Trying to decide which El Calafate day tours to book? We’ve compiled a list of some of the top-rated and most unique experiences in the area!
If you’re planning to visit El Calafate, you’ll likely end up booking some day tours. This destination is the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and the world-renowned Perito Moreno Glacier, so there are lots of excursions that centre around this attraction.
One of our personal highlights was joining a full-day glacier boat tour through the park where we got to cruise the length of Lago Argentino and visit numerous glaciers! The natural beauty we saw on that cruise was unparalleled and it’s an experience that we still rave about to this day.
However, more adventurous travellers might prefer more active El Calafate day tours like trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier, kayaking the milky waters of La Leona River, or even horseback riding at one of the many estancias.
Plus, you have other excursions that allow you to experience a completely different landscape – namely, the Patagonian steppe! These tours include visiting a petrified forest, caves with ancient paintings, and 4×4 expeditions that offer panoramic views of the surrounding area.
All this to say that there is a huge variety of day tours from El Calafate, so there’s bound to be something for every type of traveller out there!
10 Day Tours from El Calafate
So, if you need help narrowing down which El Calafate day tour to go on, we’ve got you covered with these top-rated picks!
My Top 3 Picks: El Calafate Day Tours
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ See numerous glaciers
✅ Disembark for a guided hike
✅ Gourmet lunchbox included
Best El Calafate Day Tours
1. Glaciers Boat Cruise aboard Maria Turquesa
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 9 hours | ✅ Book it!
First up, I want to start with my favourite El Calafate day tour and that’s the boat tour to the glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park!
This tour is definitely a bit of a splurge and we were a bit hesitant to book it, but it turned out to be our favourite experience of the whole trip to El Calafate.
We booked the Glaciers Gourmet tour aboard Maria Turquesa and we went for the basic option which includes a packed gourmet lunch box. However, if you’re looking for an even more elevated experience, they have a premium tasting menu that takes place on the top private deck.
The morning of our tour, we were picked up from our accommodations in El Calafate and drove to Puerto Bandera, a private port where we boarded our vessel.
We then spent the day cruising the teal waters of Lago Argentino, the largest freshwater lake in Argentina, and along the way, we visited multiple glaciers!
We got to see Seco Glacier, Heim Glacier, Spegazzini Glacier, Upsala Glacier, and Bertacchi Glacier, before ending the day in front of the one and only Perito Moreno Glacier!
But it wasn’t just about the glaciers. We also got to fish chunks of icebergs out of the lake to use the ice for our drinks. We went past glacial waterfalls cascading down mountains. We even disembarked at an old outpost and went on a guided hike at Puesto de Las Vacas. It was an epic day!
This is a full-day tour from El Calafate, but I can honestly say that we weren’t bored for one second. Maybe it’s because we lucked out with the weather (bright blue sunny skies!), but the ever-changing landscapes kept us entertained the entire day as we alternated between spending time out on the deck and simply admiring the beauty of the park from our seats.
So if you’re only going to splurge on one tour in El Calafate, I would make it this one!
“Basically an all day adventure aboard a large tri-hull cruiser that covered most of Lago Argentina. The seating is quite comfortable and the windows are large. Access to the deck on two levels allows everyone space for viewing and photos. There is a photographer on board to provide professional photos of your experience. We paid to include a box lunch and beverage but you can bring your own or upgrade to the luxury lunch and beverages. The boat had a play area for small children. We visited all of the glaciers. Two of them calved while we were watching. We enjoyed great weather. A short hike is available to stretch your legs on land. We enjoyed the experience.” -Jerry
2. Perito Moreno Glacier Mini Trekking
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10 hours | ✅ Book it!
Another super popular day tour from El Calafate that tends to sell out in advance is the Perito Moreno Glacier mini trekking excursion. Again, this is another big ticket item and I’ll explain why.
For starters, you’re going to be walking on a glacier! That means crevasses and seracs which require a lot of skill to navigate. This is where a professional guide comes in.
For this activity, you set out in groups of 20 with 1 guide for every 10 participants. Crampons are provided as well as an explanation of how to use them and how to stay safe on the glacier.
You walk where your guide walks and you step where your guide steps. There is no deviating ever!
The tour itself includes transportation to and from El Calafate. Once you reach the national park, you’re driven to Bajo las Sombras Pier which is about 6 km far from the balconies. Here you embark on a 20-minute navigation across the Rico Arm towards the Perito Moreno Glacier.
You first trek along the shores of this glacial-fed lake, and then once you reach the actual glacier, you gear up for the big adventure.
It’s possible to book this tour in person for slightly cheaper once you’re already in El Calafate, however, as I’ve mentioned, this is one experience that sells out several days in advance, especially during high tourist season (December to March).
