Perito Moreno Glacier: Day Trip with Walkways & Optional Boat

Summary

Walkways, cracking ice and close-up views at Perito Moreno

You’ll stand face-to-face with Perito Moreno Glacier, listening for that sudden crack as ice tumbles into Lake Argentino below your feet. Walkways give you new angles every few steps; add the boat ride if you want to feel tiny beside those icy cliffs. With pickup from El Calafate and a local guide sharing stories along the way, this day trip sticks with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left El Calafate when our driver, Martín, started pointing out wild guanacos grazing by the road — they really do just stand there, totally unfazed by the bus. The landscape turns blue and white as you get closer to Perito Moreno Glacier, but I didn’t expect how quiet it would feel stepping off at Los Glaciares. Well, except for the wind — that’s real. Our guide Lucía handed us park tickets (don’t forget those) and led us straight to the first walkway. It’s a bit chilly even in summer; I kept my hands jammed in my pockets most of the time.

The walkways twist around the glacier’s face — sometimes you’re high up looking down at this wall of blue ice, sometimes almost level with it. Every so often someone would gasp or shout and we’d all look for falling ice. The sound is wild: like thunder cracking right through your chest. Lucía explained how Perito Moreno keeps advancing while most glaciers are shrinking — she made a joke about it being “the stubborn one.” I tried to take a video but honestly you can’t capture how huge it feels standing there. There’s a faint smell of wet earth and cold stone in the air, mixed with something sharp I still can’t name.

I added the boat ride (worth it), so after lunch we shuffled onto this little vessel on Lake Argentino’s Rico Branch. You get so close — maybe 150 meters from that jagged south face — and everyone went quiet for a minute just watching chunks of ice float past. A kid next to me tried to count all the shades of blue he could see. I lost track after five or six. The whole thing felt both massive and weirdly peaceful at once.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Perito Moreno Glacier viewpoints

• Depart early from El Calafate
• Drive 80 km to glacier walkways
• Walk paths and stairs to viewpoints
• Observe glacier from multiple balconies

Top questions

How far is Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate?

It's about 80 km by road from El Calafate to Perito Moreno Glacier.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in El Calafate.

Do I need to buy a park ticket in advance?

You can buy your Los Glaciares park ticket online or at the entrance with cash or card.

How long does the boat ride last?

The optional navigation lasts about one hour on Lake Argentino's Rico Branch.

Are guides bilingual?

Yes, professional bilingual guides lead the tour.

Is this day trip suitable for kids or older travelers?

Yes, it's suitable for all fitness levels and infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in El Calafate, guidance from a bilingual local expert throughout Los Glaciares walkways, plus an optional one-hour boat ride right up to Perito Moreno’s south face if you choose it—just remember to bring or buy your park entry ticket before heading out.