perito moreno glacier tour
Complete Visitor Guide

Perito Moreno Glacier Tours & Visitor Guide

Find the best way to visit Perito Moreno glacier from El Calafate, with details on ice treks, boardwalk trails, boat trips, and park transport.

⭐ Rated 4.9 by travelers 🧊 Active ice calving daily 🚍 Daily buses from town
74m
Average Ice Wall Height
5km
Front Ice Face Width
4.9β˜…
Visitor Experience Rating
30km
Total Glacier Length
Powered by GetYourGuide

What Makes Perito Moreno Glacier Tour Special

Discover what makes perito moreno glacier tour unforgettable.

Perito Moreno Glacier Boardwalks and Walkways Guide
πŸ₯Ύ

Boardwalks, Boats, and Ice Treks

Choose between gentle viewing walkways, a one-hour boat safari, or strapping on crampons to walk across frozen crevasses. Every excursion type gives you a totally different perspective on the scale of the ice.

Learn more β†’
Best Time to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier and Weather Guide
πŸ—ΊοΈ

Straightforward Logistical Planning

Reaching the park from town takes about eighty minutes along paved Provincial Route 11. Learn bus timetables, parking logistics, entrance fees, and the best time windows to dodge the big tour coaches.

Learn more β†’
Los Glaciares National Park: Complete Visitor Guide and Maps
❄️

Rare Dynamic Glaciology

Fed by the South Patagonian Ice Field, this glacier pushes forward about two meters every day. The dramatic periodic damming of the Rico Arm creates world-famous arch collapses that echo across the valley.

Learn more β†’

Your Visit Journey

What to expect from arrival to departure.

1. Depart El Calafate
1

1. Depart El Calafate

Catch the 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM bus from the central terminal, traveling west on Route 11 past Lake Argentino and steppe ranches.

2. Pass National Park Control
2

2. Pass National Park Control

Show your digital or printed park pass at the RΓ­o Mitre entrance station roughly 35 kilometers before the glacier.

3. Arrive at the Peninsula
3

3. Arrive at the Peninsula

Vehicles drop visitors at the main upper parking area, where you will find restrooms, a restaurant, and the trailheads.

4. Walk the Circuit Trails
4

4. Walk the Circuit Trails

Follow color-coded steel mesh paths. The red and yellow trails get you closest to the northern and southern vertical walls.

5. Board a Catamaran
5

5. Board a Catamaran

Head down to Puerto Moreno or Bajo de las Sombras to take a forty-five-minute boat ride up to the 300-meter safety barrier.

6. Return to El Calafate
6

6. Return to El Calafate

Buses start loading passengers around 4:00 PM and 6:30 PM for the scenic return trip back toward town.

What Is Perito Moreno Glacier Tour?

Standing in front of the Perito Moreno glacier, you hear the ice groan long before a slab breaks off. Huge white walls rise over Lago Argentino, constantly creeping forward while most glaciers across the globe pull back. The site sits inside Los Glaciares National Park in southern Santa Cruz province, roughly 78 kilometers west of town. Taking a Perito Moreno glacier tour from El Calafate gives you straightforward access to 4.7 kilometers of steel walkways spread across the Magallanes Peninsula.

Whether you book a Perito Moreno glacier excursion with an ice hike or spend the afternoon watching rupture events from the coastal balconies, organizing your day requires some thought. Buses run on strict schedules, park entry must be paid in advance or at the gate, and unpredictable Patagonian winds can drop temperatures by fifteen degrees in twenty minutes. A well-planned day trip to Perito Moreno glacier lets you combine the footpaths with a navigation trip beneath the southern wall.

This guide covers the realistic logistics for visiting Perito Moreno glacier without the fluff. You will find timing advice to skip the cruise ship rush, transparent park admission costs, reliable transport options, and honest assessments of whether the mini-trekking on the ice fits your physical pace.

Key Facts

  • Location: Los Glaciares National Park, Santa Cruz, Argentina
  • Best Time: November to mid-April
  • Entry Fee: 30,000 ARS non-residents (approx. $30 USD)
  • Distance from Town: 78 km from El Calafate via Route 11
perito moreno glacier tour

Why It's Famous

  • One of Earth's advancing glaciers
  • Spectacular and frequent ice ruptures
  • Easy accessible wooden boardwalk networks
  • UNESCO World Heritage natural wonder
Powered by GetYourGuide

What Visitors Say

4.8
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…
Based on 1,843 reviews
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

Watching a piece of ice the size of a six-story building crash into the lake made the hair on my arms stand up. Take the afternoon bus, the sunlight hits the ice face directly.

