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The Perito Morneo Glacier in Argentina is one of the most iconic tourist destinations in Patagonia.
This always worries me! When a place is so popular, is it really going to be a good experience? Will it be crowded? It’s probably expensive. Will it live up to the hype?
A sea of ice bigger than the entire city of Buenos Aires, this spectacular creation of nature is a sight to behold and I’m pleased to report is even better than everyone says it is.
Being able to see a glacier up this close with ease, by simply wandering along a boardwalk, is a rare and special experience.
Yes, it is expensive, and yes, it can be crowded, but Perito Moreno Glacier is an unmissable sight in Patagonia.
Considering how popular it is, visiting is not that straightforward.
With a sea of different tours and transport options, multiple add-on experiences and a high price tag for everything, it can be overwhelming to plan.
I’m here to clearly lay out all the options for visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier and help you decide on how to get there, which tours (if any) are best, how to buy tickets and an overview of the boardwalks.
About Perito Moreno Glacier
The Glaciar Perito Moreno (Perito Moreno Glacier) is one of the most famous glaciers in the world and easily one of the most popular tourist attractions in Argentina.
The glacier is located in the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Los Glaciares National Park) in southern Argentine Patagonia in the Santa Cruz Province.
It’s approximately 80 km (50 mi) from the town of El Calafate, which is the closest base for visiting the glacier.
Confusingly, there is also a town in the Santa Cruz Province called Perito Moreno, but it is more than 300 km (186 mi) north. Do not get them mixed up!
The glacier forms part of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field, which is a network of more than 60 glaciers across Argentina and Chile and the second largest ice field in the world outside of the polar regions.
The glacier sits on the shores of Lago Argentina, the largest lake in the country. The glacier has two distinct faces: the North and South faces. On the south side, the glacier abuts the Brazo Rico arm of Lago Argentina, and on the south, it sits in the Canal de los Tempanos.
The glacier covers an area of over 250 square kilometers, which is bigger than the entire city of Buenos Aires. Take a second to think about it!
The tallest part of the glacier face visible above the water surface is up to 70 meters (230 feet) high, but it extends to 200 meters (656 feet) below the water. Just the tip of the iceberg, as the saying goes!
One of the most unique things about Perito Moreno Glacier is that it is one of the only glaciers in the region that is advancing, rather than retreating.
It advances at a rate of approximately 2 meters per day, which at certain times has blocked the channel of water flowing from the Brazo Rico arm of the lake into the main section of the lake, creating a dam.
The pressure eventually causes a huge rupture, which is a spectacular sight to see! (Watch an old news video here).
If you’re visiting anytime soon, you probably won’t see a rupture, as the glacier isn’t anywhere near blocking the channel at the moment.
If you’re lucky, you will see ‘calving’ where pieces of ice break off and crash into the lake below. Make sure you listen as you walk around the boardwalks – you can hear the glacier constantly cracking and creaking, it’s spectacular.
🧊 If you’re interested in learning more about glaciers, Perito Moreno and the Southern Patagonian Icefield, I would highly recommend visiting the Glaciarium in El Calafate. It’s a museum dedicated to glaciers and very helpful to understand the incredible spectacle you’re seeing at Perito Moreno.
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How to visit Perito Moreno Glacier
There are so many different tours, activities, and types of transport for the glacier that it can be super confusing to figure out the best way to visit that suits your interests and budget.
Before I dive into the details of the glacier, getting there, what to see, etc. I want to briefly lay out all the options for visiting Perito Moreno Glacier:
- Visit independently to walk the boardwalks
- 🚌 Get a bus from El Calafate
- 🚙 Rent a car and drive yourself from El Calafate
- 🚕 Hire a taxi / remis from El Calafate to drive and wait for you
With the option to add additional experiences at the site (e.g. boat navigation, kayaking, ice trekking, although note that some of these things are best booked in advance and may be more cost-effective to visit on a tour that packages the experience and transport)
- Visit on a tour that includes transport from El Calafate
💰 If you’re on a budget, the cheapest way to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier is to explore the boardwalks independently, reaching the park by bus if you’re a solo traveller or by renting a car if you are a group of two or more.
