El Calafate tours

Things to do in El Calafate

In El Calafate, you find yourself in the realm of Patagonia, where the winds have their own tales to tell—tales shaped by ancient ice and sprawling landscapes. The glaciers, these grand old giants, stand as reminders of time's relentless march. This isn't just a place for stunning views; it's an open invitation to delve into nature's untamed dominion. With a local guide, your El Calafate tours become a personal exploration. Picture yourself on walking tours that bring you face-to-face with the imposing Perito Moreno Glacier or on culinary journeys that reveal the region's distinctive flavours. By bypassing the usual queues, you gain precious moments to truly appreciate Patagonia’s serene yet powerful vistas. Private tours here allow you to connect with the core of this icy wonderland, where each experience is a chapter in your own story of discovery. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in El Calafate. Explore El Calafate your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every El Calafate tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in El Calafate for every interest, including: Nature and Wildlife tours: Walk the boardwalks at Laguna Nimez Reserve with your guide to spot flamingos, black‑necked swans, and steamer ducks, then scan the steppe near Cerro Frías for guanacos and condors. These wildlife tours can include a stop at a local estancia to learn about Patagonian sheep ranching. Hiking tours: Strap on crampons for the Perito Moreno Mini‑Trekking, following your guide across blue ice after a short boat shuttle to the glacier. Prefer dry trails? Take a customised day hike from El Chaltén to Laguna Capri or the Mirador Fitz Roy with transfers timed to your pace. Boat tours: Cruise Lago Argentino from Puerto Bandera on the Todo Glaciares catamaran to Upsala and Spegazzini, pausing for photos of towering ice walls. For closer views, add the Safari Náutico by boat along Perito Moreno’s south face or choose a quiet kayak tour on the Brazo Rico. El Calafate’s centre is easy to walk, but there’s no practical public transit to the park or trailheads. Ask your local guide about chauffeured tours or tours with private transportation for boat, hiking, and nature and wildlife tours. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows El Calafate inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Take a private walking tour through El Calafate and explore its charming neighborhoods with a guide who can offer a local perspective. - Avenida del Libertador: This main street is ideal for families and tourists looking for local cuisine and shops. It’s the perfect place to start your exploration of El Calafate. - Laguna Nimez: Nature lovers and bird watchers will enjoy this ecological reserve. It offers serene walking paths and the chance to see local wildlife in their natural habitat. - Old Town: For those interested in history and local culture, this area provides a glimpse into the past with its traditional buildings and small museums. Day trip ideas from El Calafate You’re in glacier country, so use El Calafate as your base and branch out on day trips that pair big scenery with flexible tours built around hiking, boating, wildlife, and photography. - Perito Moreno Glacier, Los Glaciares National Park: Walk the boardwalks for sweeping views, listen for the crack of calving ice, and add a short boat navigation if you like, which makes this perfect if you want iconic glacier scenes without a long hike, and your tour can pace the stops so you get the lookouts that match your style. - Lake Argentino navigation to Upsala and Spegazzini: Cruise past blue icebergs and tall glacier fronts, learn how the ice shapes the landscape, and enjoy steady photo angles from the water, which suits you if time on a boat beats time on a trail and you still want a close look at Patagonia’s ice. - El Chaltén and Fitz Roy: Ride about 3 hours each way to Argentina’s trekking capital, pick an easy walk like Mirador de los Cóndores or a longer trail to Laguna Capri, and spend time in a small mountain town built for hikers, which caters to you if trail choice and big granite views matter more than ticking off a single viewpoint. - Torres del Paine National Park, Chile: It’s a long day with a border crossing, yet you get sharp peaks, bright lakes, and good chances to spot guanacos and foxes from roadside stops and short walks, which fits you if dramatic landscapes come first and your tour schedules the route to hit the classic panoramas. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of El Calafate most travellers miss.