Things to Do in El Calafate

Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few glaciers in the world that is still advancing rather than retreating, growing about 2 meters per year.

El Calafate sits on the southern shore of Lago Argentino at 185 meters above sea level, in Santa Cruz Province near the border with Chile.

The town's name comes from the calafate berry, a native shrub with purple fruit that grows throughout Patagonia and was historically eaten by indigenous Tehuelche people.

El Calafate's airport (Gobernador Gregores International) is one of Patagonia's busiest, with direct flights from Buenos Aires and connections to other Patagonian destinations.

The region experiences extreme seasonal daylight variation—in December (summer) you get nearly 17 hours of daylight, while in June (winter) only about 8 hours.

Upsala Glacier, visible from the same lake tours as Perito Moreno, has retreated over 5 kilometers in the past two decades due to climate change.