Perito Moreno Glacier Tours – Best Patagonia Ice Adventures Argentina

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Witness the Majestic Advancing Glacier Up Close with Expert Local Guides

Book the best Perito Moreno Glacier tours in Patagonia, Argentina. Walk on the glacier with crampons, take boat tours to see massive ice walls calving into the lake, enjoy viewpoints and trekking options in Los Glaciares National Park on small-group or private day trips from El Calafate. Secure your unforgettable Perito Moreno Glacier adventure today!

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Best Selling Perito Moreno Glacier Tours

Our best-selling Perito Moreno Glacier tours take you face-to-face with one of the world’s most spectacular glaciers in Argentine Patagonia.

Perito Moreno Glacier Full-Day Experience with Boat Safari Option
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Perito Moreno Glacier Full-Day Experience with Boat Safari Option

This full-day tour takes you to one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders: the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. Enjoy stunning views from multiple lookout points and witness the dramatic ice calving. Upgrade with an optional boat safari on Lago Argentino for a closer perspective.

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4.7
9 hours
5.535+ bookings
$80
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El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking & Cruise Tour
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El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking & Cruise Tour

This unforgettable full-day adventure in Los Glaciares National Park combines boating, trekking, and glacier exploration. Sail across Lago Argentino, then embark on a guided ice trek on the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier with crampons and expert guides. Hike through Magellanic forest, sail along the towering ice wall, and enjoy spectacular viewpoints from the catwalks.

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4.8
11 hours
8.462+ bookings
$424
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From El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Kayak & Lunch Adventure
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From El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Kayak & Lunch Adventure

This unique kayak tour brings you face-to-face with the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier at water level. Paddle safely alongside the towering ice walls, accompanied by expert guides, while enjoying the dramatic sounds of cracking ice and calving icebergs. After 1.5 hours on the water, enjoy hot drinks and snacks, followed by free time to explore the park’s walkways and viewpoints.

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4.9
10 hours
257+ bookings
$370
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Perito Moreno Glacier Navigation Tour from El Calafate
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Perito Moreno Glacier Navigation Tour from El Calafate

This full-day tour takes you to the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. Enjoy a scenic boat navigation for close-up views of the massive ice walls (up to 80m high), then walk along the network of viewpoints and walkways. Choose between a guided experience or self-guided exploration.

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4.8
8 hours
2.933+ bookings
$124
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Perito Moreno Glacier Nighttime Hiking Tour from El Calafate
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Perito Moreno Glacier Nighttime Hiking Tour from El Calafate

This exclusive nighttime tour offers a magical after-hours experience at the Perito Moreno Glacier. Walk along the illuminated footbridges under the moonlight and stars, surrounded by silence and the occasional sound of cracking ice. A professional astronomer guides you through the southern sky, and you’ll enjoy a special light painting photography session. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from El Calafate.

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5
5 hours
90+ bookings
$128
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Private Full-Day Family Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier
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Private Full-Day Family Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier

This private full-day tour offers a personalized visit to the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. With your own guide and vehicle, explore the glacier’s dramatic ice walls, lagoons, gullies, and crevasses at your own pace. Learn about its glaciology, flora, and fauna, and enjoy the option of a boat ride for stunning close-up views. I

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4.6
8 hours
144+ bookings
$449
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Why Perito Moreno Glacier is a Must-Visit Destination

Deep in Argentine Patagonia, Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most spectacular and accessible glaciers in the world. Towering 70 meters above the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino, this massive wall of ice constantly cracks and thunders as huge chunks calve into the lake below. Unlike most glaciers that are retreating, Perito Moreno is still growing and actively advancing. Walk along a network of steel walkways for incredible viewpoints, take a boat tour right up to the face, or strap on crampons for an unforgettable ice trek on its surface. With Perito Moreno Glacier Tours, you’ll experience this natural wonder safely and comfortably with expert local guides who know the best times to visit for maximum ice activity.

Glacier Face & Ice Calving

Stand in awe as massive towers of blue ice crack and crash into the lake with a thunderous roar — one of the most dramatic natural shows on the planet.

Boardwalk Viewpoints

Explore a system of steel walkways and platforms offering close-up panoramic views of the entire glacier and its constantly changing face.

Boat Tours to the Glacier

Cruise across Lago Argentino on a comfortable boat and get remarkably close to the towering ice wall, feeling the power as ice breaks off right in front of you.

Ice Trekking Adventure

Strap on crampons and walk on the glacier’s surface with a professional guide — explore deep blue crevasses, ice caves, and the otherworldly texture of ancient ice.

Meet the Team of Perito Moreno Glacier Tours

Meet the Team of Perito Moreno Glacier Tours

Our expert team has been helping navigate and book Perito Moreno Glacier tours and activities for tourists from all over the world for over a decade, ensuring you have a hassle-free trip with everything booked in advance.

With deep knowledge of Patagonia’s dramatic landscapes, the Perito Moreno Glacier, and Los Glaciares National Park, partnerships with the best local operators and guides, and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences, we're committed to making your Perito Moreno Glacier adventure truly extraordinary. From your first inquiry to your last tour, we're here to support you every step of the way.

Award-Winning Travel Experience

Perito Moreno Glacier Tours is recognized by leading travel platforms worldwide

Argentina Patagonia Excellence Award

2024

Perito Moreno Explorer Choice Award

2024

Best Perito Moreno Glacier Tour Operator

2023

Los Glaciares Sustainable Tourism Award

2025

Patagonian Glacier Heritage Verified Excellence

2024

The easiest and most popular way is by organized day tour with hotel pickup from El Calafate.