How to get to Perito Moreno Glacier
The Perito Moreno Glacier is just under 80 km (50 mi) from El Calafate on Ruta 11, and it takes approximately 90 minutes to get there from town.
I’m assuming you’re already in El Calafate. For information on getting there, check out our travel guide.
How to get to Perito Moreno Glacier depends on how you plan to visit the site and what other activities you choose to do, if any.
There are four options to consider:
- 🚌 Get a bus from El Calafate
- 🚙 Rent a car and drive yourself from El Calafate
- 🚕 Hire a taxi / remis from El Calafate to drive and wait for you
- 🚐 Join a tour that includes transport from El Calafate
Get a bus
There are buses that run from El Calafate to the glacier and back, but as with most things in Argentina, they’re not cheap! They’re not public city buses but rather tourism bus companies.
It’s the cheapest option if you’re a solo traveller, but if you’re a group of two or more, you might actually find renting a car more affordable.
The buses depart from the bus station in El Calafate a few times per day. The main companies that run this route and their current timings are:
- 🚌 Chalten Travel:
- Depart El Calafate: 7.30 am | Depart Perito Moreno Glacier: 2:30 pm
- Depart El Calafate: 1.15 pm | Depart Perito Moreno Glacier: 6:30 pm
- 🚌 CalTur:
- Depart El Calafate: 8.30 am | Depart Perito Moreno Glacier: 2:30 pm
- Depart El Calafate: 12.30 pm | Depart Perito Moreno Glacier: 6:30 pm
- 🚌 Marga Taqsa:
- Depart El Calafate: 8.30 am | Depart Perito Moreno Glacier: 2:30 pm
- Depart El Calafate: 1.15 pm | Depart Perito Moreno Glacier: 6:30 pm
There is a uniform price across all the companies, which at the time of writing (and very likely to change!) is 50,000 ARS return (about $45 USD at the current exchange rate).
You can book tickets online via Bookaway, in-person at the bus station or via any of the travel agents on the main street in El Calafate.
Rent a car
Renting a car is surprisingly cheaper than taking the bus if you are two or more people.
The bus was going to cost us 100,000 ARS, so we took that as our budget for renting a car and found many options cheaper than this. Most around the 90,000 – 100,000 ARS mark.
The same price but freedom to leave on your own schedule and possibly combine a few other sights in the day? Easy choice.
You can browse and pay for rental cars online via DiscoverCars, which is much easier than dealing with the cash situation in Argentina.
If you are stocked with cash, you can often get a discount for booking directly and paying with cash. There are car rental agencies all over town, and they all seem to have pretty decent reviews, just look around on Google Maps.
Most rentals are for 24 hours, so if you plan accordingly, you can use the car to visit some of the other attractions around town.
Make sure you’re clear on what type of insurance is included in your rental, and note that the majority of vehicles are manual.
The drive takes around 90 minutes and was really straightforward. Ruta 11 is paved most of the way, and you get some epic views of Lago Argentina and the snow-capped mountains of Los Glaciares National Park.
If you put ‘Perito Moreno Glacier’ in Google Maps, it literally pins the actual glacier and won’t give you any driving directions, obviously. Put this car park in instead to get an accurate route and time estimate.
You will lose phone service pretty soon after leaving the town limits, so download the map offline. Although it’s impossible to get lost as there’s only one road which is very well signed!
📷 If you’re driving, there are two miradors on the side of the road as you get closer to the glacier. The first is a pull-out to the right, and the second is to the left. They’re well-signed and worth a stop for your first proper glimpse of the ice!
Take a taxi / remis
If you’re not interested in driving, you can organise a taxi or remis to drive you to the glacier, wait for you and drive you back.
