Perito Moreno Glacier Trek Argentina
The Perito Moreno Glacier stands as an awe-inspiring natural marvel, a breathtaking expanse of colossal, cerulean ice nestled in Argentina. This glacier’s sheer magnitude covers more ground than the entirety of Buenos Aires, highlighting its immense scale and grandeur.
For visitors, encountering this Patagonian wonder can be experienced from the vantage of a metal walkway spanning the lake’s edge. However, for those seeking a more immersive adventure, guided glacier trekking tours offer an opportunity to traverse the glacier’s surface under the guidance of local experts.
Undoubtedly, witnessing this glacier and embarking on a trek atop its icy terrain is a profoundly memorable experience, drawing in tourists to the splendors of Los Glaciares National Park. Surprisingly accessible, it’s feasible to undertake this journey as a day trip from El Calafate, situated in Argentina’s southern Patagonia region.
Location of Perito Moreno Glacier
The Perito Moreno Glacier finds its home along the shores of Lake Argentino, close to the inviting town of El Calafate, renowned for its tourist-friendly atmosphere. With comfortable accommodations and a range of dining options, El Calafate serves as an ideal base for exploring the Perito Moreno Glacier and other wonders scattered across Patagonia.
Getting to Perito Moreno Glacier
Reaching the Perito Moreno Glacier typically starts with arrival at the small international airport in El Calafate (FTE). This airport boasts direct flights from major Argentine cities such as Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Ushuaia. With multiple airlines offering flights, access to this region is relatively convenient and reasonably priced, with a flight duration of approximately 3 hours from Buenos Aires.
Upon arrival in El Calafate, the journey to the glacier involves a 60 to 90-minute drive, contingent on your pace. While the road winds nearer to the destination, it remains paved and in good condition. Visitors driving to the site might find designated parking areas before taking a free shuttle to the glacier due to limited on-site parking availability.
Alternatively, transportation options like buses, private taxis, or rental cars offer varying degrees of convenience and autonomy. Multiple bus companies operate regular services from El Calafate’s bus terminal to Perito Moreno Glacier.
For those seeking a hassle-free excursion, day tours from El Calafate to the glacier provide comprehensive transportation services, simplifying the entire journey for participants.
Best Tours for Experiencing Perito Moreno Glacier
When it comes to exploring the Perito Moreno Glacier effortlessly, opting for a day tour from El Calafate is your best bet. GetYourGuide stands out with top-rated day tours that unveil the glacier’s beauty from the walkway, often featuring an optional boat cruise for a different perspective. These tours come inclusive of a bilingual guide, ensuring a comprehensive experience, and offer convenient hotel pickup and drop-off services from El Calafate. They present both shared group tours and private options, catering to diverse preferences.
For enthusiasts seeking an ice trekking adventure, GetYourGuide offers a “mini-trekking” tour ideal for those desiring a closer encounter with the glacier. Additionally, the “Big Ice” trek presents a more extensive exploration, allowing participants to delve deeper into the wonders of Perito Moreno Glacier.
Should ice trekking seem daunting due to fitness concerns, the “Safari Azul” tour offers an alternative, taking visitors to a beach facing the glacier. Here, you can marvel at the ice up close and even touch it without engaging in trekking activities. To add to the experience, kayaking tours and boat cruises are also available, providing diverse ways to appreciate the splendor of the Perito Moreno Glacier.
Having personally experienced the “mini-trekking” tour, I highly recommend GetYourGuide for their exceptional service and memorable experiences.
Perito Moreno Glacier Walkway: Anticipated Experience
The most favored approach to behold the Perito Moreno Glacier is through the metal walkway that extends along the shores of Lake Argentino, offering a breathtaking panorama of its turquoise waters.
This network of platforms provides unparalleled views of the glacier from various angles, delineated by color-coded circuits. In my view, the red and yellow circuits offer the most captivating vistas. While the black and green circuits may lack in views, the blue circuit occasionally treats visitors to close-up sightings of drifting icebergs.
The proximity to the glacier on the walkway provides an incredible sensation—photos hardly capture the true magnitude. The presence of national park photographers, available for a nominal fee, ensures memorable snapshots. Occasionally, soaring giant condors add to the natural spectacle.
Visitors during the summer might witness the striking phenomenon of ‘calving’ at Perito Moreno Glacier, where sizable ice chunks break off the glacier’s edge and plunge into the lake with a resounding crash. Timing your visit around midday increases the likelihood of observing this captivating activity.
