patagonian life at an estancia.
Ready for El Calafate?
Tailor-made quote based on your dates, number of travelers and travel style. You’ll hear back from a specialist advisor, not an automated system.
Talk to an advisor
