Explore the massive ice formations of Los Glaciares National Park with a guided trip from El Calafate. Choose from simple round-trip bus transfers, extensive walkway explorations, or immersive boat and ice-trekking tours.
Free Cancellation Explore the Perito Moreno Glacier via its network of walkways and a one-hour boat ride along the 80-meter ice walls.
Free Cancellation See five major glaciers on a full-day Lake Argentino cruise featuring a forest walk and an onboard Patagonian lunch.
Free Cancellation A 3.5-hour trek across the Perito Moreno Glacier, exploring ice lagoons, moraines, and Patagonian forest trails.
Likely to Sell Out Explore Perito Moreno Glacier's walkways at your own pace with round-trip transport from El Calafate Bus Station.
Free Cancellation View the Perito Moreno Glacier from accessible boardwalks and explore the surrounding Patagonian forest with a guide.
Watch massive ice blocks crash into the water on this full-day trip to Patagonia’s Perito Moreno Glacier.
Free Cancellation Explore the walkways of Los Glaciares National Park to witness the Perito Moreno Glacier and its crashing ice walls.
Free Cancellation Walk the Perito Moreno trails and sail past its ice walls on a guided small-group tour from El Calafate.
Free Cancellation A 7-hour private tour of Perito Moreno Glacier featuring three hours on the walkways and an optional boat excursion.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Perito Moreno Glacier — from practical tips to personal highlights.
A trip to the Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate offers a front-row seat to one of Patagonia's most dynamic natural wonders. Whether you are walking the extensive steel boardwalks or strapping on crampons to hike directly across the ice, the sheer scale and thunderous calving of this advancing glacier will leave you speechless.
Wander along four kilometers of multi-tiered steel boardwalks and viewing platforms. This extensive trail system allows you to safely view the massive ice wall from various heights and angles.
Board a catamaran and glide across the freezing waters of Lake Argentino. These boat tours bring you incredibly close to the towering 74-meter-high ice walls for unparalleled photos.
Strap on crampons and walk directly on the glacier's surface. Choose between the standard Minitrekking or the demanding Big Ice trek to explore deep blue crevasses and meltwater pools.
Sit quietly on the boardwalks and listen for the thunderous cracking sounds. You can frequently witness massive chunks of blue ice breaking away and crashing into the lake below.
Experience your very first breathtaking glimpse of the glacier at the 'Curve of Sighs.' This famous roadside viewpoint is the perfect spot for initial panoramic landscape photographs.
Planning your glacier excursion requires a bit of preparation, especially regarding ticket inclusions and physical requirements. Here is what you need to know before securing your spot.
Most tours do not include the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee. For the 2025-2026 season, foreign adults must pay ARS 45,000 (about $31 USD) in cash or local currency at the gate.
Options range from basic round-trip bus transfers to comprehensive guided tours. You can also book premium experiences like the Glaciares Gourmet cruise or intense ice trekking adventures.
If you want to walk on the ice, strict safety limits apply. Minitrekking is only for ages 8 to 65, while the strenuous Big Ice trek is strictly restricted to ages 18 to 50. Passports are checked.
Specialized activities like ice hikes and premium boat cruises have limited daily capacities. They frequently sell out weeks in advance during the peak summer months of December to March.
Tour operators typically only pick up from traditional hotels with reception desks. If you are staying in an Airbnb or private rental, you will be assigned a central meeting point in El Calafate.
The massive ice field creates its own chilly, unpredictable microclimate. Always dress in layers, including a windproof jacket, thermals, and a beanie, even if it feels warm in El Calafate.
Most guided tours and boat cruises offer a full refund if canceled at least 24 hours in advance. However, basic bus transfer tickets are often final sale with no refunds available.
| Round Trip Bus Transfer | Walkways + Boat Cruise | Big Ice Trek | Glaciares Gourmet Cruise | Private Glacier Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Type | Independent travelers on a budget | Families and casual sightseers | Adventure seekers aged 18-50 | Seeing multiple glaciers in one day | Couples and groups wanting flexibility |
| Best For | 6 hours | 8 hours | 12 hours | Full day | 7 hours |
| Duration | $61 | $69 - $150 | $800 | $255 | $98 |
| Price From |
Los Glaciares National Park adjusts its operating hours based on the season. The park is closed only on December 25 and January 1.
Arriving right at opening time is highly recommended to experience the boardwalks without the heavy crowds that arrive on mid-morning tour buses.
The Perito Moreno Glacier is located approximately 78 kilometers west of El Calafate. The journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your mode of transport.
The optimal time to visit the glacier is during the southern hemisphere summer, from December to March. During this window, the weather is warmer, daylight hours are long, and all excursions (including ice trekking) operate daily.
For those looking to avoid peak crowds, the shoulder seasons of October-November and April-May are excellent alternatives, offering beautiful autumn colors and slightly lower prices.
It is best to avoid the winter months of June to August. Temperatures can drop to -2°C, daylight is limited, access roads may close due to snow, and ice trekking tours are completely unavailable.
The main viewing area of the Perito Moreno Glacier is partially accessible for visitors with limited mobility.
While the national park is well-maintained, facilities near the glacier are somewhat limited, so preparation is key.
To protect the fragile Patagonian ecosystem, Los Glaciares National Park enforces several strict rules:
Generally, no. Most tours do not include the Los Glaciares National Park entry fee. For the 2025-2026 season, foreign adults must pay ARS 45,000 (about $31 USD) at the gate.
No, strict safety regulations prohibit anyone over the age of 65 from participating in ice trekking tours. The Minitrekking is for ages 8-65, and the Big Ice trek is strictly for ages 18-50.
Yes, especially if you want to do the Minitrekking, Big Ice hike, or a premium boat cruise. These activities have strict daily capacities and frequently sell out weeks in advance during summer.
You should dress in multiple layers, as the glacier creates a chilly microclimate. Bring a windproof and waterproof jacket, thermal layers, gloves, a beanie, and sturdy walking shoes with good grip.
It is highly likely. The Perito Moreno is a very active glacier. If you spend a couple of hours walking the boardwalks, you will almost certainly hear the cracking and see chunks of ice fall into the lake.
The glacier is located approximately 78 kilometers west of El Calafate. The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on whether you take a bus, taxi, or rental car.
No, drones are strictly prohibited everywhere inside Los Glaciares National Park. Park rangers actively enforce this rule to protect local wildlife and maintain the natural peace.
There is a small restaurant near the main parking lot, but it is expensive and gets very crowded. Most tour operators recommend packing your own lunch and snacks to eat on the boardwalks.
Unlike most glaciers worldwide, Perito Moreno is not retreating. It is one of the few glaciers on Earth that is still actively advancing, maintaining a stable state over the last 50 years.
Most tour operators only provide pickup from traditional hotels with a reception desk. If you are staying in an Airbnb or private rental, you will be given a central meeting point in town.
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