Perito Moreno Glacier: Minitrekking & Boat Tour from El Calafate

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/9

Duration10h

GroupUp to 20

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Walk across Perito Moreno’s wild ice then sail beneath its blue walls

You’ll cross Lake Argentino by boat from El Calafate and trek across Perito Moreno Glacier with expert guides—crampons strapped on tight—exploring crevasses and tasting fresh glacier water along the way. End with a toast overlooking blue ice before wandering Los Glaciares’ walkways above crashing bergs. It stays with you.

10h

Step-by-step itinerary

Perito Moreno Glacier trekking and views

Transfer from El Calafate accommodation
Board port and sail 20 minutes
Start glacier trek with crampons
Explore glacier formations and crevasses
Sail 20 minutes in front of glacier
Walk the National Park walkways
Return to El Calafate accommodation

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the sound — this weird, hollow thunk of boots on metal as we stepped onto the little boat at El Calafate’s dock. The air was sharp, not exactly cold but clean in a way that made my nose sting. Our guide, Martín, handed out life jackets with a grin and told us to keep our eyes open for “the big show” — I had no idea what he meant yet. Twenty minutes later, we were gliding past these jagged blue cliffs of ice that seemed to glow from inside. People got quiet, just watching. I caught a whiff of lake water and something crisp I couldn’t name.

After landing on the shore near Perito Moreno Glacier, Martín checked everyone’s boots before helping us strap on crampons (I’d never worn them — it felt clumsy at first). He showed us how to walk “like penguins” so we wouldn’t trip. The first step onto the glacier was honestly kind of nerve-wracking — you hear all these creaks and pops under your feet, like the ice is talking back. Sunlight bounced off everything; at one point I had to squint so hard my cheeks hurt. We stopped at a deep crevasse where Martín tossed a pebble in and waited for the splash. It took forever — that’s how deep it was. Someone tried to ask about glacier movement in Spanish; Martín answered in both languages without missing a beat.

I didn’t expect how thirsty I’d get out there, or how sweet glacier water tastes when you scoop it up with your hand (Martín said it’s safe — “the purest you’ll ever drink”). There was this moment where everyone just stood still listening to distant cracks echoing across the ice field. Kind of eerie but beautiful too. On the way back, we toasted with whisky poured over glacier ice while looking out at Lake Argentino — which felt almost too perfect, but nobody complained.

We ended by walking the wooden walkways above the glacier face in Los Glaciares Park. My legs were tired but I kept stopping to watch chunks of ice calve off into the lake below — each crash sent up spray and startled birds overhead. Heading back toward El Calafate in the van, someone asked if anyone else could still feel that cold tingle in their hands. I could; honestly, I still do sometimes when I think about it.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central El Calafate (if booked), all transfers by air-conditioned vehicle and boat across Lake Argentino, entry fees for Los Glaciares Park, use of crampons and safety gear for trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier with expert local guides leading every step—and ends with a celebratory toast overlooking those wild blue walls before heading back home again.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Patagonia Dreams