Carry-On Packing List for El Calafate & Perito Moreno

Carry-On Packing List for El Calafate & Perito Moreno Glacier

El Calafate is a small Patagonian town of around 25,000 people whose entire existence is, in effect, organised around one thing: access to Los Glaciares National Park and, specifically, to Perito Moreno Glacier. The national park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, contains 47 major glaciers and covers 726,000 hectares of southern Patagonia. Perito Moreno is the most accessible and most visited glacier in the world — and genuinely one of the most spectacular.

The town sits on the southern shore of Lago Argentino, the largest lake in Argentina, at the edge of the Patagonian steppe. The Andes rise to the west, the glacier is 80 km from town, and the landscape is extraordinary in every direction.

Getting There: Comandante Armando Tola Airport (FTE)

FTE is a compact regional airport about 20 km east of El Calafate. It handles only domestic Argentine flights.

There are no international flights directly to FTE. Route through Buenos Aires for all international arrivals. Flights are well-subscribed in season (November–March) — book early.

Carry-on limits: Aerolíneas Argentinas domestic: 55 × 35 × 25 cm, 8–10 kg. LATAM Argentina ceased domestic operations in 2020; confirm the actual domestic operating carrier.

From the airport to town, a shuttle bus (remís) runs for every arriving flight and costs approximately 1,500–2,000 ARS per person. Taxis are available but more expensive. Most hotels and hostels can arrange transfers in advance.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Perito Moreno is named after the Argentine explorer Francisco Moreno. It is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world and one of a rare few that is not currently retreating — it has remained roughly stable over the last century, advancing in places while occasionally breaking off.

The glacier face is approximately 5 km wide and rises between 60 and 74 metres above the waterline at the terminal face. From the boardwalk system at the visitor centre, you are close enough to hear the ice cracking and groaning, and the calving events — chunks of ice the size of buildings breaking off the face and crashing into Lago Argentino — are visible and audible throughout the day. The sound is a deep, resonating boom followed by a wave across the lake.

Visiting options:

The boardwalk system — a free-to-explore network of catwalks and viewing platforms at different heights across the face of the glacier, accessible from the park entrance. The majority of visitors spend 2–4 hours here. You can get very close to the ice face at several points.

Mini Trekking — a 1–1.5 hour guided walk on the surface of the glacier, including crampons and safety briefing. Departs by boat from a dock near the boardwalk. Price includes the boat transfer. Moderate fitness required. Crampons are provided.

Big Ice — a more demanding glacier trek of 3–4 hours on the ice surface, reaching less-visited areas of the glacier. Requires good fitness, no significant medical conditions, and minimum age restrictions apply. Crampons and safety equipment provided.

Both trekking options require booking in advance in peak season. Several operators in El Calafate (Hielo y Aventura is the primary licensed operator for on-glacier treks) sell tickets.

El Chaltén: Argentina's Hiking Capital

El Chaltén is a small village 3 hours north of El Calafate by road (220 km), sitting at the base of the Fitz Roy massif. It has been called the hiking capital of Argentina, and for good reason: free access trails lead directly from the village to base camps under the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre peaks, two of the most dramatic spires in the world.

No park entry fee is charged to enter Los Glaciares National Park from El Chaltén side — a useful contrast to many other Patagonian parks.

Key trails:

• Mirador Fitz Roy (Laguna de los Tres): The most popular, most dramatic hike — 4–5 hours up to a glacial lake directly under the east face of Fitz Roy. The final section is extremely steep. Cloud covers Fitz Roy frequently — sunrise is the best light.
• Mirador Torre (Laguna Torre): 4–5 hours to a lake under Cerro Torre. Flat for most of the route, stunning finale.
• Loma del Pliegue Tumbado: Full-day hike with panoramic views of both massifs and the glacier lake landscape.

El Chaltén has accommodation, restaurants, and gear shops. An overnight or two there is worthwhile if time allows.

Torres del Paine, Chile

Torres del Paine National Park is 3–4 hours from El Calafate by bus, crossing the Argentine-Chilean border at Cerro Castillo. The park is one of the most famous hiking destinations in the world — the granite towers of the Paine massif, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and condors overhead.

Day trips from El Calafate are possible but rushed — the journey time means only a few hours in the park. Better to plan an overnight or multi-day stay. The famous W Trek (4–5 days) and Circuit Trek (8–10 days) require advance planning and accommodation booking months ahead in season.

Border crossing: Your passport and tourist card are required. The crossing is straightforward — exit Argentina, enter Chile, both sides are efficient.

Climate: Patagonian and Wind-Dominated

El Calafate sits on the steppe east of the Andes, in the rain shadow. Precipitation is lower than the Chilean side, but wind is equally severe.

December and January are peak season — most expensive, most crowded, and most services operating. March and April are an excellent shoulder option with good weather and fewer tourists. October and November can be very windy but also extremely dramatic landscapes.

The Patagonian wind is a genuine force. Gusts of 80–100 km/h are possible on exposed steppe and glacier viewpoints. A windproof shell is not a luxury — it is the single most important item in your bag.

What to Pack for El Calafate

The layering system:

Base layer:

• 2–3 merino wool or synthetic thermal base layer tops and bottoms
• Merino is preferable for multi-day hiking — moisture-wicking and odour-resistant

Mid-layer:

• Fleece jacket (mid-weight, Polartec 200 or equivalent) — your primary insulation layer
• Lightweight down or synthetic insulated jacket — for rest stops on the glacier or cold evenings

Outer shell (critical):

• Waterproof and windproof hard-shell jacket — must be wind-rated, seam-sealed, and durable. Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Marmot, or similar quality. This is not an item to cheap out on for Patagonian travel.
• Waterproof shell trousers — glacier trekking involves wet conditions; a pair of waterproof over-trousers is strongly recommended

Footwear:

• Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support — essential for trails in El Chaltén and for glacier trekkings (crampons attach to boots, so boots must be sturdy enough to hold them)
• Warm casual shoes for town evenings

Accessories:

• Warm hat (wind-resistant; a beanie alone may blow off) — a buff or neck gaiter that can cover the ears works well
• Wind-resistant gloves or mittens with liner gloves
• Sunglasses (UV protection and wind protection; glacier light is intense)
• Sunscreen SPF 50+ — UV at altitude on snow and ice is extreme
• Lip balm with SPF

What operators provide:

• Crampons for Mini Trekking and Big Ice glacier walks — you do not need to bring them
• Walking poles are optionally provided by some operators; bringing collapsible trekking poles is useful for El Chaltén trails

Packing for carry-on: The full layering system described above fits in a standard carry-on if you wear your heaviest items (hiking boots and shell jacket) on the flight. Merino base layers compress well. A 40-litre carry-on size bag is sufficient for a 5–7 day Patagonia trip.

Bottom Line

El Calafate and Perito Moreno reward visitors who come prepared for genuine cold and serious wind. The waterproof shell is the single most important item you own for this trip. Crampons and glacier gear are provided on tours. Pair El Calafate with El Chaltén and/or Torres del Paine for a complete Patagonian itinerary — the combination is one of the great adventure travel circuits in South America.

LATAM allowance for the booked fare

LATAM permits one main bag up to 55×35×25 cm and 12 kg in Economy, or 16 kg in Premium Economy/Business, plus a 45×35×20 cm personal item. Basic requires a main-bag purchase. Light is included in the English main page and Spanish tables, but the Portuguese international table lists an extra cost; confirm the issued fare. The personal-item FAQ gives 10 kg, while the Brazilian regional table gives 12 kg in Premium cabins.

LATAM cabin guide