When to visit El Calafate: high season, weather and what to book in summer
Quick answer: The austral summer, from December to February, is El Calafate's mildest period: average highs range from 17.9 to 19.2 °C, but lows hover around 6 to 7 °C, so you need layered clothing even in January. Several travel guides place the high season between November and March; there is no official date that sets it.
Updated November 4, 2026.
Weather month by month (official data)
The National Meteorological Service measures El Calafate's temperature at the airport station. These are the 1991 to 2020 averages for the summer months, the transition months and the coldest month:
| Month | Average high (°C) | Average low (°C) | Precipitation (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 15.8 | 4.0 | 6.9 |
| December | 17.9 | 6.2 | 9.5 |
| January | 19.1 | 7.2 | 6.9 |
| February | 19.2 | 6.8 | 13.7 |
| March | 16.6 | 4.7 | 16.7 |
| April | 12.9 | 1.1 | 19.5 |
| July (winter) | 5.2 | -4.4 | 13.6 |
1991-2020 climate normals from the El Calafate Aero station (National Meteorological Service), as reproduced by Wikipedia.
What this means for your trip
In January the difference between the average high (19.1 °C) and the average low (7.2 °C) is almost 12 degrees, so it is best to dress in layers and bring a jacket even if the day is mild. In November the highs are 15.8 °C and the lows 4.0 °C; in April the average low drops to 1.1 °C. The averages do not include wind or abrupt changes from one day to the next: they are averages over many years, not a forecast.
High season: what to book
Nomades, one of the partners that sell the tours on this list, warns in the minitrekking listing that places are limited and recommends booking in advance; it accepts bookings up to one day before, subject to availability, and asks for a minimum of 2 passengers to confirm the departure. If you travel between November and March, buy the most in-demand tours first (glacier and El Chaltén) and leave days of unstable weather free.
| Tour | Place | Reference price |
|---|---|---|
| Perito Moreno Glacier tour | El Calafate | from US$ 55 |
| Perito Moreno mini-trek | El Calafate | from US$ 322 |
| Big Ice on Perito Moreno + boat | El Calafate | US$ 405 |
| Boat to Perito Moreno's south face | El Calafate | US$ 51 |
| Day trip to El Chaltén | El Chaltén | US$ 109 |
| Laguna de los Tres hike | El Chaltén | from US$ 265 |
Per-adult reference prices, converted from reais and checked on the partners' pages on November 4, 2026. They may change.
Which tours run in each season
| Tour | Season according to Nomades |
|---|---|
| Minitrekking at Perito Moreno | All year |
| Big Ice | September to April |
| Nautical safari (boat in front of the glacier) | All year, with departures subject to weather |
Data from the Nomades listings checked on November 5, 2026. Dates may change each season.
If you travel in winter
From June to August the average highs are 5.2 to 6.9 °C and the lows reach -4.4 °C in July. The minitrekking and the nautical safari are listed as operating all year, but the Big Ice season runs from September to April according to Nomades. Check each tour before you book.
Quick questions
When is the high season in El Calafate?
Several travel guides place it between November and March, with the peak in December, January and February. We did not find an official date.
What is the temperature in El Calafate in January?
According to the 1991-2020 normals of the National Meteorological Service, January's average high is 19.1 °C and its average low is 7.2 °C.
Do I need to book in advance in summer?
Nomades indicates that minitrekking places are limited and recommends booking in advance; it accepts bookings up to one day before, depending on availability.
Which months are the coldest?
June, July and August: the average lows are -3.7, -4.4 and -2.8 °C.
Sources
- Wikipedia: El Calafate, climate table (1991-2020 normals from the National Meteorological Service, El Calafate Aero station)
- Nomades: minitrekking listing at Perito Moreno (checked November 5, 2026)
- Nomades: Big Ice listing (checked November 5, 2026)
- Nomades: nautical safari listing (checked November 5, 2026)
