Guide to a getaway to El Calafate: how much do excursions, accommodations, and dining options cost?

Just over three hours by plane from Buenos Aires, El Calafate continues to establish itself as one of the most attractive getaways in southern Argentina . With landscapes that combine the brilliance of ice with the calm of Patagonian immensity , the destination offers an experience that blends adventure, relaxation, and nature.

The city, located on the shores of Lake Argentino in Santa Cruz , is the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park , a protected area that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site . There, mountains, lakes, and forests coexist with one of the largest concentrations of ice on the planet, offering spectacular scenery.

The undisputed star is the Perito Moreno Glacier , an imposing mass of ice measuring approximately 250 km², comparable in size to the city of Buenos Aires.

Its rockfalls—the famous "breakups"—mark the natural pulse of this extraordinary landscape. The Patagonian Ice Field, to which it belongs, is the third largest freshwater reserve in the world, after Antarctica and Greenland. Approximately 70% of its surface area corresponds to Chile and the remaining 30% to Argentina.

• Visit the Perito Moreno Glacier

No visit to El Calafate is complete without seeing the Perito Moreno Glacier. Entrance to Los Glaciares National Park costs $15,000 for national residents.

In addition to park admission, you can book a separate excursion to the glacier, which includes transportation, a guide, and a walkway tour : a five-kilometer circuit with balconies and viewing points from which you can appreciate the magnitude of the ice mass.

During the tour, the guides explain the movement of glaciers and the natural processes of ice advance and retreat.

“Glaciers have three modes of movement: advancing, retreating, or in equilibrium. A glacier is a mass of ice in constant motion. If it doesn't move, it's not a glacier. And if it does move, it breaks. Today, the Perito Moreno Glacier is retreating. This is normal because we don't live in an ice age,” says guide Tobías Camisay of Patagonia Dreams.

And he adds: "But recently, human activity has accelerated this process. In the last five years, more ice has been lost than in the last 30. And in the last 30, more ice has been lost than in the last 100. "

At this agency, the excursion costs $80,000 per person.

Please note: it's a good idea to bring waterproof clothing, gloves, a hat, sunscreen, and a picnic lunch to enjoy in front of the glacier.

• Mini trekking on the ice

Walking on the Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most impressive and desirable experiences . The activity, organized by Hielo y Aventura, is the only authorized way to explore the ice on foot within the Park and is carried out in small groups with a guide and special equipment.

The Minitrek (from $320,000) includes a brief navigation, an introductory talk, crampon fitting, and a medium-difficulty hike on the ice. For nearly two hours, visitors advance among crevasses, seracs, and turquoise lagoons, while guides explain the movement and formation of glaciers.

The sound of ice under crampons and the south wind accompany every step in one of the most breathtaking scenery in the region.

Please note: This activity is only open to people aged 8 to 65, and those with heart or respiratory conditions or mobility issues are not eligible.

• Astrotourism under the Patagonian sky

A different proposal is the astrotourism experience in a Patagonian estancia .

The Calafate Night excursion costs $160,000. After dinner, an astronomer guides visitors through telescopes to observe stars, constellations, and satellites.

Before the tour, a brief introduction to astronomy is shown.

• Excursion to the Upsala Glacier

The Upsala Glacier is the second largest in Argentina, with a surface area of ​​870 km². It is also part of Los Glaciares National Park and is accessed by boat from Puerto Punta Bandera, approximately one hour from El Calafate.

From there, the journey to Estancia Cristina , located between Patagonian mountains, rivers and lakes, takes between 2 and 3 hours through the Upsala Branch and the Cristina Channel.

The estancia offers the only land access to the Upsala Glacier viewpoint, a privileged vantage point from which to appreciate the magnitude of this mass of ice and the surrounding natural environment. The tour takes place on catamarans from the estancia's fleet, including the Chinook and the Francesco II, and allows you to explore the pristine landscapes of southern Patagonia.

Within the estancia, visitors can walk guided trails , participate in trekking excursions, horseback riding and 4x4 tours, and visit the museum.

The territory encompasses thousands of hectares of forests, canyons, glaciers, and lakes, offering a direct experience of Patagonian nature in small groups with specialized guides.

There are a variety of dining options. Here are some suggestions:

In the heart of El Calafate, Mako Fuegos y Vinos , by chef Matías Villalba, combines local products and products from his agroecological farm with haute cuisine techniques, offering dishes that reflect the essence of Patagonia.

With capacity for 130 diners, à la carte menus, tastings, and more than 200 labels in its wine cellar, the restaurant combines contemporary design, music, and artisan tableware. Among its offerings, the spit-roasted lamb for two costs $69,000, while the agnolotti gratin, stuffed with spinach, peas, and fava beans from the farm, with cream and Parmesan cheese foam, costs $29,000 as a vegetarian option.

At the Esplendor by Wyndham El Calafate, El Glaciar restaurant focuses on regional cuisine, with dishes like rib-eye steak with mashed potatoes and grilled onions ($45,600) and pumpkin and mozzarella ravioli with Di Capri sauce ($32,600) for those who prefer meat-free options. The space also includes a bar, where you can enjoy cocktails, Patagonian wines, and appetizers.

Considered a city classic , La Tablita is a benchmark for local cuisine, especially for its Patagonian lamb , which combines tradition and regional flavors. Among its offerings are the Classic Meat Mix for three (lamb, roast beef, and flank steak) for $85,000, and the pumpkin and mozzarella sorrentinos as a veggie option ($23,500).

During the excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier, it is recommended to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in front of the ice .

Alternatively, El Restó del Glaciar offers a regional menu with dishes such as lamb casserole, chicken casserole, or Patagonian lentil stew, accompanied by a bottle of water or soda and a coffee or herbal tea per person, for US$36. This option allows you to combine the glacier experience with a warm lunch without straying from the natural surroundings.

El Calafate is a Patagonian destination served by several airlines.

For this summer season, the low-cost airline Flybondi announced a 300% increase in its frequencies: from 4 to 16 weekly flights, with fares starting at $135,733 per leg for flights in October.

In addition, it will connect El Calafate with Ushuaia , increasing the number of flights per week from two to six (a 200% increase), with fares starting at $94,773 per leg.

Starting December 12, the Córdoba-El Calafate route will also operate, with two weekly flights on Mondays and Fridays, at an introductory rate of $119,999 per leg.

In El Calafate, there is a wide variety of hotels of different categories and prices , from hostels to 5-star options, accommodation in local ranches, and glamping.

Among the options, the Esplendor by Wyndham El Calafate It's a 4-star boutique hotel offering panoramic views of Lake Argentino. It offers rooms of various categories and a buffet breakfast with healthy options.

It also has a spa with a heated pool, sauna, massages, Wi-Fi, and parking.

“Visitors discover much more than just accommodations: they experience a profound connection with nature and the Patagonian identity. Every space in the hotel was designed to convey calm, inspiration, and a unique sense of being surrounded by one of the world's most breathtaking landscapes,” says Mauro Pestoni, the hotel's general manager.

During October, rates start at US$190 + taxes per night (double occupancy) and in November they are around US$250 + taxes.