Main Options:

  • Organized Tour (Strongly Recommended): Most visitors choose this. Includes comfortable bus/minivan transport, hotel pickup and drop-off in El Calafate, entrance fee to the glacier park, and usually a guide. Total duration: 6–9 hours round trip.
  • By Rental Car: Distance: 78 km (48 miles) southwest of El Calafate. Driving time: 1.5 to 2 hours one way on a good paved road (Ruta 11). Very scenic drive and gives you flexibility to stay longer at the glacier.
  • By Public Bus: Buses run from El Calafate bus terminal to the glacier (about 2 hours). Cheaper but less convenient and fewer departures.

For most travelers, joining an organized day tour with hotel pickup is the best choice — it’s hassle-free, safe, and includes all logistics. Renting a car is excellent if you want more independence and time at the glacier.

You can book highly rated Perito Moreno Glacier tours from El Calafate (with hotel pickup, entrance fees, and expert guides) at Perito Moreno Glacier Tours.

The drive from El Calafate to Perito Moreno Glacier takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours one way.

Key Details:

  • Distance: 78 km (about 48 miles).
  • Road conditions: Fully paved (Ruta 11) and in good condition for most of the year.
  • Scenery: Extremely beautiful — you drive through Patagonian steppe with views of the Andes and turquoise lakes.
  • Entrance to the park: The last part includes the entrance gate to Los Glaciares National Park (entrance fee required).

The drive is relatively short and scenic, making it very doable as a day trip. Most people prefer going with a tour for convenience, but self-driving gives you more flexibility to stay longer at the glacier.

You can book highly rated Perito Moreno Glacier tours from El Calafate (with hotel pickup and expert guides) at https://peritomorenoglacier.tours/.

Yes, you can easily visit Perito Moreno Glacier as a day trip, and it is one of the most popular excursions in Patagonia.

Practical Details:

  • From El Calafate: The glacier is only 78 km (48 miles) away.
  • Travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours one way by car or tour bus.
  • Total day trip duration: Usually 6 to 9 hours (including 4–6 hours at the glacier).
  • Most tours depart El Calafate in the morning (around 8:00–9:00 AM) and return in the late afternoon or early evening.

What a Typical Day Trip Includes:

  • Hotel pickup in El Calafate
  • Transport to the glacier
  • Time to walk the boardwalks and viewing platforms
  • Close-up views of the massive ice wall and frequent calving (ice breaking off)
  • Optional boat tour to get even closer to the glacier face

Perito Moreno is one of the best day trips in South America. The relatively short drive and spectacular setting make it very manageable and highly rewarding. It’s suitable for all fitness levels thanks to the excellent boardwalks.

You can book convenient Perito Moreno Glacier day trips from El Calafate (with hotel pickup and expert guides) at Perito Moreno Glacier Tours.

A typical Perito Moreno Glacier tour is a spectacular full-day experience (usually 6–9 hours) that brings you face-to-face with one of the world’s most impressive glaciers.

What a standard tour includes:

  • Hotel pickup in El Calafate (morning departure).
  • Scenic drive (1.5–2 hours) through Patagonian steppe with views of mountains and lakes.
  • Arrival at the glacier with access to a network of well-maintained boardwalks and viewing platforms.
  • Several hours to walk the paths and watch the glacier’s massive ice wall (up to 70m / 230ft high).
  • Frequent ice calving — huge chunks of ice breaking off into the lake with loud thunder-like sounds.
  • Expert guide explaining the glacier’s formation, movement, and why it is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world.
  • Optional boat tour to get closer to the glacier face (available on many packages for an extra fee).
  • Return to El Calafate in the late afternoon.

Expect breathtaking scenery, powerful natural sounds, and an unforgettable close-up experience with a very active glacier. The tour is suitable for most fitness levels thanks to the excellent boardwalks and is one of the highlights of any trip to Patagonia.

You can book highly rated Perito Moreno Glacier tours from El Calafate (with hotel pickup, guides, and optional boat) at https://peritomorenoglacier.tours/.

No, the boat tour is usually not included in the standard Perito Moreno Glacier tour.

What’s Typically Included vs Optional:

  • Standard tour (most common): Hotel pickup, transport, entrance fee, time on the boardwalks and viewing platforms, and a guide. You observe the glacier from land.
  • Boat tour (Nautical Safari): This is an optional add-on. It takes you by boat very close to the glacier face for impressive views and calving. It usually lasts about 1 hour and costs extra (around US$50–80 per person, depending on the operator).

Many full-day tours offer the boat tour as an upgrade you can add when booking or on the day.

The land-based tour with boardwalks is excellent on its own and enough for most visitors. The boat tour is a great addition if you want to get closer to the ice wall, but it is not included in the base price of standard tours.

You can book Perito Moreno Glacier tours from El Calafate (with the option to add the boat tour) at Perito Moreno Glacier Tours.

Yes, you can walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier, but only on guided ice trekking tours (not independently).

Key Details:

  • The most popular option is the Minitrekking tour (1–2 hours on the ice).
  • You take a boat across the lake, then hike a short trail to the glacier edge, strap on crampons, and walk on the glacier surface with a guide.
  • There is also a longer Big Ice trek (about 3–4 hours on the ice) for more adventurous visitors.
  • These tours include safety equipment, a guide, and usually transport from El Calafate.
  • Availability: Mainly from October to May (summer season). It is not offered in deep winter due to safety conditions.

Important Notes:

  • The ice surface is uneven, so some physical fitness is required (moderate difficulty).
  • Minimum age is usually 8–10 years old, depending on the operator.
  • You still get plenty of great views from the boardwalks even if you don’t do the ice trek.

