4 Ways to Visit the Perito Moreno Glacier and a Special Bonus
The imposing Perito Moreno Glacier, a World Heritage Site and unmissable destination in Patagonia, awaits you on your trip through Argentina. Is there a correct way to see it? While the traditional visit is through the entrance to Los Glaciares National Park, where the famous walkways are located and where everyone takes the "classic photo" with their backs to the ice giant with open arms, there are options for every type of traveler.
The ways to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier are varied and adapt to different tastes and needs. Those who go at a leisurely pace and play it safe have two activities that fit them like a glove. And those who want an experience that leaves indelible memories and unique, lively anecdotes also have two others. Another excursion, newer and more special, is presented for those who want a combination of both.
In the morning, in the afternoon, and at night. Walking along the walkways, navigating Lago Argentino, or living an unparalleled adventure on the glacier itself. In this article, we break down the 5 unmissable experiences so you can choose yours.
Navigation on Lago Argentino
For those arriving in the Santa Cruz city of El Calafate with little time, or simply looking for a quiet and contemplative visit, the Navigation to the Perito Moreno Glacier is the golden option. This catamaran takes you through the Brazo Rico (Rico Arm) of Lago Argentino, directly in front of the imposing south wall of the glacier.
For approximately one hour, you will get close enough to appreciate the ice calvings from the front row and marvel at the intense shades of blue that change with the light.
Why choose this option? The deck and panoramic windows offer a spectacular view without the need for long walks. It is ideal for families with children, couples on a romantic trip, seniors, or anyone who wants to enjoy without haste. Plus, it gives you a completely different perspective than from land, sizing up the true scale of the ice giant!
Perito Moreno Glacier Walkways with Navigation
Are you one of those tourists who want to do everything, everything, everything, but only have enough days to complete your imaginary list? The Perito Moreno walkways and Navigation Tour is the ideal balance to treat yourself.
With this proposal, you will visit the walkways (boardwalks) with a guide who will tell you the details of the National Park's foundation and the most relevant geographical data of the region, as well as the importance of the glacier for the ecosystem. The photos and videos you take in this place will be amazing, so leave plenty of space in your equipment's memory.
Now, after the walk, the excursion includes a short navigation to complete the spectacular experience. The boat skirts the south face of Perito Moreno, allowing you to appreciate with better attention the crevasses, the tonalities of the ice, and even the sound coming from inside. All that at striking proximity from the water.
With about eight hours in total, this is the most complete and balanced excursion; it requires no training or special equipment. It is the favorite choice for those traveling without seeking great physical demands and with a moderate budget.
MiniTrekking on the Glacier
If everything above seemed useful and pretty, but you want more... Get ready. This is one of the options we like the most because it requires a bit more time and dedication. It is aimed at adventurous spirits who traveled to Patagonia to take away a different sensory experience.
We refer to the Perito Moreno MiniTrekking, the most popular way to have intimate and memorable contact with the glacier.
After a brief navigation, you will start an approach walk through the moraine until reaching the edge of the ice. Once secured with crampons, you will traverse for an hour and a half the undulations, turquoise water pools, and natural crevasses of the glacier. Always accompanied by professional guides who know the terrain and protect this monument with their lives. An experience that leaves unique anecdotes.
Who is it for? It is of moderate difficulty. You don't need experience, just good physical condition and a lot of desire to walk. It takes up almost the whole day and is perfect for active travelers looking for an injection of adrenaline without reaching maximum demand. Oh! And the final toast with whiskey and glacier ice is a ritual you won't forget.
A More Intense Journey of Perito Moreno
For the most intrepid travelers, the Big Ice trekking at Perito Moreno is the challenge par excellence. This excursion takes the experience on the ice to another level, combining mountain trekking with deep exploration of the glacier. It is, without a doubt, the ideal option for those traveling motivated by adventure, outdoor challenges, and direct contact with the wildest landscapes of southern Argentina.
After embarking on Lago Argentino and reaching the glacier, the adventure lasts almost four hours on the ice. You will walk accompanied by the wisdom and experience of the guides through virgin areas, far from the usual circuits, crossing subglacial rivers, deep cavities, and crevasses. It is a combination of technique, strength, and awe that allows you to size up the true living heart of Perito Moreno.
The level of demand is high. This excursion is recommended for people in excellent physical condition (and without vertigo). In return, you take away an unrepeatable experience: being in the solitude and majesty of the glacier, hearing only the creaking of the ice and the Patagonian wind.
The Perito Moreno Glacier with Full Moon: The New Night Experience
We wanted to save for last one of the most recent and exclusive proposals. It is a night excursion that invites you to know the ^Perito Moreno glacier from a completely different perspective, under the white light of the moon.
The tour takes place on nights when the full moon illuminates Los Glaciares National Park, which happens only a few times a year. The experience begins at sunset, with the transfer from El Calafate to the glacier walkways. Upon arrival, guides hand out flashlights and warm equipment, and the group begins a silent walk along the trails, under the silvery light of the moon reflected on the ice.
You will hear the sounds of the glacier with total clarity: the creaking of the ice, the murmur of the wind, and, from time to time, the roar of a block detaching and falling into the water. A mystical environment.
No physical preparation is needed, nor do you need to bring your own flashlights. What you do need is a share of curiosity and sensitivity. It is the perfect choice for those who already know the glacier by day or are looking for an intimate, romantic, and profoundly different plan.
How to Choose the Best Way to Know the Perito Moreno Glacier
Each of these experiences reveals a different facet of the glacier and the Patagonian landscape surrounding it. The choice depends on the time available, the traveler's energy level, and the type of bond they want to have with nature.
Those visiting El Calafate for a few days or preferring to enjoy the landscape without great efforts will find in the Navigation to the Perito Moreno Glacier or the Walkways and Navigation Tour the most practical and comfortable options. Both guarantee panoramic views, direct contact with the ice, and the possibility of witnessing spectacular calvings, without the need for long walks.
On the other hand, travelers seeking more active experiences can opt for the MiniTrekking or the Big Ice, two proposals demanding more time and energy but rewarding with the experience of walking on the glacier, hearing the creaking of the ice underfoot, and feeling the cold air emanating from its depths.
Finally, for those wishing to live something different and exclusive, the Full Moon excursion offers an unprecedented look: the glacier under the silvery light, silent and majestic, like a giant sleeping in the Patagonian night.
The Perito Moreno Glacier is much more than a tourist attraction: it is a symbol of Patagonia and one of the few ice masses in the world that is still advancing. Knowing it from any of these experiences is a way to understand its strength and beauty, but above all, to feel the privilege of standing before one of the most extraordinary landscapes on the planet.