If you’ve heard of Patagonia, you’ve most likely heard of the Perito Moreno glacier. The star of Los Glaciares National Park, the Perito Moreno is one of Argentina’s natural wonders. Standing 240 ft / 74 m tall and covering an area of 97 sq/mi / 250 km2 it’s hard to describe how mesmerizing the never ending sheet of crystalline blue ice is.
The glacier is famous for its beauty, accessibility, and frequent calving events (glacial breaks). It used to also be known as one of the few glaciers still in equilibrium, meaning that it gained as much mass as it lost every year. However, the glacier has started receding in the last few years.
Experiencing this glacier up close is truly spectacular. Even with the high cost associated with visiting, it was well worth it!
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How to get to the Perito Moreno Glacier
For most people wanting to get a glimpse of the Perito Moreno Glacier, the town of El Calafate in Argentina will be the starting point. El Calafate is about 50 mi / 80 km away from the glacier.
If you are coming from Puerto Natales or from El Chaltén, you can easily get to El Calafate by bus.
Interested in going to both El Calafate and El Chaltén? Check out this 6 day itinerary.
If you are coming from Buenos Aires, you can fly into Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE).
Once in El Calafate, you’ll have the option to rent a car, get a taxi or take a shuttle into town. There is also a minibus service you can book upon arrival, run by Ves Patagonia. The shuttle has 19 seats and leaves when it’s full.
You can also book a shuttle in advance using a different company here. Given our plan to only visit El Calafate and El Chaltén, which are connected by frequent, very comfortable buses, we decided to skip the car rental.
There are few ways to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier. One is by joining one of the many tours on offer, which include glacier hikes, boat tours, and kayaking tours. The other way is to visit it on your own.
Perito Moreno Glacier Tours
There are a handful of tour companies that will take you to see the Perito Moreno Glacier, and engage in the activity of your choice. Which one you pick will depend on the type of experience you prefer.
Most of the tours include an option for a hotel pick-up and drop-off and build in time to walk along the boardwalk in front of the Perito Moreno. The boardwalk is a 2.5 mi/ 4 km circuit of pathways and balconies that allow you to see the glacier from different angles and heights.
Keep in mind that tours do not include the entry fee to Los Glaciares National Park, so you will need to have cash to pay upon entry. The par entry fee is $30,000 ARS ($23.25 USD).*
TIP: Visiting the park more than once? Keep your ticket to get half off the next day’s entry.
*Prices and exchange rates in Argentina vary frequently. I’ve used the MEP Dollar to Argentine Peso conversion here.
Group Tour
If you are just looking for a ride to and from the Perito Moreno glacier without needing to figure out logistics yourself, this is a great option! The company will take you to the park entrance and give you a few hours to explore the boardwalk at your own pace.
While this can be easily done on your own (more detail on this option later), some might prefer the ease of a hotel pickup.
Boat Add-On
For a closer look, hop on a boat tour that takes you right up to the face of the glacier. This activity can be done with a tour, or booked separately once you are at the Perito Moreno glacier.
Trekking
You can hike on a glacier! If you want an immersive experience and a little taste of adventure, this activity is for you. There are two trekking options: Mini Trek and Big Ice.
Mini Trek
Before the main event, your guide will give you about an hour to walk along the boardwalk – this is when you should pay attention so you don’t miss a calving event! After that, you will take a short boat ride across the bay that will allow you to see the glacier up close.
Once you’re at the base of the glacier, the guide will give you an overview of what to expect and set you up with crampons and helmets. Equipped with these, you’ll traverse the glacier’s icy surface, exploring crevasses and ice formations for an hour and a half. It’s a mini adventure suitable for most fitness levels and offers a unique perspective on the glacier’s surface.
The guide will lead you through a path charted out that day while sharing some relevant glaciology. Before the trek is over, you’ll have the option to drink a little bit of whiskey with glacier ice.
This is the activity we did and LOVED it, dorky (but necessary) helmets and all. Next time we’re in El Calafate we will do the Big Ice trek, so we can spend even more time on the glacier.
Big Ice
The Big Ice tour is an extended version of the Mini Trek tour. Unlike the mini-trekking, this tour includes an hour and a half hike to the glacier during which the guide will tell you all about the flora and fauna in the region.
The glacier trek itself lasts 4 hours! Everyone we met who had chosen this option absolutely raved about it. If it is in your budget, I highly recommend you consider this experience!
Kayaking
This tour gives you the chance to kayak on Argentino Lake and take in the Perito Moreno up close. This is definitely a unique experience, so if kayaking is your thing, you shouldn’t miss it!
The tour includes one and half hours of kayaking with a guide, as well as transportation to and from the park.
How to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier on your own
If you would rather see the Perito Moreno on your own, you absolutely can! This is the most budget friendly option, and you can get there in one of two ways:
Rent a Car
If your visit to the Perito Moreno is part of a longer road trip, renting a car is a popular option. There are several car rental companies that operate in town, but I would still recommend you book in advance. You can do so here.
Travel by Bus
Taqsa and Caltur are two of the companies that offer a transport service to the Perito Moreno glacier from the El Calafate bus terminal.
Departures are at 9 am with the return from the park at 4 pm. Depending on the time of year, there may also be a 1 pm departure with a return at 7:30 pm.
The cost of the ticket is $40.000 ARG ($31 USD) roundtrip.
Explore the Park
Take your time viewing the glacier from different angles and levels! With 4 km of pathways and balconies you’ll have plenty of opportunities to soak it all in.
As you might expect, the central entrance to the boardwalk is the most crowded. I suggest you start at one of the far ends and work your way toward the middle – you’ll get better and better views as you go along!
If you’d like to add on a boat excursion, you can book your spot once you arrive at the park. There is a booth right by the restaurant and parking lot. The boat tour lasts about an hour and will get you about 100 m from the glacial wall.
This is also where the coastal trail (Paseo de la Costa) starts. If you have time, the trail offers a different vantage point than the boardwalk.
When to Visit the Perito Moreno
The best time to go to the Perito Moreno is between October and April. During these months the weather is milder than during the winter months and all activities will be available.
Keep in mind that Argentina’s summer is from December to February, so along with the warm weather you can also expect crowds. If you would rather avoid them, consider visiting during shoulder season.
It can be quite windy in Patagonia, but visiting the glacier in the morning will give you a better chance of avoiding the strongest gusts. It’s important to note that the weather in this part of the world is always unpredictable, so be prepared with lots of layers and a windbreaker!
Tips for Glacier Viewing
- Pack your lunch | Most (but not all) tours do not include lunch. You can purchase food at the glacier, but I recommend packing your own.
TIP: most hotels will offer to pack you lunch for a fee.
- Bring cash | The entry fee to the park is not included in the tours, and they do not accept credit card.
- Layer up | The weather can change suddenly, so make sure you are prepared with a jacket, and even a hat and gloves.
- Take your time | Spend as much time as you can walking along the boardwalk. The lower levels offer an especially spectacular view, and the longer you are there, the more chances you’ll have to hear and see a glacial rupture!
- Leave no trace | Make sure you protect the environment and don’t leave any trash behind.
Final Thoughts
Patagonia’s most famous glacier offers a mesmerizing experience that combines stunning natural beauty with thrilling adventure.
So pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to be awed by the icy giants of Patagonia. The glaciers await—an adventure of a lifetime is just a trip away!