Kayak Perito Moreno Glacier: Paddle at water level

Ninety minutes paddling the glacier face, then two hours on the walkways, with a guide in the kayak beside you the whole way

Kayak in front of Perito Moreno Glacier on Lake Argentino in Los Glaciares National Park near El Calafate, paddling at water level for 90 minutes with a guide who stays in the kayak beside you. The full day runs 10 hours from hotel pickup (8 or 10 am start, depending on availability) through the 74 km drive to the park, safety briefing, the paddle itself, hot drinks and snacks afterward, and free time to walk the glacier walkways. Minimum age is 14. No kayaking experience needed. Choose the option with transfer from your El Calafate hotel, or meet at the activity base near the park entrance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak and explore Perito Moreno Glacier

• Hotel pickup in Calafate
• Drive 74 km to Los Glaciares National Park
• Arrive at Perito Moreno Kayak Experience meeting point
• Select equipment and receive safety instructions
• Warm-up exercises
• Kayak in front of Perito Moreno Glacier for 1.5 hours
• Return to meeting point for hot drinks and snacks
• Free time to walk the glacier walkways

The experience

The day starts with pickup at your El Calafate hotel at 8 or 10 am (confirmed when you book), then a 74 km drive to Los Glaciares National Park, arriving around 9:30 or 10:30 am. At the meeting point near the main parking lot, your guide walks you through the gear (Gore-Tex dry suit, thermal layers, boots, gloves and life jacket), and explains what to expect on the water. Safety instructions and warm-up exercises happen on the shore before you push off.

Once in the kayak, you paddle in front of Perito Moreno Glacier for 90 minutes with your guide alongside you in their own kayak, explaining how to move safely through the glacial water and pointing out what you're seeing. The glacier is 5 km wide at the face. You're at water level, close enough to hear the ice and feel the scale of it. Your guide stays with you the entire time, not leading from a distance or calling instructions from shore.

After you paddle back to the meeting point, you get hot drinks and snacks to warm up. Then you have roughly two hours of free time to walk the park's walkways and boardwalks along the glacier front: a different vantage than the kayak, and a chance to move around after being on the water. The drive back to El Calafate takes the same 74 km, so you're back at your hotel in the late afternoon.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in El Calafate (if you choose the transfer option).
• Gore-Tex dry suit, thermal suit, boots, gloves and life jacket.
• guide instruction and 90 minutes paddling in front of the glacier.
• hot drinks and snacks after the paddle.
• approximately 2 hours of free time to walk the park's walkways and boardwalks.

Options for this experience

2 options

Kayak without transferGuide in English or Spanish · 10:00The vianda is not included.

Full-day kayak with transferGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except ThursdayDepartures at 08:00 and 10:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (14 to 90 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 29

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Azul Latina Travel

Is this one for you?Choose the transfer option if you're staying in El Calafate and want the full day without driving yourself. The 74 km each way is handled and you get the walkway time after paddling. Pick the no-transfer option if you're already at the park or prefer a shorter, focused experience. Just the paddle and the guide's explanation, no extra time on the boardwalks.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

Do I need kayaking experience to paddle in front of Perito Moreno Glacier?

No previous kayaking experience is required. Your guide explains how to paddle safely in the glacial water and stays in the kayak beside you throughout the 90-minute paddle, so you learn as you go.

What's included in the kayak activity, and what do I need to bring?

The activity includes technical clothing (Gore-Tex dry suit, thermal suit, boots, gloves, life jacket), the guide, safety instruction, the 90-minute paddle, hot drinks and snacks after, and free time on the walkways. Bring a camera, sunscreen and a water bottle. The guide provides everything else.

How long is the drive from El Calafate to Los Glaciares National Park?

The drive is 74 km one way, taking roughly 90 minutes each direction. You'll arrive at the park around 9:30 or 10:30 am depending on your pickup time, and head back in the late afternoon after the activity and walkway time.

What's the difference between the transfer and no-transfer options?

The transfer option includes hotel pickup and drop-off in El Calafate, plus the full day program. The no-transfer option starts at 10 am at the activity base (Calle 3015 No 2028, Calafate) and runs until around 1:30 pm, covering only the kayak paddle and the guide's instruction. No park walkways or free time included.

What's the minimum age, and can younger teenagers go?

The minimum age is 14 years old. Teenagers between 14 and 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

What happens if the weather is bad or the glacier is unsafe to paddle?

Safety on the water is the guide's call. If conditions aren't safe for paddling on the day you book, the operator will work with you to reschedule. Cancellations made at least 4 days before your date can be refunded or moved to another date.