Walking on the glacier is a unique and highly recommended experience if you’re reasonably fit and visiting during the right season. The Minitrekking tour is the best choice for most people.

You can book Perito Moreno Glacier ice trekking tours (including Minitrekking) from El Calafate at https://peritomorenoglacier.tours/.

Yes, mini-trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier is worth it for most people who have a reasonable level of fitness.

Why it’s worth doing:

  • You get to walk on the glacier itself with crampons — an unforgettable experience.
  • You explore deep blue crevasses, small meltwater lakes, and dramatic ice formations up close.
  • Professional guides provide safety instructions and interesting explanations about the glacier.
  • The trekking portion lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours on the ice — long enough to enjoy it without being exhausting.
  • It’s well-organized, safe, and suitable for beginners (moderate difficulty).

Important Considerations:

  • You need a moderate fitness level (some uphill walking on uneven ice).
  • Minimum age is typically 8–10 years (varies by operator).
  • Best season: October to May (not offered in deep winter).
  • It’s an add-on to the standard glacier visit (extra cost).

If you’re comfortable walking and want a truly special memory, yes — do the mini-trekking. It is one of the highlights of a trip to Patagonia and much more immersive than just viewing the glacier from the boardwalks.

You can book Perito Moreno Glacier Mini-Trekking tours (including the standard boardwalk visit) from El Calafate at Perito Moreno Glacier Tours.

Yes, Perito Moreno Glacier is suitable for families with kids, especially for viewing from the boardwalks. It is one of the more family-friendly natural attractions in Patagonia.

What’s Suitable for Kids:

  • The boardwalks and viewing platforms are excellent — easy walking, safe railings, and incredible views of the glacier and ice calving.
  • Short walks and photo stops are manageable for most children.
  • Many families find it very exciting to watch huge pieces of ice break off into the lake.

Important Limitations:

  • Mini-trekking (walking on the glacier with crampons): Usually has a minimum age of 8–10 years (some operators require 12+). Not suitable for younger kids.
  • Boat tour (Nautical Safari): Generally fine for kids 4–5+, but can be cold and windy — young children may get bored or cold.
  • Long travel days from El Calafate can tire out very young children.

Perito Moreno is a great family destination. Kids of all ages enjoy the boardwalks and the dramatic ice calving. For children under 8, stick to the standard viewing tour. For older kids (8+), adding the mini-trekking makes it even more memorable.

You can book family-friendly Perito Moreno Glacier tours from El Calafate (with hotel pickup and age-appropriate options) at https://peritomorenoglacier.tours/.

The best months to visit Perito Moreno Glacier are November to March (Patagonian summer), with December to February being the peak for the best overall conditions.

Why November–March is ideal:

  • Weather: Mildest temperatures (10–18°C / 50–64°F during the day), longer daylight hours (up to 17 hours), and more stable conditions for walking the boardwalks and doing mini-trekking.
  • Ice Calving: This is when you have the highest chance of seeing dramatic calving events (large chunks of ice breaking off into the lake). Warmer temperatures cause more melting and activity.
  • Access: All activities (boat tours, mini-trekking) are fully operational.

Good Shoulder Months:

  • October and April: Fewer crowds, still decent weather, and lower prices. Calving is still active, but days are shorter and weather more unpredictable.

For the best combination of good weather and impressive ice calving, visit in December–February. If you want to avoid crowds while still having reliable conditions, choose late November or March.

You can book Perito Moreno Glacier tours from El Calafate (with hotel pickup and expert guides) at Perito Moreno Glacier Tours.

Patagonia’s weather can change quickly — even in summer it can be sunny, windy, cold, or rainy in the same day. Layers and wind protection are essential.

What to Wear:

  • Comfortable walking shoes or light hiking boots with good grip (boardwalks can be slippery when wet).
  • Layered clothing: Moisture-wicking base layer + fleece or warm mid-layer + waterproof/windproof jacket.
  • Quick-dry hiking pants (avoid jeans).
  • Warm hat, gloves, and scarf (especially for boat tours or early mornings).
  • Sunglasses and a hat with brim (strong sun reflection off the ice).

What to Bring:

  • At least 1.5–2 liters of water per person.
  • Sunscreen (SPF 50+), lip balm, and sunglasses.
  • Small daypack for layers, water, snacks, and camera.
  • Snacks or energy bars.
  • Rain jacket or poncho (highly recommended).
  • Binoculars (great for watching calving from a distance).
  • Power bank (cold weather drains phone batteries faster).
  • Cash (for souvenirs, food, or boat tickets).

Seasonal Tips:

  • Summer (Dec–Feb): Light layers + strong sun protection.
  • Shoulder (Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr): Extra warm mid-layers and windproof gear.
  • Winter: Heavy insulated jacket, thermal base layers, and proper winter boots (mini-trekking may not run).

Focus on layers, wind/waterproof outer shell, and comfortable walking shoes. Being well-prepared for wind and sun reflection makes the experience much more comfortable and enjoyable.

You can book highly rated Perito Moreno Glacier tours from El Calafate (with hotel pickup and expert guides) at https://peritomorenoglacier.tours/.

It depends on the specific tour, but many full-day Perito Moreno Glacier tours do include lunch.

What to Expect:

  • Most standard full-day tours (6–9 hours): Lunch is usually included. You’ll stop at a restaurant near the glacier or have a packed lunch with sandwiches, empanadas, or a hot meal.
  • Shorter or budget tours: Lunch is often not included — you may need to bring your own snacks or buy food at the visitor center.
  • Meals are typically simple but satisfying Patagonian-style food (grilled meats, vegetarian options available with advance notice).