If you’re going to be in El Calafate for a while, you can take your chances and try to book once you arrive, but if you only have a couple of days and you know you want to go on this tour, it’s better to reserve ahead of time.
Note that Hielo y Aventura is the only operator who runs this Perito Moreno Glacier tour!
“This is by far one of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten to do. The entire time we just kept looking around us in awe of where we actually were. Definitely go do this. It’s easy with the tour company taking care of everything and the route being kept very safe and clear. Crampons are not hard to walk with if you follow the instructions of your guide. I highly recommend crossing “trek on a glacier” off of your bucket list.” -Leah
Another popular day tour from El Calafate is to visit an estancia or a working ranch. This is one of our favourite experiences whenever we travel to Patagonia as it’s a window to rural life and gaucho culture in Argentina.
Estancia Nibepo Aike is a great option because it’s relatively accessible (just a 90-minute drive from El Calafate) and it’s also located inside Los Glaciares National Park (its existence predates the park!) so that means you get some truly impeccable views of glacial lakes and snow-capped mountains.
When it comes to visiting Estancia Nibepo Aike on a day trip, you can opt for a full-day excursion or a half-day excursion. The main difference is the horseback riding component – a 3-hour horse ride for the full-day option, or a 1-hour ride for the half-day option. Alternatively, if you don’t want to ride, you can enjoy a hike around the estancia.
We personally opted for the half-day excursion and we felt like it was plenty of time (you can read about our experience at Estancia Nibepo Aike here).
Upon our arrival, we were welcomed with warm beverages and a spread of cakes and baked goods.
We then went on a guided tour of the estancia where we explored the shores of Lago Argentino, climbed up to a viewpoint that offers beautiful panoramic views, and attended a sheep-shearing demonstration.
This was followed by a feast of a BBQ which featured various cuts of meat including chorizo, morcilla, lamb and salad accompanied by a bottle of red wine. For dessert, we had flan with dulce de leche.
After the meal, we still had a bit of free time to roam around the estancia, so we took lots of photos and befriended the estancia dogs.
There are lots of cool estancias in and around El Calafate, some of which are open to day visitors and some that welcome overnight guests, so that’s another option to consider.
“Loved everything that was part of our trip – breathtaking views, farm life all around us, horse ride, sheep shearing shown to us, and a wonderful dinner offered! we told our friends and highly recommended them this activity in El Calafate. We might even return ourselves, on the next trip.” -Irina
4. Punta Walichu Archaeological Site
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours | ✅ Book it!
Punta Walichu Archaeological Site is an easy half-day tour from El Calafate that doesn’t involve travelling long distances. This is a fun activity if you’re looking to fill a bit of free time with an easy excursion.
Here you’ll find several caves located at the foot of a cliff on the shores of Lago Argentino and inside those caves are ancient rock paintings which are believed to be over 4,000 years old!
The first inhabitants of these lands arrived during the Glacial Age and are believed to have been the predecessors of the Tehuelches.
The cave paintings at Punta Walichu depict images of outlined hands, hunting methods, and the animals that roamed the area.
This tour ends with either lunch or dinner served in one of the caves overlooking Lake Argentino. Quite the special setting, if you ask me!
The menu features a homemade soup for the entree, a lamb casserole with vegetables for the main (or sautéed vegetables if you’re vegetarian), and chocolate mousse for dessert. As for drinks, guests can choose between wine, juice and mineral water.
“We decided on this half day tour and frankly were not sure what to expect We really enjoyed the information shared by our guide, the party we travelled with and the beautiful vistas of Lago Argentina as well as the history of the native peoples, their ancient writings and stories of their culture and lives. Finally the catered lunch set up in the cave environment with a view of the natural surroundings was amazing and delicious We UNEQUIVOCALLY recommend you take this journey You won’t be sorry!” -Grace
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5. Balconies of Calafate
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3-4 hours | ✅ Book it!
If you’re looking for another half-day tour from El Calafate, you may want to consider a 4×4 off-road adventure to explore the rugged and pristine landscapes of the Patagonian region.
Balcones de Calafate or the Balconies of Calafate is a panoramic lookout point behind the town of El Calafate. This destination can be reached by 4×4 and offers multiple vantage points where you can see the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino and the majestic peaks of the Andes Mountain Range.
Some tours go up to Cerro Frias while others go to Cerro Huyliche.
The off-road routes traverse areas with unique flora and fauna, so you have a good chance of observing the local wildlife, including guanacos, foxes, and various bird species.
“Ruben, our guide, made this adventure so enjoyable. He truly loves all his guests. We had a fun trip up the mountain with great views of El Calafate, Lago Argentino, and the snow-covered Andes. Then he made us a tasty lunch before heading back down the mountain to our hotel. We highly recommend this tour.” -William
6. La Leona Petrified Forest
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | ✅ Book it!
