El Calafate is a must-visit destination if you’re planning your first trip to Patagonia. One of the most important questions you will likely ask yourself is how many days you need to make the most of your visit. Is it enough to stay for two nights? Can you go for just one night? Or do you need to stay for three nights?
This article seeks to guide you on the ideal length of time you should allocate for your visit to El Calafate based on your particular interests.
With a wide variety of activities and visits to enjoy, it’s a wonderful destination to explore. In this article, we’ll provide recommendations for the best itinerary length and must-see attractions. So let’s take it to step by step.
Is El Calafate Worth Visiting?
Yes, El Calafate is definitely worth visiting. It is a charming town located in Argentine Patagonia and serves as the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world.
The town offers plenty of accommodation options, restaurants, and shops for visitors. Its location on the shores of Lake Argentino provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
In addition to the Perito Moreno Glacier, El Calafate also offers several other attractions, such as the Glaciarium Museum, which provides information about glaciers and the Patagonian Ice Field. The Upsala Glacier, another impressive glacier, can be visited by boat.
The town also offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, horseback riding, and fishing, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
How Many Days Stay in El Calafate?
It is recommended to stay in El Calafate for a minimum of four days and three nights to fully experience the variety of activities and visits available. During your visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier, you can also take part in many navigations along Lake Argentino to explore other glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park.
As these activities are full-day experiences, you will need at least three full days in El Calafate, which includes one night for your arrival.
It’s important to note that El Calafate is located at the southern end of Argentine Patagonia, and a flight from Buenos Aires can take up to three hours. To make the most of your trip, I recommend dedicating at least two full-day excursions to the two main activities.
Suggested Itineraries for El Calafate
To assist you with your planning, we have created some suggested itineraries that cover the main attractions and activities in the area. Whether you are seeking adventure or relaxation, these itineraries offer something for everyone. If you are looking for a pre-made package, you can always check our list of packages and tours to visit El Calafate and many other destinations across South America. Or you can even build your own package.
Let’s take a closer look at what El Calafate has to offer and how you can make the most of your trip.
One Day (Coming From the Airport)
Unfortunately, this is not possible. The flights from Buenos Aires to El Calafate take about 3 hours. Even if you’re coming from Puerto Natales or Ushuaia, you won’t arrive until mid-morning at the earliest.
The tour to Perito Moreno Glacier, which is 70 km away from the city center. Making it back to the airport on time could be a challenge, and there’s a high chance of missing your flight.
So, it’s not a good idea.
2 Days/1 Night Itinerary for El Calafate
If you only have one night in El Calafate, you have two options to make the most of your stay.
- You can choose to focus on visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier and take your time to explore it fully. Alternatively, you can opt for a full-day boat tour along with a private tour of the Moreno Glacier. Please note that this option will come with an extra fee, as most flights leave early in the evening, making a private return necessary.
- If you’re keen to visit the glacier on the same day as your arrival, you will also need to arrange for a private service. It’s worth keeping in mind that visiting the glacier with just one night may cost you more, but it’s definitely doable if you’re willing to pay the extra cost.
DAY 1: Arrival in El Calafate
- Arrive at El Calafate airport.
- Reception and transfer to your hotel to drop off your luggage.
- Private tour to Perito Moreno Glacier.
- Overnight stay.
DAY 2: Departure from El Calafate
- Enjoy breakfast.
- Transfer to the airport for departure.
It may sometimes be better for you to do the private visit to Perito Moreno Glacier on day 2. This is also possible.
3 Days/2 Nights Itinerary for El Calafate
If you have one more night in El Calafate, meaning you can stay for two nights, there are two things you can do. First, you can focus on visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier and fully enjoy your stay. Alternatively, you can visit the glacier and take a full-day boat tour. For the latter option, a private tour of the Moreno Glacier would be necessary.
The cheaper option would be:
DAY 1: Arrival in El Calafate
- Arrive at El Calafate airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
- Visit a typical estancia in the evening with dinner included.
- Overnight stay.
DAY 2: Full-day Excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of Perito Moreno Glacier on a full-day excursion.