If you book a full-day tour, there’s a good chance lunch is included. Always check the tour description or ask when booking to confirm. Bringing a few snacks is still a smart idea in case of delays.

You can book Perito Moreno Glacier day tours from El Calafate (many with lunch included and hotel pickup) at Perito Moreno Glacier Tours.

Yes, it is very common and highly recommended to combine Perito Moreno Glacier with other Patagonia attractions.

Popular Combinations:

  • Perito Moreno + El Chaltén (Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre): Most popular 3–5 day itinerary. El Chaltén is about 3 hours drive from El Calafate. Great for hiking and mountain scenery.
  • Perito Moreno + Torres del Paine (Chile): Excellent 4–7 day trip. Many tours cross the border and combine both iconic destinations.
  • Perito Moreno + Los Glaciares National Park (including Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers): Boat tours from El Calafate that visit multiple glaciers in one or two days.
  • Full Patagonia Circuit: Perito Moreno + El Chaltén + Ushuaia or Bariloche (common in 7–14 day packages).

Best Ways to Combine:

  • Multi-day organized tours from El Calafate (easiest)
  • Private tours or self-drive for more flexibility
  • Many packages include Perito Moreno as a full-day excursion within a larger Patagonia itinerary.

Combining Perito Moreno with other Patagonia highlights is not only possible but one of the best ways to experience the region. A minimum of 3–4 days in the El Calafate area allows you to see the glacier plus at least one more major attraction comfortably.

You can book Perito Moreno Glacier tours and multi-day Patagonia packages that combine it with other attractions at https://peritomorenoglacier.tours/.

The best way to see ice calving is by taking the boat tour (Nautical Safari) in front of the glacier face.

Why the boat tour is best:

  • You get much closer to the ice wall (only 300–600 meters away), so the calving events feel dramatic and powerful.
  • You can clearly hear the thunder-like sounds and see large chunks of ice fall into the lake.
  • The boat stays in the best viewing area for 45–60 minutes, increasing your chances of witnessing multiple calvings.
  • Morning or early afternoon departures usually offer the best conditions (calmer water and better light).

Other Good Options:

  • Boardwalks (free with park entrance): Very good views, especially from the middle and lower platforms. Excellent for photos, but you’re farther away.
  • Mini-trekking: You walk on the glacier, but you see less calving because you’re on top/side of it.

For the most impressive ice calving experience, add the boat tour to your visit. It’s the closest and most exciting way to witness the glacier’s activity. Many people say this was the highlight of their entire Patagonia trip.

You can book Perito Moreno Glacier tours from El Calafate that include the boat tour (or allow you to add it) at Perito Moreno Glacier Tours.

A Typical Tour Day at Perito Moreno Glacier

  • 8:00 am — Hotel pickup in El Calafate, drive to Los Glaciares National Park
  • 9:00 am — Arrive at the park, board the boat at Puerto Bajo de las Sombras
  • 9:15 am — Boat crosses Lago Argentino toward the glacier's southern face
  • 9:45 am — Disembark at the trek base, crampon fitting begins
  • 10:00 am — Ice trek begins, guides lead across the glacier surface
  • 11:30 am — Blue crevasses, ice caves, meltwater channels explored
  • 12:00 pm — Whisky on the rocks, glacial ice served at the summit point
  • 12:30 pm — Return to base, crampons off, transition to boardwalks
  • 1:00 pm — Lunch at the glacier restaurant or packed lunch in the park
  • 2:00 pm — Boardwalk catwalk system, viewpoints along the northern face
  • 3:30 pm — Calving face viewpoint, extended time at the main platform
  • 4:30 pm — Return boat navigation along the full ice wall
  • 5:30 pm — Depart for El Calafate
  • 6:30 pm — Return to hotel
Perito Moreno Glacier Tours – Best Patagonia Ice Adventures Argentina Perito Moreno is one of the few glaciers in the world that is not retreating. Most glaciers in Argentine Patagonia are in measurable decline, but Perito Moreno advances at roughly two meters per day on average, balanced by calving at the face that keeps the total mass roughly stable. The glacier advances across Lago Argentino until its face reaches the Magallanes Peninsula, damming the southern arm of the lake and creating a pressure differential that eventually ruptures the ice in a calving event of extraordinary scale. The last major rupture before the most recent occurred in 2018, when the ice dam broke over several days in a series of collapses visible and audible across the entire park. Perito Moreno Glacier Tours guides explain this cycle before the first boat crossing because understanding the dynamics of the glacier makes every subsequent hour more coherent. Perito Moreno Glacier Full-Day Experience with Boat Safari Option The boat crossing from Puerto Bajo de las Sombras to the trek base on the glacier's southern margin takes about 30 minutes and provides the first full view of the ice wall from the water. The face of Perito Moreno rises between 60 and 74 meters above the lake surface and extends five kilometers across, a continuous wall of blue and white ice that produces sounds, deep cracks and explosive reports as sections of the face break away, audible from the boat before the ice is close enough to see clearly. The guides point out the color variations in the ice face, the deep blue of the compressed sections where air has been forced out over thousands of years of accumulation, and the white of the more recently formed surface ice, and explain the compression history those colors record. From El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Kayak & Lunch Adventure Here is what we tell clients honestly before the crampon trek: the surface of Perito Moreno is not flat. The glacier's movement over its rocky bed produces a terrain of ridges, crevasses, meltwater channels, and ice formations that require active navigation with crampons and guide direction. The trek is not technical climbing, but it demands full attention to footing, the willingness to use hands in steeper sections, and waterproof boots rather than trail runners. The guides do not take the group into genuinely dangerous crevasse sections and the route is adjusted daily based on ice conditions. What the guides do provide access to is close enough to the crevasse edges that their depth and color are fully visible, the specific electric blue that ice takes on when compressed to the point where red wavelengths are absorbed and only blue remains. Clients who have seen photographs of this color and then see it in person at a crevasse wall consistently report the photograph as inadequate preparation. El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking & Cruise Tour The whisky on the rocks served at the highest point of the trek is not a marketing gesture. It is the correct drink in the correct place: Scotch poured over chips of glacial ice that the guide breaks from the surface, ice that fell as snow roughly 600 years ago and has been traveling toward this moment ever since. The guides make this point without forcing it, and most clients receive it as the specific combination of absurdity and genuine meaning that Patagonia produces more naturally than anywhere else. Perito Moreno Glacier Navigation Tour from El Calafate The boardwalk catwalk system on the north side of the glacier is the afternoon counterpart to the morning's immersion. Where the ice trek put clients inside the glacier's texture, the catwalks put them above and beside the full face at distances that allow the scale to register in a way the trek does not. The calving face is visible from multiple platforms at different elevations and angles, and the guides position the group at the main platform for extended time rather than moving through quickly. Ice calving, the collapse of sections of the face into the lake, happens unpredictably and with sounds that the guides describe honestly as nothing a recording has ever captured properly. Clients who wait at the platform and watch a section of ice the size of a building fall into the lake 200 meters in front of them are experiencing what Perito Moreno Glacier Tours brings people here for, and the return boat navigation along the full ice wall as the afternoon light shifts is the close the day has earned.

