Getting There & Getting Around
At Km 49 (30 miles) from El Calafate, you'll pass through the park's entrance en route to the Perito Moreno Glacier, where there's an information booth with erratic hours (no phone). Here, they charge the entrance fee of $10 (£6.80) per person. They'll also give you a map if you ask for one. If you're looking for information about the park and the glacier, pick up an interpretive guide or a book from one of the bookstores or tourist shops along Avenida del Libertador in El Calafate.
To Get to the Park
By Car -- Following Avenida del Libertador west out of town, the route turns into a well-maintained road that is almost completely paved. From here, it's 80km (50 miles) to the glacier. Give yourself an hour and a half as the final stretch is on a winding road with a few unpaved sections.
By Taxi or Remise -- If you want to see the glacier at your own pace, hire a taxi or remise. The cost averages $70 (£47) for two, $75 (£51) for three, and $100 (£68) for four, although many taxi companies will negotiate a price. Be sure to agree on an estimated amount of time spent at the glacier, and remember that the park entrance fee of $10 (£6.80) per person is not included.
By Bus -- Caltur buses, Av. del Libertador 1080 (tel. 02902/491368), leave downtown El Calafate twice a day (7am and 3pm, returning from the glacier at 11:30am and 7:30pm), allowing you to explore the glacier lookout area on your own. The bus ride costs a very reasonable $18 (£12), plus the $10 (£6.80) park entrance fee. Los Glaciares, Brown 1188 (tel. 02902/491158), has buses departing town at 7:30am, 8am and 3pm, returning at 7pm. They take 90 minutes to get to the lookout. All depart from the bus terminal.
By Organized Tour -- Several companies offer transportation to and from the glacier, such as Gigantes Patagones, Av. Del Libertador 1315, Loc. 3 (tel. 02902/495525; www.gigantespatagones.com.ar); Caltur, Av. del Libertador 1080 (tel. 02902/491368; www.caltur.com.ar); and Los Glaciares Turismo, Av. Almirante Brown 1188 (tel. 02902/491159). These minivan and bus services provide bilingual guides and leave around 9am and again at around 2:30pm, spending an average of 4 hours at the peninsula; the cost is $30 to $50 (£20-£34) per person, not including lunch. For a more personalized tour -- a private car with driver and a bilingual, licensed guide -- contact SurTurismo, Av. Del Libertador 1226 (tel. 02902/491266; suring@cotecal.com.ar); they can arrange for a half-day trip costing $70 to $105 (£47-£71) for two people (prices vary with the seasons).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
