Perito Moreno Glacier has entered its high season with the return of full ice-trekking and boat services from 1 October. With Patagonian daylight now extending to around 20:00, conditions are well suited for multi-activity days that combine the glacier’s walkways, a zodiac circuit of the ice face, and a glacier walk on the same visit.
What’s Running This Season
Mini-trekking (90 minutes on the ice) and Big Ice (the full 4–5 hour traverse) both operate daily through March, weather permitting. Both require booking through authorised operators at the El Calafate pier - the most established is Hielo y Aventura, which holds the park concession for on-ice activities. You can also book the Perito Moreno glacier day tour online via Klook to lock in your slot before arriving. Reservations for the Big Ice route book out days in advance during January and February; October to mid-November remains one of the easier periods to secure a spot.
Boat excursions run every 30–40 minutes from the visitor catwalks on the south arm of Lago Argentino. The 90-minute circuit passes within 200 metres of the ice wall and is the closest most visitors get to the glacier’s full 60-metre face. No advance booking is required for the boats.
The boardwalk system - a free-access network of viewing platforms on the facing peninsula - is open from 08:00 to 18:00 daily. No reservation is needed.
Conditions to Expect
Calving events, where large ice columns break from the face, occur throughout the year but are most frequent during the warmer months when thermal expansion stresses the ice. October tends to be windy on the water. Bring a waterproof layer regardless of the forecast; the glacier generates its own microclimate and temperatures near the ice face are consistently 5–8°C colder than El Calafate town.
Getting There
El Calafate is the main gateway, with daily flights from Buenos Aires Aeroparque and connections from Ushuaia. The glacier is 78km from town on RN11; a combination of transfer services and self-drive options covers the route. Day trips from El Calafate are the norm, though multi-day packages using the local estancias allow for early morning access before tour buses arrive.
Our full Perito Moreno Glacier tour guide covers activity options, prices, and booking logistics. For a broader look at what’s available from town, see all El Calafate tours on GetYourGuide. The nearest town is El Calafate, and those continuing north to the trekking town of El Chaltén for Fitz Roy can combine both in a week-long Patagonia circuit.