Average Tour Prices at Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

Prices below are what you'll pay when booking through verified operators online. They are current as of early 2026. Perito Moreno Glacier is located in Los Glaciares National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in the Santa Cruz Province of Argentine Patagonia, approximately 80 km west of El Calafate. Unlike the vast majority of the world's glaciers, Perito Moreno is not retreating; it advances at approximately 2 metres per day, calving enormous blocks of ice into Lago Argentino with a sound audible from the viewing walkways hundreds of metres away. The glacier face rises up to 70 metres above the lake surface and stretches 5 km wide. El Calafate has its own airport (FTE) with direct connections to Buenos Aires (3.5 hrs), Bariloche, and Ushuaia. The park is open year-round; the austral summer from November to March offers the longest daylight hours and peak calving activity, though autumn (April to May) delivers dramatic light and fewer visitors.

Perito Moreno Glacier Tours: What Each Experience Costs Online

Viewpoint & Boat Tours (no glacier walking)
Tour Duration Format Online Price (from)
Perito Moreno Glacier Full-Day Experience with Boat Safari Option 9 hours Small group, walkways + optional boat $80 / person
Navigation Tour from El Calafate 8 hours Small group, boat + walkways $124 / person
Perito Moreno Glacier Nighttime Hiking Tour from El Calafate 5 hours (evening) Small group, illuminated walkways + astronomer $128 / person
Ice Trekking & Kayak Tours (on-glacier or water-level access)
Tour Duration Format Online Price (from)
El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking & Cruise Tour 11 hours Small group, crampons + boat + forest walk $424 / person
From El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Kayak & Lunch Adventure 10 hours Small group, kayak alongside glacier face See site
Private Tours
Tour Duration Format Online Price (from)
Private Full-Day Family Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier 8 hours Private guide + vehicle, all ages $449 / group
All tours include hotel pickup and drop-off from El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park entry fee (approximately ARS 12,000 to 15,000 per person, payable in Argentine pesos at the gate; confirm current fee at time of booking as Argentine peso-denominated prices change frequently). The $80 full-day viewpoints tour includes the network of steel walkways and an optional boat safari upgrade; the boat is not included in the base price. The $124 navigation tour includes both the boat crossing of Lago Argentino and the walkway exploration. The trekking and cruise tour at $424 includes crampons, a certified glacier guide, a Magellanic forest walk, and a full boat circuit of the glacier face; it is the most comprehensive on-glacier experience available. The nighttime tour is available in the summer season only (November to March) when darkness falls late enough for the full experience.

Online vs. Self-Drive from El Calafate vs. Buenos Aires Package Including Glacier: How Booking Method Affects What You Get

Booking Method Typical Price Range Risk Level
Book Online in Advance (via verified operators like Perito Moreno Glacier Tours) $80 to $128 for viewpoint and navigation tours; $424 to $449 for trekking and private formats Low: hotel pickup confirmed, park entry managed, crampons and safety gear provided on trekking tours, guide assigned; the ice trekking and cruise tour with over 8,400 bookings fills from December through February; the nighttime tour operates with limited departures and requires advance booking; free cancellation typically 24 to 48 hours ahead; weather-dependent tours have clear rescheduling policies
Self-Drive from El Calafate (rent a car, drive the 80 km to the park, pay entry at the gate, walk the walkways independently) Car rental approximately ARS 30,000 to 60,000 per day plus fuel; park entry fee separate Low: the drive from El Calafate to the glacier is straightforward and well-signposted, and the walkway network is free to use once the park entry fee is paid; independent visitors who self-drive can spend as long as they choose on the walkways, which is the main advantage over timed group tours; the boat safari and ice trekking, however, require separate advance booking through the in-park concession operators and cannot be arranged on arrival at peak season; the nighttime tour is not accessible without a guided booking
Buenos Aires Package Tour Including Glacier (multi-day Patagonia itinerary with glacier stage from Buenos Aires) Typically 30 to 50% above direct El Calafate operator rates Low: Buenos Aires-based and international tour operators include Perito Moreno in Patagonia multi-day packages alongside Torres del Paine and Ushuaia; the convenience of pre-booking the full Patagonia circuit is genuine, but the glacier stage is consistently more expensive through these packages than booked directly in El Calafate

