El Calafate is the logical base for two of Patagonia's great destinations. Torres del Paine National Park in Chile is roughly three to four hours by road — a long day but doable, and many operators run guided day trips. El Chaltén, the trekking village at the base of Cerro Fitz Roy, is about three hours north and offers some of the finest single-day hikes in Patagonia; if you are serious about hiking, it is worth staying there separately rather than trying to cover it as a day trip.