El Calafate, Patagonia, Argentina
Home to Perito Moreno Glacier and gateway to El Chalten as well as to Ushuaia.
We offer full day tours to Perito Moreno Glacier as well as ice hiking and ice climbing itineraries. We can also build in trips to El Chalten.
El Calafate
Where is El Calafate Located?
Approx 3hrs 10min from Buenos Aires and up to 6hrs by road from Torres del Paine.
El Calafate is located in the far south of Argentina beside lake Argentino in the Patagonian region. Moreover, from the Chilean side it is just over the mountains on the other side of Torres del Paine National Park.
The city has developed as a tourist destination only because it is the base from which visitors can enter the spectacular ice field Los Glaciares National Park (a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site), which is 50km away. However, the National Park is the second-largest in Argentina covering 600,000ha of which 40% is covered by ice fields, including the famous Perito Moreno glacier. As a result there are over 13 glaciers that descend and melt into two large lakes: Lake Argentino and lake Viedma linked by the river La Leona that flows from Lake Viedma to lake Argentino.
Perito Moreno Glacier
About 80km west of El Calafate is Ventisquero Perito Moreno (Perito Moreno Glacier) – the “big one” that everyone comes to see. For example, it has a 5km long, vertical wall of glacial ice face rising to heights of around 60m flowing some 30km from its source in the Andes Mountains.
The Breaking Off of the Glacial Ice Face Into the Lake
The main spectacle occurs when, every few years, there is a mighty breaking off of the glacial ice face into the lake. What happens is that the Perito Moreno glacier advances (one of the few in the world not to be receding) towards lake Argentino until part of it makes contact with the peninsula of land opposite (from where there is a direct viewing area). As a result of this advancement when the glacier makes contact with the peninsula it then cuts the lake Argentino into two parts creating “two lakes”. Therefore, as you look directly at the glacier, the “new” lake on the left is now closed in and cannot flow into the larger lake Argentino as it previously did.
However, the newly-created lake continues to be fed with the water from rivers and ice melt causing the water level of the lake to rise. Eventually the higher-level new lake manages to erode a hole through the Perito Moreno glacial ice dam until it flows once again into the lake Argentino.
As a result of the increased water flow this hole becomes larger, and the water flow gets quicker and more powerful it eventually causes the glacial dam to collapse. Consequently, it is this massive collapse of towering glacial ice that causes such a stunning spectacle that people flock in from all over Argentina and the World to witness it. The spectacle only happens every few years. However, even without this incredible sight, just being close to the massive glacial wall is an incredible experience in itself.
Send Your Enquiry to here: request@experiencechile.org
El Calafate
We Offer
Many of our itineraries include a night or more in El Calafate.
If you have entered South America via Buenos Aires or have landed to Ushuaia from an Antarctica Expedition trip, then El Calafate will be a very useful logistical stop off. More so if you intend to go over to or are coming from Torres del Paine in Chile. In addition, if you are headed to or coming from El Chalten, then also, El Calafate will be the stop-over place. And, in visiting El Calafate it will make a lot of sense to allow a full day to go and see the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier.
Staying Over in El Calafate
We suggest at least two nights in El Calafate in order to have time to go and see the Perito Moreno Glacier, or trek on top of it. Other than that, there are other activities and excursions, so if you have the time then we can also build these into your itinerary.
If you would like us to arrange a custom-itinerary for you, please send us an enquiry.
Send Your Enquiry to here: request@experiencechile.org
Arriving to El Calafate
How to Get to El Calafate
Flight arrivals by air from Buenos Aires, Ushuaia and Bariloche in Argentina and by road from Torres del Paine and Puerto Natales in Chile.
Send Your Enquiry to here: request@experiencechile.org
El Calafate: The Main Places of Interest
El Calafate Places of Interest
The principal place of interest is the large and impressive Perito Moreno Glacier – well worth a visit. The regular Perito Moreno will involve a regular bus that takes you to the Glaciers National Park, whereupon you then have a couple of hours to walk along the well-constructed board walks that are situated right opposite the glacier. In addition, we will include a Navigation on a catamaran that navigates close to the western face of the glacier.
For those who seek adventure, there is the option do hike on top of the glacier, known as “mini trek” and then there is the more challenging option to ice climb “big ice” inside glacial walls in the glacier. Age limits apply for each of these.
El Chalten
This is a key trekkers destination and usually merits at least three nights here, however, there are also full day trips out of El Calafate if you just want to visit and sneak in a short trek. It requires a 3hr road transfer each way.
Panoramic Views
Another interesting option is a half day tour into the hills overlooking the city from where there are incredible panoramic views as far as El Chalten on a clear day.
Estancia Cristina
For those who wish to see and experience a real Patagonia estancia then the historic working Estancia Cristina is another full day tour that some people like to do.
Torres del Paine
Although an incredibly long and tiring day (6hr transfer each way) there is also the option to go to Torres del Paine, if you do not already have this Patagonian jewel in your itinerary.
Here at Experience Chile, we will be pleased to arrange whatever it is you seek.
Send Your Enquiry to here: request@experiencechile.org
Full Day Ice Hike (Big Ice) Perito Moreno Glacier
Half Day 4 x 4 Truck Los Balcones Tour
Full Day Ice Hike (Mini Trek) on Perito Moreno Glacier
Full Day El Chalten Fitzroy
Getting to El Calafate
By Air or Road
El Calafate airport receives flights from Buenos Aires, Bariloche and Ushuaia. Therefore there are many ways to fly into El Calafate. It is NOT possible to fly in, directly from Chile, unless you have booked a charter flight in advance.
If you are coming in by road there are regular buses that operate from Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas in Chile as well as from other, far away destinations in Argentina, for example, Bariloche. In addition, you can consider self-driving if you have rented a car. However, note: You need special paperwork, arranged in advance, if bringing a car over the border from Chile.
Also, you cannot bring over the border these items: fruit, seeds, cheeses, raw meats (plus the usual restrictions pertaining to drugs, money and alcohol).
Send Your Enquiry to here: request@experiencechile.org
El Calafate for Torres del Paine
Ideal Stop Over Before or After Torres del Paine
El Calafate is the nearest Argentine city to Torres del Paine.
Therefore, consider including a visit to Torres del Paine in your itinerary, ideally for four or more nights.
El Calafate Accommodation
Places to Stay in El Calafate
El Calafate exists solely as a feeder city to the Perito Moreno Glacier. It is purely a tourist city and therefore it offers numerous accommodation options of varying levels of comfort and style.
Here, below, is only a selection of the many accommodation varieties in El Calafate. If you want a place not shown here, just ask and we will sort it out for you.
Send Your Enquiry to here: request@experiencechile.org
Estancia Cristina
Los Ponchos Hotel
Eolo Hotel
Posada Los Alamos
Kosten Aike Hotel
Please Send Us Your Enquiry
For the best service please supply us with as much information as you can. For example, where you want to go, what you want to do, what you want to experience and how much money you want to spend (or do not want to spend!). How many people, what type of beds (matrimonial, twin, single etc.)
VIP
In the event that you are a VIP in any of the fields such as celebrity and/or political and/or business, and you need “special attention”. For example, privacy and/or security for your trip please use an alias in the enquiry but mention that you are VIP and one of the directors will handle your request and keep your real name and details confidential.
OFFER
Ask us to handle ALL of your South America, or Chile trip and we WILL include some items for free or at special lower-than-public rates. How much we can offer you depends on how much we can arrange and book for you. REQUEST@EXPERIENCECHILE.ORG
Remember, our specialty is to create a travel itinerary custom-built to your needs.
