Complete El Calafate Guides
In this section we gathered practical guides to plan your trip to El Calafate: how to get from the airport, how to get to Perito Moreno Glacier and El Chaltén, and what you need to know before the minitrekking on the ice. Real, up-to-date information so you reach every excursion relaxed.
Explore all our complete guides
We organized all the information about our transfers and excursions by type of destination, so you can easily find what you need to know before you travel. Choose a category and open the complete guide for each service.
Perito Moreno Glacier and ice excursions
Perito Moreno Glacier (walkways)
The classic: a tour of the panoramic walkways facing the glacier, 80 km from El Calafate (1h30 by car). We tell you how long it takes. The main difference is time and freedom. The scheduled bus leaves at a fixed time, stops at the same spots for everyone and gives you limited time on the walkways. With a private transfer the vehicle is only for your group: you choose the departure time, stop at the viewpoints along the way when the light is good for photos, and if your flight leaves late you can enjoy the whole morning without rushing.
Perito Moreno Glacier Minitrekking
Guided walk on the ice of Perito Moreno Glacier with crampons, after a short approach boat ride. How it works: we take you to Puerto Bajo de las Sombras, the excursion boarding point. The boat, crampons and guides are booked separately with the operator; we only handle the transfer. A guided walk on the ice with crampons, with a boat ride to the glacier front included. A more accessible alternative to Big Ice, ideal if you want to step on the glacier without as much physical effort.Do I need to be in good physical shape? It is a guided walk of moderate difficulty, suitable for most people without mobility issues.
Big Ice
The extended version of the glacier trek: more hours walking on the ice than the Minitrekking, for those who want a deeper experience. How it works: transfer there, wait and return to the boarding point. As with the Minitrekking, the ice excursion is booked separately with the operadora.La the most complete and intense ice-trekking excursion: about 4 hours walking among crevasses and blue ice formations, with specialized guides and equipment included. Which should I choose, Minitrekking or Big Ice? Minitrekking is shorter and more accessible; Big Ice adds more hours of walking on the ice for those who want a fuller experience and are in better shape.
Safari Náutico (Safari Azul)
Catamaran trip across Brazo Rico to the south wall of the glacier, with a landing to see the ice up close. Ideal if you prefer to see the glacier without walking on it.
Airports and terminals
El Calafate Airport
How it works: for arrivals (IN) we wait for your flight and meet you with a sign at the exit. For departures (OUT) we set the pickup time based on your flight, allowing time for check-in.How far in advance should I send my flight details? As soon as you have it confirmed; in high season we recommend booking a few days ahead.
Río Gallegos Airport
Door-to-door transfer to Río Gallegos airport (320 km, 3h30-4h), for those flying from or to that airport looking for better fares or connections.
El Calafate Bus Terminal
Door-to-door transfers to the bus terminal, the departure and arrival point for buses to El Chaltén, Río Gallegos, Puerto Natales and other Patagonian destinations, with guaranteed punctuality.
Excursions and tours in El Calafate
Punta Walichu
Archaeological site with cave paintings on the shores of Lago Argentino, a few kilometers from downtown.How it works: round-trip transfer, a short outing of a couple of hours in total. A short tour (30 min to 1 hour) of the most beautiful spots in town: the Lago Argentino waterfront, Laguna Nimez Reserve and the panoramic viewpoints.What can you see there? Rock shelters with cave paintings by native peoples and a nice lake view, a good option for a quiet afternoon.How it works: round-trip transfer, a short outing of almost 2 hours in total.
Glaciarium - Ice Museum
The Patagonian Ice Museum, a few minutes from El Calafate, with interactive rooms about how glaciers form and a viewpoint overlooking the lake.How it works: transfer there, 1 hour wait and return. It is a short outing, ideal to combine with the morning or afternoon of another transfer, or as a half-day option.Is the museum entry included? No, it is paid at the Glaciarium ticket office. Is 1 hour enough? For touring the rooms, yes. If you want to add the Glaciobar (the ice bar), ask for extra wait time when booking.
City Tour - El Calafate.
Cerro Cristal
One of the most beautiful viewpoints in town, a few minutes from downtown, with a 1 to 1.5 hour walk to the panoramic view of the lake and the mountains. Free access.
How it works: transfer there, wait and return while you do the walk (accessible, suitable for most people) to the viewpoint.How long is the walk? Between 1 and 2 hours round trip, easy to moderate trail.
How long is the ride there? About 40 min there and another 40 min back; the road is unpaved, which makes it hard to estimate an exact arrival time.
El Chaltén and other Patagonia destinations
El Chaltén - Full Day
National trekking capital, 220 km from El Calafate. The transfer is full day: 4 to 6 hours of driving round trip, with a stop at La Leona and the viewpoints along the way, and 6 to 9 free hours in the village to hike one of the classic trails (Laguna de Los Tres, Laguna Torre, Chorrillo del Salto). early departure from your accommodation, stop at La Leona (the historic roadside inn) and at the viewpoints facing the Fitz Roy massif. We drop you in the village and arrange the return time based on the trail you choose. Up to 4 passengers per vehicle.