The Honest Case for Booking with Perito Moreno Glacier Tours in Advance

Perito Moreno Glacier Nighttime Hiking Tour from El Calafate Perito Moreno Glacier holds a specific distinction that sets it apart from every other glacier in this network and most glaciers on Earth: it is actively advancing rather than retreating, and the calving events that result from this advance are not rare occurrences but a near-constant feature of a visit. The glacier's face pushes into a peninsula that divides Lago Argentino into two channels; when the glacier reaches the southern shore and dams the Rico arm, water pressure builds until the ice ruptures in a spectacular collapse that drains the backed-up water in a matter of days. This rupture cycle, which occurs every few years, is one of the most dramatic natural events accessible to tourists anywhere in the world. Between rupture events, calving of individual ice towers from the 70-metre face into the lake happens throughout every day, producing the rifle-crack sound and white splash of collapse that visitors on the walkways hear continuously. The $80 full-day viewpoints tour is the most accessible format and delivers the full calving spectacle from the steel walkway system at multiple distances and angles. The walkways are well-engineered, set at glacier face level across different vantage points, and the guide's commentary on the glacier's geology, the advancing mechanism, and the Patagonian ecosystem covers the context that converts a visually powerful experience into an understood one. The optional boat safari adds a closer perspective on the ice wall's scale that the walkways, for all their engineering quality, cannot replicate. The ice trekking and cruise combination at $424 is the appropriate format for visitors who want to be on rather than beside the glacier. Crampons are fitted at the shore, the guide leads the group across the glacier surface through a sequence of crevasse fields, meltwater pools, and ice ridges, and the blue ice visible at depth in the crevasses, a colour that results from the compression of air out of ice over centuries, is not visible from any external viewpoint. The 11-hour format includes the Magellanic lenga forest walk to and from the glacier, the boat crossing of Lago Argentino with views of the full 5 km face from the water, and the walkway time before and after the trek. With over 8,400 bookings and a 4.8 rating, it is the best-reviewed experience in the portfolio and the one that most visitors who have done it describe as the defining day of their Patagonia trip.

How to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier

Private Full-Day Family Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier Perito Moreno is one of the few large glaciers on Earth that is not retreating. It advances at a rate of roughly two metres per day, and the pressure this creates against the Magallanes Peninsula periodically produces a rupture event where a wall of ice collapses into Lago Argentino with a sound that carries across the water for kilometres. The glacier face stands up to 70 metres above the lake surface and stretches nearly five kilometres wide, which means the scale of what you are looking at from the boardwalks does not immediately register. The blue of the deep crevasses, the white of the upper ice field, and the turquoise of the water below make up a colour palette that the Patagonian steppe you drove through to reach it does nothing to prepare you for. It is 78 kilometres southwest of El Calafate along a good paved road and is accessible as a day trip, which makes it one of the most convenient genuinely extraordinary natural experiences anywhere in South America. Here is what the team at Perito Moreno Glacier Tours tells first-timers when they plan their visit.
  1. Fly into El Calafate Airport (FTE) and base yourself in town. El Calafate is a purpose-built tourist town on the southern shore of Lago Argentino, and the airport receives direct domestic flights from Buenos Aires, Bariloche, and Ushuaia. The town has a good range of hotels, restaurants, and tour operators all within easy walking distance of the main street. Most tours depart from El Calafate with hotel pickup between 8 and 9 AM, which means there is no transport to arrange independently. The glacier is 78 kilometres away on Ruta 11, a fully paved road with views of the Andes and the turquoise lakes of the steppe throughout the drive, and the journey takes around one and a half to two hours each way.
  2. Book the trekking and cruise combination for the most complete experience. The full-day glacier trekking and cruise tour, which has over 8,400 bookings at 4.8 stars, is the single most popular product and the format that most first-timers describe as the right call in retrospect. It combines a boat crossing of Lago Argentino to the glacier's edge, a guided ice trek on the surface with crampons for around one to one and a half hours, a sail along the towering ice wall on the return, and time on the boardwalk viewpoints. The combination covers the glacier from above, from the surface, and from the water in a single day, and no single-format tour replicates this range. The standard viewpoint-only tour is the right choice for visitors with limited mobility or for families with young children; for everyone else the trekking and cruise version justifies the additional cost.
  3. The boat tour is the best position for watching ice calving. The Nautical Safari positions the vessel 300 to 600 metres from the glacier face, which is close enough to hear the deep cracking before the ice falls and to watch large seracs collapse into the water with a report like a rifle shot amplified many times over. From the boardwalks the calving is visible but more distant; from the boat the event is immediate and the scale of the falling ice relative to the vessel gives you a physical sense of size that the land viewpoints do not. Morning and early afternoon boat departures produce the calmest water and the best light for photography. If the trekking and cruise combination is not possible, the navigation tour with boardwalk access is the next best format and has over 2,800 bookings at 4.8 stars.
  4. Walk on the glacier if you are reasonably fit and visiting between October and April. The Minitrekking option is the standard ice trek and involves a short boat crossing, a hike through Magellanic forest to the glacier edge, crampon fitting, and one to one and a half hours walking on the ice surface with a guide. The surface is genuinely extraordinary at close range: the deep blue of refracted light in crevasses, the meltwater channels carving channels through the ice, the texture underfoot that changes from granular to glassy within a few steps. No significant prior experience is required and the guides manage the route for all fitness levels, but some uphill walking on uneven terrain is involved and genuinely poor physical condition makes it difficult. The Big Ice trek runs three to four hours on the surface for those who want more time and is one of the finer adventure experiences available in Argentine Patagonia.
  5. Combine with El Chaltén for the full southern Patagonia circuit. El Chaltén sits about 220 kilometres north of El Calafate and is the trekking capital of Argentina, with the jagged granite peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre rising above the town and some of the finest day hiking in South America accessible directly from the village without any permits or fees. The three to five day circuit of El Calafate, Perito Moreno, and El Chaltén is the standard southern Patagonia itinerary and the one that most visitors describe as the best continuous travel experience they have had in South America. Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia is accessible across the border with a few additional days and rounds the trip into one of the great multi-destination adventures in the southern hemisphere.
  6. Pack specifically for Patagonian wind and sun. Patagonia's weather is famously variable and the wind at the glacier is a constant feature rather than an occasional inconvenience. A windproof outer jacket is necessary regardless of the air temperature at El Calafate in the morning: the glacier creates its own microclimate and the wind at the boardwalk can be sharp even in January. Sun protection is equally critical because the reflection off the ice surface amplifies UV exposure significantly. Layering is the practical approach: a moisture-wicking base, an insulating mid-layer, and a windproof and waterproof shell covers the full range from the drive through the steppe to the time spent on the ice. For the boat tour, an extra warm layer accessible in a bag is worth having; the water spray and the wind on the open deck cool the body quickly.
  7. December through February is the best window, with November and March as strong alternatives. The Patagonian summer brings the longest days, the mildest temperatures for the boardwalks and the ice trek, and the most active calving season as warmer conditions increase glacial movement. The boat tour and the Minitrekking both run at full capacity. January is the peak of the season and the busiest month; December and February offer the same conditions with marginally fewer visitors. November and March extend the practical window: the weather is less reliable, particularly early November, but the crowds are thinner, prices are lower, and the ice activity remains strong. The nighttime hiking tour, which walks the illuminated boardwalks under the Patagonian sky with an astronomer guide, runs specifically in the summer months when clear nights and longer evenings make the experience possible.
  8. The one thing most first-timers get wrong: booking only the standard viewpoint day tour without the boat or the ice trek, spending a full day at one of the world's great natural wonders, and returning to El Calafate having seen it but not having been close enough to understand what makes it extraordinary. The boardwalks are excellent and the calving is visible from them. But the glacier at 500 metres from a boat, with ice the size of a building detaching from the face and crashing into the water directly in front of you, is a different experience from the glacier at two kilometres from a viewpoint platform. And walking on 10,000 years of compacted ice with a crampon underfoot and a crevasse opening a metre to your left is different again. The additional cost of the boat and the ice trek relative to the total investment in travelling to Patagonia is modest. Book the trekking and cruise combination, arrive at the boardwalks before the main groups, and give yourself the full day. The glacier earns every hour of it.

