Is this tour available all year round?

No, during the months of May, June, July, August, and the first half of September this tour is not offered because it is winter season and therefore the weather conditions are not the best to guarantee the safety of all travelers.

Is there an age limit for this tour?

Yes, the minimum age is 18 years old and the maximum is 50 years old. A valid passport is required and the date of birth will be checked. We know this situation can be frustrating for some travelers, but there is no alternative and no exceptions of any kind are made.

Is the tour very demanding?

Yes, you must be in good physical condition, since for 7 hours we will be walking on the trails (with slopes) and on the ice itself. If you are not sure you can complete the activity, we recommend you book the minitrekking, a similar but less demanding version in which you also walk on the ice of the glacier.

How can I walk on the glacier?

We will walk on the ice with the help of crampons, a small metal structure attached to your shoes, so it is advisable to wear mountain shoes as sturdy as possible. Before starting the tour, the guides will give you the necessary indications and will help you to practice a little bit in the area to be able to walk on the glacier safely.

How big are the groups on this tour?

For safety reasons the maximum group size is 10 travelers and one guide for every 5 travelers. The most common is to do it in a group of 10 people and 2 guides, as the groups are always full.

How long will I walk on the glacier?

We will walk on the glacier for about three hours and have lunch on the ice in half an hour, always accompanied by guides.

What is the difference between Minitrekking and Big Ice tours?

In both tours we walk on the glacier, the difference is the difficulty and the hours of walking on the glacier. The Big Ice is the more difficult of the two. The minitrekking is easier and we walk through more accessible areas, while in the Big Ice, we will walk 3 and a half hours over more remote and difficult areas of the glacier.

What type of clothing should I wear?

It is advisable to wear warm and waterproof clothing, gloves, a hat, and trekking boots, in case you forget the guides will provide you with some, as they are mandatory because, in case of a fall, the ice can cut your hands.

Do I need to bring food and water?

Yes, this tour does not include food and drink. You will need to bring a bottle of water and food for the whole day.

Is the entrance fee to Los Glaciares National Park included?

The entrance fee to the National Park is not included. Therefore it is important to bring Argentine Pesos to pay the entrance fee to the National Park. Credit cards and foreign currencies are not accepted.

howlanders boy on the big ice perito moreno

view of perito moreno glacier from the boat

howlanders boy observing the perito moreno glacier

people doing the big ice trekking on the perito moreno glacier

glass of whiskey with ice from the glacier

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Perito Moreno Glacier Big Ice Trek

Big Ice Trek Perito Moreno Glacier + Transfers from El Calafate (additional)

(5 reviews)

Tour temporarily unavailable, we recommend Minitrekking.

El Calafate

1 day

English and Spanish

Starts: From El Calafate at 6:45 A.M. or from Puerto Bajo las Sombras at 10:00 A.M. (depending on option selected)

Ends: To Puerto Bajo las Sombras at 5:30 P.M. or to El Calafate at 7:00 P.M. (depending on the selected option).

Free cancellation!

Briefing

The Perito Moreno Glacier Big Ice Trek is the longest and most complete walk on ice that can be done on the glacier. We navigate to the glacier's moraine and walk for 2 hours until we enter the glacier, where we put on crampons to walk for 3 hours on the ice. Always accompanied by expert guides and in very small groups.

This excursion offers two options: one that only includes navigation and hiking and another that also includes a visit to the walkways of the panoramic viewpoint of Perito Moreno and includes transportation from El Calafate. Ready for the adventure?

Tour details

Included

Hiking equipment (helmet, crampons, harness...)
Navigation
Bilingual guide (Spanish-English)
Transportation from El Calafate (depending on option selected)

Not included

Entrance to Los Glaciares National Park
Food and beverage

Important information

⏰ DEPARTURE: If you book the tour with pick up in El Calafate you will be picked up at your hotel starting at 6:45 AM. If you book the tour without pick up, you will have to show up at Puerto Bajo las Sombras at 10:15 AM.

👬 LIMITATION: Only suitable for people from 18 to 50 years old. No exception.

❌ NOT ALLOWED: People with cardiovascular disease, COPD, emphysema, asthma, recent surgeries.

🚫 NOT APPROPRIATE: For people with physical or mental disabilities, obesity, pregnant women or people suffering from severe vertigo.

Remember that Mastercard is not accepted to purchase the entrance ticket to Los Glaciares National Park. You can pay with VISA card or in cash in Argentine pesos when you arrive at the park. Do not forget your ID, passport or identity card.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation! You can cancel this tour and you'll receive 100% refund of the amount paid if you cancel more than 48 hours in advance. After this time, or in case you do not show up, no refunds will be given.

Tour itinerary

Perito Moreno Glacier Big Ice Trek

👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 Group maximum 10 [Ratio guide: 1:5]
📆 September 15 - April 30 [Daily departures]
⌛ Duration of tour 7:30 -12 hours (depending on the selected option)
🗻 High difficulty

Pick up in El Calafate

If you select the "tour with pick up" option, you will be picked up from your hotel or a nearby meeting point at 6:45 am. You will head to Los Glaciares National Park.

During the trip, the guide will talk about flora, fauna, the history of the park, glacier phenomena... a master class! You will arrive at the glacier walkways, the different itineraries will be explained to you and you will have one hour to walk them at your own pace. You will join the group again to head to Puerto Bajo las Sombras.

Puerto Bajo las Sombras

Once at the port, we will meet you with the rest of the group. If you book the option "tour without pick up" your tour will start at this point.

You will embark and for 20 minutes you will navigate the Rico Lake until you reach the opposite shore, always with the Perito Moreno Glacier wall in the background. When you disembark, the team of mountain guides will be waiting for you. You will be divided into groups of a maximum of 10 people. Normally one group is formed in Spanish and the other in English.

