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Home  /  Argentina  /  El Calafate
Glacier country · Argentina

El Calafate

The base for the Perito Moreno glacier — a wall of ice that calves into the lake before your eyes.
Getting there
Fly into El Calafate (FTE) from Buenos Aires; the base for Los Glaciares
Best for
The Perito Moreno glacier, glacier cruises, ice trekking, Lake Argentino, Patagonian steppe
The land
A lakeside town on the Patagonian steppe, gateway to the southern ice
Good to know
Perito Moreno is one of few advancing glaciers, calving spectacularly into Lake Argentino
What it is
El Calafate is the gateway to the great southern ice — home of the Perito Moreno glacier, a five-kilometre wall of ice that calves into the lake.
On the shore of Lake Argentino, El Calafate is the base for the southern sector of Los Glaciares National Park. Its star is the Perito Moreno glacier — a vast, advancing wall of ice whose calving sends thunder across the water — explored from boardwalks, by boat among the icebergs, or on a guided ice trek across its surface.
El Calafate — glacier country.
The reason to come

The advancing glacier

El Calafate is all about ice — Perito Moreno is one of the world's great glacier spectacles.

Perito Moreno

Boardwalks facing the calving glacier wall, with ice thundering into the lake.

Glacier cruises

Boats among the icebergs of Lake Argentino and the Upsala glacier.

Ice trekking

Guided crampon walks across the surface of Perito Moreno.

Worth knowing

Ice that thunders

Perito Moreno is one of the few advancing glaciers on earth — and watching it calve is unforgettable.
The Perito Moreno glacier calving into Lake Argentino.
When to come — honestly

A Patagonian-summer base.

October – April
Best
The Patagonian summer — long days and the best glacier access.
November – March
Best
Peak season, with mild weather and full boat schedules.
May – September
Good
Quiet winter; snow and short days, with fewer services.
Patagonia's weather is famously changeable and windy; the glacier is impressive year-round, but services peak in summer.
Context

The southern ice

El Calafate is the base for the Perito Moreno glacier and the southern Los Glaciares park.

It pairs with El Chaltén and Torres del Paine on the Patagonia circuits.

We base the southern glaciers at El Calafate, with El Chaltén's peaks a short drive north.

Beyond the obvious

More to El Calafate.

Perito Moreno

Perito Moreno

The calving glacier boardwalks.

Glacier cruise

Glacier cruise

Among the icebergs of Lake Argentino.

Ice trek

Ice trek

A crampon walk on the glacier.

Why Wild Voyager

We connect the continent's extremes.

Argentina's highlights are far apart — glaciers, falls and whale coasts. We handle the domestic flights and timing so the pieces fit into one smooth trip.

Handpicked stays

We choose the lodge or estancia that fits your dates and group, not whatever is left.

We time it right

We build your visit around the season and the wildlife that delivers.

Journeys

Trips through El Calafate

8 Days · 7 Nights

Patagonia Highlights
7 Days · 6 Nights

Los Glaciares Explorer
12 Days · 11 Nights

Argentina Wildlife Landscapes
10 Days · 9 Nights

Patagonia Explorer
14 Days · 13 Nights

Ultimate Patagonia
12 Days · 11 Nights

Patagonia Wildlife Pumas
Where to stay

Where you can stay in El Calafate

Signature Collection
EOLO Patagonia Spirit
Signature

EOLO Patagonia Spirit

A Relais & Châteaux estancia on the open steppe near El Calafate — intimate and remote.
Luxury Collection
Xelena Hotel & Suites
Luxury

Xelena Hotel & Suites

A modern lakeside hotel overlooking Lake Argentino, well placed for the glacier.
Classic Collection
Kosten Aike Hotel
Classic

Kosten Aike Hotel

A comfortable, central El Calafate hotel, a dependable glacier base.

Plan your El Calafate journey.

Stand before the Perito Moreno glacier and cruise the ice. Tell us your dates and we will build the route around it.

Plan a El Calafate trip

Field notes, now and then.

Where to go · When to go · Wildlife in season

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