- Witness the majestic sight of icebergs calving from the glacier.
- Overnight stay.
DAY 3: Departure from El Calafate
- Enjoy breakfast.
- Transfer to the airport.
Alternatively, you can choose to organize a private tour of the Perito Moreno Glacier and enjoy two full days:
DAY 1: Private Tour of Perito Moreno Glacier
- Arrive at El Calafate airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel to leave your luggage.
- Take a private tour of the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier.
- Overnight stay.
DAY 2: Full-day Tour of Los Glaciares National Park
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- Explore the breathtaking National Park on a full-day tour.
- Choose from three exciting options: the Glaciers Gourmet Cruise, Todo Glaciares Boat Navigation, or an excursion to Estancia Cristina.
- Overnight stay.
DAY 3: Departure from El Calafate
- Enjoy breakfast.
- Transfer to the airport.
4 Days/3 Nights Itinerary for El Calafate
DAY 1: Arrival in El Calafate
- Arrival at El Calafate airport.
- Reception and transfer to your hotel.
- Evening visit to a typical estancia to enjoy activities and dinner.
DAY 2: Excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Full-day excursion to the beautiful Perito Moreno Glacier.
- Marvel at the stunning views and watch as icebergs calve from the glacier.
- Overnight stay.
DAY 3: The Beauty of Los Glaciares National Park
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Embark on a full-day tour of Los Glaciares National Park to see glaciers in the Argentino Lake.
- Choose from three exciting options: the Glaciers Gourmet Cruise, Todo Glaciares Navigation, or the excursion to Estancia Cristina.
- Enjoy spectacular views of glaciers, mountains, and lakes.
- Overnight stay.
DAY 4: Departure from El Calafate
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer to the airport.
5 Days/4 Nights Itinerary for El Calafate
If you add an extra night, you can visit Torres del Paine National Park or El Chalten, for example. The tour would be similar to the previous one, with the following addition:
DAY 1: Arrival in El Calafate
- Arrival at El Calafate airport and reception by a guide.
- Transfer to your hotel and check-in.
- Evening visit to a typical estancia to enjoy dinner and activities.
- Overnight stay at your hotel.
DAY 2: Perito Moreno Glacier Excursion
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Full-day excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park.
- Witness the stunning beauty of the glacier and explore the park’s wonderful landscapes.
- Transfer to your hotel.
- Overnight stay.
DAY 3: Glaciers Navigation or Estancia Cristina
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Full-day tour to Los Glaciares National Park to see glaciers in the Argentino Lake.
- Choose between the Glaciers Gourmet Cruise, Todo Glaciares Navigation, or the excursion to Estancia Cristina.
- Overnight stay at your hotel.
DAY 4: El Chalten or Torres del Paine
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Full-day tour to El Chalten to visit the Fitz Roy Massif area or a full-day tour to Torres del Paine National Park.
- Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 5: Departure from El Calafate.
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Free time to explore the city.
- Transfer to the airport.
6 Days/5 Nights Itinerary for El Calafate
If you have more time, you can add additional nights to your itinerary. A good idea is to stay overnight at a typical estancia like Nibepo Aike, Estancia Cristina, or 25 de Mayo to enjoy the different activities offered there.
Alternatively, you can add an adventure activity like 4×4 rides, horseback riding, kayaking in Perito Moreno, etc. Additionally, you can add one or two nights in El Chalten to enjoy the amazing treks in this small village.
Here’s a sample itinerary that combines 5 nights in El Calafate and El Chalten:
DAY 1: Arrival in El Calafate
- Arrival at El Calafate airport.
- Transfer to your accommodation.
- Afternoon/evening visit to a typical estancia like Nibepo Aike, Estancia Cristina, or 25 de Mayo to enjoy the different activities.
- Dinner at the Estancia.
- Overnight stay.
DAY 2: Perito Moreno Glacier Excursion
- Full-day excursion to the amazing Perito Moreno Glacier, a highlight of the region.
- Witness the stunning beauty of the glacier up close.
DAY 3: Boat Navigation in Los Glaciares National Park
- Full-day boat navigation in the National Park to explore the stunning glaciers and landscapes.
