El Calafate City Tour
The First Footprints
About this tour
The tour runs along the main streets of the town's old quarter, showing its typical early buildings as well as today's civic center.
The El Calafate city tour starts with a visit to Punta Walichu, an archaeological site 8 km from town, where you can see the traces left by the first people who walked these lands.
A walk along the rock shelters and caves lets you see rock paintings (originals and reproductions) and enjoy an exceptional view of Lago Argentino and the Andes.
The tour also runs along the main streets of the town's old quarter, showing you the pioneers' typical early buildings as well as today's civic center.
Your guide will take you back in time to the history of the first settlers and show you the flora, the fauna and other interesting details this small tourist village treasures.
You will visit the Paseo Costero and Bahía Redonda, just steps from the shore of Lago Argentino, where you can see the abundant local birdlife.
Next we visit the Historical Interpretation Center, where a self-guided tour takes you through the most important historical events from the Ice Age to the present.
Finally, Chacra Las Moras welcomes you to a farm producing berries and vegetables that surprises every visitor.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All descriptions and itineraries are for guidance only: activity times, their order and the sites visited may vary according to the guide's assessment and the characteristics of the group.
Useful information
- Departure and return point: Downtown hotels
- Departure time: From 14:30 h
- Return time: From 18:00 h
Included
- Transfers.
- Guide.
- Insurance.
- Pickup at downtown hotels.
Not included
- Meals and drinks.
Meeting point
Before you go
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes and warm clothing (sweater, sweatshirt and a windbreaker and/or rain jacket).
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and gloves.
- Also a sun hat, or a warm hat if it is very cold.
Cancellation policy
Terms and conditions
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a shared group tour and a private tour? Can you do it just for my group?
On a shared group tour, you share the vehicle with other travelers, with a set schedule and route. A private tour is just for your group and is adapted in schedule, pace, and stops. Message us with what you're looking for and we'll advise you.
Should I bring cash? Are there ATMs along the way?
Yes, it's a good idea to bring some cash: in small towns, not all shops accept cards, and there are few ATMs.
Do you offer pickup from my accommodation? From what area? What if I'm outside downtown?
Yes, on most shared group tours we offer pickup from your accommodation if it's within about 15 blocks of Plaza 9 de Julio. If you're outside that area, we'll give you a nearby meeting point. Each tour page states whether pickup is included.
Where do I enter my accommodation? Can I change it later?
You enter it when you book. If you change accommodation, send us a message on WhatsApp.
What time will you pick me up? Why is it a time window and not an exact time?
We give you a window of about 45 minutes, because the vehicle stops at several accommodations before reaching yours. Be ready from the start of the window.
Where do I wait, and how do I know the vehicle is on its way? What if it's late?
Wait at the door of your accommodation from the start of the time window. The guide will contact you; if you don't hear anything, message our on-call WhatsApp.
Can you drop me off somewhere else at the end?
Yes, within the downtown area or at any point along the vehicle's route.
Can I end the tour at the destination and stay there?
Yes, let us know when you book. You'll need to arrange your own return.
Can I bring luggage or a suitcase? Do I need to let you know?
On shared group tours by minibus, one carry-on bag of up to 10 kg per traveler is allowed: the vehicles have no luggage compartment. Larger luggage is subject to confirmation and may have an additional cost if seats need to be left empty.
How many people travel, and in what vehicle?
The vehicle depends on the number of travelers; in high season, it may be a vehicle with 24 seats or more. If the vehicle can't enter downtown, we'll give you a central meeting point.
Is a guide included? Do they stay with you the whole way?
Yes. Depending on the tour, you travel with a guide and a driver, or with a driver-guide who stays with you the whole way.
Is lunch included? Where and when do we eat?
Unless the tour page says otherwise, lunch isn't included. There's a stop with free time to eat: you can bring your own food, buy something, or go to a restaurant. The guide can suggest places, with no obligation.
Are there extra costs during the tour (admission, meals)?