Matteo V., Italy
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

The walkways are very well engineered. We did not take a tour bus, just rented a car and spent five hours walking every path. Worth every peso of the entry fee.

Claire D., France
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

The wind was brutal on the lower decks, so bring proper thermal gloves. The cafeteria was packed, but the view of the rupture wall made up for it.

Siddharth N., India
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

The Minitrekking was well organized by the mountain guides. Walking with crampons on blue ice felt completely secure even though I had never done it before.

Karin L., Germany

Book Perito Moreno Glacier Tour

Compare options and book directly below.

General Boardwalk Entry

Park fee only
$30 USD

Access to all 4.7 kilometers of walkways, balconies, picnic spots, and the visitor center shuttle.

Minitrekking Ice Hike

Age limits 8 to 65
$240 USD

Includes crampon rental, mountain guides, an hour walking directly on the glacier surface, and boat crossing.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Before You Go

Everything you need to know before visiting perito moreno glacier tour.

πŸ• Hours & Tickets

Hours: Open daily year-round: Summer (September 1 – April 30) entry from 08:00 to 18:00 (visitors permitted in the park until 20:00); Winter (May 1 – August 31) entry from 09:00 to 16:00 (visitors permitted until 18:00).

General Boardwalk Entry (Park fee only)$30 USD
Walkways + Boat Safari (Excursion package)$65 USD
Minitrekking Ice Hike (Age limits 8 to 65)$240 USD
Check live availability & book β†’

πŸš‡ Getting There

πŸ“ Ruta Provincial 11 (km 78), PenΓ­nsula de Magallanes, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, Santa Cruz, Argentina

  • Regular public buses depart from El Calafate bus terminal, or you can book an organized shuttle or rental car.

⏰ Late afternoon from 2:30 PM onward brings warmer temperatures, active calving, and thinning crowds.

πŸŒ…
Morning Calm water and soft light make early hours great for photography, though ice calving is slower before noon.
πŸŒƒ
Evening Tour crowds vanish an hour before gates close, leaving the boardwalks peaceful under the Patagonian dusk.

Experience Perito Moreno Glacier Tour

See it before you go.

perito moreno glacier tour video
β–Ά

While You're in the Area

Worth combining with your perito moreno glacier tour visit.

Glaciarium Ice Museum

Glaciarium Ice Museum

6 km from town

Modern science museum explaining the Southern Patagonian Ice Field with a basement ice bar.

Laguna Nimez Reserve

Laguna Nimez Reserve

15 min walk from center

Protected wetland area near town where you can spot Chilean flamingos and black-necked swans.

Estancia Cristina

Estancia Cristina

Boat from Punta Bandera

Historic sheep ranch offering off-road 4x4 rides and views of the remote Upsala Glacier.

Good to Know

Perito Moreno Glacier Tour welcomes all visitors with accessibility features and family-friendly amenities.

Wheelchair Access
β™Ώ

Wheelchair Access

The main footbridge area provides step-free access to the primary observation balcony (BalcΓ³n Principal) via gentle ramps and an elevator/lift. Designated accessible parking is available at the upper parking lot near the visitor center, and loaner wheelchairs are kept on site by park rangers. Note that ice-trekking tours are not accessible for wheelchair users, though many boat navigation excursions can accommodate wheelchairs with advance notice. Free admission is granted to visitors with disabilities and one companion with proper documentation.

Family Friendly
πŸ‘ͺ

Family Friendly

The catwalk network and boat cruises are suitable for all ages, and children up to 5 years old receive free entry to the national park. Strollers can be used along the ramp- and elevator-accessible section leading to the primary balcony; however, exploring deeper catwalk circuits requires navigating extensive flights of stairs. Ice-trekking excursions enforce strict age restrictions (typically 8–65 for Minitrekking and 18–50 for Big Ice).

Language Support
🌐

Language Support

Signposts along the circuits are printed in Spanish and English, and visitor center staff speak functional English.

