3-Day Itinerary in El Calafate: What to Do and How Much It Costs (2026)
3-Day Itinerary in El Calafate: What to Do and How Much It Costs
How much does 3 days in El Calafate cost? From $400 USD in tours (Minitrekking $180 + El Chaltén $120 + Todo Glaciares $100) + $45-80 USD Los Glaciares National Park entrance fees + $60-90 USD meals + $90-300 USD accommodation = $595-870 USD total per person.
Want to know what to do in El Calafate for 3 days and how much the complete trip costs? This is the best itinerary for a first visit to Patagonia: Minitrekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier, trekking to Fitz Roy in El Chaltén, and navigation among giant glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park. It includes a detailed budget with 2026 prices, tour schedules, and direct booking links.
Looking for more itinerary options based on your style? Read our guide with 3 itinerary combinations (classic, adventure, and gourmet).
Day 1: Minitrekking Perito Moreno Glacier
Price: $180 USD (without transfer) | $220 USD (with hotel transfer)
The most iconic experience in Los Glaciares National Park: A 1-hour 30-minute walk on the ancient ice of the world's most famous glacier. Minitrekking is El Calafate's best-selling tour and the mandatory first day of any itinerary.
- Duration: 9:30 hours (full day)
- Schedule: Pick-up 7:30 AM (with transfer) / 8:30 AM at Puerto Bajo Las Sombras (without transfer)
- Includes: 20 min navigation + 1.5h ice trekking + crampons + helmet + bilingual guide + whisky with glacier ice
- Age: 8 to 65 years
- Level: Moderate (normal physical condition)
- What to bring: Trekking shoes, waterproof jacket, sunscreen, water, packed lunch
Day 2: El Chaltén Full Day — Laguna de los Tres
Price: $120 USD (without transfer) | $140 USD (with hotel transfer)
The national trekking capital: A 3-hour trip along Route 40 to El Chaltén to hike to Laguna de los Tres with views of the iconic Mount Fitz Roy (3,405 m). This is the most physically demanding day of the itinerary and the one most dependent on the weather.
- Duration: 12-13 hours (full day)
- Schedule: Pick-up 6:00 AM — Return 19:00
- Transfer: 220 km (3h each way) along scenic Route 40
- Includes: El Calafate ↔ El Chaltén transfer + free time (6-8 hours) for self-guided trekking
- Food: NOT included — bring your own packed lunch or buy in El Chaltén
Suggested Treks in El Chaltén
| Trek | Distance | Duration | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna de los Tres | 20 km | 8-10 hours | Medium-high |
| Laguna Torre | 18 km | 6-8 hours | Medium |
| Chorrillo del Salto | 8 km | 2-3 hours | Low |
Day 3: Todo Glaciares — Upsala and Spegazzini Navigation
Price: $100 USD (without food) | Glaciares Gourmet with lunch: $150 USD
Glacier safari in the North Arm of Lago Argentino: The Todo Glaciares navigation is the complete tour that covers the most imposing glaciers of Los Glaciares National Park in 9 hours, including Spegazzini at 135 meters high (the tallest in the park).
- Duration: 9-10 hours
- Schedule: Pick-up 7:30 AM — Return 17:00
- Vessel: Modern catamaran with heating and outdoor decks
- Includes: North Arm navigation + Spegazzini Bay disembarkation (1h walk) + sighting of Upsala, Heim, Seco, Peineta glaciers
- Food: NOT included — onboard bar with sandwiches and snacks (upgrade to Glaciares Gourmet with gourmet lunch)
Glaciers you will visit
- Upsala: 60 km long — the longest in South America
- Spegazzini: 135 m high — the tallest in the park
- Heim, Seco y Peineta — distant sighting
How much does a 3-day trip to El Calafate cost? Complete Budget
Here's a breakdown of the total cost of tours in El Calafate for 3 days, with prices updated to 2026:
Tours (the essentials)
| Tour | Without transfer | With transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1: Minitrekking | $180 USD | $220 USD |
| Day 2: El Chaltén Full Day | $120 USD | $140 USD |
| Day 3: Todo Glaciares | $100 USD | $100 USD |
| Total tours | $400 USD | $460 USD |
Additional Costs
| Item | Estimated |
|---|---|
| National Park Entrance (2 days) | $45-80 USD |
| Meals (3 days, $20-30/day) | $60-90 USD |
| Accommodation (3 nights, $30-100/night) | $90-300 USD |
| Total additional | $195-470 USD |
Total cost of a 3-day trip to El Calafate: $595-930 USD per person — Tours + Los Glaciares National Park entrance fees + meals + budget to mid-range accommodation.
