How to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate

Possibly one of the most visited natural attractions in Argentine Patagonia is the Perito Moreno Glacier. We’re always slightly skeptical when something is so popular and wonder if it’s going to be worth the visit or if we’ll experience a bit of a “social media vs reality” moment. Well, visiting Perito Moreno Glacier was absolutely worth it! Rising tall from the turquoise Lago Argentino, the largest freshwater lake in the country, this impressive glacier left us in awe. We couldn’t stop staring at the huge ice walls, marveling at all the different hues of blues and hearing the ice rupture and crack.

We’re certain that a visit to Perito Moreno Glacier is also on your Patagonia itinerary. So, we’ve put together this guide to help you plan your day trip there from El Calafate, whether you wish to visit independently or with a tour. As always, we’ll answer important questions about entry fees, the best time to visit and how to avoid the crowds, as well as detail the many different activities you can do at Perito Moreno.

If you’d like to see our experience at Perito Moreno Glacier, then make sure to watch our Los Glaciares National Park video, which we shared on our YouTube channel Kitti and Jon. For more videos from the country, check out our Argentina playlist.

About Perito Moreno Glacier

Perito Moreno Glacier was formed during the last Ice Age and is massive. It covers about 250km² (100 sq mi), which makes it larger than the city of Buenos Aires. It has a length of about 30km (19 mi) and reaches a height of 78m (256 ft) above the lake at its tallest point. Although its deepest point is almost an astonishing 700m (2,297 ft) below the waters surface! It’s fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, which is the world’s third largest reserve of fresh water after the Antarctic and Greenland ice fields.

The glacier was named after the explorer Francisco Moreno, a pioneer who studied Patagonia in the 19th century. He actually donated land for Argentina’s first national park, Nahuel Huapi in northern Patagonia.

Unlike most glaciers, Perito Moreno used to be quite unique because it advanced roughly two meters every day, making it one of the most stable glaciers. Unfortunately, in recent years Perito Moreno has been experiencing a delayed response to climate change and has started retreating more rapidly.

Where is the Perito Moreno Glacier?

The Perito Moreno Glacier is located in Los Glaciares National Park in the Santa Cruz province of Argentine Patagonia. It is about 78 km west of the city of El Calafate, which is where most people would stay before their visit. Confusingly, there’s actually a town called Perito Moreno in Argentina, but it’s located about 700km north of the glacier. So, make sure to travel to El Calafate!

You can fly directly to El Calafate International Airport (FTE) from Buenos Aires. There are also seasonal domestic flights from San Carlos de Bariloche, Ushuaia and Trelew, as well as from Santiago, Chile. The main airlines offering flights are Aerolinas Argentinas, Flybondi and JetSmart.

You can also take a long-haul bus if you have the time. The main downside of taking the bus is the journey duration, which can be over 24 hours. This is actually an average long-haul bus travel time in Argentina, due to the size of the country. We took a bus from Bariloche to El Chalten and it ended up being over 33 hours due to a long diversion.

However, an international route that’s probably worth doing on a bus is from Puerto Natales in Chile to El Calafate. This is a popular way to cross the border after visiting Torres del Paine National Park. The bus journey time is only around 6 hours, which was way more pleasant than the 33-hour one. Make sure to secure your bus ticket early in the high season.

How to Get to Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate

1. Visit Perito Moreno Glacier with a Rental Car

We wanted to visit Perito Moreno Glacier independently, so we rented a car in El Calafate. This allowed us to set off as early as we wanted to and stay at the site for longer. As a result, we could enjoy the less crowded walkways later in the day. Plus, we could eat our lunch inside the car sheltered from the wind around the time all the large group tours were arriving.

In addition, renting a car for a day worked out cheaper for the two of us compared to booking an organised tour. Plus, taking the public bus would’ve cost us around the same. We rented the car for two days which also allowed us to drive towards El Chalten, the hiking capital of Argentina, the following day. This stretch of road is one of the most scenic drives in Argentina.

2. Visit Perito Moreno Glacier with a Taxi

Getting to the glacier before the tours arrive or after they’ve departed is still possible if you don’t want to drive. You can hire a taxi for the day from El Calafate. This option can be pricier though depending on how many people share the cost. If you’re a group of 3 or 4, then the cost can easily be similar to a tour or bus ride.

If you also happen to speak some Spanish, then you have some advantage in that you could try to negotiate the price. Alternatively, you can also ask your hotel or hostel staff to arrange one for you. Now, bear in mind that hiring a taxi driver also means that you can probably only do the walkways, otherwise the cost for the driver to wait for you could get quite high and end up not being worth it.

3. Visit Perito Moreno Glacier with an Organised Tour

An easy and convenient way to visit Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate is with an organised tour. Joining a tour won’t only get you to Perito Moreno but the guides will also give you plenty of information about this impressive glacier. When it comes to price, a basic tour that includes the transfer and a guided tour along the walkways would cost you a similar amount to a bus ticket. However, you can also book some additional experiences, such as a boat excursion or mini-trekking on the glacier.

