El Calafate
El Calafate is a charming town nestled in the heart of Argentine Patagonia, about 270 km north of Puerto Natales, Chile. Renowned as the gateway to the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier, it draws travelers from around the world eager to witness its towering ice walls and dramatic calving events. Beyond its icy wonders, El Calafate serves as a key hub for adventurers heading to El Chaltén, a picturesque mountain village just three hours away, famed for its world-class trekking and the iconic Mount Fitz Roy, whose jagged peaks rise majestically into the Patagonian sky.
From Puerto Natales to El Calafate
Flying isn’t an option as there are no direct connections, so it has to be the long bus ride again. The route is, of course, the same as on the way in, but the price is slightly higher at 95 USD. It’s still a comfortable trip, and you’ll just have to accept that these long bus days are your recovery time between the demanding hikes 🙂
The Perito Moreno Glacier
There isn’t much else to do in El Calafate other than visiting the Glacier. There are options for every budget, like for example :
- Uber + Park Entrance – Take an Uber (ca. 60 USD each way) to Los Glaciares National Park and explore the walkways. Cheapest option if the Uber is shared, but no close-up experience.
- Guided Tour – Guided tour with transport for an affordable price. Easy and affordable, but less flexibility.
- Tour + Boat Ride – Guided tour with transport and a boat ride for a close-up glacier view. Obviously more expensive than without the boat ride, but it adds a closer experience.
- Mini-Trekking – For ca. 600 USD, you can book a tour that includes walking on the glacier. It seems heavily overpriced, but if you want to experience trekking on Perito Moreno, that’s the budget you’ll need to plan for.
As always, enjoy the pictures of what you just read about :