Most Popular Perito Moreno Glacier Tours

our mission Perito Moreno Glacier Tours Perito Moreno draws visitors from El Calafate as a day trip and sits in the wider Patagonia circuit connecting with Torres del Paine and El Chaltén. The booking patterns at Perito Moreno Glacier Tours reveal a destination where visitors consistently choose formats that put them on or in the water around the glacier rather than simply on the boardwalks — and where the most expensive tour on the site leads by volume, not the most affordable one.
Tour Name Duration Price Best For Highlights Rating
El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking & Cruise Tour 11 hours From $424/person Active visitors who want the complete Perito Moreno experience combining a boat cruise across Lago Argentino, a guided crampon ice trek on the glacier surface, a walk through Magellanic forest, and boardwalk viewpoints in a single full day Boat crossing of Lago Argentino to the glacier base, guided crampon ice trek on the Perito Moreno glacier surface with expert guide commentary on glaciology and formation, exploration of deep blue crevasses and meltwater formations on the ice, walk through Magellanic forest before and after the trek, boat navigation along the towering ice wall for calving views, boardwalk viewpoints, all equipment and park entrance fees included 4.8 (8,412+ bookings)
Perito Moreno Glacier Full-Day Experience with Boat Safari Option 9 hours From $80/person Budget-conscious visitors and those who prefer observing the glacier from land, wanting a full day at the boardwalk viewpoints with optional boat safari upgrade available at extra cost Hotel pickup from El Calafate, scenic drive to Los Glaciares National Park, several hours on the network of steel boardwalks and viewing platforms with dramatic close-up views of the 70-metre ice face and frequent calving events, expert guide commentary on the glacier's unique advancing behaviour, optional Nautical Safari boat upgrade for closer ice wall views bookable on the day 4.7 (5,489+ bookings)
Perito Moreno Glacier Navigation Tour from El Calafate 8 hours From $124/person Visitors who want the boardwalk experience combined with a guaranteed boat navigation close to the glacier face, without the physical demands of crampon ice trekking Hotel pickup and drop-off from El Calafate, scenic drive to Los Glaciares National Park, boat navigation on Lago Argentino with close-up views of the glacier's towering 70-metre ice walls and active calving face, time on the steel boardwalk network for panoramic viewpoints, choice of guided or self-guided exploration on the walkways, all park entrance fees included 4.8 (2,889+ bookings)
The crampon trekking and cruise tour leading the site with 8,412 bookings at $424 is one of the most counterintuitive results in the network — the most expensive product leads by a factor of more than 1.5 over the most affordable one. The explanation is that Perito Moreno is a once-in-a-trip destination for almost everyone who visits, and the combination of boat crossing, ice trek, Magellanic forest walk, and boardwalk viewpoints in a single 11-hour day represents a complete experience that visitors consistently decide is worth paying for rather than coming back a second time. The budget full-day tour in second at $80 earns its 5,489 bookings from a large segment of El Calafate visitors who either cannot or choose not to pay the premium for ice trekking — the boardwalks alone deliver powerful calving views, and the optional boat safari add-on available on the day gives flexibility without requiring advance commitment. The navigation tour in third at $124 sits cleanly between the two: it guarantees the boat element that the budget tour makes optional, costs $44 more, and spares visitors the physical demands of crampon trekking. For visitors who specifically want to be on the water without climbing the ice, it is the natural choice.