To ensure the safety and quality of the experience we guarantee that there are a maximum of 5 travelers per guide. You will receive a safety briefing and an explanation of the experience you are about to live and let's get started!

Route along the moraine of the Perito Moreno Glacier

The trekking will start with a 2-hour walk along the glacier moraine. At this point, you will be equipped with via ferrata equipment to ensure your safety, although you will always walk on a wide and well-prepared trail.

Along the route, the glacier will always be on your right-hand side, and little by little you will enter the valley and the forest. At one point, the trail descends to the glacier and you will finally touch the ice, and this is where the ice trekking begins!

group on the moraine of the Perito Moreno glacier

Perito Moreno Glacier Big Ice Trek

The guides will help you put on your crampons. You will practice a little and when the group is ready you will start to go into the ice of the glacier.

During the following 3 hours, the guides will explain the different formations that you will find on the glacier. There is no set route on the ice, the glacier is alive and constantly changing, so each day the guide customizes the route to see all possible formations and enjoy the experience to the fullest.

Have you ever had lunch on the ice of a glacier? Well, on this tour you will. You will stop for half an hour in a cozy place and have lunch with the rest of the group.

⭐Howlanders TIP
If your pants are not waterproof we advise you to wear something that allows you to sit on the ice without getting wet. You'll thank us 😉.

group sitting on the glacier having lunch together

Return Port Bajo las Sombras

You will start your way back over the ice to the place where we put on your crampons, take them off, and finally get out of the glacier ice. Believe us, it will take you 3 hours to live this unforgettable experience.

You will return the same way, return the material and have some free time in the cafeteria before boarding again. Hot coffee in a cozy place with privileged views, what more could you ask for after the effort?

You will board again and while enjoying the views of the south face of the Perito Moreno Glacier the crew will offer you a whiskey on ice from the glacier itself. Cheers!

group walking around the perito moreno glacier

End of the Perito Moreno Glacier Big Ice Trek

If you book the tour with the option "tour without pick up" your tour will end here, in Puerto Bajo las Sombras, the same place where it started and where you will park your vehicle.

Return to El Calafate

If you have booked the tour with the option "tour with pick up" the transportation will be waiting for you to take you back to your accommodation in El Calafate, where you will arrive at approximately 7:00 pm.

people resting on the terrace in front of the perito moreno glacier

What to bring to Perito Moreno Glacier Big Ice Trek

Waterproof mountain jacket
Comfortable and warm clothing
Long pants and raincoat if possible
Trekking boots
Medium backpack
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Gloves
Hat
Food and snacks
Water

Where does the tour Perito Moreno Glacier Big Ice Trek start

The Perito Moreno Glacier Big Ice Trek tour has two starting areas depending on the selected option:

Tour with pick up: you will be picked up at your accommodation in El Calafate. In case your accommodation is not included in the pick-up points (for example an Airbnb), you will be indicated a meeting point a few minutes away from your accommodation.
Tour without pick up: in this case, you will have to go by your own means to Puerto Bajo las Sombras, located inside Los Glaciares National Park. The distance between El Calafate and the port is 43.5 mi. (70 km.)

El Calafate is very well connected to the rest of the country and there are many ways to get there. The most common is to fly directly to El Calafate airport or arrive by land from Puerto Natales, in that case you can take a regular bus or book a private transportation with us.

Questions & Answers

Is this tour available all year round?
No, during the months of May, June, July, August, and the first half of September this tour is not offered because it is winter season and therefore the weather conditions are not the best to guarantee the safety of all travelers.
Is there an age limit for this tour?
Yes, the minimum age is 18 years old and the maximum is 50 years old. A valid passport is required and the date of birth will be checked. We know this situation can be frustrating for some travelers, but there is no alternative and no exceptions of any kind are made.
Is the tour very demanding?
Yes, you must be in good physical condition, since for 7 hours we will be walking on the trails (with slopes) and on the ice itself. If you are not sure you can complete the activity, we recommend you book the minitrekking, a similar but less demanding version in which you also walk on the ice of the glacier.
How can I walk on the glacier?
We will walk on the ice with the help of crampons, a small metal structure attached to your shoes, so it is advisable to wear mountain shoes as sturdy as possible. Before starting the tour, the guides will give you the necessary indications and will help you to practice a little bit in the area to be able to walk on the glacier safely.
How big are the groups on this tour?
For safety reasons the maximum group size is 10 travelers and one guide for every 5 travelers. The most common is to do it in a group of 10 people and 2 guides, as the groups are always full.
How long will I walk on the glacier?
We will walk on the glacier for about three hours and have lunch on the ice in half an hour, always accompanied by guides.
What is the difference between Minitrekking and Big Ice tours?
In both tours we walk on the glacier, the difference is the difficulty and the hours of walking on the glacier. The Big Ice is the more difficult of the two. The minitrekking is easier and we walk through more accessible areas, while in the Big Ice, we will walk 3 and a half hours over more remote and difficult areas of the glacier.
What type of clothing should I wear?
It is advisable to wear warm and waterproof clothing, gloves, a hat, and trekking boots, in case you forget the guides will provide you with some, as they are mandatory because, in case of a fall, the ice can cut your hands.
Do I need to bring food and water?
Yes, this tour does not include food and drink. You will need to bring a bottle of water and food for the whole day.
Is the entrance fee to Los Glaciares National Park included?
The entrance fee to the National Park is not included. Therefore it is important to bring Argentine Pesos to pay the entrance fee to the National Park. Credit cards and foreign currencies are not accepted.