Perito Moreno Glacier: Tours, Trekking, and Getting There

Perito Moreno Glacier is the most visited natural attraction in Argentine Patagonia — and it earns the reputation. The 5-kilometre-wide, 60-metre-high ice face advancing into Lago Argentino is one of those rare geographical phenomena that is more impressive in person than in photographs, primarily because photographs cannot convey the sound: the constant cracking and groaning of the ice, followed by the thunderous collapse of a calving event and the waves it sends across the lake.

The glacier is located in Los Glaciares National Park, 80 kilometres west of El Calafate. All visits start in El Calafate — the infrastructure, tours, and accommodation for the glacier are based there. The glacier itself has no on-site services beyond the boardwalk and a basic café.

Tour Options from El Calafate

Standard day tour (boardwalk): The most common format. A minibus departs El Calafate in the morning (8am or 9am, depending on operator), drives 80 kilometres to the glacier, and returns in the afternoon (2pm, 3pm, or 5pm). Total time at the glacier: 3–4 hours. Operators are clustered on El Calafate’s pedestrian main street; prices are similar across all of them. The tour includes the national park entry fee or this is sometimes collected separately at the park gate.

Big Ice (Minitrekking or Trekking): Extends the standard day tour with an ice trek component. After arriving by minibus, participants take a short boat ride to the glacier edge, hike 15–20 minutes through forest, and don crampons at the glacier margin. Groups of approximately 16 walk the glacier’s upper surface for 1.5–2 hours with a guide, ending at a rest stop where guides serve whisky poured over glacier ice — an optional tradition that most participants embrace. The full day from El Calafate runs approximately 10–11 hours. Pre-booking is required; capacity is limited and sells out in January–February. The terrain on the ice is uneven and requires a reasonable level of fitness and mobility.

Minitrekking is a shorter ice walk variant (approximately 1.5 hours on the ice) using the same boat access. Less demanding and suitable for those who want ice contact without the full Big Ice commitment.

Nautilus boat tour (Navegación): A boat excursion on Lago Argentino that approaches the glacier face from the water rather than the boardwalk. Launches depart from a dock near the boardwalk area. The boat passes within 200–300 metres of the ice face — closer than the boardwalk viewpoints — and provides a different perspective on the glacier’s scale. Duration approximately 1.5 hours. Can be combined with the boardwalk visit on the same day.

Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers: A full-day boat excursion from Puerto Bandera, 50 kilometres from El Calafate, visiting two other glaciers within Los Glaciares National Park that are not accessible by road. The Upsala glacier is larger than Perito Moreno but is in retreat and is now approached by boat to a safe viewing distance. This excursion provides broader context for the ice field beyond the Perito Moreno spectacle. Departs early morning, returns late afternoon; book through El Calafate operators.

Self-Drive Option

A rental car from El Calafate reaches the glacier in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes on a fully paved road. The route is straightforward and well-signed. Driving yourself allows flexibility — arriving at the 8am opening before tour buses, staying longer than standard tour times, and departing on your own schedule. The entry fee is collected at the park gate regardless of how you arrive.

Rental car companies (including international chains) operate from El Calafate airport. An international driving licence is required.

Practical Details

Opening hours: The park opens at 8am. Arriving at or just after opening is the best strategy for avoiding the peak crowd from group tours, which arrives between 10am and 12pm.

What to wear: The boardwalk is exposed to wind off the lake and spray from the falls. A windproof jacket and waterproof trousers are sensible regardless of the morning weather. Sun protection is necessary on clear days — the combination of latitude and reflected light from the ice is intense.

Photography: The boardwalk’s lower platforms, close to the waterline, provide the most dramatic compositions. Early morning has the cleanest light. Overcast conditions produce the most saturated blue in the ice; direct sun creates more contrast.

Calving events: Portions of the ice face calve into the lake throughout the day. The frequency increases during the warmer midday hours. Calving events produce a sound that carries across the lake 10–15 seconds before the ice hits the water. Sustained watching is rewarded — large events produce waves visible from the boardwalk.

Food and water: The on-site café is consistently crowded during peak hours and has limited options. Packing lunch and water from El Calafate is more practical.