The Perito Moreno Glacier
Visit this unique natural wonder in the world
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY
physical exertion
Total duration
The Perito Moreno Glacier
Visit this unique natural wonder in the world
Program detail
INTRODUCTION
The Perito Moreno glacier is one of the key reasons why UNESCO listed the Los Glaciares National Park as a World Site in 1981. Its incredible natural beauty and geological behavior throughout recent history is definitely one of the world’s wonders, and the reason why it has become a “must-see” on any itinerary to the El Calafate region of Argentina.
Join us to experience this incredible river of ice, and check out our optional adventure excursions that will give you different perspectives on this amazing full-day tour.
ATTRACTIONS
• Unparalleled views of the most famous glacier in Patagonia – the Perito Moreno Glacier
ITINERARY
We depart El Calafate at 8:00am and travel around 78kms on a paved road with wonderful views of lakes, streams and snow-capped mountains towards the Perito Moreno Glacier. We will enjoy our first view of this enormous glacier from a brief stop at the Curva de Los Suspiros (Curve of Sighs), and then complete the journey to the visitors center and the entrance to the large number of walkways offering unparalleled views of the ice.
We encourage you to explore as many of the walkways as possible, as each gives a different perspective on the glacier. But also remember to just sit, listen to the ice cracking, and watch as small pieces fall from the face of the glacier. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to see a large calving event!
NOTES
Optional excursions to get the most out of your visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier
As an additional activity for your visit to Perito Moreno glacier you could add any of the following activities. Please consider, we don’t sell them separately.
“Nautical Safari“
This excursion begins at the Bajo de las Sombras (Under the Shadows) port where you will board a boat to navigate the Rico arm of Lake Argentino and sail as close as safety allows to the face of the glacier (about 400m distant). This really is the best way to fully appreciate the massive size of the ice wall that forms the face of the Perito Moreno Glacier, and offers a completely different perspective to that obtained from the walkways.
This optional trip lasts for an hour, is suitable for all ages, and can be done 365 days per year.
Ice hiking excursion on the Perito Moreno Glacier (Minitrekking)
From the Bajo de las Sombras (Under the Shadows) port this excursion crosses Lago Argentino in a 20-minute sail to a point just off the south face of the Perito Moreno Glacier.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by mountain guides who will take you to a hut with toilet facilities. From there, the guides will talk about glaciology in general and the Perito Moreno Glacier in particular as they lead you on a short walk along the shoreline to the access point onto the glacier. Once at the glacier, they will divide participants into sub-groups of a maximum of 20 people, give a brief safety talk, and explain how to fit and adjust crampons. You will then head up onto the ice.
Depending on the route, the glacier hike is usually a low difficulty and lasts about 1.5 hours. It is a fascinating experience that allows you to get up close to the ice and learn about a variety of typical glacier formations, such as cracks, sinks, seracs, lagoons, etc.
At the end of the ice hike, you will return to the hut via a walkway through the Patagonian forest, then board your boat to return to the Bajo de las Sombras port.
This Minitrekking excursion is ideal for people who enjoy a little adventure and want to experience using crampons to walking on ice.
Level of difficulty: introductory
Level of physical exertion: low to moderate
Ages: 10 - 65 years
Included: mountain guide, boat transfers, crampons
Ice hiking excursion on the Perito Moreno Glacier (Big Ice)
From the Bajo de las Sombras (Under the Shadows) port this excursion crosses Lago Argentino in a 20-minute sail to a point just off the south face of the Perito Moreno Glacier.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by mountain guides who will take you to a hut with toilet facilities, divide you into small groups of 10 people, and distribute crampons, harnesses, and helmets to each person. From there, you will start hiking along the southern moraine of the glacier and, just over an hour later, reach a spectacular viewpoint where you will also access the ice.
After putting your specialized ice hiking gear, the guides will explain basic safety rules and then lead you up onto the glacier. It is a magical world of blue lagoons, deep crevices, huge sinks, hidden caves, and it is an awe-inspiring experience being so close to this frozen, slow-moving river of ice.
The hike on the glacier will last about 3.5 hours during which time the guides will talk about glaciology in general and the Perito Moreno Glacier in particular, and point out all the features of the glacier and the surrounding mountains. It also includes a 30-minute lunch break in one of the most surreal picnic spots in the world.
The experience ends by re-tracing your steps along the moraine to the boat, and enjoying a close view of the south face of the glacier before returning to the visitors center and walkways.
Level of difficulty: intermediate
Level of physical exertion: moderate
Ages: 18 - 45 years
Included: mountain guide, boat transfers, crampons, helmet, harness
Kayak Moreno Experience
Even more impressive than looking up at the face of the Perito Moreno Glacier from a boat, is doing it from the waterline on a kayaking tour.
At the meeting point near the parking area of the glacier footbridges, kayaking guides will equip you with all the necessary gear for the excursion: a Gore-Tex thermal drysuit, boots, gloves and life jacket. They will then lead you down to the shoreline for safety instructions and warm-up exercises, before launching into the lake.
You will be paddling for about 1.5 hours, navigating around icebergs, and approaching the glacier face as close as safely possible. The immense size of the glacier and the noises it produces are even more heightened from this seemingly vulnerable position.
The kayak tour on the Perito Moreno Glacier will give you an experience like no one else has ever done before sailing in a small kayak where you will get a unique perspective of the extraordinary size of the world's most famous glacier front.
Level of difficulty: introductory
Level of physical exertion: low
Ages: 14 years+. Participants between the ages of 14 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult
Included: Guide, Double kayaks, Gore-Tex thermal drysuit, boots, gloves and life jacket