The viewing platforms cater to all age groups, with some areas wheelchair accessible. Although most pathways are relatively easy to traverse, reaching the lower platforms near the glacier may require some effort, involving stairs and an uphill return.
A few hours suffice for most visitors to explore the walkways, but the captivating sights might entice prolonged stays. After a comprehensive exploration, the parking lot offers amenities like a café, a gift shop, and complimentary restroom facilities.
Glacier Mini-Trekking Adventure
Embarking on a glacier hike at Perito Moreno stands as one of the most exhilarating experiences offered in this natural wonderland!
Reservations are essential for this trek, where you’ll join a small group ranging from 10 to 20 fellow travelers. Equipped with spiky metal crampons affixed to your shoes, guided by seasoned professionals, you’ll tread upon the glacier’s surface, capturing breathtaking moments along the way.
While these tours run daily, they’re immensely popular, especially during the summer months, often selling out swiftly. Securing your spot well in advance is highly advisable.
A Must-Do Ice Trekking Experience
The glacier mini-trekking tour is open to adventurers between the ages of 8 and 65. You don’t need exceptional fitness levels to partake, although certain health conditions, including obesity, might pose restrictions, as mentioned by the tour company.
The experienced trekking guides leading these tours are affiliated with Hielo y Aventura, boasting over 30 years of conducting glacier tours without any significant safety incidents. Fluent in both English and Spanish, these guides ensure a comprehensive and safe trekking experience.
This full-day adventure spans up to 10 hours, encompassing a journey to the national park, a boat crossing across the lake, a brief safety orientation, the fitting of crampons and safety helmets, the thrilling glacier hike, and various other engaging activities. Upon concluding the tour, before bidding farewell to the glacier, participants are treated to complimentary whiskey glasses to savor with ice sourced directly from the glacier—an amusing and memorable conclusion to an extraordinary day.
If you’re ready to embark on this breathtaking journey, consider booking the Glacier Mini-Trekking Tour now to secure your spot and witness this surreal landscape up close.
Exploring the ‘Big Ice’ on Perito Moreno Glacier
For the avid hiker seeking an extended and more immersive experience, the ‘Big Ice’ trek offers an exhilarating journey across the glacier’s expansive terrain. Contrasting with the standard trek, this expedition provides double the time on the glacier, allowing for deeper exploration of its distinctive landscape and more extensive photography opportunities. With smaller, more intimate tour groups, this option caters to those desiring a personalized adventure away from larger crowds.
However, the ‘Big Ice’ trek demands a higher level of physical fitness and is recommended for individuals aged 18 to 50. Additionally, it comes at a higher price point due to its extended duration and increased exclusivity. While personally content with the standard trek, I foresee a return to Perito Moreno in the future, where I’ll undoubtedly opt for the ‘Big Ice’ adventure.
For travelers considering this as a unique opportunity during their Argentine escapade, the investment might well be worth it for what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Essentials for Glacier Hikes
Preparing for glacier hikes involves a few essential items to ensure comfort, safety, and a memorable experience:
- Outerwear: Given the potential for windiness, a jacket and a warm winter beanie are recommended to combat the elements.
- Gloves: Mandatory for glacier trekking due to safety concerns. If you lack gloves, they can provide a pair on-site. Fingerless gloves are an option for camera use while ensuring protection.
- Footwear: Any shoes or hiking boots suffice, as crampons provided during the tour can be adjusted to fit various shoe sizes.
- Backpack: Useful for carrying snacks, drinks, and other necessities during the Perito Moreno glacier trek.
- Camera: The glacier presents photogenic vistas; a camera with some zoom capability is ideal, though most setups work well in capturing its beauty.
Experience the Adventure
Capturing the essence of this extraordinary glacier and exploring its magnificence entails adequate preparation. Bring along these essentials for a seamless and unforgettable Perito Moreno glacier trekking experience. Whether opting for the standard trek or venturing into the ‘Big Ice’ adventure, each promises an awe-inspiring journey into the heart of this natural wonder.
Entrance Fee: Los Glaciares National Park
Perito Moreno Glacier resides within Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, requiring an entrance fee for access, whether you’re venturing onto the walkway or engaging in other activities like glacier trekking, kayaking, or boat cruises.
The current park fee can be found on the Argentina National Parks website. Notably, if you plan to visit the park for two consecutive days, the entry price on the second day is discounted by 50 percent. Ensure to retain your ticket for validation purposes.
