If there’s one reason travelers flock to El Calafate, it’s to meet the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier located inside Los Glaciares National Park, a 250-square-kilometer masterpiece of blue ice that still grows while the rest of the world melts. This is Patagonia’s headline act! Wild, thunderous, and worth every chilly second.

Overview:

  • Distance from El Calafate: 80 km (1.5 hrs each way)
  • On-site visit: 4–6 hrs exploring viewpoints, boardwalks, or the glacier itself
  • Cost range: USD 100–300 (depending on trek or cruise options)
  • Best time to visit: October – April 
  • Meeting/drop-off point: Central El Calafate hotels
  • Key attractions: Glacier boardwalks, boat rides, and guided ice treks
  • Top experiences: Perito Moreno Glacier Tour and Perito Moreno Full-Day Cruise

Ready to explore Perito Moreno Glacier? Here’s how

Visitors observing Perito Moreno Glacier from viewing deck in Patagonia, Argentina.

Boardwalks and walkways tour

  • Distance: 80 km (50 mi) from El Calafate
  • Travel time: 1.5 hours by road (one way)

The classic, crowd-favorite experience. Drive through scenic Patagonian steppe before exploring the network of elevated boardwalks facing the glacier’s towering 70 m ice wall. Perfect for first-timers, photographers, or anyone seeking an effortless yet awe-inspiring day.

See Perito Moreno Glacier walkways highlights
Cruise ship in front of Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina, with tourists on deck.

Short or full-day cruise

  • Distance: Same route as boardwalks (for short cruise) and 47 km (29 mi) from El Calafate to La Soledad Port (for full-day cruise)
  • Travel time: 1.5 hours by road + boat ride

Sail close to the massive ice wall, hear the thunderous crack of calving ice, and enjoy panoramic views from the deck. The longer cruise passes the vast Upsala Glacier and the towering Spegazzini Glacier, the tallest in the park, before approaching the Perito Moreno Glacier from a striking lakeside perspective.

Find the right Perito Moreno boat tour
Tourists with guide hiking on Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina.

Minitrekking

  • Distance: 80 km from El Calafate to Bajo de las Sombras port
  • Travel time: 1.5 hours by road + short boat ride

The most popular adventure option. After a brief sail, strap on crampons and spend about 90 minutes walking across the glacier’s surface, exploring blue crevasses and icy streams. Includes guided walks through the Patagonian forest and time at the panoramic balconies. Physically moderate but unforgettable.

Everything about Minitrekking experience
Tourists exploring ice caves at Big Ice, Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina.

Big Ice trekking

  • Distance: Same as Minitrekking
  • Travel time: 1.5 hours by road + boat crossing + full-day trek

A full-day expedition deep into the glacier’s heart, crossing dramatic ice caves and hidden lagoons. Requires solid fitness and comfort with uneven terrain. Highly exclusive and limited to small groups. Book 3 to 4 weeks ahead in peak season.

What makes the Big Ice trek special
Tourists on a hiking trail in El Chaltén, Argentina, with a guide pointing towards the mountains.

El Chaltén day trip

  • Distance: 215 km (134 mi) from El Calafate
  • Travel time: 3 hours by road (one way)

A full-day adventure to Argentina’s trekking capital. Enjoy short guided hikes, mountain lookouts, and free time in El Chaltén village. Though it doesn’t visit the glacier, it’s a perfect companion experience for those craving alpine trails and sweeping vistas.

Find your perfect day trip to El Chaltén

What to expect on an El Calafate to Perito Moreno tour

Road leading to Mount Fitz Roy in El Chaltén, Argentina, with snow-capped peaks in the background.
Panoramic view of Perito Moreno Glacier with icebergs and mountains in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina.
Visitor observing Perito Moreno Glacier from viewing deck in Argentina.
Perito Moreno Glacier with ice calving into turquoise water, Patagonia, Argentina.
Passengers seated inside an AC bus on a one-day guided tour.
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Setting out from El Calafate

Your adventure begins bright and early, either from your hotel (if you’ve chosen the transfer option) or directly at Los Glaciares National Park. The 80-km drive is a visual appetizer. Think endless Patagonian steppe, mirror-blue lakes, and snow-dusted peaks that grow bigger with every mile.

