Explore the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier with a variety of full-day excursions, boat safaris, and ice trekking adventures. Choose from guided walks along the viewing platforms or navigate the icy waters of Los Glaciares National Park.
Free Cancellation Visit Perito Moreno Glacier on a full-day trip from El Calafate, including park walks and an optional boat safari.
Free Cancellation Sail to the Spegazzini, Upsala, and Perito Moreno glaciers with options for gourmet dining and shore excursions.
Free Cancellation Explore the Perito Moreno walkways and take a boat trip beneath the glacier’s towering 80-meter-high ice walls.
Free Cancellation Walk the scenic paths of Perito Moreno Glacier and opt for a boat ride to see the ice walls up close.
Free Cancellation Spend a day exploring the Perito Moreno glacier, including its scenic walkways and an optional boat cruise.
Free Cancellation Hike across the Perito Moreno glacier, sail along its southern wall, and visit the park’s panoramic viewpoints.
Free Cancellation See all five of Lake Argentino's major glaciers in one day, with a forest walk and a Patagonian lunch onboard.
Free Cancellation Explore Los Glaciares National Park in modern vehicles with small groups and no vehicle transfers required.
Free Cancellation Explore the Perito Moreno Glacier via its 5km walkway network with a bilingual guide and hotel transfers included.
Free Cancellation A guided two-hour trek across the ice of the Perito Moreno Glacier, starting from Bajo de las Sombras port.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Perito Moreno Glacier — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier is a massive highlight of any Patagonian itinerary. Most tours depart from El Calafate and offer a mix of panoramic walkway views, up-close boat cruises, or thrilling ice treks across the glacier's surface.
You will spend time exploring four kilometers of multi-tiered steel boardwalks facing the glacier. These paths let you view the 60-meter-high ice walls from multiple angles and heights.
If you wait quietly on the viewing platforms, you might witness massive chunks of ice breaking off. A thunderous cracking sound echoes across the water just before a colossal iceberg crashes into the lake.
Many tours include an optional 1-hour catamaran ride on Lake Argentino. These boats glide through freezing waters to get you incredibly close to the towering face of the glacier.
After a short boat ride, you can strap on crampons and spend an hour and a half hiking directly on the glacier. Guides lead you past deep blue crevasses and small meltwater pools.
For high-stamina adventurers, this demanding seven-hour excursion takes you deep into the glacier's center. You'll spend over three hours hiking on rugged ice surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
Most bus tours make a quick stop at the 'Curve of Sighs' before reaching the main parking lot. This roadside viewpoint offers your first breathtaking, panoramic glimpse of the ice field.
Planning your glacier excursion requires a bit of preparation, especially regarding park fees, age limits, and Patagonian weather.
Most tour prices 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 via the official web portal. Keep your ticket, as a second consecutive day gets a 50% discount.
If you are booking an ice trekking tour, be aware of strict insurance regulations. The Minitrekking is only for ages 8 to 65, while the strenuous Big Ice trek is restricted to ages 18 to 50. Passports are checked, and you will be denied boarding without a refund if you fall outside these brackets.
While general bus tours and standard boat rides can often be booked a few days in advance, the Minitrekking and Big Ice excursions have strict daily capacities. They frequently sell out weeks in advance during the peak summer months of December to March.
The glacier creates its own freezing microclimate. You must dress like an onion, wearing thermal base layers, a fleece, and a windproof/waterproof jacket. Sturdy shoes with good grip are essential, as the metal boardwalks get very slippery when wet.
While there is a cafeteria near the main parking area, it is expensive and seating is limited. Tour operators highly recommend bringing your own packed lunch and snacks to eat on the outdoor benches facing the glacier.
Most tours include pickup from accommodations in El Calafate, but only if they have a front desk. If you are staying in an Airbnb or a rental without a reception, you will be assigned a central meeting point in town.
The main viewing deck of the glacier is wheelchair accessible, equipped with ramps and an elevator. However, boat tours vary in accessibility (Classic decks usually are, Premium decks are not), and ice treks are completely inaccessible for those with mobility issues.
The vast majority of Perito Moreno tours offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Be sure to double-check holiday blackout dates, as some operators do not allow refunds between December 24 and January 2.
| Classic Walkways & Transport | Glacier Cruise & Walkways | Minitrekking Ice Adventure | Gourmet Glacier Navigation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 8 hours | 8-9 hours | 10 hours | 11 hours |
| Best for | Budget travelers & families | Sightseeing & photography | Active travelers (ages 8-65) | Comfort & luxury seekers |
| Includes | Hotel transport, Bilingual guide, Walkway access | Hotel transport, 1-hour boat ride, Guide | Boat ride, Crampons, 90-min ice hike, Guide | Catamaran cruise (5 glaciers), Lunch, Walkway disembark |
| Price from | $79 USD | $149 USD | $290 USD | $225 USD |
Los Glaciares National Park adjusts its operating hours based on the season to maximize daylight for visitors.
The park is open nearly year-round, closing only on December 25 and January 1.
The Perito Moreno Glacier is located approximately 78 to 80 kilometers west of El Calafate, which serves as the primary basecamp for visitors.
Peak Season (December to March): This is the southern hemisphere summer and the best time to visit. The weather is at its warmest, daylight hours are long, and all excursions, including the ice treks, run daily.
Shoulder Season (October-November & April-May): These months offer beautiful autumn foliage, fewer crowds, and slightly lower prices, though the weather can be brisk.
Winter (June to August): This is the worst time to visit. Temperatures can drop to -2°C, daylight is very limited, and heavy snowfall can temporarily close access roads. Furthermore, ice trekking excursions do not operate during these months.
The national park has made significant efforts to accommodate visitors with limited mobility.
Facilities at the glacier are functional but somewhat limited given the remote location.
To protect the fragile Patagonian ecosystem and ensure visitor safety, Los Glaciares National Park enforces strict regulations:
No, most tour operators do not include the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee. You will need to pay this separately (currently ARS 45,000 for international adults) either online or in cash at the park gates.
Children can participate in the Minitrekking excursion if they are at least 8 years old. However, the more demanding Big Ice trek is strictly restricted to individuals aged 18 to 50, so children cannot join that tour.
The glacier is located about 78 to 80 kilometers from the town of El Calafate. Depending on your mode of transport, the drive takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
You do not need professional mountaineering boots, but you must wear sturdy hiking boots or running shoes with good traction. The tour operators will provide the metal crampons that strap onto your shoes for walking on the ice.
Unlike most glaciers worldwide, the Perito Moreno Glacier is not retreating. It is famous for being one of the few glaciers on Earth that is actively advancing and has maintained a stable state over the last 50 years.
Tour operators generally only provide direct pickups from hotels or accommodations with a front reception desk. If you are staying in an Airbnb, they will contact you to arrange a convenient central meeting point in El Calafate.
Yes, the main viewing area is partially accessible. There is a network of ramps and an elevator that allows wheelchair users and those with limited mobility to reach the main panoramic viewing deck.
No, flying drones is strictly prohibited anywhere within Los Glaciares National Park. Park rangers enforce this rule heavily to protect local wildlife and preserve the peace of the environment.
Tours run rain or shine, as Patagonian weather is highly unpredictable. You should dress in layers and bring a high-quality waterproof jacket, as the metal walkways can also get quite slippery when wet.
Yes, the national park offers a two-day promotional pass. If you use your ticket for a second consecutive day (within 72 hours of the first entry), you receive a 50% discount on the second day's entrance fee.
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