Perito Moreno Glacier trek from El Calafate: Walk on the ice

You walk on the glacier itself, not just look at it from a distance.

Big Ice is a full-day guided trek on Perito Moreno Glacier departing from El Calafate, combining a 20-minute boat crossing of Lake Rico with over three hours of ice walking led by expert mountain guides. The day includes a two-hour hike through the moraine forest and crampons-equipped exploration of the glacier's hidden terrain, ending with views of the surrounding Patagonian peaks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Big Ice trek on Perito Moreno Glacier

• Pick up passengers in El Calafate
• Board boat at Bajo de las Sombras port
• Cross Lake Rico to glacier shore
• Meet mountain guides at refuge
• Hike 2 hours along moraine
• Explore glacier for 3 hours with guides

The experience

The day starts with pickup in El Calafate (if you book the option with transfers) and a drive to Bajo de las Sombras port, where you board a boat for the crossing of Lake Rico. The 20-minute sail brings you face-to-face with the southern face of Perito Moreno Glacier before you reach the refuge on the opposite shore. Mountain guides divide the group into smaller subgroups and outfit you with crampons for the ice walking ahead.

The trek unfolds in two phases. First comes a two-hour hike along the moraine (the ridge of rock and debris at the glacier's edge), where the forest opens onto panoramic views of the ice field and the mountains beyond. Then you move onto the glacier itself for approximately three hours of walking on the ice, exploring crevasses and formations that stay hidden from the standard viewpoint trails. The guides explain the glacier's mechanics and history as you move across it, so you understand what you're standing on.

The full outing runs 12 hours door-to-door. You'll need to bring your own food and drink from El Calafate, as there are no shops during the excursion. Wear thermal layers, a waterproof jacket, trekking pants, waterproof hiking shoes, gloves and a warm hat. The Patagonian wind and ice demand it. The park entrance fee (payable in cash or Argentine pesos by Visa) is separate from the tour price.

What’s included

• Three and a half hours of walking on the ice with crampons provided.
• bilingual guide in Spanish and English.
• boat crossing of Lake Rico.
• four hours of forest hiking on the moraine.
• visit to the Perito Moreno viewpoint footbridges (if you book with transfers).
• round-trip hotel pickup from El Calafate (if you select the transfer option).

Options for this experience

2 options

Without TransfersGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 7 hours

With TransfersGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Lasts 12 hours, and pickup is included

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 dayDepartures at 07:00 and 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 50 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50 · max 7 per booking

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.You can choose from 35 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 33

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Gray Line Argentina

Is this one for you?Book the option with transfers if you want pickup from your hotel and a seamless start. Book without transfers if you're arranging your own transport to the port and prefer to save on the transfer cost. Either way, you're on the ice itself, not watching from a platform. This is the hands-on version of the glacier experience.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What's the difference between walking on the glacier and seeing it from the viewpoint?

The viewpoint shows you Perito Moreno from across the lake, but this trek puts you on the ice itself. You walk across crevasses and explore formations that are invisible from the shore, and the guides explain how the glacier moves and fractures as you stand on it.

How much of the day is actually spent on the ice?

Approximately three hours of the 12-hour outing is spent walking on the glacier with crampons. The other major chunk is a two-hour forest hike along the moraine before you reach the ice.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the port, or is pickup included?

Pickup from your El Calafate hotel is included if you select the option with transfers. Without transfers, you arrange your own way to Bajo de las Sombras port.

What happens if I'm not fit enough for this trek?

The operator requires a moderate level of physical fitness and screens participants at the start of the day. If you have cardiovascular issues, recent injuries, spinal problems, or difficulty walking independently, you won't be able to participate, and no refund will be issued. Age range is 18 to 50.

Can I buy lunch during the excursion?

No. There are no shops or food vendors during the day, so you must bring your own lunch and water from El Calafate.