Entering Los Glaciares National Park

Welcome to one of Argentina’s most breathtaking UNESCO sites. Before the main act, enjoy a scenic walk through native lenga forests and viewing platforms that build anticipation with every turn. The glacier reveals itself slowly, a towering sheet of blue ice framed by rugged mountain drama.

Tour & ticket options

There’s more than one way to meet this glacier up close. Choose boardwalk access for epic panoramic views, a short cruise to sail past its towering face, or go big with a full-day cruise that visits Spegazzini and Upsala Glaciers (lunch included). Feeling bold? The Minitrekking or Big Ice hikes let you actually walk on the glacier itself.

Experiencing Perito Moreno Glacier

Here’s the star of the show! A 70-meter wall of pure, electric-blue ice that moves and roars before your eyes. Watch as thunderous cracks echo across Lago Argentino, sending chunks of ice crashing into the water below.

The ride back to El Calafate

After a day of pure natural spectacle, relax on your comfy air-conditioned coach (if transfers are included). Windows become screens of Patagonian cinema—fading sunlight over Lago Argentino, wild guanacos grazing by the roadside, the perfect ending before you return to town.

Things to know before booking your Perito Moreno glacier tour

  • Discover the many ways to experience Perito Moreno, from guided boardwalk tours and a scenic 1-hour cruise to immersive full-day and premium full-day cruises. For adventure lovers, the Minitrekking and the Big Ice trek bring you right onto the glacier itself. 
  • If you’re craving a change of scenery, extend your Patagonia journey with a full-day trip to El Chaltén, the hiking capital of Argentina.
  • Park tickets are not included in your tour. You’ll need to buy the Los Glaciares National Park entry separately. Official booking links and processes are shared after you book your tour.
  • Tours usually last 8–9 hours, departing El Calafate around 7:30am–9am and returning late afternoon. It is better not to combine the El Calafate glacier tour with other experiences. 
  • If your tour doesn’t include transfers, the El Calafate shuttle buses are the best and most affordable way to reach the park independently.
  • If your hotel lacks reception, a meeting point nearby will be shared via WhatsApp or email. Check messages the day before departure.
  • The Big Ice trek is demanding, recommended only for fit travelers aged 18–50. Choose Minitrekking or the boardwalks if you prefer a moderate experience.
  • Expect walking from the park entrance to the glacier’s viewing boardwalks. The cruise option offers close-up views of the ice wall from the water instead.

Your Perito Moreno Glacier tours explained

Ticket typeDurationInclusionsTransfersBest suited forAdd-ons/upgradesPrice
Guided tour of boardwalks

8 hours

Guided tour of Perito Moreno Glacier, English and Spanish-speaking guide, Access to scenic boardwalks

Round-trip hotel transfers from El Calafate

First-timers and photography lovers

1-hour cruise to the glacier

From ARS 70,500
Short cruise

1 hour

Cruise to Perito Moreno Glacier, English and Spanish-speaking guide

Round-trip hotel transfers from El Calafate (if option selected)

Relaxed travelers, families, and seniors

Guided tour of the glacier, Access to scenic glacier boardwalks

From ARS 73,851
Full-day cruise

8 to 13 hours

Cruise to Perito Moreno, Upsala, and Spegazzini glaciers, English and Spanish-speaking guide, Guided walk to the Las Vacas Post

Round-trip hotel transfers from El Calafate (if option selected)

Explorers and nature enthusiasts

Access to Perito Moreno Footbridges, Return bus transfer to El Calafate from Perito Moreno, Gourmet box lunch

From ARS 243,128
Full-day premium cruise

8 to 13 hours

Cruise to 3 glaciers, Expert guide, Guided walk to the Las Vacas Post, Access to the premium lounge, 4-course meal, Exclusive balcony for a group of 16, Chef and waiters

Round-trip hotel transfers from El Calafate (if option selected)

Luxury seekers and couples

Access to Perito Moreno Footbridges with a 2-hour guided hike, Return bus transfer to El Calafate from Perito Moreno

From ARS 442,050
Minitrekking

5 to 10 hours

Guided trek on Perito Moreno, Expert guide, Safety briefing, crampons, and helmets, A glass of celebratory surprise, Round-trip boat ride between Bajo de las Sombras port and glacier base

