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Experience the thrill of walking on ice with a guided trekking tour of the Perito Moreno Glacier. These excursions typically combine scenic boat rides along the glacier's southern face with guided hikes across its surface, complete with crampons and expert instruction.
Free Cancellation Hike across the Perito Moreno ice, sail past its massive walls, and explore the glacier from every angle.
Free Cancellation Trek across an advancing glacier, explore ice caves with guides, and sail Lake Argentino for views from the water.
Free Cancellation Hike across the Perito Moreno Glacier on a two-hour guided trek exploring ice formations and unique glacial landscapes.
Free Cancellation Trek across the ice of Perito Moreno Glacier on a guided three-hour journey through Patagonian forests and moraines.
Free Cancellation Navigate the lake and trek across the Perito Moreno Glacier on this guided full-day mountain experience.
Free Cancellation Sail alongside the Perito Moreno Glacier on a family-friendly boat tour through the heart of Patagonia.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Perito Moreno Glacier — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier is a bucket-list Patagonian adventure that lets you step directly onto one of the world's few advancing ice fields. You'll navigate a surreal landscape of deep blue crevasses and towering ice seracs, combined with boat rides and panoramic walkway views.
After strapping on crampons, you'll spend up to an hour and a half hiking directly on the glacier's surface. Expert guides will lead you safely past brilliant blue moulins, meltwater streams, and jagged ice formations.
Before or after your trek, you'll explore four kilometers of multi-tiered steel boardwalks. These platforms offer unmatched, panoramic views of the glacier's massive 5-kilometer-wide front face.
Most trekking tours include a 20-minute scenic boat ride across the Rico Arm of Lake Argentino to reach the ice. It's a fantastic opportunity to photograph the towering 70-meter ice walls from the water level.
Keep your ears open for loud, cracking roars echoing across the valley. If you're lucky, you'll witness massive chunks of ice breaking off the glacier face and crashing into the freezing lake below.
To access the ice, you'll often take a short hike through the lush Andean Patagonian forest along the lake's coast, offering a stark and beautiful contrast between the green woods and the blue ice.
Planning a glacier trek requires a bit of preparation due to strict park regulations, physical demands, and high demand during the Patagonian summer.
Due to insurance and safety regulations, the Minitrekking tour is strictly limited to travelers between 8 and 65 years old. The more intense Big Ice trek is restricted to ages 18 to 50. Operators will check passports, and you will be denied boarding without a refund if you fall outside these brackets.
Ice trekking requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tours are not suitable for pregnant travelers, people with cardiovascular issues, severe vertigo, or recent surgeries. The ice surface is irregular, and you'll be walking in crampons.
The Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee is almost never included in the tour price. For the 2025-2026 season, foreign adults must pay ARS 45,000 (about $31 USD). This is usually paid in cash or by card at the park gates.
Glacier trekking tours have strict daily capacity limits and frequently sell out weeks in advance, especially from December to March. Secure your spot online before arriving in El Calafate.
You can book tours with or without hotel transfers. If you have a rental car, booking 'without transfer' saves money and time, allowing you to meet the group directly at the Bajo de las Sombras port.
Most trekking tours are full-day (up to 10 hours) and do not include food. You must pack your own lunch, snacks, and water, as dining options inside the park are very limited and expensive.
Patagonian weather is notoriously unpredictable. Dress in multiple layers, including a waterproof jacket, thermal base layers, gloves, and a beanie. Sturdy trekking boots or good sports shoes are mandatory for the crampons to fit properly.
You must provide your passport number and date of birth when booking, and you need to bring your physical passport (or a clear photo of it) on the day of the tour to verify your age and identity.
| Minitrekking with Transfer | Minitrekking without Transfer | Blue Safari (No Ice Hike) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 10 hours | 5.5 hours | 8 hours |
| Best For | First-time glacier hikers & families | Travelers with rental cars | Seniors & younger children |
| Age Restrictions | 8 to 65 years old | 8 to 65 years old | 6 to 70 years old |
| Included Activities | Hotel pickup, 1.5h ice hike, boat ride, 1h walkways | 1.5h ice hike, boat ride (Walkways NOT included) | Extended boat ride, coastal forest walk, walkways |
Los Glaciares National Park adjusts its hours based on the Patagonian seasons.
The park is open every day of the year except for December 25 and January 1.
The Perito Moreno Glacier is located about 78 kilometers (48 miles) west of El Calafate. The drive takes about 1.5 hours via the scenic Route 11.
Peak Season (December to March): This is the southern hemisphere summer. The weather is warmest, daylight is longest, and all ice trekking excursions operate daily. However, this is also the most crowded and expensive time to visit.
Shoulder Season (Oct-Nov & Apr-May): These months offer a great balance of fewer crowds, beautiful autumn foliage (in April/May), and fully operational tours.
Winter (June to August): The weather is harsh, with temperatures dropping below freezing. Daylight is limited, and ice trekking tours do not operate during these months. Access roads may also close temporarily due to snow.
Walkways: The main viewing areas of the glacier are highly accessible. There is a well-maintained network of flat trails, ramps, and an elevator that brings visitors with limited mobility directly to the main viewing deck. Accessible parking is also available close to the entrance.
Ice Trekking: Unfortunately, adventure activities like the Minitrekking and Big Ice tours are completely inaccessible for wheelchair users or those with significant mobility issues due to the physical demands of hiking on uneven ice and navigating forest trails.
