Adventure and 4x4 in El Calafate
Twelve excursions to get off the asphalt
Everything that's done off the paved roads in El Calafate: 4x4 excursions into the hills surrounding the town, horseback riding through the steppe, kayaking in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier, and trekking through canyons with fossils. These are mostly half-day excursions, so they combine well with other activities. Perito Moreno footbridges or with a navigation The same day. Here are the twelve, with everything you need to choose.
Nativo Experience
Explore the Walichu Caves and their 4,000-year-old rock paintings, a refuge of the Tehuelche people, by 4x4. Finish with lunch or dinner by Lake Argentino, including sunset.
Cerro Frias
Half day tours with adventure activities. Option of 4x4 rides, trekking, horseback riding and ziplining, all in a unique natural environment.
Viedma Adventure
Explore the imposing Viedma Glacier with navigation on the lake, trekking in Cabo de Hornos, unique views and an unforgettable experience in El Chaltén.
Perito Moreno Kayak Experience
Paddle a kayak in silence in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier and get within meters of its ice towers. No prior paddling experience necessary, equipment and guides provided. Ages 14 and up.
Darwin Experience
Full day tour combining trekiking and kayaking on the Santa Cruz River, reliving Charles Darwin's journey in Patagonia.
Cerro Castillo
Cerro Castillo Full Day: Lake, Ranch, and Mountain Trek in Patagonia. Embark on a full-day adventure through one of the most unique and unexplored corners of Argentine Patagonia. Cerro Castillo Full Day is an active trek that combines sailing on Lake Argentino, off-road vehicle ascents among the Castillo hills […]
Balconies of El Calafate
The most scenic 4x4 excursion in El Calafate: climb Cerro Huyliche to 950 meters, with Lake Argentino and the Andes at your feet. Half day, with Patagonian lunch included.
Huyliche Hill
Discover the wild essence of Patagonia on a half-day tour with unique panoramic views, contact with local wildlife and adventure in the middle of the steppe.
Safari Experience
Safari in 4×4 through the steppe and canyons of the Estancia 25 de Mayo Natural Reserve, discovering its flora and fauna, fossils and natural history.
Cañadón Experience
Guided trekking to the Calafate stream canyon, discovering fossils and millenary formations in the middle of virgin nature.
Cabalcade Experience
Guided horseback riding through the Patagonian steppe and forest overlooking the lake. Ideal for riders with no previous experience.
Safari Bike Experience
Cycle through the high fields of the Estancia 25 de Mayo Natural Reserve. A bike tour with specialized guide and equipment included.
4x4 journeys, compared
Five excursions take you up the hills surrounding El Calafate in off-road vehicles. They are less alike than they seem: the altitude, the views, and the activities at the top all vary.
| Excursion | Duration | Where does it go? | What distinguishes it | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerro Frias | 4 hs | Summit of Cerro Frías, 25 km from the town | The only spot near El Calafate where you can see Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine at the same time. Choose between 4x4 driving, horseback riding, trekking, or zip-lining. | $160,000 ARS |
| Balconies of El Calafate | Half day | Cerro Huyliche, up to 950 m | The highest and most panoramic climb: Lake Argentino and the Andes at your feet. Includes Patagonian lunch. | $140,000 ARS |
| Huyliche Hill | 4 hs | Huyliche Hill Slope | Focus on the fauna: guanacos, condors, foxes and hares in the middle of the steppe | $150,000 ARS |
| Safari Experience | Half day | Estancia 25 de Mayo Nature Reserve | Steppe and off-the-beaten-path canyons, with fossils and natural history | $165,000 ARS |
| Nativo Experience | 3 hours 30 (night shift) | Walichu Caves and Punta Bonita Cliffs | The only one with Tehuelche cave paintings and dinner served inside the cave | $150,000 ARS |
Which one is right for you?
If you want the best view in the entire region
Cerro Frias. It's the only place less than an hour from El Calafate where, on a clear day, you can see both Mount Fitz Roy and the Torres del Paine simultaneously. At the top, you have 360-degree views of the Andes Mountains, Lake Argentino, and the Centinela River Valley. And it's the most flexible option of all: you can go up by 4x4, on horseback, on foot, or by zip line, depending on the group's mood. The morning tour includes Patagonian stew; the afternoon tour includes cake and tea.
If you want height and a panoramic view of the town
Balconies of El Calafate Climb Cerro Huyliche to 950 meters, the highest point a 4x4 can reach in the area. From there you can see the entire town, the entire length of Lake Argentino, and the Andes Mountains in the background. Patagonian lunch included at the top.
If you come for the wildlife
Huyliche Hill It climbs the same slope but with a different purpose: the trail is designed for wildlife viewing. Guanacos, condors, foxes, and hares in their natural habitat, in the heart of the Patagonian steppe. If you're hesitating between this trail and Balcones, that's the real difference—one offers panoramic views, the other focuses on wildlife.
If you are interested in Tehuelche history
Nativo Experience This is the group's only nighttime excursion. It departs between 5 and 8 pm in a 4x4 vehicle towards the cliffs of Punta Bonita, enters the archaeological site of the Walichu Caves—featuring Tehuelche cave paintings—and concludes with a Patagonian dinner served inside the cave. Suitable for all ages and can be combined with any of the morning excursions.
If you want pure off-roading
Safari Experience Explore the steppe and canyons of the Estancia 25 de Mayo Nature Reserve, with stops to view fossils and geological formations. Less sightseeing, more off-road driving.
The three most chosen
🏔️ Cerro Frías
4 hours · Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine from the summit · 4x4, horseback riding, trekking or zip-lining
🔥 Native Experience
3 hours 30 minutes · Walichu Caves and cave paintings · Dinner inside the cave
🛻 Balconies of El Calafate
Half day · 950 m above Lake Argentino · Patagonian lunch included
Other forms of adventure
Kayak
Two very different options. Perito Moreno Kayak Experience It puts you rowing in front of the glacier wall, meters from the ice towers — no prior experience is necessary, the equipment and guides are included, and it's for ages 14 and up. Darwin Experience It combines trekking and kayaking on the Santa Cruz River, following the route taken by Charles Darwin in Patagonia.
Horseback riding
Horseback Riding Experience It's a four-hour horseback ride through steppe and forest, with views of the lake, designed for riders with no prior experience. If you prefer the ride as part of a more complete program, Cerro Frias It offers it as one of its four promotion options, starting from age 7.
Bicycle
Safari Bike Experience It combines a 4x4 transfer to the high fields of the Estancia 25 de Mayo Nature Reserve and from there the bike tour, with a specialized guide and equipment included.
Trekking through canyons
Cañadón Experience It's a guided hike to the Calafate stream canyon, among fossils and ancient formations, in a pristine natural area a short distance from town. No ice or glaciers here: it's pure Patagonian geology.
Full-day adventure
Two excursions of this category take up the entire day. Viedma Adventure It combines sailing on Lake Viedma in front of the glacier and trekking in Cape Horn, operating from El Chaltén. Cerro Castillo It is a journey that combines sailing on Lake Argentino and ascent in off-road vehicles among the hills, through an area much less traveled than the rest of the circuit.
What to bring
- Windbreaker jacket: The Patagonian wind doesn't let up even on sunny days, and it hits hard at the viewpoints.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen: In the steppe, radiation is high even with clouds.
- Closed and comfortable shoes: In the 4x4s there are short stretches on foot.
- An extra layer of warmth If you go in the afternoon or evening: when the sun goes down the temperature drops quickly, even in summer.
- The phone battery is charged. If you go kayaking, the company provides the technical clothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 4x4 excursion cost in El Calafate?
Half-day 4x4 excursions start at 150,000 ARS per person. Most include transportation from your accommodation and a meal—lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner, depending on the tour. Entrance to Los Glaciares National Park is not included in these excursions, as the mountains are located outside the park area.
Can they be combined with the Perito Moreno Glacier on the same day?
Yes, and that's what most people do. Almost all adventure excursions are half-day trips, so they fit well with the Perito Moreno footbridges in the morning and the hill in the afternoon. Nativo Experience, Since it is a nighttime activity, it can be combined with virtually any daytime excursion.
Are special physical conditions required?
No, not for 4x4 excursions: the ascent is by vehicle, and the hikes are short and optional. Cerro Frías is of medium difficulty if you choose the trekking option. kayak in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier No prior rowing experience is required, but it is for ages 14 and up. Horseback riding in Cerro Frías is for ages 7 and up.
Are they cancelled due to rain?
Generally, no. The 4x4 tours operate in cloudy weather with light rain; they are only rescheduled in the event of heavy snowfall or severe weather that compromises safety. What does depend on the weather is the view: on a cloudy day, you won't see Fitz Roy from Cerro Frías. If the forecast is bad and you have some flexibility, it's best to move the viewpoint excursion to another day of your trip.
What is the difference between Balcones de El Calafate and Cerro Huyliche?
They climb the same hill but are looking for different things. Balconies It reaches up to 950 meters and is set up around the panoramic view of the town, Lake Argentino and the mountain range, with Patagonian food at the top. Huyliche Hill It stays on the hillside and prioritizes wildlife viewing: guanacos, condors, foxes, and hares. If you're coming for the panoramic photos, go to Balcones; if you're coming for the animals, go to Huyliche.
Which adventure excursion is the most popular?
Cerro Frias y Nativo Experience These are the two most frequently booked tours, for opposite reasons: one for the view, the other for the dinner in the cave. Many travelers do both, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening of the same day.