This park fee is a separate payment from your transportation costs or tour expenses and can be settled in cash (in pesos) or via credit card upon arrival at the entrance of Los Glaciares National Park. I personally used a foreign credit card without any issues.
While park tickets can be purchased in advance through the Argentina National Parks website, the process is entirely in Spanish and often plagued by technical glitches. However, there’s no need for concern as park tickets are unlimited and do not sell out, unlike tour slots.
Advance booking for national park tickets is unnecessary, and accessing the walkway itself is free apart from the park entrance fee. The only activities requiring advance booking are glacier trekking or other specialized experiences.
Fun Facts About Perito Moreno Glacier
- Size: Stretching across 30 kilometers (almost 19 miles) and covering an area of 250 square kilometers (100 mi²), the glacier surpasses the Argentine capital city of Buenos Aires. Rising about 75 meters (250 ft) above the surface of Lago Argentino, its towering ice wall captivates visitors.
- Blue Hue: The glacier’s intense blue color results from its density and compression, devoid of air bubbles. This unique property reflects the blue spectrum of light, creating a stunning visual distinct from ordinary frozen water.
- Source: Part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the glacier contributes to one of the world’s largest contiguous extrapolar ice fields, serving as a significant reserve of fresh water.
- Geographical Confusion: There’s a national park and a town named Perito Moreno in Argentina, both situated far from the glacier. This geographic discrepancy can cause confusion while navigating the region.
- Calving Phenomenon: Witness the captivating sight of significant ice chunks breaking off the glacier’s edge and crashing into the lake, known as calving. This occurs intermittently, often every 30 minutes on favorable days, with afternoons being the best time for viewing.
- UNESCO Recognition: Since 1981, Los Glaciares National Park, encompassing Perito Moreno Glacier, has enjoyed UNESCO World Heritage Site status due to its exceptional natural significance and beauty.
- Accessibility: Accessing the glacier from El Calafate is hassle-free, offering multiple transportation options including buses, private taxis, car rentals, or guided tours.
- Glacier Hiking: The glacier offers two hiking options: the glacier mini-trek or the more extensive ‘Big Ice’ trek. While the latter provides a longer and more comprehensive experience, it demands higher physical exertion and incurs additional costs. Most visitors find the mini-trek a fantastic and satisfying experience.
Understanding these intriguing aspects enhances the appreciation of Perito Moreno Glacier’s grandeur and the diverse experiences it offers to visitors.
Best Time to Visit Patagonia
The prime seasons to explore the Perito Moreno Glacier are spring, summer, and fall. Summer, spanning December to February, offers longer daylight hours and excellent hiking weather. However, this period tends to be more crowded and pricier.
Shoulder months like March, April, and November can also be delightful, albeit slightly cooler. Mid-March, in particular, strikes a balance with agreeable weather, making it an ideal time for exploration.
Winter visits are feasible but limit certain activities like glacier trekking or kayaking due to tour restrictions. However, boat cruises still operate, and the glacier remains spectacular. Winter visits come with fewer crowds and reduced prices, offering a quieter experience.
As for the best time of day, any time is ideal, but midday showcases the calving activity with warmer temperatures. Morning or late afternoon might be less crowded, but late mornings to early afternoons offer the best lighting for photography.
Other Tips for El Calafate Town
- Accommodation: Choose from various comfortable options like Calafate Hostel for budget stays, Kau Yatun Boutique for midrange, or Xelena Hotel for a high-end experience.
- Dining: Pietro’s Cafe for breakfast and La Tablita or Isabel Cocina al Disco for dinner come highly recommended.
- Payment: While credit cards are generally accepted, carry some cash, especially as some places might prefer it. ATMs in town can be unreliable.
- Money Exchange: Seek out money changers (‘cambio’) for favorable rates. Arte Indio near the town center offers currency exchange.
- Connectivity: Expect reliable and speedy WiFi in most hotels and eateries. Claro, available through T-Mobile roaming, provides good cell service.
- Supplies: Grocery stores abound, offering camping and hiking equipment for purchase or rent. However, bringing your gear might be more cost-effective.
More Patagonia Travel Tips
I hope you found this guide to Perito Moreno Glacier and trekking tours in Patagonia enriching! Don’t miss exploring Mount Fitz Roy’s hike and Laguna De Los Tres in El Chalten. Also, check out my separate guide on the stunning Iguazu Falls in Argentina. Happy travels!