4. Visit Perito Moreno Glacier with a Public Bus

If you wish to visit Perito Moreno independently, but don’t want to drive or hire a taxi driver, then the best option is to get there by bus. There are a few bus companies offering this service, with the first bus departing just after 7AM and the last one after 1PM. The buses leave from Terminal de Ómnibus de El Calafate and will drop you off at the walkways.

Just make sure to ask for ‘Glaciar Perito Moreno’ as your destination not just Perito Moreno, otherwise you may find yourself on a 15+ hour long journey going 700km away from this natural wonder.

Perito Moreno Glacier Opening Times

Between September and April Perito Moreno is open from 8AM to 8PM, with the last admission at 6PM. During the off season (between May and August) it’s open between 9AM and 6PM, with the last admission at 4PM.

If you’re arriving independently, then we suggest visiting either around opening time or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.

Entry Fee to Perito Moreno Glacier

Admission to Perito Moreno Glacier is included in the Los Glaciares National Park Pass. Currently, the entry fee for foreign visitors to Los Glaciares National Park is $50,000 ARS per day. To save some pennies, there are options for a 3-day or 7-day flexipass. In addition, you can also buy an annual pass for $300,000ARS, which grants you access to all national parks for the year. This may work out cheaper if you’re spending a few months backpacking through Argentina.

You’ll be asked to show your entry pass at the entrance marked as Los Glaciares – Portada Río Mitre National Park on Google Maps.

You can purchase your entry pass via the official website, as well as see up-to-date prices and discounts.

Thing to Do at Perito Moreno Glacier

1. Stop at the Viewpoints along Ruta 11

There were two viewpoints between the official entry gate and the walkways near the glacier. We didn’t know about these viewpoints prior to our visit, so we thought it worth mentioning them.

The first one was Mirador De Los Suspiros, where we got our first glimpse of Perito Moreno in the distance. We could even see some large icebergs floating in the lake. There was a glass shelter so we could hide from the wind and still enjoy the views. We noticed that tour groups also stopped here briefly.

Then, driving a bit further up Ruta 11, we came across another viewpoint: Mirador del Glaciar Perito Moreno. It was more like a huge parking lot, but gave us a closer view of the glacier from an elevated position.

Obviously, you’ll get a much closer view of Perito Moreno at the walkways, but these viewpoints gave us a nice overview of the glacier and the mountains behind it. It also helped us appreciate just how massive this glacier is.

2. Walk Along the Walkways

The main thing every visitor will do at Perito Moreno Glacier is walk around the network of walkways. These boardwalks were created on the cliffside directly opposite the glacier. There are information boards with maps showing the various routes with their lengths and difficulty. Each platform offered a slightly different perspective of Perito Moreno, so we personally recommend doing as many routes as you can, especially if you’re not signed up for any other activities.

We found the difficulty level and suggested time a bit of an overestimation, but of course you’ll know your own fitness level. Although we appreciate that you could easily lose time admiring the glacier. We certainly did! Here are the routes:

• Sendero Central & Sendero Accesible. These two are the busiest trails. They are both easy, short (600 m and 565 m, respectively) and wheelchair-accessible. They offer some of the best views of Perito Moreno.
• Sendero Inferior. This path is a 1.1 km loop, circling around to the left of the glacier. The trail goes a bit lower down before circling back up the top. It was marked as the hardest route, but it really wasn’t too bad unless you have issues with steps. It was one of our favourite trails.
• Sendero del Bosque. This one is only 570 m long, connecting the Central and the Lower Trails through the woods. It was closed on the day of our visit due to high winds.
• Sendero de la Costa. Lastly, this 1.17 km long path takes you along the coast, offering a different perspective towards the right side of the glacier and Lago Argentino.

Most tours like this one would include a guided walk along the walkways. These will not only let you see the glacier, but will also give you some additional information about Perito Moreno.

3. Boat Excursion on Lago Argentino

The next most popular thing to do at Perito Moreno Glacier is to go on a boat trip. Being on a boat on Lago Argentino will give you a different vantage point of the glacier. Plus, imagine witnessing an ice rupture right from the boat! Now that would be a pretty memorable experience.

You normally have the option to see either the North Face or the South Face of Perito Moreno. The former is usually the more popular one, with boats departing from Puerto F. P. Moreno port. However, the South Face, departing from Bajo de las Sombras port, is actually less visible from the walkways. So you’ll get to see a different perspective that not many people are able to. Plus, the South Face boat tours are usually slightly cheaper. (Although, if you’re also doing the trekking, then we would go with a North Face boat ride).