- Enjoy the amazing views of the glaciers, mountains, and forests.
DAY 4: Transfer to El Chalten
- Transfer by bus from El Calafate to El Chalten.
- Overnight in El Chalten.
DAY 5: Trekking in El Chalten
- Full-day trekking to Laguna de los Tres or Cerro Torre for a unique nature experience.
- Explore the beautiful landscapes and enjoy the fresh air.
DAY 6: Return to El Calafate
- Transfer back by bus to El Calafate airport.
7 Days/6 Nights in El Calafate
This is my personal recommendation for your tour, and I highly suggest considering this option to explore the area. It does require spending six nights in the region, but if you have the time, it’s definitely worth considering.
DAY 1: Arrival in El Calafate
- Arrival at El Calafate airport.
- Free day to enjoy the city center.
- Visit the Glaciarium Ice Museum and the Ice Bar.
- Overnight stay.
DAY 2: Estancia Nibepo Aike
- Enjoy breakfast.
- Transfer to Estancia Nibepo Aike.
- Enjoy the activities at the estancia with meals included.
- Overnight stay at the Estancia.
DAY 3: Excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier
- Enjoy breakfast.
- Transfer to the amazing Perito Moreno Glacier.
- Choose between the Minitrekking Tour or the Big Ice Tour and walk over the glacier.
- Transfer back to El Calafate and overnight stay.
DAY 4: Los Glaciares National Park
- Breakfast.
- Take a full-day tour of the National Park and navigate the Argentino Lake to visit different glaciers.
- Choose between the Todo Glaciares Boat Navigation, Glaciers Gourmet Cruise, or Estancia Cristina.
- Return to El Calafate and overnight stay.
DAY 5: Transfer to El Chalten
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to the bus station to take the public bus to El Chalten.
- Arrival and transfer to hotel.
- Enjoy free time to go on a short trekking tour. You can choose from some 2-hour trekking tours or even enjoy a rafting activity in Rio de las Vueltas.
- Overnight stay.
DAY 6: Trekking in El Chalten
- Enjoy breakfast.
- Go on a wonderful full-day trekking tour to Laguna de Los Tres or Cerro Torre in the area of Fitz Roy Massif.
- Overnight.
DAY 7: Departure from El Calafate
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to the bus station to take the public bus to El Calafate.
- Transfer to the airport.
Things to Consider When Planning Your Trip to El Calafate
When planning a trip to El Calafate, there are several things to consider:
- Best time to visit: The best time to visit El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier is during the summer months (December to February), when the weather is mild, and the daylight hours are long. However, keep in mind that this is the busiest time of year, and accommodations and tours can book up quickly. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall can also be good times to visit, with fewer crowds and lower prices.
- Entry requirements: Visitors to Argentina need a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining. Some countries may also require a visa, so it’s important to check the entry requirements before planning your trip.
- Health and safety: El Calafate is generally a safe destination, but taking precautions and being aware of your surroundings is always a good idea. It’s also important to take care of your health while traveling, including staying hydrated, using sunscreen, and being aware of altitude sickness if you plan to do any high-altitude activities.
- Transportation: El Calafate has an airport with connections to several major cities in Argentina, as well as bus and car rental options for getting around the area. Planning your transportation in advance is crucial to ensure you can get to and from the attractions you want to visit.
- Accommodations and tours: From budget hostels to luxury hotels, El Calafate has a variety of accommodations. Booking your accommodations and tours in advance, especially during the busy season, is essential to ensure availability and get the best prices.
By considering these factors when planning your trip to El Calafate, you can ensure a safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable experience in this beautiful part of Argentina.
Conclusion
El Calafate is a wonderful destination that offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors. It’s recommended to stay for a minimum of three nights if you’re only visiting El Calafate, and a total of five nights if you plan to add El Chalten for trekking. In addition to world-famous treks, such as the trek to Laguna de los Tres to see the Fitz Roy mountain, visitors can also enjoy estancias, adventure activities like kayaking on the Perito Moreno Glacier, and astronomy activities to discover the secrets of the Patagonian sky. Overall, El Calafate is a unique and exciting place to visit.