La Leona Petrified Forest offers a landscape that’s completely different from the glaciers and turquoise lakes of El Calafate, so it’s a fun option if you want to get a taste of the Patagonian steppe.
The first stop of the day is Hotel La Leona, a roadside rest stop and countryside guesthouse that unknowingly housed Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid for over a month before they fled Argentina for Chile!
You then embark on a guided hike through the lunar-like landscape of La Leona Petrified Forest.
This part of the tour takes you into a deep depression in the landscape where you can find petrified tree trunks that are around 70 million years old!
Some of these trees are up to 1.20 meters in diameter and they echo of a time when the climate in this part of the world was very different and supported a completely different type of vegetation!
Aside from the petrified trees, it is also possible to see fossilized dinosaur bones and unique rock formations.
The duration of the actual trek is 3 hours, though this also depends on the weather and the group’s pace. A boxed picnic lunch is included on this day tour.
It’s also important to note that this is a seasonal tour that operates from October to April.
“We were both happy we decided to go on this tour. The landscape is something else and the fact that I got to physically hold a piece of wood which was now stone still is one of my vivied memories of nearly three weeks in different parts of Argentina. The guides were informative and very friendly!” -Helene
7. Kayaking La Leona River
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | ✅ Book it!
Kayaking La Leona River is a full-day tour from El Calafate and it’s a nice option for travellers who want to spend an active day out on the Patagonian steppe!
This particular tour takes place in La Leona, an outpost located halfway between El Calafate and El Chaltén.
On this tour, you’ll kayak the waters of La Leona River which connects Lago Argentino to Lago Viedma. The waters are a beautiful light blue milky colour due to the glacial sediment from Viedma Glacier.
Wetsuits are provided and you’re accompanied by a professional guide every step of the way.
But you won’t spend the whole day on the water! After kayaking down La Leona River, you’ll pull into the shore to embark on a guided hike to La Leona Petrified Forest where you can see dinosaur fossils and walk among ancient petrified tree trunks that date back millions of years!
“Excellent guides – friendly and knowledgeable – they not only made the day fun but also kept everyone safe on the river. It felt such a privilege to kayak the La Leona river and walk the badlands without another soul in sight. It was our group and the guanacos! This trip will ensure you fall in love with Patagonia (if you hadn’t already)!” -Carol
8. Estancia Cristina
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 hours | ✅ Book it!
Another very famous estancia near El Calafate, albeit a bit more difficult to access, is Estancia Cristina. This estancia is located inside Los Glaciares National Park and the only way to reach it is by boat, which is an adventure in and of itself.
This remote ranch is steeped in history and dates back to 1914. It was founded by Joseph and Jessie Masters, a couple who came from the United Kingdom to start a new life in this corner of Patagonia.
What makes this estancia unique is that it’s the only property that has a land-based lookout point to the Upsala Glacier.
This day tour begins with a 45-kilometer drive from El Calafate to Puerto Bandera. Here you’ll board a vessel where you’ll be welcomed with hot drinks and medialunas.
You’ll then begin a 3-hour navigation across Lago Argentino cruising past icebergs and snow-capped mountains on your journey to the estancia.
Once you reach Estancia Cristina, you’ll go on a guided tour of the property and then you’ll have two options: an off-road 4×4 tour to Upsala Glacier or a hike to a pristine nearby waterfall. This El Calafate day trip ends with a traditional Argentine lunch at the estancia.
“Despite the high price tag, this day trip is worth the money. It is well organized; the service and amenities were excellent and the experiences are one of a kind. The first part of the day is a cruise near the Upsala glacier and navigating in close proximity to ice bergs floating in Lago Argentino. That is followed by one of the adventure tours at Estancia Cristina. We chose the 4×4 track to view the glaciers: amazing views, but be aware that it is about 90 minutes inside the vehicle. The lunch at the Estancia was a gourmet experience. The whole Estancia Cristina team made everything first class.” -Michael
9. El Chaltén
⭐️ RATING: 4/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 12 hours | ✅ Book it!
While it is possible to visit El Chaltén on a day trip from El Calafate, the question you should ask yourself is: should you?
I think it really depends on the type of traveller you are and your goal for the visit!
The first thing you should know about El Chalten is that it’s the National Trekking Capital of Argentina. This destination draws avid mountaineers and while hiking is the main draw, you can also enjoy rock climbing, kayaking, horse trekking and all sorts of other outdoor adventures.
As an avid hiker myself, I’m inclined to say that visiting El Chalten on a day trip from El Calafate is simply not worth it. The drive there takes around 3 hours, the most epic hikes merit a full day and should be started in the morning, plus it’s the kind of town where it’s worth lingering for a few days. But that only applies if you like hiking!
