El Calafate

El Calafate is a small town on the southern end of Lake Argentino, in Southern Patagonia. It is a convenient starting point for travel to the Perito Moreno glacier, as well as to El Chaltén and even Torres Del Paine in Chile.



With the Perito Moreno glacier just 2 hours from town, there are many organized tours of the glacier.






Location: 50˚20'S 72˚17'W
220 km from El Chaltén
315 km from Rio Gallegos
362 km from Puerto Natales
605 km from Punta Arenas

Getting There and Away: El Calafate is served by an airport, 20 km East of town, with flights from Buenos Aires, Bariloche and Trelew.

Buses to major Argentinian cities are routed via Rio Gallegos.

Accommodation: The boutique hotel, Esplendor sets a high standard for others to follow.



Hotel Xelena offers beautiful views of Lake Argentino, although it is a little outside the main drag.



Mirador del Lago Hotel also offers lovely views of Lake Argentino, but is also outside the main commercial centre of town.




Further out of town, but equally luxurious is Eolo, which sits on an estancia or ranch.