Kayaking at Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate

Paddle right up to the glacier's edge in a double kayak.

Kayak in front of Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate with a live guide in English or Spanish, all equipment provided, and hot drinks after. You meet at the glacier's lower parking lot, suit up in a dry suit and thermal layers, get safety instruction on the lake shore, then spend 90 minutes paddling a double kayak directly in front of the glacier face. The experience runs year-round except June and July, takes about three hours total, and requires a moderate fitness level and minimum age of 14.

The Experience

The meeting point is the lower parking lot of Perito Moreno Glacier itself, so there's no separate transport to arrange — you show up and the guides hand you a Gore-Tex dry suit, thermal suit, boots, gloves and life jacket. After a safety briefing and warm-up exercises on the lake shore, you're in a double kayak with 90 minutes to paddle directly in front of the glacier. The ice face rises above you as you move across the water; this is the angle most visitors never get, since the glacier is usually seen from the viewing platforms on land.

The kayak is a two-person boat, so you're paddling with a partner — either someone in your group or another traveler. Navigation happens in the morning (the activity starts at 10:00), and the guides stay with you throughout. After you're back on shore, the team provides hot drinks and snacks while you catch your breath. The whole outing, from arrival to departure, runs about three hours.

Departures run all year except June and July. You need at least a moderate level of fitness to handle the paddling and the water conditions; the minimum age is 14, and anyone under 18 must come with a parent or legal guardian. The dry suit keeps you warm in Patagonian water, and all the gear stays with the operator — you bring nothing but yourself.

What’s included

• Double kayak, Gore-Tex dry suit, thermal suit, boots, gloves and life jacket.
• safety instruction and guide throughout.
• hot drinks and snacks after the activity.
• pictures of the experience.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Luna Roja

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to paddle on the water in front of the glacier rather than view it from shore — the kayak puts you at water level where the ice towers directly above you.

Traveler reviews

3.75★★★★★★★★★★

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Top questions

What's the kayaking like if I've never paddled before?

The guides teach safety and technique on the shore before you get in the water, and you paddle a double kayak with a partner, so you're not managing the boat alone. The navigation lasts 90 minutes at a pace the group can handle together.

How cold is the water, and will the dry suit actually keep me warm?

Perito Moreno sits in Patagonia, so the lake water is cold year-round. The operator provides a Gore-Tex dry suit layered over a thermal suit, plus boots and gloves, which is the standard setup for glacier kayaking in the region.

Can I do this if I'm not very fit?

The operator lists it as average fitness level, meaning you need to be comfortable paddling for 90 minutes and handling the physical setup — getting in and out of the kayak, moving in the water, and managing the paddle. If you have spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or are pregnant, the operator does not recommend it.

Do I need to bring my own kayak or any gear?

No. The operator provides double kayaks, dry suits, thermal suits, boots, life jackets and gloves. You show up at the lower parking lot of the glacier and the guides outfit you.

Is there a guide with us the whole time, and what language do they speak?

A live guide stays with the group throughout the activity and speaks English or Spanish, depending on which departure you choose.

What happens after the kayaking is done?

You return to the meeting point, where the team provides hot drinks and snacks. The operator also takes pictures during the experience that you can keep.