4 Days in Calafate & Upsala Glacier: Patagonian Ice & Steppe
Calafate is Patagonia's ice capital, home to the most accessible trekking glacier in South America. This short, luxury-focused itinerary maximises time on ice and water, combining glacier trekking, zodiac boat tours through iceberg-filled lakes, and remote estancia (ranch) stays in the wild southern steppe.
What to expect
- Trek on Upsala Glacier: crampons, ice sculpting, crevasse exploring (full day)
- Kayak among house-sized icebergs in Lago Argentino at sunrise
- Hike Laguna de los Tres Picos for views of three glaciers and distant peaks
- Stay at a traditional estancia; horseback across Patagonian grasslands
- Watch Perito Moreno calving from the walkway at dawn and dusk
Day by day
Arrive El Calafate; check into luxury hotel (Fierro Hotel or Xanadu). Rest and acclimatise.
Visit Perito Moreno Glacier via Ruta 5; walk the main pasarela (boardwalk) and observe calving.
Private dinner at hotel with glacier views; briefing on glacier trek safety.
Pre-dawn departure; zodiac boat across Lago Argentino past icebergs to Upsala glacier terminus.
Don crampons; guide-led trek on glacier surface (5–6 hours). Explore ice seracs, crevasses, and meltwater.
Return by zodiac at sunset; gourmet dinner at estancia lodge with wild Patagonian lamb.
Horseback ride across Patagonian steppe at traditional estancia; 2-hour circuit with guanaco spotting.
Kayak Bahía Tote among small icebergs; zodiac re-positioning option for different lake viewpoints.
Return to Calafate; dinner at El Rancho restaurant; stargazing in dark Patagonian skies.
If flight is late, short 3-hour hike to Laguna de los Tres Picos; triple-glacier view.
Lunch in town; browse local chocolatiers and artisan shops; depart for airport.
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