El Calafate is the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, and these are the must-do activities: the Todo Glaciares boat trip to the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers, the boat trips to the Viedma Glacier from El Chaltén, the Perito Moreno Glacier walkways, the Sky Over Moreno helicopter flight, the full-day excursion to Cerro Castillo with condors and waterfalls, and the Laguna Nimez Reserve. All of these can be booked through Solo Patagonia—the official concessionaire for the park's boat tours since 1980—and its travel agency, Fun Patagonia. Here's a quick guide with specific details.
1. Sail to the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers
What almost no one tells you: Perito Moreno is just one of the 47 major glaciers in the park. Two of the most imposing— Upsala (765 km², larger than the City of Buenos Aires) and Spegazzini (with 135-meter-high walls, the tallest in the park)—are only accessible by boat. The All Glaciers Navigation tour departs from Punta Bandera Port (47 km from El Calafate), lasts 7 hours, includes a stop at Spegazzini Base with its panoramic refuge, and is fully accessible. It's the best excursion from El Calafate to truly appreciate the scale of the ice field.
2. Viedma Adventure: Sailing around Argentina's largest glacier
Departing from Bahía Túnel port, near El Chaltén, the Viedma Adventure is a 4-hour boat trip in front of the Viedma Glacier—the largest in Argentina—with guided interpretation of its geology. It's ideal if your trip includes a visit to El Chaltén, the national trekking capital.
3. Viedma Full Day Adventure: the complete Route 40
Without a car and only one day for El Chaltén? The Viedma Full Day Adventure takes care of everything from El Calafate: the trip along the legendary Route 40 with a stop at the historic Parador La Leona, the 4-hour boat trip in front of the Viedma Glacier and the trek to the Chorrillo del Salto waterfall.
4. The walkways of the Perito Moreno Glacier
The absolute classic, 80 km from town: a system of walkways facing the world's most famous glacier, with the chance to witness calving. Allow yourself some time—the journey and the walkway take at least half a day—and you can book the walkway excursion with Fun Patagonia , Solo Patagonia's travel agency.
5. Sky Over Moreno: the Perito Moreno from the air
The most exclusive experience in the area: a 25-minute helicopter flight departing from the Solo Patagonia heliport and taking in the Iceberg Channel, Ameghino Bay and its glacier, the lenga forests of the Mitre River valley, and the highlight: the Perito Moreno Glacier seen from above, with its ice walls descending from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Small groups of 1 to 3 passengers and daily departures.
6. Cerro Castillo Full Day: Condors, Waterfalls and 4x4
For a full day off the beaten track, the Cerro Castillo Full Day combines water, land, and air: a boat trip on Lake Argentino from Puerto Punta Bandera (09:00 AM to 17:00 PM), a 4x4 ascent between Cerro Castillo and Cerro Hobler, a hike through forests and wetlands to Juliet Waterfall, a Patagonian lunch at a mountain refuge, and a visit to the Condor Lookout. Easy difficulty level and no entrance fee to the National Park.
7. Some free time: the Laguna Nimez Reserve
Just a 15-minute walk from downtown El Calafate: Chilean flamingos, black-necked swans, and over 80 other bird species with Lake Argentino as a backdrop. It's the perfect short and easy plan for the afternoon of your arrival day or a break between excursions.
How many days do I need?
Minimum 3 nights: one day for the Perito Moreno Glacier (walkways or scenic flight), one for the boat trip to Upsala and Spegazzini, and one for Cerro Castillo or a day trip to El Chaltén. More details about the park can be found in our Los Glaciares National Park Guide.