Remis are essentially private drivers that you book in advance, usually via WhatsApp, rather than hailing a taxi off the street. This is quite a common way of getting around in Argentina.
Your accommodation will most likely have a driver they recommend.
We preferred to rent a car, so we didn’t go down this route, but we met a lovely couple on the W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park who did this and said they paid the equivalent of about $90 USD. So similar to a car rental or the bus for 2 people.
I’d recommend organising the driver to wait at least 3 – 4 hours at the glacier to give you enough time to walk all the boardwalks.
Join a tour
If you’re planning to join a tour or do any of the additional activities at the glacier, make sure it includes your transport from El Calafate.
If you just want to wander the boardwalks, a tour is still a valid option. It won’t be cheaper than taking the bus, but you do get a guide to teach you some more about the glacier and take you around the boardwalks.
Perito Moreno Glacier entrance fee
Like most national parks in Argentina, the Perito Moreno Glacier has quite a costly entrance fee.
The glacier is part of the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, but it has its own ‘sector’ Corredor Mitre-Glaciar Moreno, which differs from the northern sector where the trails in El Chalten are located and has a separate fee.
At the time of writing, it was 45,000 ARS for foreign visitors (about $40 USD based on the current exchange rate).
This entrance fee is never included in the cost of tours, so don’t forget to factor this price in when planning your day.
Prices change frequently in Argentina; check the latest fees on the national park website.
You can pre-purchase your tickets online via the national park website (you will have to make an account), or you can buy them when you arrive at the park.
The ticket booth is located here at the park’s boundary, which is still 30 km (18 mi) away from the glacier. No matter how you’re getting to the park (bus, car, taxi, tour), they will stop there, and you’ll get out to buy or show your ticket.
You can pay for the tickets with cash (Argentine Pesos) or credit card however you need the physical card (they would not accept Apple Pay).
We had read that they only accept Visa, not Mastercard, but their website says both are fine, and we have a Visa card, so we can’t confirm either way, sorry. There have also been instances where the card machine has not been working, so even if you’d prefer to pay on card, I’d pack enough pesos just in case!
NATIONAL PARK FLEXIPASS 🎫
As of November 2024, there are now entrance fees for the El Chalten section of Los Glaciares National Park, where you will find the famous Laguna de Los hike (aka the hike to Fitz Roy) among other trails.
The Argentina National Park’s service has introduced a 3 or 7-day ‘flexipass’ which allows you 3 or 7 days in ONE national park. The days don’t have to be used consecutively, you have 6 months.
The Perito Moreno Glacier and the hikes in El Chalten are both part of Los Glaciares National Park, so if you’re planning on visiting both, you might want to consider buying a 3-day (90,000 ARS) or 7-day (157,500 ARS) pass. These passes can only be bought online via the national park website.
Opening hours and best time to visit
The opening hours for the glacier are:
- 🌞 Summer: September 1st to April 30th from 8 am to 6 pm (last entry, remaining open until 8 pm)
- ❄️ Winter: May 1st to August 31st from 9 am to 4 pm (last entry, remaining open until 6 pm)
In terms of when to visit throughout the year, October – April is considered the best time to visit Patagonia, encompassing late spring, summer and early fall. Although wild weather is possible year round, this time of year has longer days, slightly warmer temperatures and less snow.
I would highly recommend checking WindGuru for the day of your visit. Although the general rule for busy tourist attractions is going first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds, it’s better to plan your visit around the weather if you have the flexibility.
Ideally, you want to choose a time with clear skies and sun (if possible!). The sun hitting the glacier really illuminates the ice and deepens the blue tones of the ice and lake.
On the day we visited (mid-March), it was forecast to be sunnier in the afternoon, and we didn’t actually arrive until around 1:30 pm, which is unusual for us, but it absolutely paid off!
We could not believe the stunning weather we had. It was blue skies and sunshine, and we even had t-shirts on for part of the day! Plus, the fall colours were just starting to change, it was absolutely stunning.