Budget for a couple (3 days)
If you're traveling as a couple, accommodation costs are divided, and the per-person cost decreases:
| Profile | Per person | Total couple |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (hostel + tours without transfer) | $595 USD | $1,190 USD |
| Mid-range (3★ hotel + tours with transfer) | $750 USD | $1,500 USD |
| Comfortable (4★ hotel + Glaciares Gourmet) | $930 USD | $1,860 USD |
How to get there from Buenos Aires
The flight from Buenos Aires → El Calafate (FTE airport) takes 3 hours and 15 minutes. Aerolíneas Argentinas and Flybondi operate daily flights. The airport is 23 km from the center — consult our airport transfers guide (from $15 USD).
There are no direct flights from other Patagonian cities; the alternative is a 2,700 km drive along Route 40.
How many days do I need for El Calafate?
3 full days is the recommended minimum to experience the essentials of Los Glaciares National Park. With less time, you'll have to choose and miss out on something important:
- 2 days: Enough for Perito Moreno Glacier (Minitrekking or walkways + Nautical Safari) and a Todo Glaciares navigation. You'll miss El Chaltén.
- 3 days: The ideal itinerary — Minitrekking + El Chaltén + Todo Glaciares. You'll cover glaciers, mountains, and navigation.
- 4 days: Add Torres del Paine (Chile) or replace Minitrekking with Big Ice (4-hour trek on the glacier).
- 5+ days: Add Patagonian ranches, kayaking in front of Perito Moreno, or a second day in El Chaltén to do Laguna Torre.
Best time to do this 3-day itinerary
| Season | Climate | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (Dec-Feb) | 8-17°C, long days (17h daylight) | Best weather, all tours operate | More tourists, book 2-3 weeks in advance |
| Spring (Oct-Nov) ⭐ | 4-12°C, long days | Fewer people, prices ~20% lower | Strong winds some days |
| Autumn (March) ⭐ | 2-10°C, autumn colors | Fewer tourists, spectacular landscape | Lower temperatures |
| Winter (Jun-Aug) | -2 to 5°C, short days (9h daylight) | Snow-covered glacier, intimate experience | Big Ice does not operate; fewer tourist services |
Tips for your trip
What to bring
- Trekking footwear MANDATORY
- Waterproof windbreaker jacket
- Fleece or down insulation
- SPF 50+ sunscreen
- UV sunglasses
- 20-30L backpack
- Reusable water bottle
Important Tips
- Park entrance: Purchase it online in advance at ventaweb.apn.gob.ar. The signal at the park entrance is weak, and card payments often fail.
- 50% discount: If you visit the park for 2 consecutive days, the second day has a 50% discount by presenting the previous day's ticket.
- Hotel pick-up: Only at approved central hotels. If you are in an Airbnb or apartment, there are specific meeting points for each tour.
- Weather: Changes in minutes. Dress in layers and always bring warm clothing, even in summer.
- Meals: Day 1 and 3: there are restaurants in the park (expensive). Day 2: bringing a packed lunch is mandatory for El Chaltén.
Payment methods
- Tours: International cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), USD cash, Argentine pesos
- Park entrance: Purchase online at ventaweb.apn.gob.ar with card
Itinerary variations based on your days
If you have 4 days
Add Torres del Paine Full Day ($180-220 USD) — National Park in Chile with views of the Paine Massif and Lago Pehoé. Departure 6:00 AM, return 21:00. You will need a valid passport.
If you only have 2 days
- Option A: Minitrekking + Todo Glaciares ($280 USD) — The glacier essentials
- Option B: Minitrekking + El Chaltén ($300 USD) — Ice + mountain
For extreme adventurers
Replace Minitrekking with Big Ice ($280 USD) — 4 hours on the glacier exploring caves and cracks. Only for ages 18-50, excellent physical condition.
→ See Big Ice tour | Minitrekking vs Big Ice comparison
Ready for your Patagonian adventure?
Book your complete 3-day itinerary and secure your spots. Immediate confirmation, secure payment, and flexible cancellation.
More useful guides to plan your trip
- 3 itinerary options based on your style — Classic, adventure, or gourmet
- Airport to downtown transfers guide
- Best time to visit El Calafate
- Where to eat lamb in El Calafate
Last updated: February 2026