⭐ 4.7 (250 reviews)

Perito Moreno Glacier Day Trip: Full Day Tour with Optional Navigation

Stand face-to-face with one of Earth's last advancing glaciers — a colossal wall of blue ice that calves, thunders, and astonishes at every turn.

Featured Tour

Explore the Ice Giant of Patagonia

The Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Tour with optional Navigation takes you on an extraordinary journey from El Calafate into the heart of Los Glaciares National Park. Rated a Condé Nast Traveler wonder of the world, this glacier rises up to 60 metres above Lake Argentino and stretches over 30 kilometres. You'll walk a network of metal walkways and staircases connecting multiple panoramic viewpoints, each delivering a fresh and breathtaking angle of the ice face. Listen for the deep crack and boom as chunks of ice calve into the milky turquoise water below. For those who want an even closer encounter, the optional one-hour boat ride along Lake Argentino's Rico Branch brings you within 150 metres of the glacier's towering south face — a perspective no photograph can fully capture. This is the definitive perito moreno glacier day trip for anyone visiting El Calafate.

  • Scenic 80 km drive through Patagonian steppe from El Calafate to the glacier
  • Walk interconnected viewpoint walkways for multiple angles of the ice wall
  • Watch and listen to dramatic ice calving events in real time
  • Optional one-hour boat ride just 150 m from the glacier's south face
  • Expert local guide providing geological and ecological context throughout
Book Now
⭐ 4.7 (250 reviews) Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Tour with optional Navigation
Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Tour with optional Navigation
Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Tour with optional Navigation
Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Tour with optional Navigation
Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Tour with optional Navigation

About This Experience

A Full Day on One of the World's Greatest Glaciers

Few natural spectacles rival the raw power of Perito Moreno. Unlike most of the world's glaciers, this one is neither retreating nor stagnant — it actively advances, periodically damming the Rico Channel and then dramatically rupturing under its own pressure. Your full-day visit gives you ample time to absorb this phenomenon from multiple vantage points, soaking in the scale and the silence broken only by thunderous calving.

Departing early from El Calafate, your group travels 80 kilometres through the sweeping Patagonian landscape before entering Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once at the glacier, a system of well-maintained metal walkways and timber staircases guides you across several platforms, each positioned to deliver a different perspective — from wide panoramas of the entire ice field to close-up views of towering seracs and deep blue crevasses.

The optional navigation component elevates the experience entirely. Boarding a boat on Lake Argentino's Rico Branch, you glide to within 150 metres of the glacier's south face, where the sheer vertical ice wall looms overhead and the colour shifts from white to an electric, mineral blue. Remember to purchase your National Park ticket — available online or at the entrance in pesos by cash or card — to ensure smooth entry on the day.

⏱️
Duration Full Day (approx. 10–11 hrs)
👥
Group Size Small to medium group
📍
Meeting Point El Calafate (hotel pickup available)
📦
Included Transport, guide, walkway access
💪
Difficulty Easy to moderate (walkways & stairs)
🌐
Languages Spanish & English

Travel Guide

Perito Moreno Glacier Day Trip Everything You Need to Know

Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

What to Bring & Pack

Patagonian weather is famously unpredictable, and conditions at the glacier can shift from warm sunshine to biting wind within minutes. Layering is essential — start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add an insulating mid-layer, and finish with a windproof and waterproof outer shell. Even on clear days the wind chill near the ice face can be significant, so dressing in adaptable layers ensures comfort throughout the long day on the walkways.

Sturdy, waterproof footwear with good grip is strongly recommended, as the metal walkways and stairs can become slippery from mist and spray. Sun protection is equally important — the Patagonian sun at altitude is intense, and UV reflection off the ice amplifies exposure. Bring a refillable water bottle and snacks to keep energy levels up between the viewpoints, and a dry bag or waterproof pouch to protect electronics from spray if you opt for the boat ride.

  • Windproof and waterproof outer jacket
  • Warm mid-layer fleece or down jacket
  • Waterproof hiking boots or trail shoes
  • Sunscreen SPF 50+, sunglasses, and a hat
  • Refillable water bottle and packed snacks
  • Camera or phone in a waterproof case or dry bag
  • National Park ticket (purchased online or at the gate)

What to Expect on the Tour

The day begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in El Calafate, followed by an 80-kilometre scenic drive through the vast Patagonian steppe. As you enter Los Glaciares National Park, the landscape transforms dramatically — rolling grasslands give way to ancient lenga beech forest before the glacier suddenly appears in full, jaw-dropping view. Your guide will offer an introduction to the glacier's geology and the forces that keep it advancing while most of the world's glaciers shrink.

At the glacier complex, you'll spend several hours exploring the interconnected walkway system at your own pace, with your guide available to answer questions and point out calving events. If you've opted for the boat navigation, you'll be transferred to the dock for your one-hour cruise along the Rico Branch, bringing you stunningly close to the south face. After the on-site experience, you'll drive back to El Calafate with incredible memories and, most likely, a memory card full of extraordinary photographs.

  • Hotel pickup and 80 km scenic drive to the park
  • Guided introduction to glacier geology at the viewpoint area
  • Self-paced exploration of multiple connected walkway platforms
  • Witness live ice calving events from safe viewing distances
  • Optional one-hour boat ride within 150 m of the south face
  • Free time for photography and personal exploration
  • Return transfer to El Calafate in the late afternoon

Good to Know Before You Visit

A National Park entrance ticket is required and is not included in the tour price. You can purchase it in advance online by searching for the 'Río Mitre y Glaciar Perito Moreno – 1 day' pass, which is recommended to avoid queues. Alternatively, tickets are sold at the park entrance and can be paid in Argentine pesos by cash or card. Securing this ticket in advance is strongly advisable during the high season months of November through March, when visitor numbers peak.