Do you need a guide at Perito Moreno Glacier?
No, you do not need a guide to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier.
If you’re just planning to walk the boardwalks, you can definitely do this without a guide. There are maps and signs, and it’s very easy to navigate solo.
The other activities like kayaking, trekking on the glacier require a guide, which will be included in your tour.
Amenities at Perito Moreno Glacier
There are two visitor centre areas at the glacier that house all the amenities.
You first arrive in the main / lower car park, which is where you’ll park if you have driven.
There is a restaurant, toilets and an indoor area where you can eat your own food in a warm, cosy spot. There was even a microwave where you could heat up your packed lunch, which we thought was so awesome!
This is where you take the free shuttle the park operates to the second visitor area (aka upper car park).
The second visitor area is where most of the boardwalks begin. There is another restaurant/cafeteria here, a gift shop and toilets. We didn’t notice as many areas for sitting and eating your own food outside of the restaurant.
Once you’re on the boardwalks, there are no more toilets. There are picnic benches at most of the miradors, and some of the more popular boardwalks had covered shelters where you could sit and enjoy the view with a plastic window shielding you from any wind or rain.
Perito Moreno Glacier walkways
The visitor experience at the glacier has been created around a series of elevated metal walkways or boardwalks (called pasarelas in Spanish).
There are a series of different colour-coded trails around the park, all offering unique and stunning perspectives of the glacier.
There are ‘balcones’ (balconies) and ‘miradors’ (lookouts) all along the trails, offering bigger spaces to sit or stand and admire the ice.
One thing I never saw online before I visited was a map or explanation of these different walkways, so that’s what I’m going to do for you here!
👣 Note that every map we saw listed a different length, time required and difficulty for the trails, and I think you should take their recommendations with a grain of salt! With the exception of the Accessible Trail for wheelchairs, strollers, prams etc. all the trails have some kind of stairs, and there was quite a few ups and downs, but it’s not that long or strenuous and if you have a somewhat semi-decent level of fitness, you’ll be fine to walk them all.
GETTING TO THE BOARDWALKS / THE SHUTTLE BUSES
There are two access points to the boardwalks.
The first is the main parking lot, and if you are driving, you will park here. I believe buses and taxis also drop you off here.
From here, the park runs a free shuttle bus up the hill to the Acceso Principal, aka the main entrance, where most of the walkways start.
However, there is an option to start one of the trails from the first car park, the Sendero de la Costa. I would definitely recommend walking this trail. It looks quite long on the map, but it was the quietest trail we walked on, and the views were stunning!
If you’ve got no issues walking, I’d recommend walking the Costa trail when you first arrive and then catching the shuttle back at the end of your day from the main entrance.
Sendero de los Tempanos
- ⚪️ Colour code: grey
- 📏 Distance: 150 meters according to the map
- ⏰ Time required: 10m according to the map
- 🔋 Difficulty: very easy
- 🧊 Best for: lake views
I’m including this here for completeness, but I don’t really know what this trail is for, and we didn’t walk it.
It goes from the first car park area down to the lakeshore, and I think it’s used by people taking kayak tours to the glacier.
If you want to see Lago Argentina up close, tack it on at the beginning or end of your day.
Sendero de la Costa
- 🔵 Colour code: blue
- 📏 Distance: 1,117 meters according to the map, slightly longer by our count
- ⏰ Time required: 1h 30m according to the map, 1h in my opinion
- 🔋 Difficulty: moderate
- 🧊 Best for: quiet trail, panoramic views of the glacier, blue waters
We are so glad we walked this trail! When we arrived at the car park and the staff directed us where to park and explained the shuttle system, she basically said don’t bother walking this, it will take you hours.
Luckily, we didn’t listen, as I think this might have been my favourite trail! It was slightly longer than the map said, but we only spent about an hour on it, with plenty of stops.
It had the fewest people, and we had a lot of entirely quiet moments to listen to the glacier creaking and cracking.
