Exploradores Glacier Ice Trek from Puerto Tranquilo: 12-hour trek

Twelve hours crossing forest, moraine and living ice on the Exploradores Glacier

A full-day glacier trek from Puerto Tranquilo in Patagonia that begins with a 1.5-hour drive through the Exploradores Valley, then a 7-hour hike across temperate forest and rocky moraine to the Exploradores Glacier, where you walk on blue ice with crampons and explore crevasses and frozen formations. The tour includes a specialized mountain guide, all technical gear, entrance to Laguna San Rafael National Park, and a box lunch. Minimum age is 15 and high physical fitness is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Exploradores Glacier Ice Trek

• Travel from Puerto Río Tranquilo
• Safety briefing and gear distribution
• 7-hour trek to glacier
• Explore glacier with crampons
• Enjoy light snack on glacier
• Return trek to base
• Travel back to Puerto Río Tranquilo

The experience

The day starts in Puerto Río Tranquilo, a small town on Chile's Carretera Austral, and moves inland through the Exploradores Valley for about 1.5 hours. The route follows rivers and waterfalls beneath Mount San Valentín, Patagonia's highest peak at 3,910 meters, which feeds the glacier you'll walk on. Once you reach the CONAF Visitor Center at the glacier's base, a specialized mountain guide briefs you on safety and distributes technical gear: crampons, gaiters, helmet, sunglasses, gloves, ice axe and safety harness.

The 7-hour trek itself crosses lush temperate forest first, then rocky moraine stripped bare by the glacier's retreat, before reaching the ice. On the glacier surface, you wear crampons and move with an ice axe, exploring an ever-changing landscape of crevasses, sculpted ice formations and frozen caves. The guide sets the pace and chooses the route based on conditions that day. A light snack and time to absorb the scale of the place break up the walking. The return follows the same path back to the base.

The drive back to Puerto Río Tranquilo takes another 1.5 hours, and you arrive in the late afternoon. The tour includes entrance to Laguna San Rafael National Park, all technical equipment, ground transportation from town, a box lunch with a vegetarian option, and satellite communication for safety. Guides speak English or Spanish.

What’s included

• Specialized mountain guide in English or Spanish.
• entrance fee to Laguna San Rafael National Park.
• trekking ice axe, crampons, gaiters, helmet, sunglasses, gloves, safety harness and backpack.
• box lunch with vegetarian option available.
• ground transportation from Puerto Tranquilo.
• satellite communication for safety.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (15 to 56 years) · Under 15: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Anclatourchile

Is this one for you?The 7-hour glacier walk and 12-hour full day demand high physical fitness and a strong commitment to the terrain. This is not a casual stroll, and the operator recommends it only for travelers without spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns or significant knee problems. If you are fit and ready for a serious alpine trek, the English or Spanish-speaking guide adjusts the pace and route to the group's ability and the day's conditions.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How fit do I need to be to walk on the Exploradores Glacier?

The trek requires a high level of physical fitness. The operator does not recommend this tour for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or significant knee problems. If you have concerns about your knees or fitness, contact the operator before booking. Minimum age is 15. Maximum age is 56.

What's included in the tour and what do I need to bring?

The tour includes a specialized mountain guide, all technical gear (crampons, ice axe, helmet, harness, gaiters, gloves, sunglasses), entrance to Laguna San Rafael National Park, ground transportation from Puerto Tranquilo, a box lunch with vegetarian option, and satellite communication. Bring warm layers, waterproof jacket and pants, sturdy hiking boots, and sunscreen. The guide and operator can advise on specific clothing for the season.

How long is the actual hike on the glacier itself?

The total trek is 7 hours, which includes the walk through forest and moraine before you reach the ice, time on the glacier exploring crevasses and formations, and the return. The full day from pickup in Puerto Tranquilo to return is 12 hours, including the 1.5-hour drives each way.

What is the Exploradores Glacier and why is it special?

The Exploradores Glacier is the main gateway to the Northern Patagonian Ice Field, one of the largest ice masses on Earth. It descends from Mount San Valentín, Patagonia's highest peak, and its surface is bright blue ice surrounded by mountains. Crevasses, crystal formations and frozen caves change with every season, so each visit is unique.