The walkways are accessible to most fitness levels, though there are stairs involved, so those with significant mobility limitations should consult the operator before booking. Calving events are entirely natural and unpredictable — while they occur frequently, they cannot be guaranteed at a specific time. The optional boat ride must typically be booked and confirmed with the operator in advance. Tipping your guide is customary and appreciated. Photography is unrestricted, but selfie sticks near railings are discouraged for safety.

  • Buy your National Park ticket online in advance to skip queues
  • Tickets also sold at the entrance gate in pesos, cash or card
  • Book the optional boat ride ahead — availability can be limited
  • Calving events are natural and cannot be guaranteed at set times
  • Walkways involve stairs — not fully suitable for very limited mobility
  • Tipping the guide is customary and warmly appreciated
  • Check the weather forecast the evening before and layer accordingly

Traveler Reviews

Perito Moreno Glacier Day Trip What Visitors Are Saying

See why travelers call this perito moreno glacier day trip the highlight of their entire Patagonia adventure.

★★★★★

"Absolutely jaw-dropping from start to finish. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the glacier's formation and pointed out calving events we would have completely missed on our own. The optional boat navigation brought us right up to the towering ice walls, which was worth every extra penny. Hands down the best excursion we did in all of Argentina."

SM
Sarah M.March 2025
★★★★★

"We booked this as our one must-do activity in El Calafate and it exceeded every expectation. The walkway system gives you multiple jaw-dropping viewpoints of the ice face, and watching massive chunks crash into the turquoise lake is something you genuinely cannot put into words. Our driver was punctual and the whole day was incredibly well organized. We would do it again in a heartbeat."

JR
James R.January 2025
★★★★☆

"A truly spectacular experience that I'd recommend to anyone visiting Patagonia. The glacier itself is enormous — photos simply do not do it justice — and the guided commentary added so much context to what we were seeing. I'm giving four stars only because the bus back to El Calafate was slightly delayed, but that's a minor hiccup on an otherwise brilliant day out. The navigation add-on was fantastic."

CB
Claire B.November 2024
★★★★★

"This perito moreno glacier day trip was the centerpiece of our entire South America trip and it delivered spectacularly. The combination of the elevated walkways and the optional lake navigation meant we saw the glacier from every possible angle. Our guide spoke excellent English and made the science feel exciting rather than like a lecture. Do not skip the boat — it is an entirely different perspective."

MT
Marco T.February 2025

FAQ

Perito Moreno Glacier Day Trip Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before heading out on this unforgettable full-day excursion to one of Patagonia's greatest natural wonders.

The tour includes round-trip transportation from El Calafate, the national park entrance fee, and a bilingual guide who accompanies you throughout the day. You'll have several hours on the extensive network of elevated walkways and observation decks overlooking the glacier's southern face. The optional navigation component is a separate boat excursion that sails you right up to the ice walls for a completely different and deeply impressive perspective — it can be added during the booking process. Lunch and personal snacks are not included, though there is a cafeteria on site. The total outing runs roughly 8 to 10 hours depending on your hotel pickup time.
The tour operates a comfortable coach that picks up guests directly from their hotels in El Calafate, so you don't need to arrange separate transport. The drive to Los Glaciares National Park takes approximately 80 kilometers and around 1.5 hours each way, passing through beautiful Patagonian steppe scenery. Pickup times are confirmed by the operator the evening before, and the schedule is designed to have you at the glacier during the most active hours of the day. Make sure your accommodation address is correctly listed at the time of booking so the bus knows where to collect you.
The boardwalk and staircase system at the glacier is well-maintained and accessible to most fitness levels, though there are quite a few steps and uneven surfaces involved. Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes with a good grip are strongly recommended, as metal walkways can become slippery when wet. The paths wind across different elevations to give you varied angles of the glacier face, so you should expect a moderate amount of walking over two to three hours. People with mobility limitations should contact the operator in advance, as some sections may not be accessible. There is no hiking on the ice itself included in this standard tour.
Perito Moreno is one of the few glaciers in the world that can be visited year-round, and each season offers something different. Summer in Patagonia (December through February) brings the longest days and warmest temperatures, typically between 10°C and 20°C, and calving events tend to be more frequent. Autumn and spring offer fewer crowds and beautifully dramatic skies. Winter visits (June–August) are cold and windy but genuinely serene and uncrowded. Regardless of season, Patagonian weather is unpredictable, so layering and a waterproof jacket are essential on any visit.
During peak season — roughly November through March — spaces on this tour fill up quickly, so booking at least one to two weeks in advance is strongly advised. Outside of peak season, a few days' notice is usually sufficient, but earlier is always better to lock in your preferred date. The standard Viator cancellation policy applies, which typically allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Always check the specific conditions on the booking page, as they can vary slightly. If weather causes the operator to cancel, an alternative date or full refund will be offered.
Most travelers who take the navigation describe it as a genuine highlight that transforms the experience from impressive to unforgettable. The boat brings you within just a few hundred meters of the glacier's wall, giving you an up-close sense of its scale — the ice towers well above the vessel and the deep blues in the crevasses are extraordinary. The sailing portion typically lasts around 60 to 90 minutes and operates on a set schedule during the day. It runs on a separate ticket and departs from a dock inside the park, so no additional transport is required. If your budget allows, the upgrade is wholeheartedly recommended by the vast majority of visitors.

Ready to witness one of Patagonia's greatest natural wonders on the Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Tour with optional Navigation?

Reserve Your Spot

Ready to Stand Before the Ice Giant?

Spaces on this tour fill fast, especially in peak Patagonian summer. Lock in your spot today and get ready for one of the most awe-inspiring days of your life.

Book this tour →
📅 Book Now