It gives a panoramic view of the northern side of the glacier in the Canal de los Tempanos and Lago Argentina, which we thought was a lot prettier. The water here is bright and sparkly blue, compared with the southern side.
You don’t need to walk it both ways, but I highly recommend doing it on the way there.
Sendero Central
- 🟠 Colour code: orange
- 📏 Distance: 600 meters according to the map
- ⏰ Time required: 1h according to the map, you’ll spend an hour gazing at the view not walking!
- 🔋 Difficulty: easy
- 🧊 Best for: the closest view of the glacier
This is the main trail in the park and as such, is the busiest. It’s short and easily accessible from the main entrance, so of course there are the most people here.
But it’s popular for a reason, and the balconies on this trail are the closest you’ll get to the glacier. The views are excellent.
The Primer Balcon (first balcony) sits further from the glacier, with an elevated panoramic view. There is a sheltered lookout here with a big wall of clear plastic, so if it’s raining or very windy, you can hang out here and still enjoy the view!
The Segundo Balcon (second balcony) is below, with a closer view of the huge ice wall towering right in front of you.
You get a good view left and right, into the Brazo Rico arm and the Canal de los Tempanos.
You’ll definitely want to spend some time here admiring the views, but I wouldn’t sit down and have your lunch or snack here as it’s quite noisy. With so many people, you can’t hear the glacier, and that’s something you definitely want to do.
Sendero Accesible
- 🟣 Colour code: purple
- 📏 Distance: 565 meters according to the map
- ⏰ Time required: 30m according to the map
- 🔋 Difficulty: easy
- 🧊 Best for: accessibility
The Sendero Accesible is designed for wheelchairs, prams, strollers, etc., to enjoy similar views as the Sendero Central with no stairs. There is an elevator installed to get to the lower level.
It was so lovely to see this trail here, meaning everyone can enjoy the spectacular sight of the glacier.
Sendero Inferior
- 🔴 Colour code: red
- 📏 Distance: 1,110 meters according to the map, probably about right
- ⏰ Time required: 2h according to the map, 1h – 1h 30m in my opinion
- 🔋 Difficulty: challenging according to the map, I thought it was moderate
- 🧊 Best for: quieter trail, views of the southern side of the glacier
The Sendero Inferior is listed as challenging on the map, and there is a sign at the beginning cautioning how hard it is. I didn’t find it any more or less challenging than the Costa Trail.
Yes, there are lots of stairs, but if you follow it anti-clockwise (walk in front of the glacier first), most of them are going down.
This trail is supposedly quieter than the Central one, which it was a little bit, but it was still much more crowded than the Sendero de la Costa.
The Inferior offers close-up views of the southern side of the glacier in the Brazo Rico arm of the lake. The water here is a remarkably different colour than the other side, much more brown. I didn’t find it as pretty, but there was lots of creaking, cracking and small calving going on when we visited.
There are lots of miradors along this trail and plenty of spots to sit down and take it all in. If you can find a mirador to yourself, sit in silence and listen closely.
As you incline on the back half of the trail, you get some beautiful views of the forest in the foreground and the glacier in the background.
Sendero del Bosque
- 🟢 Colour code: green
- 📏 Distance: 570 meters, according to the map
- ⏰ Time required: 1h according to the map, I’d say much less
- 🔋 Difficulty: moderate
- 🧊 Best for: seeing the forest landscape
I’ll admit, we didn’t walk this trail. It felt silly to divert from the glacier, and instead we opted to go and sit on one of the balconies for half an hour more, watching for calvings.
But, if you’re on a quest to do it all, this trail didn’t look that challenging, and I think their time estimate is overcooked.
You could easily do this as a one-way (and skip a tiny bit of the loop) after the Sendero Inferior on your way out.
