Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 11 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 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 11 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (11)
- 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 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 you get
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
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
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 11 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
6 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
11 verified traveler reviews for Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
a unique place worth visiting
The Estancia Cristina is a fantastic place, unique location, very comfortable stay, very pleasant staff, competent guides, quality horses, excellent food. only downside, the service to the restaurant is far too slow and the dishes arrived several times barely lukewarm, to be corrected. Recommended. Estancia Cristina is a fantastic place, with a unique location, very comfortable accommodation, very pleasant staff, knowledgeable guides, high-quality horses and excellent food. The only downside is that the restaurant service is far too slow and the dishes were often barely warm when they arrived, point which needs to be addressed. Highly recommended.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Hiking in Estancia Cristina, not to be missed.
A wonderful and unmissable experience in El Calafate. You sail on a very nice and comfortable boat on an arm of Lake Argentino to the Uppsala Glacier where you can appreciate the ice blocks that have come off. Then you arrive at the room where you are waiting in a van to take you to the start of the hike. It is a 4-hour tour of unique, wonderful and unforgettable places. You see the Uppsala Glacier from a privileged spot, walk through the fossil canyon, have lunch on the way to finally reach La Estancia and return on the boat. Wonderful.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Beautiful hike, guides not up to par.
The guides essentially provided no value. Very little information shared and some of what they shared was wrong (glaciers are not involved in creating fossils). Multiple people on the tour asked that they provide more information and that on of the guides work with the English speakers. This did not happen. Guides were very worried about the time and pushed the group by being out ahead vs. with their customers. The timing was due to their logistics, not the customers being slow. Beautiful terrain.
via Viator
Superb destination
A very nice destination with a warm welcome and competent and friendly guides. Beautiful hikes, discovery of the glacier and remarkable food for a moment of high quality.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Canadon de los Fosiles hike
This was one of our favourite days in Patagonia which is really saying something! The tour transfer picked us up for a 30 minute ish drive to the boat. The boat then takes around 2 hours to cross lake Argentino to get to Estancia Cristina, passing and stopping to get close to icebergs along the way - we had a beautiful day and this part was just stunning. On arriving at the estancia we took a 4x4 to an incredible viewpoint of Upsala Glacier, before hiking 14km back to the Estancia through Canadon de los Fosiles. The hike was at a brisk pace in order to meet the boat at the other end - we hike lots at home and I did feel this was slightly faster than my usual comfortable pace, so just something to be aware of. It's not too challenging though and absolutely gorgeous. We were served a cold beer at the estancia before getting the boat back - a generous lunch was also included as well as snacks and tea/coffee on the boat, our national park access, & hiking poles. I'm gluten free which was also accommodated no problem. Thanks to Maurena our guide who was brilliant 😊
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 11 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Estancia Cristina, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.2.
See everything Estancia Cristina runsWhy this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
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 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 11 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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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 11-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
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 Kayak Full-Day Activity in La Leona River from El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier with Navigation from El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Tour with Optional Boat Safari. 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.
What is included in Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition?
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Included: Professional guide; Round-trip shared transfer; Lunch box; and Snack on board. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 69 listed pickup locations in and around El Calafate. Be ready about 90 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in El Calafate. Standard cancellation terms apply.
What do travelers say about Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition?
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Across 11 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
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