Puerto Punta Bandera
Departure port for boat trips on Lago Argentino to the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers. The starting point for sailing to Upsala Glacier and Spegazzini Glacier, 40-45 minutes from El Calafate. We take you to the port and pick you up when your boat trip ends.
Other destinations in Patagonia
We also arrange private transfers to Río Gallegos, Río Turbio, Bariloche and other points in Patagonia, planned around your dates and the departure or arrival point you need. Please notify or book at least 1 day in advance.
The 20 most frequently asked questions about transfers in El Calafate
1. How do I get from El Calafate airport to my hotel?
With a private door-to-door transfer. We wait for you at the airport exit with a sign, time it to your flight and take you straight to your accommodation. The full service (in/out) costs ARS 40,000 (USD 29) per group.
2. How do you get to Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate?
There is no public transport to the walkways. The options are a rental car, a scheduled bus with fixed times, or a private transfer. The glacier is 80 km away, about 1h30 drive. Our transfer includes the ride there, 3 free hours on the walkways and the return, for ARS 150,000 (USD 108).
3. How does the El Chaltén transfer work?
It is a full-day transfer: we leave El Calafate early, stop at La Leona and the Fitz Roy viewpoints, and drop you in the village with 6 to 8 free hours for trekking. The return is arranged based on the trail you choose. Price: ARS 290,000 (USD 208).
4. Can I add another passenger if I want?
Yes, as long as you do not exceed the maximum of 4 passengers per vehicle. Let us know in advance to confirm the space and, if the group is larger, we arrange another vehicle.
5. Are prices per person or per group?
Per group. Whether two, three or four people travel, the transfer price is the same, so it is much better value if you go together.
6. What payment methods do you accept?
Argentine pesos, US dollars and Chilean pesos. Paying by credit or debit card has a 10% surcharge over the cash price.
7. How far in advance should I book the transfer?
It depends on the service: for Perito Moreno Glacier, 20 minutes before departure is enough if there is availability; for El Chaltén we recommend at least 1 hour. In high season (December to March) it is better to book one or two days ahead.
8. Does the glacier transfer include the park entrance fee?
No. The Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee is paid separately at the entrance. Our price only covers the ride there, the wait at the walkways and the return.
9. How long do you stay on the Perito Moreno walkways?
Three hours, the time most visitors need to walk the three trails calmly. If you need more or less time, we can discuss it when booking.
10. What if my flight arrives late or is delayed?
We track your flight schedule and adjust the wait at the airport at no extra cost. No need to let us know if there is a delay.
11. Can you visit the glacier in winter?
Yes, Perito Moreno can be visited year-round. In the low season there are fewer people and the snowy landscape adds a lot to the photos. Just dress warmly.
12. What is the difference between the Punta Bandera transfer and the Perito Moreno Glacier one?
They are different destinations within the same park. Punta Bandera is the departure port for boat trips to the Upsala and Spegazzini arms of Lago Argentino; Perito Moreno has its own panoramic walkways. Each one is quoted separately.
13. Can the El Chaltén transfer be one way only?
It is usually booked as a full day (there and back the same day), but if you plan to stay overnight in El Chaltén, we arrange a one-way transfer.
14. What does the Minitrekking include and what is paid separately?
We take you to Puerto Bajo de las Sombras, the excursion boarding point. The approach boat ride, crampons and ice guides are booked separately with the specialized operator.
15. What is the difference between Minitrekking and Big Ice?
Minitrekking is shorter and more accessible, suitable for most people. Big Ice adds more hours of walking on the ice, designed for those who want a fuller experience and are in better shape.
16. Do you offer transfers to the Bus Terminal?
Yes, the in/out terminal transfer costs ARS 20,000 (USD 15) per group.
17. Can I combine Perito Moreno Glacier with another excursion on the same day?
Yes, the most requested combination is Glacier + Safari Azul, which costs ARS 160,000 (USD 115) and includes there, wait and return for both trips.
18. What if it rains or the weather is bad on my transfer day?
The trip still goes ahead; bad weather does not usually affect the visit to the walkways or viewpoints. It is only suspended if the park officially closes or road conditions are unsafe, and then we reschedule at no cost.
19. Do you offer transfers to Río Gallegos?
Yes, we cover the transfer to Río Gallegos Airport for ARS 380,000 (USD 272) per group.
20. Why choose a private transfer instead of a regular bus in El Calafate?
Because the vehicle is exclusive to your group: you choose the departure time, stop at the viewpoints whenever you like and do not depend on a shared bus schedule. For groups of 2 to 4 people it is also usually better value than paying individual tickets.