While the national park is somewhat remote, it does have basic facilities to support a full-day visit:
To protect the fragile Patagonian ecosystem, Los Glaciares National Park strictly enforces several rules:
Yes, strict age limits are enforced for safety and insurance reasons. The Minitrekking tour is only open to individuals aged 8 to 65. The more strenuous Big Ice trek is restricted to ages 18 to 50. Passports are checked, and no exceptions are made.
No, the entrance fee is typically not included in the tour price. For the 2025-2026 season, foreign adults must pay ARS 45,000 (approximately $31 USD) at the park gates, usually in cash or by credit card.
You should wear sturdy hiking boots or high-quality sports shoes with good traction. Avoid flat-soled city shoes, as the guides need to securely strap metal crampons over your footwear for the ice hike.
No, drones are strictly prohibited throughout Los Glaciares National Park. Park rangers enforce this rule heavily to protect native bird species and preserve the natural tranquility of the area.
Unlike most glaciers worldwide, Perito Moreno is famous for being in a state of equilibrium. It is one of the few glaciers on Earth that is still actively advancing, maintaining a stable size over the last 50 years.
Yes, you must bring your own food and water. The trekking tours last up to 10 hours and do not include meals. While there is a small, expensive cafe at the walkways, having a packed lunch allows you to eat while enjoying the views.
No, pregnant travelers are not permitted to join the ice trekking tours due to the physical demands, the uneven ice surface, and the risk of slipping while wearing crampons.
The glacier is located about 78 kilometers (48 miles) from the town of El Calafate. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours on a fully paved, scenic highway.
The Blue Safari is a lower-impact alternative to ice trekking. It includes an extended boat ride near the glacier face and a walk along the coastal forest, but it does not involve actually walking on the ice. It's suitable for ages 6 to 70.
Tour operators only provide pickups from centrally located hotels that have a 24-hour reception desk. If you are staying in an Airbnb or a private rental, you will be assigned a central meeting point in El Calafate.
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This tour combines a guided hike on the Perito Moreno glacier with a boat trip along its southern face. After crossing the lake, you'll put on crampons to walk across the ice for about an hour and a half. The route takes you past deep blue crevasses, meltwater streams, and unique frozen formations while a guide explains how this massive ice field moves and changes. The experience also includes a boat ride close to the glacier’s face, where the 60-meter-high walls tower over the water. From the deck, you can see the scale of the ice and listen for the roar of chunks breaking off into the lake. If you choose the option with transfers, the day also includes time to walk the network of boardwalks and balconies at the main viewpoint area.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This excursion takes you onto the surface of one of the world’s few advancing glaciers. Led by specialized guides, you will spend about an hour trekking across the ice to observe its deep crevasses, caves, and natural formations. The trip begins with a boat ride across the South Arm of Lake Argentino, providing a close look at the glacier’s front wall from the water. After the trek, you will have time to walk the designated footpaths of Los Glaciares National Park for a broader perspective of the ice field. The experience concludes with a toast overlooking the glacier. Depending on your booking, the tour includes round-trip transport from your hotel or can be arranged as a meet-on-site option without transfers.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
Your journey begins at the Bajo de las sombras port within Los Glaciares National Park. From there, you will embark on a two-hour guided trek directly on the surface of the Perito Moreno Glacier. As you navigate the ice formations, guides provide insights into the local flora and fauna, the mechanics of glaciology, and the specific processes that lead to the glacier's dramatic ruptures. This is a moderate walk on uneven but firm terrain, requiring a baseline level of physical fitness. For safety reasons, the activity is limited to participants between the ages of 8 and 65. It is not suitable for pregnant women or individuals with heart conditions, reduced mobility, or joint issues such as arthritis, prostheses, or knee and meniscus problems. Please note that food and drinks are not included or available for purchase at the site. You are required to bring your own packed lunch and a bottle of water for the duration of the trip.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
The tour begins with a pickup in El Calafate for the drive to Los Glaciares National Park. During the bus ride, guides provide information about the local landscape and the glacier. Upon reaching the Bajo de las Sombras port, you will board a boat to cross Lago Rico, landing on the southern coast near the face of the Perito Moreno Glacier. After landing, mountain guides lead a walk along the lake shore while explaining the fundamentals of glaciology. Before heading onto the ice, you will be divided into subgroups of up to 20 people and fitted with necessary safety gear, including crampons and helmets. The excursion consists of a three-hour trek that transitions from the lake coast and rocky moraines onto the glacier ice, concluding with a walk through the Andean Patagonian forest.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Portuguese, English, Spanish
This full-day excursion begins at the Perito Moreno balconies, where you will have an hour to walk the trails and view the glacier from various vantage points within the National Park. Following this, a 20-minute boat ride crosses the lake to reach the glacier's edge. Once on the ice, certified bilingual guides will provide the necessary equipment and lead a trek across the frozen terrain. The walk allows you to see the glacier's deep blue crevasses and unique formations up close before returning to the starting point by boat.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
The Blue Safari tour offers a way to see the Perito Moreno Glacier from the water. Located in the Patagonia region, this excursion is designed to be accessible for everyone, including families with children and travelers who want to see the ice without a difficult hike. The trip involves sailing across the Rico Branch of Lago Argentino to reach the glacier's southern face. From the boat, you can observe the scale of the ice walls and watch for natural calving events. It provides a close-up view of the glacier that complements the perspective found on the park's walking trails.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish