Overview
Take a trip to El Calafate on your Argentina Vacation
El Calafate is a city located in Patagonia, Argentina, situated in the southwest part of the Santa Cruz province. A popular tourist destination on Argentina tours, El Calafate is often considered a gateway to Antarctica’s glaciers.
El Calafate’s origins date back to the beginning of the 20th century when it was a frontier town catering to a community of remote estancias (ranchers) and wool traders. While the city was officially founded in 1927 by the government of Argentina with the main goal of promoting settlement, it was the creation of Perito Moreno National Park in 1937 that accelerated the growth of the city. El Calafate began to attract tourists and continues to do so today.
The main draw for tourists on an Argentina vacation coming to El Calafate is the option to visit the Perito Moreno glacier which is one of few glaciers in the world that is not retreating. Scientists say that the glacier is “in balance” because it is always shrinking and growing. By travelling to the national park that shares the glacier’s name, visitors are able to see this magnificent spectacle just metres away. Tourists on Argentina travel can also visit an estancia to experience local history and travel back in time to discover the true heart of Patagonia.
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Argentina Highlights: Culture, Waterfalls & Glaciers
Iguassu Falls, Patagonia, El Calafate, and Buenos AiresTravel independently through Argentina, where Patagonian ice, thundering rainforest falls and vibrant culture create a journey of striking contrasts.
9 days
From US$2,140/p.p.
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Highlights of Patagonia: Torres del Paine & El Calafate
Buenos Aires, Patagonia, El Calafate, Torres Del Paine National Park, and SantiagoDiscover stunning Patagonia, where glaciers meet the Andes. Experience Santiago's culture before immersing yourself in Argentina’s breathtaking landscapes.
10 days
From US$6,423/p.p.
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Argentina Highlights: Culture, Waterfalls & Glaciers
Iguassu Falls, Patagonia, El Calafate, and Buenos AiresTravel independently through Argentina, where Patagonian ice, thundering rainforest falls and vibrant culture create a journey of striking contrasts.
9 days
From US$2,140/p.p.
Request a Quote
Highlights of Patagonia: Torres del Paine & El Calafate
Buenos Aires, Patagonia, El Calafate, Torres Del Paine National Park, and SantiagoDiscover stunning Patagonia, where glaciers meet the Andes. Experience Santiago's culture before immersing yourself in Argentina’s breathtaking landscapes.
10 days
From US$6,423/p.p.
Request a Quote
What do the experts say?
The best time to visit Argentina depends on the region you want to see, but Spring (September-November) and Autumn (March-May) are generally ideal for visiting Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Iguazú Falls, offering pleasant weather and beautiful scenery. For Patagonia, the summer months (December-March) are best for hiking and accessible trails, though you can visit other times of year with appropriate clothing.
If you are lucky enough to visit during August, make sure you attend the iconic Buenos Aires Tango Festival, which fills the city with performances, lessons, and open-air parties celebrating the birthplace of Tango.
While football (soccer) is extremely popular, the official national sport is Pato, a game involving horseback riders trying to grab a duck or a similar ball.
A unique local experience is visiting El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, one of the largest and most beautiful bookstores in the world. It’s set inside a former theatre.
Argentina’s climate varies widely: the north is subtropical, the Pampas are temperate, the Andes are cooler, and Patagonia is cold and windy. Travellers should pack accordingly for each region.
Welcome to El Calafate
El Calafate, Argentina
Sightseeing at Perito Moreno Glacier
Perito Moreno Glacier is a great photo opportun...
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Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
El CalafateMostly Sunny
16°C / 60°F
15mm / 0.6"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
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ExcellentBased on 5,276 ReviewsMichael at Goway Travel was great to work with. We were planning a pre-trip with him prior to a group tour. He worked with us to hit the special places we wanted to visit and things we wanted to do. The accommodations arranged exceeded our expectations. Local guides were all amazing. This was the third trip we booked through Goway, and we will definitely book with them again in the future David PickaGoway Travel has South Pacific travel Consultant and they are all very experienced. ALICE was the agent who took care of my travel to Australia and she suggested best hotel accommodations excursions and worked within my budget. I had wonderful trip without any problems. Alice was very helpful and we are planning another trip will contact her.SaralAlice Teramoto Put together a perfect trip to Aitutaki and Rarotonga. The tours she included added to the experience. She was the glue to combine the complete package and would highly recommend her services.Valued CustomerWe just came back from a wonderful trip to Portugal. From the time I contacted Goway until now, I have been more than satisfied with our experience. Our agent Michael put together a 8 day package with all the requirements we had asked for. The 8 day trip went so seamless & took all the stress off us travelling in Portugal. Michael not only listened to what we wanted, but he was so quick to respond to all of our calls, emails & concerns. The transfers, hotels & tours he arranged were the best. We would highly recommend Goway. I can hardly wait to book our next adventure with Goway. CathyMichael Keon from Goway Travel made our family trip to Greece memorable. Michael was a call or email away when planning our Greece trip and worked with us on our tight budget. Every detail was worked out for us before we got on the plane.
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Looking forward to planning the next one!GailJust got back from a fabulous safari holiday in Tanzania. The trip was amazing! Exceeded my expectations. The people, the local team at Sense of Africa, the food, the accommodations (Karibu camps: Elephant Springs+Lion’s Paw and Sametu), the safari from the sky (hot air balloon)… I can keep going. Perfect way to celebrate my 50th bday.
Thanks again to Alice Teramoto and Goway for making this happen! Truly a trip of a lifetimeKARISSA CARRASQUILLOI have had Melissa Moses plan our trips for us for quite a few years. She always finds interesting sights for us to see, the hotels are always beautiful and everything runs perfectly. Can't wait to get started on the next adventure. Andrea JonesJust returned from a two week trip to Prague, Vienna and Budapest booked by Michael Keon at Goway
This was our second trip booked with Michael
Hotels were all excellent, in great locations, transfers to and from airports went without a hitch and train travel was exactly as planned.
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Kevin BourkeKatie's knowledge and support were the primary reason the trip worked so well.
Everything went smoothly, and the vacation could not have been any better. The hotels were wonderful, the two tours we took went well, and there were no issues with flights or transfers.
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