Round-trip hotel transfers from El Calafate (if option selected)

Active travelers, adventurers, and fit beginners

From ARS 434,280
Big Ice trek

7 to 12 hours

Full-day hike through the forest and the glacier, Expert guide, Small group of 10 guests, Free time for lunch (at your expense), Round-trip boat ride between Bajo de las Sombras port and glacier base

Round-trip hotel transfers from El Calafate (if option selected)

Experienced hikers, thrill seekers, and adventurers

Access to the glacier boardwalks

From ARS 714,870
El Chaltén day trip

11 hours

Guided tour of El Chaltén, English and Spanish-speaking guide, 2 guided hikes to Mirador de los Cóndores and Chorrillo del Salto

Round-trip hotel transfers from El Calafate

Explorers, hikers, and mountain lovers

Lunch at a traditional restaurant

From ARS 124,080
See the glacier, skip the hassle!

Don’t just see the glacier—experience it. Glide from your hotel straight to Perito Moreno’s boardwalks with expert guides who turn ice into a living story. Every moment planned, every view unforgettable.

Highlights of Perito Moreno Glacier

Visitors on a viewing platform overlooking Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina.

Panoramic boardwalks

Stroll across elevated trails that wrap around the glacier. Each turn reveals a new blue hue, a new thunderous crack, and endless photo ops of Patagonia’s frozen masterpiece.

Tourists photographing glaciers from a boat near Perito Moreno, Spegazzini, and Upsala.
Cruise boat in front of Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina.
Perito Moreno Glacier with ice calving into turquoise water, Patagonia, Argentina.
Condor soaring over Colca Canyon, Peru.

Explore more along the way

Catamaran cruising near Spegazzini Glacier in Argentina.

Glaciar Spegazzini

Cruise through icy waters to meet the park’s tallest glacier, a 135-meter wall of jagged blue rising straight from the lake. Watch icebergs drift silently past as you take in one of Patagonia’s most cinematic views.

Time required: 1.5 hours

Included in select tours

Know all about the cruises to Glaciar Spegazzini
Upsala Glacier with icebergs in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina.

Upsala Glacier

Sail deeper into Lake Argentino to see the mighty Upsala, framed by floating ice fields and sharp granite peaks. Its vast, fractured surface glows an electric blue, a raw, wild contrast to Perito Moreno’s symmetry.

Time required: 1 hour

Included in select tours

More about cruises to the Upsala Glacier
Aerial view of El Chaltén with Mount Fitz Roy in the background.

El Chaltén

Three hours from El Calafate lies Argentina’s trekking capital, El Chaltén, a compact mountain village surrounded by trails and towers of stone. Hike up to Mirador de los Cóndores for sweeping Fitz Roy views, then unwind by the forested Chorrillo del Salto waterfall.