Getting Around
πŸš™

Getting Around

The glacier viewpoint network consists of roughly 4 to 5 kilometers of steel-grate boardwalks and balconies divided into multi-level, color-coded circuits. The upper section and main balcony are connected by accessible ramps and a lift, but moving between the different circuits involves numerous stairs and moderate inclines. Visitors arrive via Provincial Route 11 from El Calafate (approx. 80 km / 1.5 hours); standard vehicles park at the lower lot, which connects to the footbridges via footpaths or shuttle buses, while accessible parking is located at the upper area.

Discover More

Dive deeper into perito moreno glacier tour.

Best Time to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier and Weather Guide

Best Time to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier and Weather Guide

Discover the best time to visit Perito Moreno Glacier. Get seasonal weather breakdowns, monthly temperatures, calving …

Continue Reading β†’
How to Get to Perito Moreno Glacier

How to Get to Perito Moreno Glacier

Wondering how to get to Perito Moreno Glacier? From buses and rental cars in El Calafate to flights from Buenos Aires, …

Continue Reading β†’
Los Glaciares National Park: Complete Visitor Guide and Maps

Los Glaciares National Park: Complete Visitor Guide and Maps

Plan your trip to Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. Complete guide to Perito Moreno, El ChaltΓ©n hikes, trails, …

Continue Reading β†’
Perito Moreno Glacier Boardwalks and Walkways Guide

Perito Moreno Glacier Boardwalks and Walkways Guide

Complete guide to the Perito Moreno Glacier walkways: trail maps, circuit distances, stairs, tips to avoid crowds, and …

Continue Reading β†’
Perito Moreno Glacier Boat Tours and Boat Rides

Perito Moreno Glacier Boat Tours and Boat Rides

Discover everything about taking a Perito Moreno Glacier boat tour. Compare north vs south face routes, cruise options, …

Continue Reading β†’
Perito Moreno Glacier Facts: Height, Size, and Rupture

Perito Moreno Glacier Facts: Height, Size, and Rupture

Discover essential fun facts about Perito Moreno Glacier, including its true height, depth, rupture cycles, and whether …

Continue Reading β†’
Perito Moreno Glacier Ice Trekking: Minitrekking and Big Ice Guide

Perito Moreno Glacier Ice Trekking: Minitrekking and Big Ice Guide

Complete guide to Perito Moreno glacier trekking: compare Minitrekking vs Big Ice routes, costs, strict age rules, …

Continue Reading β†’
Perito Moreno Glacier Kayaking: Guided Kayak Tours

Perito Moreno Glacier Kayaking: Guided Kayak Tours

Perito Moreno glacier kayak tour guide: practical tips on gear, costs, safety distances, and what it really feels like …

Continue Reading β†’
Perito Moreno Glacier Tickets and Entrance Fees

Perito Moreno Glacier Tickets and Entrance Fees

Complete guide to Perito Moreno Glacier tickets, current entrance fees, online booking steps, opening hours, and …

Continue Reading β†’
See All Guides β†’

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about perito moreno glacier tour.

A basic bus transfer costs around $35 USD, while guided tours with boat trips sit between $70 and $110 USD. Ice trekking excursions run from $240 to $420 USD depending on whether you pick the short walk or the full-day Big Ice route. Los Glaciares National Park admission is paid separately.

For standard walkway visits and public buses, two or three days in advance is enough outside holiday weeks. If you plan to do the Minitrekking or Big Ice hike, reserve four to eight weeks ahead because guide-to-hiker ratios are strictly capped and spots sell out.

Perito Moreno is the only glacier you can walk right up to on foot from land. Upsala and Spegazzini require a boat tour across Lago Argentino, as they cannot be reached by road. Perito Moreno also calves far more frequently than its neighbors.

Plan for at least three to four hours on the footpaths. This gives you time to hike the central, northern, and lower trails, eat lunch, and sit quietly to watch several calving events without rushing.

Yes. The park features an elevator at the main restaurant building and an accessible ramped walkway that takes visitors directly to the central viewing balcony overlooking the front ice wall.

El Calafate sits on the southern shore of Lago Argentino in Argentine Patagonia. From the town center, you drive or take a bus west on paved Provincial Route 11 for 78 kilometers to reach the glacier peninsula.

There is a cafeteria and restaurant near the main parking area, but prices are high and lines get long at midday. Most travelers buy sandwiches, empanadas, and water in town the night before to eat on the viewing benches.

Ready to Stand Before the Ice?

Check bus timetables, compare boat packages, and reserve your glacier trek before peak season dates fill up.

Plan Your Visit See What Makes It Special
🎫 Book Now