Perito Moreno: Glacier Ice Hike, Boat & Footbridges Tour

Summary

Walk across Perito Moreno’s wild blue ice then watch it calve from up close

You’ll walk across Perito Moreno Glacier with a local guide, feeling the ice shift beneath your boots and hearing its thunderous cracks up close. Sail along the glacier wall by boat and explore panoramic footbridges for those wide-open views—plus hotel pickup if you want it. It’s one of those days where Patagonia gets under your skin.

What’s the experience like?

“You’ll want to lean over the boat rail for this,” our guide Matías grinned, and honestly, he was right. The first thing you notice about Perito Moreno isn’t just the size—it’s the sound. We floated so close you could hear the ice groaning, then suddenly a chunk crashed into the water with this echo that rattled my chest. I almost dropped my camera. There’s something about being that near to a glacier wall—like you’re trespassing in some ancient place that doesn’t really care if you’re there or not.

The hike itself? Putting on crampons felt weirdly serious (I kept checking mine were tight enough), but the guides made it feel easy. You step onto the glacier and it’s all blue shadows and tiny streams running under your feet—cold air biting your nose. Matías pointed out these deep crevasses and little turquoise pools that looked fake, honestly. He told us about how glaciers move, how sometimes they swallow trees whole (which I didn’t expect). At one point we just stood there in silence listening to water trickle somewhere below us—nobody said anything for a minute or two. It felt good.

Afterwards, we walked through this patch of Magellanic forest—tall, crooked trees with bark that flakes off in your hand—and then out onto these metal walkways overlooking Perito Moreno again. The wind picked up and I could smell wet earth mixed with cold air; my cheeks were stinging but I didn’t really mind. You get time to wander at your own pace here before heading back to El Calafate. I still think about that view when things go quiet at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Perito Moreno Glacier ice hiking tour

• Receive pick-up time from guide
• Travel to Bajo Las Sombras port
• Boat sail along glacier south wall
• Disembark and organize hiking groups
• Put on crampons with guide's help
• Ice hike on glacier trails
• See crevices, moulins, and lagoons
• Learn about glacier and wildlife
• Return through Magellanic Forest
• Free time at glacier footbridges
• Return to El Calafate

Top questions

How long is the Perito Moreno minitrekking tour?

The glacier hike itself lasts about 1.5 hours, but including transfers and stops, expect a full day from El Calafate.

Is hotel pickup included in this Perito Moreno tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select that option during booking.

Can children join the Perito Moreno ice hiking tour?

No, only travelers aged 8 to 65 can participate due to park regulations.

Do I need previous hiking experience for the glacier trek?

No prior experience is needed; guides provide all equipment and instructions for safe walking on ice.

What should I wear for minitrekking on Perito Moreno?

Wear warm layers, waterproof jacket, gloves, sunglasses, and sturdy shoes or boots suitable for crampons.

Is lunch included in this tour?

No lunch is included; bring snacks or buy food at park facilities before or after the hike.

Where does the tour start if I don’t book transfers?

You meet directly at Puerto Bajo Las Sombras inside Los Glaciares Park if you don’t select hotel transfer.

What’s included

Your day includes all necessary ice hiking equipment like crampons (don’t worry—they’ll show you how to put them on), a bilingual local guide who keeps things relaxed but safe, a boat ride along Perito Moreno’s south face, plus hotel pickup and drop-off if you choose that option. Time on panoramic footbridges is also part of it before returning to El Calafate.