Unless the tour page says so, meals and admission to museums or archaeological sites, such as the Pucará de Tilcara, aren't included. Beyond that, the only cost is whatever you want to buy.
Can the route be changed?
No. Only the agency or the guide can change it if the weather or road conditions require it.
Are there restrooms and cell service along the way?
Yes, the stops have restrooms. There's service in the towns, but there may be none on some mountain stretches.
How far in advance do I need to book? Can I book for today or tomorrow?
We recommend booking in advance, especially during Argentine winter holidays, Easter and long weekends. On the website you can book until 6 pm the day before, unless the tour page shows a different cutoff. To pay by bank transfer you need at least 2 days before the departure. For the same day or outside those hours, message us on WhatsApp and we will check availability.
How do I know if there is availability, and when is my booking confirmed?
It depends on the service, and the tour page tells you before you pay. Services with "Instant confirmation" are confirmed as soon as the payment goes through, and you get the voucher right away. For the rest, your booking is registered when you pay and we confirm it with the provider within a few hours, during business hours. For trains, the ticket is issued by the operator. If there were no availability, we offer you another date, another activity or a full refund. Services on request are booked on WhatsApp: we confirm availability first.
Can I change the date or the travelers, or modify my booking after paying?
Yes, message us on WhatsApp and we will take care of it. For shared group tours and packages, if you let us know 48 hours or more in advance, we change the date free of charge, subject to availability. For private tours and trips we review each case, and for trains the operator's policy applies.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Within 10 days of your purchase and up to 24 hours before the first service, you can withdraw and we refund everything, except for trains and services run by other operators. Outside that period, each service's policy applies, which you see before paying: shared group tours can be canceled free of charge up to 48 hours before. It is calculated on what you paid, and you can cancel for all travelers or only for some.
What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather or force majeure?
First, we offer to reschedule it for another date. If you can't, we leave the date open so you can use it later, and if that doesn't work for you either, we refund what you paid.
What payment methods do you accept? Is there a discount depending on how I pay?
It depends on where you are paying from, and you choose it in your order. From Argentina: bank transfer or Mercado Pago, with a credit or debit card or account balance, and up to 3 interest-free installments. From abroad: PayPal, Wise or a card through Mercado Pago, and from Uruguay also Prex. Paying by bank transfer from an Argentine account gives you a discount: the tour page and the cart show the price with each method before you pay. We do not accept cash through the website.
Can I pay from another country or with a foreign card?
Yes. In your order, choose the country you are paying from and you will see the available methods: PayPal (in US dollars), Wise (in US dollars or euros) or a card through Mercado Pago. From Uruguay you can also pay with Prex. If your card is declined, try PayPal or Wise, or message us on WhatsApp.
What happens if I'm late?
There's little leeway, because the vehicle follows a route with other travelers. We'll try to contact you, but if you're not there on time, you may miss the service.
What language are the tours in? Can I request a guide in English or Portuguese?
Tours are in Spanish. English is available on request: let us know when you book. Portuguese is available only occasionally and must be requested in advance.
Can children come? Can I bring a baby? Do you have child seats?
Yes, children and babies can travel on shared group tours. If you need a baby seat, request it when you book and we'll install it. The minimum age for each activity is listed on its page.
Are tours suitable for seniors or people with reduced mobility?
Shared group tours are suitable for seniors; the effort level for each one is listed on the tour page. They're not suitable for people with reduced mobility, due to the type of vehicles.
Do I need to tell you about any health conditions?
Yes. When you book, let us know about any condition the guide should be aware of, such as heart or respiratory problems, pregnancy, or allergies. We use this only to organize the service.
Are tours canceled if it rains?
Generally not: tours run in the rain. During the rainy season, if a road is cut off by flooding and we can't get through, we'll let you know in advance. The forecast often shows rain in the mountains even when it doesn't actually rain, so don't let it scare you.
Reviews
No reviews of this tour on our website yet.