Other experiences at Perito Moreno Glacier
Honestly, we were blown away by the boardwalks and couldn’t believe how close we felt to the glacier. Given there are so many other extra add-ons, we thought the walkways might have felt a bit like a consolation prize for those on a budget, but they were seriously excellent, and we had such an amazing experience just doing this. The views are spectacular.
If you’ve got the budget and the inclination, there are a lot of other activities on offer to get you even closer to the glacier. As good as the boardwalks were, I know this would add a whole other element to your visit.
Boat navigation
It’s possible to take a boat ride on the lake to get an even closer view of the glacier face. Being on the water and looking at it from that angle gives an entirely different perspective, and you can appreciate just how tall this gigantic wall of ice is.
If you’re certain that you want to take a boat ride on the lake, I’d recommend booking a packaged tour from El Calafate that includes your transport plus the boat ride. You’ll save money.
If you’re not sure, you can organise a navigation when you arrive. This is obviously pending availability, but unless it’s peak, peak season I think you should be able to get a spot.
There are two ports at the glacier:
⚓️ Puerto Baja los Sombras: this port is on the Brazo Rico arm of the lake and visits the southern face of the glacier. It’s located about 5 km (3.1 mi) back towards El Calafate on Ruta 11. Your pre-booked tour might use this port, in which case they’ll transport you, but it’s not ideal for last-minute navigations unless you have a rental car.
The main company operating cruises here is Hielo y Aventura. Their ‘Safari Nautico’ costs 80,000 ARS and runs at:
⏰ 10:00 am | 11:30 am | 1:00 pm | 2:30 pm | 4:00 pm
⚓️ Puerto F. P. Moreno: this port is located right near the main car park, at the start of the first boardwalk (Sendero de la Costa). It travels across Lago Argentina and the Canal de los Tempanos to the northern face of the glacier. If you want to do a navigation last minute, I’d recommend departing from this port (plus, I thought this side of the glacier/lake was prettier anyway!).
The company offering cruises here, Southern Spirit, has a stand in the main car park. They currently charge 60,000 ARS and their cruises depart at:
⏰ 10:30 am | 11:45 am | 1:00 pm | 2:30 pm | 4:00 pm (not always)
⛴️ Book a tour to Perito Moreno Glacier with boat navigation
Kayaking
For an even more unique perspective of the glacier, you can take a kayak tour to paddle amongst the icebergs and up close to the ice.
I would highly recommend booking this activity in advance as a package from El Calafate, as places are limited. I don’t think it’s something you could decide to do on the spot.
You’ll set off on the shores of Lago Argentina near the main car park, paddling around the northern face of the glacier and the Canal de los Tempanos.
It lasts about 3 hours, with around 1.5 hours of kayaking, depending on the weather. No previous kayaking experience is required, so it can’t be that hard!
You’ll get kitted up in thermal suits and dry suits, with waterproof boots and gloves to keep you toasty and dry.
🛶 Book a kayak tour at the Perito Moreno Glacier
Minitrekking
This is one of the most iconic experiences available at the Perito Moreno Glacier and possibly all of Patagonia, giving you the opportunity to actually walk ON the glacier.
The Minitrekking tour takes place on the southern face of the glacier, around the Brazo Rico arm.
The experience involves a short 20-minute boat navigation from Puerto Baja las Sombras to the other side of the lake, where you will disembark and walk for a while along the lakeshore in the forest.
Eventually, you will reach the side of the glacier, where you will be fitted with crampons and a helmet and get ready to walk onto the ice!
You’ll spend about 1 – 1.5 hours walking on the actual glacier. Your guide will lead the group across the ice, pointing out different features of the glacier, like cracks, ponds and seracs.
It does require a moderate level of fitness as the ice is uneven, but the guides chart a course that is safe on firm ice.
This is definitely an experience that needs to be booked in advance, and I’d suggest packaging up a tour that includes transport from El Calafate, as well as some free time to explore the walkways – like this tour.
🧊 Book mini trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier
Big Ice
If you’re not put off by the cost of the minitrekking and you really want to experience the Perito Moreno Glacier like nobody else, you can opt for the ‘Big Ice’.
