The monumental Perito Moreno Glacier, in Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, dominates the sweeping landscape like a frozen giant. Emerging from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in Argentina’s Santa Cruz province, the epic glacier spans more than 250 square kilometers, stretching from the high Andean mountains right down to the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino. Unlike most of the planet’s glaciers, which are currently in retreat, the Perito Moreno Glacier is still advancing steadily towards the Lago Argentina below. This sets the stage for an awesome display of nature’s strength as huge new icebergs regularly crash into Lago Argentino, the nation’s largest freshwater lake.
But the enormous active glacier is not the only attraction in Los Glaciares National Park, where you can hike the rugged mountain trails, take a boat safari across freshwater lake, kayak amongst glittering icebergs, or learn about the local culture in the nearby towns. The lakefront town of El Calafate is situated around 80 km from the gigantic ice walls of the glacier, and is the ideal place to stay for your visit. Full of traditional Argentine restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as a great selection of accommodation for all budgets, the bustling town is the national park’s main tourist and transportation hub. Even so, El Calafate feels like a settlement on the edge of the known world as you look out across the harbor at the vast mountain peaks and untouched majesty of the raw Patagonian wilderness.
A magical combination of pristine natural beauty and Argentine cultural life, a trip to the Perito Moreno Glacier and El Calafate is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that simply has to be experienced to be believed! Suitable for families with children, adventurous couples, and roaming solo travelers, there’s more than enough romance, fun, and adventure in Los Glaciares National Park for a lifetime of memories.
How Do You Get To Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina?
Thanks to modern transport links, getting to the Perito Moreno Glacier is surprisingly easy considering how remote it feels when you’re there. The best plan is to fly directly into Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), a major international travel hub that receives flights from all over the world. Once you arrive in Buenos Aires, you’ll need to catch a connecting domestic flight straight to the Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE) just outside El Calafate.
The flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, and if you’re lucky enough to get a window seat you’ll be spoiled by the jaw dropping scenery right until the moment you land. From the El Calafate airport the easiest option is to jump in a taxi which will take you directly to your hotel or accommodation in the town, or, alternatively, you can hire a car, or take a budget-friendly shuttle bus into the town center.
Once you’re settled in your accommodation, there are several ways to get to the national park’s system of secure boardwalks that you can use to safely explore the glacier. You can catch a local bus, which takes around 1.5 to 2 hours and will drop you off at one of the main boardwalks. Alternatively, you can join an organized tour group with a guide, or, if you prefer to travel solo, you can rent a car and navigate your own way around the national park. It’s worth noting that there is a nominal entrance fee to access Los Glaciares National Park which is used by park authorities to maintain the boardwalks and other facilities in the park.
When is the Best Time To Visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, Bolivia?
The ideal time to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier and Los Glaciares National Park is during the Southern hemisphere’s summer time, between November and March. During the spring and summer months temperatures range from around 15 to 20 Degrees Celsius, or 59 to 68 Fahrenheit, providing great conditions for sightseeing, trekking, and other activities in the park. You’ll also enjoy longer daylight hours during the summer which will give you more time for explorations and better opportunities for late evening photography.
The peak tourist season in the Los Glaciares National Park is between January and February, so if you want to avoid the crowds then you should plan your trip for the late spring in November, or in early Autumn, from March through April. On the edges of the main tourist season you can often grab some great bargains on hotels and plane tickets while still avoiding the cold winter months.
During the winter in Los Glaciares National Park, the temperatures really plummet and conditions are often freezing cold, bleak, and windy. There are limited tours available, and sometimes even catching a flight to the area can be difficult, so generally speaking, it’s best to avoid visiting between May and September.
What is There to Do at the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Los Glaciares National Park?
Explore the Scenic Perito Moreno Glacier Boardwalks
The safest way to explore the Perito Moreno Glacier on foot is to hike around the extensive routes of secure boardwalks. You can get right up close to the glaciers while truly immersing yourself in the dramatic landscapes of the Los Glaciares National Park without risking getting lost or falling down a crevice.
There are about 5 km of boardwalks and walkways to explore, with a whole range of different routes, viewpoints, and elevated balconies to visit. From the safety of the secure wooden walkways, you can marvel at the splendour of the glacier’s might, and, if you’re lucky, you might even witness a new iceberg break off into the Lago Argentino! And don’t forget to pack some water and snacks so you can stop off along the way and refuel.
It is possible to leave the boardwalks and head out across the glacial ice alone, but this is definitely not recommended. In fact, as a visitor, it’s a bad idea to leave the signposted walkways unless you are with an experienced local guide.
Join a Guided Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Trekking Expedition
For anyone who wants to explore the glacier field more extensively, this full day guided mini-expedition is tailor made for you. You’ll be provided with all the basic gear you need, including crampons, before setting off by vehicle to stop at many of the most popular beauty spots in the area. Your guide will also give you a running commentary of the surroundings and be on hand to help with throughout the expedition.
During the day you’ll explore the lakeshore as well as many of the most scenic glaciers and viewpoints of Lago Argentino, giving you an abundance of photo opportunities and chances to fill up your Instagram reel. The full day tour includes hotel pickup and drop off within El Calafate and is suitable for anyone with moderate fitness levels, including families with older children.
You can find out more about the full day mini expedition or book your tickets, here.
Glaciers Gourmet Boat Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier
If you’d like to see the glaciers in comfort and style then jump aboard this boat tour for a delightfully relaxing day of marvelous views and gourmet food. After departing the Cruise Port Marpatag, the luxury modern boat sets off across the lake and visits the park’s five main glaciers; Upsala, Spegazzini, Perito Moreno, Heim, and the often overlooked Seco Glaciers.
This is the most extensive water tour of the park’s glaciers and includes a one hour stop to walk through the forest on Puesto de Las Vacas, a tiny island in the Spegazzini Channel. And to finish the day, you’ll enjoy an authentic Patagonian meal which is served on board as you sail back to port. The tour includes an early morning hotel pickup, between 7 and 7.30am, although if you’re staying elsewhere you can arrange to be picked up at a convenient place in the El Calafate.
You can find out more and reserve your spots on the gourmet boat tour of Los Glaciares National Park’s premier glaciers, here.
Visit the Glaciarium – One of the World’s Only Glacier Museums
No trip to Los Glaciares National Park would be complete without stopping off at the Glaciarium, the world’s most unique interpretive glaciological museum and educational center! The museum includes a creative range of interactive exhibits, a 3D documentary film presentation, and lots of other enriching resources to help you understand all about how glaciers are formed and interact with the landscapes around them.
A great half-day trip for families with children, and anyone else who would like to learn more about the heavenly landscapes of the Los Glaciares National Park. The Glaciarium also provides a free shuttle bus to and from El Calafate town center, so if you’re looking for something to do one morning or afternoon, make sure to visit the unique Glaciarium.
You can find out more about the Glaciarium, its exhibits, and the shuttle bus, on the official website, here.
Stay at the Hotel Mirador del Lago
This beautiful hotel on the shores of Lago Argentino provides guests with affordable luxury just a stone’s throw from the bustling town center of El Calafate. The family-friendly hotel has a great selection of rooms with ensuite bathrooms, WiFi, a minibar, flatscreen TV, room service, and delightfully comfy beds to rest after a day of activities in the national park.
Ideally located for exploring the town, with lots of local restaurants, bars, and shops nearby, the Hotel Mirador del Lago is the perfect place to base yourself during your time in Los Glaciares National Park.
You can reserve your room, contact the front desk, or find out more about the Hotel Mirador Del Lago, on the official website, here.