Time required: 5 hours

Included in select tours

Plan your visit to Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate

Visitors viewing the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina with icebergs floating in the turquoise water.
  • Timings: The park is open from 8am to 6pm during the summer (September 1 to April 30) and 9am to 4pm during the winter (May 1 to August 31).
  • Best time to visit: The glacier is open year-round, but the best visiting window is September to April, when days are longer and the weather is mild. From November to March, expect peak crowds and book tours 2 to 4 weeks ahead. Shoulder months (October, April) offer a calmer experience with fewer visitors and still-accessible boardwalks.
Your quick guide to Perito Moreno Glacier opening hours
  • By guided tour: Most travelers join a guided day tour from El Calafate, which includes hotel transfers and a professional guide. The journey is about 80 km (1.5 hrs each way) along Route 11, a smooth, scenic drive through Patagonian steppe.
  • By shuttle bus: Frequent shuttle buses depart from the El Calafate Bus Terminal to the glacier. Ideal if you’ve booked a tour without transfers. 
  • By car: If driving independently, take Route 11 west to the park entrance. Roads are fully paved, and parking is available near the boardwalk area.
Getting to the Perito Moreno Glacier location made easy
Visitors posing at the Perito Moreno Glacier viewing deck in Argentina.
  • Layered clothing: Patagonia’s weather changes fast. Bring a fleece, windproof jacket, and gloves even in summer.
  • Comfortable shoes: Expect some walking between viewpoints and along the boardwalks.
  • Sunglasses & sunscreen: The glare from ice and water is intense, even on cloudy days.
  • Reusable water bottle & snacks: Limited facilities once inside the park.
  • Camera or phone storage: Keep gear safe from wind and spray; a dry bag helps on cruises or treks.
  • Cash or card: For national park entry and café stops (shared details post-booking).
Cars parked in a row in a sunny parking lot.
  • Visitor Center: Includes restrooms, a cafeteria with glacier views, and a souvenir shop.
  • Cafeteria: Serves coffee, snacks, and light meals—great for warming up between walks.
  • Rest areas: Several benches and shaded spots near the main balconies.
  • Accessibility: The upper boardwalks and some viewing decks are wheelchair-friendly; lower trails include stairs.
  • Guided commentary: Available in English and Spanish on most tours.
  • Parking: Free, located near the main entrance to the boardwalk area.
Person walking towards Perito Moreno cruise boarding point with glacier in background.
  • Guided tours & transfers: Hotel pickups across central El Calafate. If your accommodation lacks reception, a nearby meeting point will be shared via WhatsApp or email.
  • Minitrekking & Big Ice: Depart from Bajo de las Sombras Port, within the park, after the short navigation from the visitor area.
  • Full-Day cruise: Begins at La Soledad Port, about 47 km northeast of El Calafate. Round-trip transfers are included.
  • Boardwalk-only visitors: Shuttles and private cars stop at the Main Balcony entrance inside Los Glaciares National Park.

Visitor tips

  • Weather here changes fast—clear skies one minute, snow flurries the next—so layers are your best friend. As Patagonians like to say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes.”
  • On windy days, the best viewing spots are near the lower balconies’ inner railings, less exposed and with steadier footing for photos.
  • Lunch timing matters. The café fills up around 1pm. Pack a quick snack and eat later (around 2:30pm) when the crowds clear and tables by the window open up.
  • Stay quiet when you hear cracking sounds, as it’s the warning of a calving event. Don’t move; the splash and echo are far more impressive from stillness than through a camera lens.
  • If you’re driving yourself, top up fuel in El Calafate; there’s no station near the park, and queues in town build up after 6 am departures.
  • For photographers, the glacier’s color peaks between 11am and 3pm when the sun hits it side-on; mornings are great for contrast, and afternoons for reflection shots over the lake.
  • Keep an eye out for Andean condors, one of the largest flying birds in the world, soaring above the glacier face. Spotting them is a quiet bonus few visitors notice amid the noise of breaking ice.

Make the most of your Perito Moreno visit ➜

Frequently asked questions about Perito Moreno glacier tours from El Calafate

How long is the Perito Moreno Glacier day tour from El Calafate?

Most El Calafate glacier tours last 8–9 hours, including the scenic 1.5-hour drive each way and about 3–4 hours exploring the boardwalks and viewpoints.

What is included in a Perito Moreno Glacier tour from El Calafate?

Standard tours include round-trip transfers, a bilingual guide, and boardwalk access. Some options add a short cruise or Minitrek on the glacier itself.

Do I need to book my El Calafate glacier tour in advance?

Yes. Book 2–4 weeks ahead in peak season (Nov–Mar) due to daily visitor limits and limited trekking permits.

Can I visit Perito Moreno Glacier on my own?

Absolutely. Buses from El Calafate’s terminal run daily, but guided tours are easier, with transport, timing, and guides handled for you.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Tours operate year-round, but strong winds may alter or delay boat trips. Operators monitor conditions and adjust timings for safety.

Where do tours depart from in El Calafate?

Most Calafate tours include hotel pickup. If your hotel has no reception, a nearby meeting point will be shared by email or WhatsApp before departure.

Are guided tours available in multiple languages?

Yes. Most Perito Moreno tours have English and Spanish-speaking guides.

What’s included in the Perito Moreno Glacier trekking tours?

Trekking tours, like Minitrekking and Big Ice, include boat crossings, safety gear, and expert mountain guides. You’ll walk on the glacier and explore ice caves and crevasses.

What can I expect on the Perito Moreno Glacier cruise?

Cruises range from a 1-hour navigation along the glacier’s southern face to a full-day cruise from La Soledad Port visiting Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers on Lake Argentino.

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