Location

Perito Moreno Glacier sits in Los Glaciares National Park in Argentine Patagonia's Santa Cruz province, about 78 km southwest of El Calafate along a fully paved road — all tours depart from El Calafate, and the drive takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours through open Patagonian steppe with the Andes rising ahead. The gateway to El Calafate is Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE), about 23 km east of town, served by frequent domestic flights from Buenos Aires (roughly 3 hours) and connecting flights via Bariloche; international visitors typically route through Buenos Aires' Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE). The glacier itself sits at the southern end of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, one of the largest continuous ice masses outside the polar regions, and unlike most of the world's glaciers it is in a state of rough equilibrium — still advancing and calving actively into the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino, which gives every visit the genuine possibility of witnessing the ice wall collapse in real time. Take a look at the map below to see where our tours travel from El Calafate to the glacier and the surrounding park.

Guarantee Your Spot with Perito Moreno Glacier Tours

our story Perito Moreno is one of the few advancing glaciers on earth, a 70-metre wall of blue ice calving continuously into Lago Argentino in the heart of Argentine Patagonia. The full-day experience with boat safari option has over 5,489 bookings and a 4.7 rating. The trekking and cruise tour combining a boat crossing, crampon ice walk, and Magellanic forest hike has over 8,412 bookings and a 4.8 rating — the most booked glacier walking experience in South America. The navigation tour with close-up boat views of the ice wall has nearly 2,889 bookings. The kayak and lunch adventure — paddling at water level alongside the calving face — has 213 bookings and a 4.9 rating and runs in a small confirmed group. The exclusive nighttime hiking tour with an astronomer guide has 45 bookings and a perfect 5-star rating and operates on specific evenings with a strict group limit. The private full-day family tour has 98 bookings and a 4.6 rating and requires a confirmed vehicle and guide on your specific date. Book before your Patagonia itinerary is confirmed. The December morning when the ice wall is thundering, a small group is strapping on crampons at the glacier edge, and the boat is positioning 400 metres from the calving face — those spots belong to the travelers who booked ahead. What you lock in when you book in advance:
  • The ice trekking and cruise combination before the crampon slots fill in peak season. The full-day tour combining a boat crossing of Lago Argentino, a guided Minitrekking session on the glacier surface with crampons, and a final navigation pass along the ice wall has over 8,412 bookings and a 4.8 rating. It is the most immersive single-day glacier experience available in Patagonia, and the crampon session runs in small groups with a guide-to-trekker ratio that keeps it safe on uneven ice. In December, January, and February — when ice calving is most active and El Calafate is at peak visitor capacity — the morning trekking slots fill from advance bookings. Booking through Perito Moreno Glacier Tours confirms the crampon slot before it closes.
  • The boat navigation departure before the morning sailing fills. The full-day navigation tour bringing passengers within 300 to 600 metres of the glacier face — close enough to feel the concussive thud of a major calving event in the chest — has nearly 2,889 bookings and a 4.8 rating. The morning boat departures, when Lago Argentino is calmest and the light on the ice wall is at its most dramatic, fill from confirmed group bookings. The operator who positions the boat in the best calving viewing area for 45 to 60 minutes rather than passing at speed is the operator whose morning slots go first. That operator's seats require a reservation.
  • The kayak tour slot before its small confirmed group is complete. The kayak adventure — paddling at water level alongside the 70-metre calving face, hearing the ice crack from inside the sound rather than from a distant walkway, stopping for hot drinks and snacks before free time on the park's boardwalks — has 213 bookings and a 4.9 rating. It runs in a small confirmed group because the safety management of kayaks near an active calving glacier requires a specific guide-to-paddler ratio and a specific departure time coordinated with the park's vessel traffic. The available spots on a specific December morning are fixed. They fill from advance bookings.
  • The nighttime tour with the astronomer on a clear Patagonian evening. The after-hours experience on the illuminated footbridges — walking the glacier perimeter under moonlight and southern stars with a professional astronomer guiding the group through the Milky Way above one of the darkest skies in Argentina, followed by a light painting photography session — has 45 bookings and a perfect 5-star rating. It operates on specific evenings determined by weather and park access conditions, with a strict group cap. The available evenings during a visitor's El Calafate stay are finite, and the booking that holds the evening slot is made well before arrival.
  • The private family vehicle and guide on the date your group is together. The private full-day family tour — with a dedicated vehicle, a guide who adjusts the pace for children, optional boat ride coordinated as part of the day, and the flexibility to linger at viewpoints where calving activity is highest — requires a confirmed private vehicle and guide on your specific date. With 98 bookings and a 4.6 rating, the private tours at this level operate from confirmed calendars. A family of five traveling together who wants the glacier at their own pace, not on a shared minibus schedule, books the private tour before arriving in El Calafate.
The glacier advances roughly two metres per day and has been doing so for centuries. The morning a small group walks across its surface in crampons while chunks of ancient ice thunder into the lake below is available for the travelers who reserved their place on it.

Videos from Perito Moreno Glacier Tours