Things to Do in El Calafate

Top Things to Do in El Calafate

Things to Do in El Calafate


Book these experiences for a close-up look at El Calafate.

From quick jaunts to full-day outings.

Top Attractions in El Calafate

These rankings are informed by traveler reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Ingles:Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve is an IBA Important Bird Area. There is a variety of 80 species of birds, both Patagonian residents and migrators between waterbirds, landbirds, shore birds and birds of pray. It has an important nesting reed area, patagonin steppe bushes, wetland and lake shore.We offer information and maps in 6 different languages, interpretation path around the 2 lagoons with signs with pictures of birds, viewpoints, walkways and two hides or blinds for wonderfull birdwatching. Takes from 1 to 3 hours visit. Bird field guides, binoculars, water and toilets on site.Entrande fee helps management, conservation and education.Espanol:Laguna Nimez es una sitio AICA, Area Importante para la Conservacion de las Aves. Alberga una gran diversidad de aves residentes patagonicas y migratorias, son alrededor de 80 especies entre aves acuaticas, terrestres, playeras y de presa. La Reserva tiene diferentes ambientes, humedal, arbustos de la estepa patagonica, costa de Lago, pastizal y una importante zona de nidificacion en juncales.Ofrecemos informacion y mapas en 6 idiomas para recorrer el sendero interpretativo con carteles con fotos de las aves, miradores y 2 refugios observatorios. La visita tiene una duracion de entre 1 y 3 horas.En el ingreso tenemos disponibles Guias de campo para la identificacion de las aves, binoculares, agua potable y sanitarios.La entrada contribuye al manejo de conservacion, ecoturismo y educacion de esta Reserva Natural Municipal, administrada por la Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral UNPA.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travelers are saying

  • Kris C
    St. George, UT420 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    No vegetation around it and it’s quite windy, but lots of wildlife. We saw flamingos, a condor, juanguanacos, and Rhea’s. Had a great time watching the kite surfers too.
    Written January 12, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Dave48838
    Greenville, MI664 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Traveling through green forests, our road through this amazing natural area terminated at this glacier. A wonderful visitor center and viewing platforms have been constructed so close that visitors get an up-front view. This glacier is more than 20 miles long and moves about 6 feet a day, giving visitors the thrill of frequent thundrous "calving" (pieces sharing off into the water). There are choices of thails (on catwalks) of different lengths but we found equal enjoyment offered by the short walks as well as the longer ones. A visitor should be able to navigate stairs.
    Written January 4, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Michael K
    Munster, Germany67 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing. experience to get so close to the glacier, We had great weather and enjoyed it a lot, the remoteness of the place gives it a special feeling.
    Written November 1, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • JUDYKINS1
    Stratford, CT42 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I was hesitant thinking there would not be much to see. Boy was I wrong and really enjoyed the experience and all that it offered about glaciers.
    Written January 30, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Andrea M
    Sydney, Australia47 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing view of Spegazzini Glacier, not so much of Upsala glacier. The boat is comfortable and safe and all runs on time. However this is tourism to the enth degree. The hard sell of the photos and the boat positioning and staying till all photos are taken by professionals is pretty crass. The commentary is woeful , telling me that there are cows in the surrounding park has no informative value , the nauseating need to fill the cabin with useless information was irritating. BUT this area is impressive and would still do the cruise despite the above bring a sense of humor and you will be fine.
    Written February 12, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ramadama
    New Providence, NJ2,271 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We spent about an hour walking around the basin and taking pictures. It was a very nice hike. At the end, we could see flamingos in the distance.
    Written November 17, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Trypp Adams
    Minneapolis, MN9,575 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The nice thing about El Calafate is that it's not huge, it's easy to figure out if you are a tourist and pretty much everything you need is on Avenida Libertador. Both grocery stores are here - one on each end, Banks/ATMs, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, tour guides, artisans and crafts. It's great to stroll up and down in the evening although El Calafate is a bit of a sleepy town and rolls up the carpet early. There are a few options off the main street, but if you are just here for a night or two, this is a good place to head for options. During the day, there is quite a bit of traffic heading through town on this road to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, but at night it's fairly quiet.
    Written April 16, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sam B
    United Kingdom21 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pleased we decided to stay in town and wonder around instead of being hearded on to the standard tours. Unassuming place with helpful staff and multilingual guides to steer you around.
    Really informative. Be prepared to hang your head in shame at collective colonial past events.
    Written January 26, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Erin B
    New York City, NY147 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We did this on our second day in Argentina and it remained one of our top highlights throughout our 2.5 week trip! I has high expectations for this experience and it exceeded them. The landscape is so beautiful and we had a wonderful time walking through the forest, learning about the fossils, and overall having fun taking pictures with them. It was like a playground with petrified trees! Prepare for the possibility of strong wind - wear layers because it can be cold while windy but hot in the sun. Bring good shoes - I suggest regular sneakers at minimum (I appreciated my hiking sneakers), a hat, and water. The walk is not too challenging but it is steep in some sections. We booked a tour with Morresi Viajes - highly recommend. Easy to communicate with, kind, and wonderful guides. We were picked up in El Calafate and they arranged our transfer to El Chalten. Lunch was included and delicious. Everything went smoothly and I could not have asked for a better day or introduction to Patagonia.
    Written February 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Michal
    Nysa, Poland41 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    spring time mass schedule change affected oct 05 from 7pm to 8pm.catholic church is a catholic church, catholic mass is a catholic mass but the way the sing and clapping hands that was new to us.
    Written October 21, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • SEs
    London, UK25,876 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This part of Argentina is beautiful with Glaciers.The scenery is different but stunning.You must see all to enjoy.
    Written May 3, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Global763825
    5 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    From the few pictures that were previously posted and the description I believed we were going into a cave with petroglyph paintings, and I knew the entire tour would take about 1 hr. Well, it’s all outdoors looking at some very subject- to- interpretation drawing on the rock face. Then we were herded to the refreshments concession where there is overpriced water and coffee available. It would have been a good way to pass 2 hours except it cost approximately $20 US and I just think that was a bit high for the short ride and walk about. All that said, it was nice to have something to fill a couple of hrs after having done the glacier yesterday. It’s a last resort activity on the banks of the lake
    Written November 4, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about El Calafate