Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition in El Calafate
El Calafate, Argentina

Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition

Outty Ranking 53 4.8 · 10 traveler reviews11 hoursFrom $420

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$420
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Outty Ranking

53/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition worth booking?

Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition is a 11-hour experience in El Calafate, Argentina, from $420 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 10 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
53 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (10)
Duration
11 hours
From
$420 per person

In a small group, we will head off in a 4×4 vehicle for 9.5 kms, climbing through the Feruglio mountain range to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Lago Guillermo, where our 4 ½ hour hike begins. We will visit Glaciar Ups

What you get

  • Professional guide
  • Round-trip shared transfer
  • Lunch box
  • Snack on board

About this experience

In a small group, we will head off in a 4×4 vehicle for 9.5 kms, climbing through the Feruglio mountain range to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Lago Guillermo, where our 4 ½ hour hike begins. We will visit Glaciar Upsala’s privileged lookout point and walk down over the eroded trails with exposed fascinating marine fossils. CONSIDERATIONS • Minimum age: 12 years old. • This trekking is only suitable for individuals with a good physical condition. • This is not recommended for people with vertebral column, hips, ankles and knees problems. • It is essential to have trekking shoes, preferably boots with ankle protection.

What's included

Included

  • Professional guide
  • Round-trip shared transfer
  • Lunch box
  • Snack on board

Not included

  • Gratuities

What you'll see and do

  1. Estancia Cristina

    Having set sail from Punta Bandera harbor at 9AM, we will glide over the waters of Lake Argentino’s Northern Arm to reach the furthest possible point of navigation in the Upsala Channel, where we can enjoy a panoramic view of the Upsala Glacier’s immense front. Then, having disembarked at the shores close to Estancia Cristina, the group is welcomed by our specialized driver-guides who will help them into their 4x4 vehicles, ready to head off into the wilderness. Our sturdy 4WDs will then venture up into the Feruglio Mountains, a 9.5km ride which offers great views of our surroundings and takes us ultimately to an elevated area where the cars will be parked. Once there, we’ll begin a 20-minute trek over terrain characterized by glacial erosion, until reaching the Upsala Glacier Lookout; an exclusive point for visitors to appreciate this glacier that can only be accessed from Estancia Cristina. There will be plenty of time here to enjoy views of Lake Guillermo and the eastern side of the Upsala Glacier, as well as the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, before beginning the 14km trek through Fossil Canyon. The fascinating Cañadón de los Fósiles, which is around 170 million years old, has been named so for its immense concentration of marine fossils. We can observe a kaleidoscope of colors across this terrain, the canyon’s walls rising beside us as we make a gradual descent until reaching a ravine at the edge of the valley. Along the way, we’ll stop and tuck into our box lunches, before leaving the canyon behind having explored it fully, then arriving back at the estancia and later onward to the port. Estancia Cristina offers an optional box lunch, please request it in advance. Please also let us know of any dietary requirements in advance.

    360 minutes here · Admission included

Where it starts and ends

Hotel pickup

Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 90 minutes before departure.

Before you book

Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Languages
en, es
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 2 travelers per booking
Operated by
Estancia Cristina

Know before you go

  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
  • Minimum age is 12 years
  • May be operated by a bilingual guide

Photos

Cañadon 2Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition in El Calafate, photo 3Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition in El Calafate, photo 4Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition in El Calafate, photo 5Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition in El Calafate, photo 6Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition in El Calafate, photo 7

Good to know

Duration
11 hours
Free cancellation
Non-refundable
Minimum age to book
12+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Hotel pickup
Included for all travelers
Booked in 30 days
4
Verdict
Worth a Look

Why this scores 53

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)73
Review evidence (18% weight)42
Booking momentum (14% weight)34
Value for money (12% weight)39
Listing quality (10% weight)95
Local standing (8% weight)61
Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for El Calafate.

How much does Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition cost?

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Prices start at $420 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in El Calafate usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition take?

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Plan for about 11 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in El Calafate is not rushed.

Is Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 10 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable outdoors in El Calafate, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition?

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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

Is Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 12. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 11-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition?

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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in El Calafate can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in El Calafate and add a light layer if any part of the 11-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central El Calafate within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in El Calafate?

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On Outty we rank every El Calafate experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Tour with Optional Boat Safari, Kayak Full-Day Activity in La Leona River from El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier with Navigation from El Calafate. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit El Calafate?

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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in El Calafate?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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