Hotel Pickup and 4×4 Ascent
The excursion begins with pickup from your hotel in El Calafate. Board a 4×4 vehicle and travel along mountain trails through the hills surrounding the town.
The approximately 35-kilometer route crosses the Patagonian steppe, gradually climbing to an altitude of up to 1,050 meters above sea level.
Panoramic Viewpoints
The first stop is at a natural viewpoint overlooking El Calafate and the central section of Lake Argentino.
From this elevated location, admire the Andes, the Patagonian Ice Field, and Boca del Diablo, the narrow passage leading toward the Upsala arm of the lake. On clear days, it may also be possible to see Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre in the distance and spot Andean condors flying overhead.
Stone Labyrinth
Continue the journey to the Stone Labyrinth, a geological formation dating back approximately 85 million years to the Cretaceous period.
Explore this ancient riverbed and discover rock formations containing fossil remains that reveal the region’s geological history.
Hats Rock and Lunch Box Stop
The excursion also includes a stop to enjoy an included lunch box at a selected panoramic location.
The route continues along the northern slope of the hills toward Hats Rock, also known as Sombreros Mexicanos, where unusual iron-rich geological formations create a distinctive landscape.
Return to El Calafate
After visiting the main viewpoints and geological formations, begin the descent toward El Calafate, enjoying additional views of Lake Argentino along the way.
The excursion concludes with drop-off at your hotel.
Departure Options
- Morning Departure: 11:00 AM, approximately 3 hours.
- Afternoon Departure: 4:00 PM, approximately 3 hours.
Both departures follow the same general itinerary and include a lunch box. The order of stops and the exact pickup time may vary depending on operational and weather conditions.