Boat tours can be booked separately even if you’re visiting the glacier with your own transport. This 1 hour cruise only tour offers the option to see either the North Face of the glacier or the South Face. If you also want transfers to and from the glacier included, then book this tour.

For the ultimate glacier cruise, you can book this all-day boat tour departing from La Soledad Port, that will sail to Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers.

4. Kayaking on Lago Argentino

Whilst being on a boat is already a pretty great experience, if you really want to feel the scale of Perito Moreno, you might want to book a kayaking tour. At water level, you’ll be able to fully appreciate the size of the floating icebergs. If you thought experiencing ice ruptures from the boat would be incredible, just imagine being on a kayak when it happens.

This kayaking experience tour includes transfers from El Calafate, a 1.5 hour long kayaking adventure and another few hours on the walkways. You’ll always be accompanied by a guide and have safety briefings prior to kayaking.

5. Trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier

Now, without doubt the ultimate way to experience Perito Moreno Glacier is to trek on it. Walking on a glacier is definitely a unique adventure and you physically cannot be any closer to Perito Moreno than that. There are two types of glacier tours, depending on how adventurous you want to be and your budget.

Mini-trekking on the Glacier. This is the most popular adventure, as it isn’t too extreme and won’t break your bank account too badly. You’ll start by taking a short boat ride departing from Bajo de las Sombras port, where you can enjoy the views of the South Face of the glacier. After disembarking, you’ll get a safety briefing before strapping on your crampons and following your experienced guides across the ice.

Big Ice Expedition. If you’re craving a truly challenging experience, then this tour is for you. You’ll go much deeper onto Perito Moreno, hiking for about 3 hours through rugged terrain with an expert guide. Whilst it’ll be physically demanding, you’ll be sure to have the adventure of a lifetime.

Best Time to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier

The best time of the year to visit Perito Moreno Glacier is between November and March. This is essentially late spring, summer and early autumn in Argentina. During this timeframe, there’ll be more chances of dry, clear and warmer days, with plenty of daylight hours. We would personally try to aim for a sunnier day, so you really get to see the hues of blue in the ice and the turquoise color of the lake. It was a bit gloomy earlier in the day when we visited and the mountain peaks in the distance had thick clouds around them. However, the sun did come out in the afternoon, which we really appreciated. Of course, the summer is also the high tourist season in Patagonia, so expect the walkways and boats to be more crowded.

In terms of time of day, we recommend getting there either early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Group tours would get to Perito Moreno around mid-morning / lunch time and they would depart around 3PM. We saw less and less people by late afternoon, which meant that we could almost have the walkways all to ourselves. As a bonus, towards the end of the day it was getting hotter, so we could experience more frequent ice ruptures.

How Long Do You Need to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier

The length of your stay at Perito Moreno Glacier will depend on what activities you plan on doing. We only wandered around the walkways, and if you plan on doing the same then about 2-2.5 hours will be sufficient. However, if you also want to do a boat trip, then allocate a good 4-5 hours. Lastly, if you want to also do a mini-trekking experience, then you’ll definitely need the whole day.

Don’t forget to add the travelling time to and from Perito Moreno Glacier too, which is about 80km from El Calafate.

Facilities at Perito Moreno Glacier

Toilets. There are toilets available near the main entrance, the parking area and at the restaurant complex.

Restaurants and Cafes. The two main restaurants are Natives of Patagonia and Restó del Glaciar Perito Moreno. They both serve hot meals, snacks and coffee. As you would expect, prices are higher at these eateries, so we suggest bringing your own food and drinks if you want to save some pennies.

Parking. There is a car park at the entrance to the walkways at the main visitor centre. This is quite small though, so you may be directed to the main car park closer to Restó del Glaciar Perito Moreno. From there, you can either walk up via the walkways along the coast, or take the free shuttle up to the main viewing area.

Where to Stay in El Calafate

The best place to base yourself to visit Perito Moreno is El Calafate. The town has everything you need including different accommodations for all budgets, plenty of eateries and other amenities. You can hire a car from the city or from the airport when you land, and most day tours would also depart from El Calafate. Plus, there are also quite a few things to do in El Calafate itself.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier

Since Perito Moreno is an extremely popular place to visit in Argentine Patagonia, we didn’t have high expectations. Luckily, we were positively surprised and could absolutely appreciate why the glacier gets so many visitors every year. Despite the wind we had quite a sunny day, which really made the colours pop. Plus, getting to the site independently allowed us to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Our main regret is that we didn’t sign up for the mini-trekking experience. In our defense, the reason was because we’d just booked a last-minute Antarctica cruise, so we had to be mindful of our spending.

If you’ve used our guide for your trip, we would appreciate you letting us know about anything that may have changed since our visit. This will help us to keep this guide up-to-date so fellow travelers like yourselves can use it. If you found this blog post useful and want to show your support, you can buy us a coffee here.