El Calafate in 3 Days — Complete Glacier Itinerary
- Mar 22
- 5 min read
Updated: May 28
If you're planning a Patagonia route, check our Ushuaia Itinerary to combine both destinations.
El Calafate in 3 Days: Glacier Itinerary + Travel Guide
El Calafate is a small town in Argentine Patagonia, located on the shores of Lake Argentino. It’s best known as the gateway to the stunning Perito MorenoGlacier.
Its undeniable highlight is the Perito Moreno Glacier, a moving natural masterpiece, a true work of art carved in ice over time.
In this El Calafate 3-day itinerary, we share our full route, the best glacier experiences, and practical tips to help you plan your trip to Patagonia.
Quick Guide: El Calafate 3-Day Itinerary
Navigation, viewpoints and glacier walls up close
Walking on the ice, crampons and iconic views
Local food, shops and relaxed exploration
Honest insights and what we’d do differently
Day 1 | Catamaran to Perito Moreno Glacier
Catamaran tour on Lake Argentino
On your first day in El Calafate, we recommend taking an excursion that lets you experience the Perito Moreno Glacier up close.
🌞 Start time: 9:00 AM
🚌 Transfer: Bus from your hotel to Los Glaciares National Park (80 km)
What the catamaran tour includes
You’ll sail on a comfortable, enclosed catamaran with an outdoor deck, perfect for enjoying the views and taking photos.
Cruise along the Brazo Rico of Lake Argentino while taking in the scale and beauty of the glacier.
Get close to the southern face of the glacier, the tallest and most impressive section.
Watch chunks of ice fall into the water, and if you’re lucky, witness one of those massive ice breaks.
The captain stops at certain points so everyone can take photos and enjoy the moment.
Scenic stop & lunch
Stop at Restaurante Nativos de la Patagonia, with panoramic views of the glacier.
Some tours include lunch, others just give you time to grab something warm and enjoy the scenery.
We bought something there and had some warm empanadas while taking in the views, simple but perfect.
🌞 End of the tour: Around 2:00 PM, return to the port
TIPS:
Dress warmly (hat, gloves, scarf…). Even in summer, once you’re near the glacier and the wind picks up, it gets freezing.
If you’re planning your trip independently, you can book a similar experience here
Day 2 | Walking on the Perito Moreno Glacier
Mini Trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier
Seeing it wasn’t enough: we had to feel it under our feet. On our second day, we returned to Los Glaciares National Park for an unforgettable glacier trekking experience.
There are two types of trekking: Mini Trekking and Big Ice.
1 ❄️ Mini Trekking (the one we did)
Total duration: approx. 5 hours (1h30 walking on the ice)
Difficulty: low–moderate, requires good mobility and balance.
What the experience is like
You arrive at the park and take a catamaran across the lake to the opposite shore.
Walk to a refuge to leave your belongings and use the facilities (bring your own lunch—it’s not included).
Continue through the forest while learning about the glacier’s history.
Put on crampons (metal attachments for your shoes) and walk on the ice, where you’ll see crevasses, bright blue water pools, and incredible formations.
Whisky with Perito Moreno Glacier ice at the end of the Mini Trekking experience Walking on the Perito Moreno Glacier with crampons during the Mini Trekking
Two guides accompany the group: one leading and explaining everything about the glacier, and another at the back making sure everyone is safe.
🥃 Special finish: whisky with glacier ice
After the trekking:
Return to the refuge to rest and have lunch
Perito Moreno Glacier walkways
Stop at the walkways, where you’ll find viewpoints about 300 meters from the glacier front, short walking trails, and a coffee to grab something warm.
Exploring the Perito Moreno Glacier walkways during our trip to El Calafate Perito Moreno Glacier walkways with panoramic views of the glacier front
Our end of the day
Afternoon snack around 7:00 PM (very Argentine 😂) with pastries and mate
Dinner at the hotel
IMPORTANT
The walkways can be visited on your own by car—no tour required.
We did the Mini Trekking on the glacier, and it was one of the most incredible experiences of the trip.
If you want to experience something like this, you can book a similar tour here 👇
2 ❄️ Big Ice: for adventure seekers
This is the more demanding version of glacier trekking.
Total duration: 8–9 hours (3–4 hours on the ice)
Difficulty: high, only for people between 18–50 years old in good physical condition
What it offers
A longer and deeper trekking experience on the glacier
Access to areas you won’t see on the Mini Trekking
Ice caves, crevasses, and blue lagoons
If you’re looking for something more challenging and immersive, you can check the Big Ice tour here
Our take on the trekking
While walking on the glacier is an unforgettable experience, we 100% recommend visiting the walkways as well, the panoramic views from the outside impressed us even more than being on the ice.
Day 3 | El Calafate Town
Exploring the town center
On our last day, we took it easy and explored the town center. It may look small at first, but it’s actually quite lively, around 6 to 8 main blocks packed with shops, all very well set up for tourism.
Most of the activity is along Avenida del Libertador, the main street and the heart of El Calafate.
What you’ll find in the center
Souvenir shops: Perfect for bringing home something from Patagonia
Outdoor gear stores: If you’re missing something for the cold, you’ll find top technical brands here
Restaurants & bars: From traditional Patagonian lamb (a must-try) to craft beer spots
Chocolate & local shops: A must!! Don’t leave without trying calafate berry alfajores or local chocolate
Tour agencies: Great if you want to book a last-minute excursion or plan your next trip
End of the trip
This is how our trip through southern Argentina came to an end, before heading back to Buenos Aires ✈️
Our experience
Needless to say, El Calafate is one of the most beautiful places in Argentina. For us, there’s nothing better than continuing to explore our own country, and this corner of Patagonia completely blew us away with its landscapes, vastness, and the kind of peace you only find in the mountains.
Without a doubt, it’s an incredible destination that we highly recommend. We’d love to come back one day and see the glaciers up close again, but for now, the experience lives on in our memories, and in photos that, even if they don’t fully capture it, still hold all its beauty.
🧭 Still exploring Patagonia?
If you enjoyed this glacier adventure, our trip to the End of the World is the perfect next step.
Where you’ll find:
Tierra del Fuego National Park
End of the World Train
Beagle Channel
King Crab Route
And many more incredible landscapes
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