When does it make sense to visit El Chalten on a day trip from El Calafate? I would say it makes sense if you want to visit one more town, enjoy the scenery during the drive, and you’re a less active traveller who is more of a walker than a hiker.
On the drive to El Chalten from El Calafate, you’ll get to enjoy views of the Patagonian steppe, the milky waters of lakes and rivers fed by glacial runoff, you’ll stop at the La Leona outpost that hid Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and you’ll catch a glimpse of Mount Fitz Roy at the end of the highway as you approach the town.
Once you arrive in town, you’ll have the opportunity to go on two very easy and light hikes accompanied by a guide. The first is Chorrillo del Salto where you can see a glacier-fed waterfall set amid the woodland.
The second is El Mirador De Los Condores, a lookout point that offers panoramic views of El Chalten where you can often see vultures flying overhead. This is an out-and-back 2.6-kilometre trail that takes 45 minutes to complete.
You then get free time in the town to eat lunch (which is included in this tour) and to walk around or browse for souvenirs. That’s the day trip!
Now, I’ve done both of these light hikes and while they are nice, they pale in comparison to the scenery you can witness if you’re willing to do the more challenging treks in El Chalten.
I would say, if your itinerary allows for it, it’s worth spending at least 3 days in El Chalten. But I also understand that not everybody is a hiker, so it’s a decision you need to make for yourself.
“Perfect day. Guide and driver were awesome. The hikes were very simple, but intensely beautiful. Lunch was actually one of the better meals I’ve had in Argentina. Definitely recommend.” -Jackson
10. Torres del Paine, Chile
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 14 hours | ✅ Book it!
Can you visit Torres del Paine National Park, Chile on a day trip from El Calafate, Argentina?
Technically, yes you can, and there are even day tours that will take you there, however, you have to be prepared for a very long day.
Having personally visited Torres del Paine, I think it merits at least a couple of days (more if you want to tackle some of the more popular hikes like the W Trek and the O Trek!), however, sometimes you’re limited by your travel time.
If you only have one day to visit Torres del Paine and you know you won’t be back in this remote corner of the globe any time soon, then do it.
So what can you expect from this El Calafate day tour to Torres del Paine National Park?
For starters, you need to be prepared for a very early start! The bus will begin picking up passengers at 06:30 a.m. and then drive to the Argentina-Chile border where everyone will have to go through immigration. Don’t forget to bring your passport!
Once you’ve made it across the border, there will be a stop at an outpost called El Ovejero in Cerro Castillo. Here you’ll have the opportunity to use the restrooms, have a quick coffee break, and pick up a souvenir or two if you so wish (I bought leg warmers and an alpaca sweater here!).
This is also your opportunity to exchange some money and get Chilean pesos to pay for the national park admission fee, or you can pay in USD if you have crisp bills without any rips, folds or stains.
Once you reach Torres del Paine National Park, you’ll get to see a few of the highlights. These include landmarks like Laguna Amarga, the Paine Towers, Paine Waterfall, Nordenskjold Lake, the Pehoe Lake Lookout Point and more.
Most of the scenery will be admired from the bus as you drive through the national park, however, there will also be brief stops for photo ops ranging from 15 to 30 minutes, plus a 2-hour hike to Lake Pehoé and Lake Nordenskjöld.
Torres del Paine is home to all sorts of wildlife including lots of guanacos, foxes and condors, and if you’re particularly lucky you might get to see pumas!
So yes, this tour involves a long day of travel, but the landscapes are breathtaking. The decision is yours!
“A long day, worth every minute. The guide Nicolas was very good. All day explaining in both Spanish and (good) English. He knows what he is talking about, very good explanations. No significant delay at the border and in case this would be so, no blamage on the organization. For the trip many experiences and photography depends on the weather. Fortunately we were very lucky. A wonderful trip.” -George
Final Thoughts on El Calafate Day Tours
As you’ve seen there is no shortage of options when it comes to choosing El Calafate day tours!
You have full-day and half-day tours, activities aimed at thrill-seekers and others geared towards travellers wanting light adventures.
Plus you have tours that explore the varied landscapes of El Calafate: glaciers, lakes, rivers, and the arid scenes of the Patagonian steppe.
We hope this list has offered a bit of inspiration and now the choice is yours!
GROUP TOURS – If you’d rather join a group tour to travel in Argentina, check out Gadventures.
CAR RENTAL – To explore Argentina beyond the cities, the best way to do so is by renting a car. Discover Cars offers rentals across the country.
BUS TICKETS – Bus travel is a great way to see Argentina. BusBud offers numerous routes.
TRAVEL INSURANCE – Don’t leave on your trip without booking travel insurance. You can get a quote on SafetyWing.
HOTELS – Booking.com offers accommodations to suit all budgets and travel styles.
TOURS – For a variety of tours and activities, have a look at Viator.