El Calafate City Tour

For your El Calafate City Tour you will be picked up from your hotel at around 9.00 am or 3.00 pm, depending whether you have chosen the morning or afternoon excursion.

The history of El Calafate dates back to the first years of the 20th century. Originally, it was just a stopping place for wool traders, which gained official recognition from the Government of Argentina in 1927. The creation of the Perito Moreno National Park in 1937 stimulated growth in the town and the provision of better road access.

This city tour takes you to the old part of town where you will see some original buildings from the time of the first settlers. Your guide will tell you stories about the early pioneers, show you some local wildlife and tell you about many other interesting aspects of El Calafate.

You will pass the nature reserve of Laguna Nimez, only a few meters from the coast of Lake Argentino. The reserve is famous for its birds including flamingos, kelp geese, silver macas, black neck swans, bandurrias, teros, ducks, and many other species. This tour does not actually go inside the reserve but with the use of powerful binoculars at your disposal from the vehicle, you can participate in some bird watching.

You will also visit the orchard area, where fine fruit like strawberries, cherries, and sour cherries are cultivated with great care. Here you can find out about the different production techniques transmitted from generation to generation.

You will also pass by Cuevas del Gualichu, an archaeological site about 7 km from the city, where you can view hand-prints left thousands of years ago by the indigenous inhabitants of these lands.

Finally you will stop at the Mirador of Virgen de la Paz where you will see breathtaking views of El Calafate.

When the tour is over, you will be driven back to your hotel in El Calafate.