This tour is essentially an extension of the Minitrekking. Instead of spending 1 – 1.5 hours walking on the glacier, you’ll spend about 3 hours. Plus, the hike to reach the area of the glacier you’ll walk on is much longer and more strenuous.
Basically, you’ll go much, much deeper into the glacier and see parts of it few people ever do.
You definitely need to book a tour in advance and be prepared to pay.
⛸️ Book Big Ice at Perito Moreno Glacier
ICE TREKKING – IS IT WORTH THE COST? 🥾🧊
The minitrekking on Perito Moreno Glacier was on our Patagonia bucket list for so long, but the recent economic issues and inflation in Argentina meant this experience became way, way out of our budget.
Tours exceed more than $400 USD at the time of writing for the minitrekking, and we just couldn’t justify the expense when you can have similar experiences at other glaciers in the region for half the price.
If you’re on a short, highlights trip of Patagonia and this is the only place you will have the opportunity to walk on a glacier, do it. Few people regret it, and it is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you’ve got more time and are travelling to the further reaches of Patagonia, you might like to consider a glacier-walking tour elsewhere.
You can walk on the Grey Glacier in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile or where we did our tour, at the Exploradores Glacier near Puerto Rio Tranquillo on the Carretera Austral in Chile.
Glacier trekking is also possible on many of the glaciers around El Chalten at the northern end of Los Glaciares National Park.
What to bring to Perito Moreno Glacier
- 🧣 Layers: anywhere you go in Patagonia, you need to pack layers for all weather possibilities! The weather can turn on a dime, so always be prepared for rain, cold winds and even snow. That means rain jacket and pants, scarf/buff, beanie, gloves, etc.
- 🥾 Comfortable walking shoes: unless you’re doing the ice trek, where hiking boots are recommended, runners/trainers should be fine. Keep in mind that you will be walking a lot on metal boardwalks with open grates, so be comfy.
- 🌞 Sun protection: if you’re blessed with a sunny day, you’ll definitely need sunglasses as the light reflecting off the ice is bright! Don’t forget sunscreen too, I am still shocked at how harsh the sun can be in Patagonia even though it’s quite chilly.
- 🥪 Packed lunch and snacks: if you’re on a budget, BYO food and drink. There are two restaurants at the glacier, but they’re not cheap and apparently not that nice. Plus, it was so nice eating our sandwiches with a view of the glacier and having a cup of coffee from our thermos while we watched ice calve off. Much better than sitting in a stuffy restaurant!
- 💧 Water bottle: bring a reusable water bottle. The boardwalks aren’t hard as such, but you will be walking upwards of 3 – 5 km (1.8 – 3.1 mi) and you’ll need a drink. I’m pretty sure you can refill your bottles with potable water in the bathrooms.
- 💰Cash and/or a physical credit card: as mentioned above, to pay the entrance fee to the park, you need a physical credit card or Argentine Pesos. I’d recommend having enough pesos on hand even if you plan to pay by card, as their card machine often doesn’t work.
Planning a trip to El Calafate
Planning a trip to El Calafate? Don’t forget to read our El Calafate travel guide too. It covers all the important info you need to know about El Calafate, like getting there, getting around, the best places to eat, where to stay and other handy tips to get your bearings.
🧊 Everything you need to know about El Calafate
Final thoughts: Perito Moreno Glacier
The Perito Moreno Glacier exceeded all of our expectations.
Being Australian, we’ve barely ever seen snow, let alone a sea of ice bigger than a city, and it was truly mind-boggling.
If you’re budget-conscious, there’s no way to avoid a pretty expensive day out. But the good news is that even the cheapest option of the boardwalks is absolutely excellent!
When everyone says that this glacier is a must-do in Patagonia, they’re not lying! Factor in a night or two in El Calafate to spend a day here – it’s 100% worth the hype.
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