Perito Moreno Glacier tour: Footbridges and views

Walk the footbridges above an advancing glacier

A tour of the Perito Moreno Glacier footbridges in El Calafate includes hotel pickup, transport to the national park, and free time to explore the boardwalks on your own pace with a live guide available in English or Spanish. The tour runs about nine hours from pickup to return. Infants and small children can come along in a stroller or pram, and the pace suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Perito Moreno Glacier footbridges

• Pick up at hotel
• Transfer to national park
• Explore glacier footbridges
• Contemplate the glacier

The Experience

The day starts with pickup at your hotel in El Calafate. From there, a private transfer takes you south to Glaciares National Park, where the Perito Moreno Glacier sits at the edge of Lago Argentino. Once you arrive, the guide shows you where the footbridges begin, and then the time is yours—you walk the boardwalks at whatever speed suits you, stopping to look at the ice face whenever you want. The glacier is always shifting; sometimes you hear cracks and see chunks calve into the water below.

The footbridges are the main draw here. They run along the shore and out onto a peninsula, giving you views of the glacier from different angles and heights. Some sections are short and level; others climb a bit. You can spend two hours on them or five, depending on what you want. The guide stays with the group but does not rush the stops. If you have questions about what you are looking at—how fast the glacier moves, why the ice is blue, what happens in winter—the guide answers in English or Spanish, whichever you booked.

The return journey is the same route back to El Calafate. Bring layers; the park is exposed and the wind off the lake is real, even on a clear day. The whole outing, from hotel pickup to return, takes about nine hours, so plan the rest of your day around a late lunch or early dinner when you get back.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel to the national park and back.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• access to the Perito Moreno Glacier footbridges and free time to explore them at your own pace.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tiempo Libre

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you speak English or Spanish and want to move through the boardwalks without a set schedule—the guide is there to answer questions, but you control the pace and the stops. If you are traveling with infants or small children, the stroller-friendly boardwalks and flexible timing make this work better than a rushed group itinerary.

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Top questions

How long do I actually spend on the footbridges at Perito Moreno Glacier?

The tour includes free time to explore the boardwalks at your own pace once you arrive at the park. Most visitors spend two to four hours on the footbridges, depending on how many angles they want to see and how long they linger at each viewpoint. The guide is there if you have questions but does not set a fixed schedule for the boardwalks themselves.

What is the drive time from El Calafate to Perito Moreno Glacier?

The transfer from your hotel in El Calafate to Glaciares National Park takes roughly 80 kilometers south. The exact drive time depends on traffic and road conditions, but plan for a substantial portion of the nine-hour tour to be spent in the vehicle and on the footbridges combined.

Can I bring a stroller or pram for my infant?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller on the tour. Infants are required to sit on an adult's lap during the vehicle transfer. The footbridges themselves are boardwalks, so a stroller is manageable on most sections, though some areas are steeper or narrower.

Is the guide included, and what language do they speak?

A live guide in English or Spanish is included with the tour. You choose your preferred language when you book. The guide is available to answer questions about the glacier and the park during your time on the footbridges.

What should I wear for a day at Perito Moreno Glacier?

Bring layers and a windproof jacket. The park sits on the shore of Lago Argentino and is exposed to wind even on sunny days. Comfortable walking shoes with good grip are important because the boardwalks can be wet. Sunscreen and a hat are useful, and a camera or phone with a full battery helps capture the views.