Perito Moreno glacier is the perfect Patagonian day trip!
It is one of the most beautiful and unique places to visit in Argentina. Part of Los Glaciares National Park, Perito Moreno is located about 80km from El Calafate in Argentinian Patagonia. It is a really enjoyable day out and easy to visit independently.
This travel guide has everything you need to know to plan the perfect day trip to Perito Moreno glacier from El Calafate.
Why take a day trip to Perito Moreno glacier?
If you’re in El Calafate there is a good chance you have come just to take a day trip to Perito Moreno glacier. It is one of the highlights of Patagonia and one of the most accessible glaciers in the region.
A day trip to Perito Moreno glacier is an activity that can be enjoyed at any age and physical ability. Unlike other glaciers in the area such as Grey Glacier, there is no epic hike to get there. There are easy walkways through the park. Some of the viewpoints even have elevator access.
The glacier itself is a sight to behold, and if you’re lucky you may even get to witness a piece break off and crash into the water!
When to visit Perito Moreno
The best time of year to take a day trip to Perito Moreno glacier is between September and April. If you want to walk on the glacier, the guided treks are only available at this time of year.
January and February are the busiest months. Expect it to be pretty crowded during these peak Summer months.
Los Glaciares National Park is opened from 8am to 6pm during the Summer. From April to August, opening hours reduce to 9am to 4pm.
Optional activities at Perito Moreno glacier
There are some optional activities at Perito Moreno glacier that are worth noting. In the busy summer months, some of the activities are recommended to be booked in advance.
We saw more than one group show up to our hotel and try to organise a walk on the glacier for the next day only to be left disappointed. There are booking links below so you don’t miss out on your chosen activity.
Take a boat ride close to the glacier
The boat tour at Perito Moreno takes you closer to the glacier than the walkways do. However, I would only recommend this option if you have kids or people with limited mobility.
Due to the risk of ice falls, the boat has to maintain a safe distance from the glacier. If you want to get up close and personal with the ice, take one of the ice trek options below.
There is no need to pre-book the boat. You can buy tickets at the stand where you get off the bus at the park.
Kayaking at Perito Moreno
Kayaking near the glacier is a great option if you prefer a more adventurous day trip to Perito Moreno.
You don’t need to have kayaking experience and you’re provided with waterproof gear.
The Big Ice Trek
The Big Ice Trek is the ultimate way to experience Perito Moreno glacier. It comes with a pretty hefty price tag but on all accounts is 100% worth it!
It’s a 4 hour trek and you need to have a decent fitness level. If you want to do this one, you have to book in advance as it does sell out.
Book your Big Ice Trek excursion here.
Mini ice trek
If you can’t afford the Big Ice Trek but still want to get a taste of what it is like to walk on a glacier, you’re in luck!
There is a shorter trekking option that is less strenuous and less expensive. The mini ice trek is the only other option to walk on the glacier.
It still isn’t cheap though. If you’re a budget traveller this will be a splurge but when else do you get to walk on a glacier!
Book your Mini Ice Trek excursion here.
How to get to Perito Moreno glacier
There are a few ways to take a day trip to Perito Moreno glacier. If you don’t have your own car, consider one of these options.
Take an organised tour or shuttle service
If you’re staying in El Calafate there are loads of tour and shuttle services that can take you to Perito Moreno.
If you think you would benefit from having a guide, consider this tour.
Prefer to explore the park alone? Check our this convenient shuttle service instead.
Rent a car
The roads around El Calafate are generally very good making renting a car a great option. Having your own transport means you can beat the crowds and visit other nearby sites on your day trip.
Check rental car prices for El Calafate here.
Take the bus
There is a bus operated by Caltur that has two daily departures to the glacier. You can book tickets in person at the bus station in El Calafate or through your hotel. Buses leave at 8:30am and 12:30pm.
The cost of the return ticket is 40 000 pesos (February 2024).
The bus takes 1.5 hours to reach the park.
Taking a day trip to Perito Moreno by bus is super easy and a lot cheaper than other options! This is the option we took and we found we had the perfect amount of time at the park to explore and do activities.
Sit on left side of the bus on your way to the park as you get some early glimpses at the glacier!
How much is the entry cost for Perito Moreno glacier?
Whether you’re driving, taking a tour or taking the bus, you will need to stop to pay the National Park entrance fee. This is not included in tour prices and needs to be paid directly to the park.
As with all prices in Argentina, the entrance cost changes regularly. We’d seen online that a few weeks earlier the cost was about $30 USD. However we paid 12 000 pesos which was closer to $14 USD at the time.
The price is 12 000 pesos for foreigners as of February 2024. Let me know if you see a change in this and I will try to keep it updated.
You can pay on credit card or in cash. I heard reports that they didn’t accept Mastercard, but we were able to pay with Mastercard with no problems.
Arriving at Perito Moreno glacier
If you take the bus to Perito Moreno, you will dropped off at an area with a cafe, free toilets and small shop. There is free wifi and charging points inside the cafe if you need. There is also free hot water downstairs if you want to top up a thermos.
This is where you can book the boat tours. If you don’t want to do a boat tour, take the free shuttle bus to the start of the trails.
The different walkways
There are multiple trails that you can take to experience different viewpoints of the glacier. The maps are well marked as to the accessibility and length of each trail.
If you are of average fitness, you will be able to complete all of the trails without a problem.
The Orange trail is marked as difficult, but it was not at all. It was actually my favourite trail as it was less crowded and had some great viewpoints of the glacier.
The Yellow trail is short and crowded, but has amazing viewpoints.
The Blue trail is the best to sit and have some lunch. If you save the Blue trail until last, you can follow it back to the bus pickup point at the end of the day.
Tips for taking a day trip to Perito Moreno glacier
Some final thoughts to make sure you have the best day possible at Perito Moreno.
- Bring lunch. While there are restaurants available, they are expensive and not very impressive. If you bring a picnic lunch you can enjoy it at one of the viewpoints and have more time to watch for ice falls.
- Bring wine! You’re in Argentina. Why not treat yourself to a bottle of Malbec?
- Wear warm clothes. This might seem obvious but the wind of the glacier can be pretty cold! The weather changes quickly so I recommend a few light layers and a rain jacket.
- Wear sunscreen. The sun in Patagonia is strong!
- There are no bins on the trails so be prepared to bring your rubbish with you.
- Be patient! If you are hoping to catch a piece off the glacier breaking off and crashing into the water, patience, patience, patience! We were lucky enough to see a few ice breaks, including one massive one that created a wave in the water below.
We also saw some poor guy set up with a camera for over an hour and see nothing. Just as he packed up and walked away we all heard the ice start to crack. Be patient! (I’ve also heard going in the afternoon is better for this as the ice has been in the sun longer.)
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