Perito Moreno Glacier

Perito Moreno History

The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most popular glaciers in the world. The massive glacier is named after the Argentine naturalist and explorer, Perito Francisco Pascacio Moreno (1852-1919), who donated the land for the first Argentine National Park and acted as an expert (perito, in Spanish) regarding the border with Chile because of his extensive knowledge of the Patagonian mountain range.

There are 3 distinct features that make Perito Moreno different from all other glaciers: its access, its condition, and the ice breaking phenomenon.

Access:  The Perito Moreno Glacier is located at 185m (606 feet) above sea level and 80km (50 miles) away from El Calafate, which is the closest town. There are very few glaciers in the world that are accessible in such a safe and simple way..

Condition: Perito Moreno’s stability is another feature that makes the glacier unique. Since 1917, the Perito Moreno Glacier has been stable, which means  its surface, width, and length have remained remarkably the same. This stability shows that the increase in snow fall in the accumulation zone is enough to compensate for the loss in the percolation zone, principally due to melting.

Ice Breaking: Perito Moreno’s ice breaking phenomenon has been taking place since 1940. While most assume the breakage is due to global warming, it’s actually the result of ice melting and snow accumulation, which causes the Perito Moreno Glacier to grow. The breaking process begins when the glacier reaches the Magallanes Peninsula, which subsequently obstructs the drainage of Lago Rico into Lago Argentino. The level of Lago Rico rises due to the ice melting in the highlands. The pressure produced by increased water levels and the lack of water drainage. causes the glacier to break. It’s one of only three glaciers in the world growing rather than retreating.

Perito Moreno Mini Trekking

• Ages: 10 to 65 yrs
• Physical Demand: Moderate
• Duration: Full Day (from el Calafate)
• Estimated Time Spent on the Glacier: 1:30hs
• Dates: July 14th until May 31st
• Suggested Attire: Comfortable sports wear, long pants, warm sweater, pullover, or windproof jacket, and sun glasses. For footwear, tennis shoes or trekking boots.

After arriving to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, the Mini Trekking excursion begins at the pier located in “Bajo de las Sombras” port, which is about 6 km away from the the Perito Moreno glacier. The boat ride is filled with breathtaking views of the Perito Moreno glacier’s front wall and lasts approximately 20 minutes.

The boat touches down on the opposite shore, where guests are divided based on their language of preference. The bilingual glacier guides will give a short presentation and lead you to a small shelter. After double checking final details, groups of not more than 20 follow their guides along the lake’s shore towards the edge of the glacier. The glacier guides will then help each participant put a pair of crampons on, explaining how to use them while on top of the glacier.

The time spent trekking on top of the Perito Moreno glacier is about an 1 hour and 30 minutes. You will be exposed to streams, small lagoons, gullies, cravasses and incredible blue ice formations. A moderate skill level is required to trek across the glacier. The ice surface is irregular, but it’s firm and safe, and guides are careful to ensure traveler safety.

After the end of trekking, you will be greeted by a glass of whiskey, which will have ice from the glacier for the perfect chill.

Important to keep in mind:

• Passengers must bring their own lunch. The company does not have a food and beverage sales service.
• There is an entrance fee to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (~500 Pesos)
• The Mini Trekking excursion includes an hour long visit to Perito Moreno observation decks, where guests can capture plenty of photos and videos

Perito Moreno Big Ice

• Ages: 18 to 50 yrs
• Physical Demand: High
• Duration: Full Day (from el Calafate)
• Estimated Time Spent on the Glacier: 3:30hs
• Dates: Mid September until End of April
• Suggested Attire: Comfortable sports wear, long pants, warm sweater, pullover, or windproof jacket, and sun glasses. For footwear, tennis shoes or trekking boots.

After arriving to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, the Mini Trekking excursion begins at the pier located in “Bajo de las Sombras” port, which is about 6 km away from the the Perito Moreno glacier. The boat ride is filled with breathtaking views of the Perito Moreno glacier’s front wall and lasts approximately 20 minutes.

The boat touches down on the opposite shore, where guests are divided based on their language of preference. After checking everyone’s gear, guests will walk along the lateral moraine carrying their crampons for about an hour and a half until the group reaches the access point to the glacier. Once at the access point, everyone will strap on their crampons and be fitted for a harnesses to start the ice trekking.

The trek is filled with breathtaking views of the immense ice plateau, massive moulins, crevasses, caves, and all the amazing features of the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Bilingual glacier guides will accompany guests the entire trek, looking after everyone’s safety and teaching the “ways of the ice.” Guests will be on top of the glacier for around 3 and a half hours, stopping to have lunch somewhere beautiful on top of Perito Moreno.

After arriving back to the moraine, the group will start its descent back to the port, taking a boat ride near the southern wall of the glacier, arriving back at “Bajo de las Sombras” port after 20 minutes.

Important to keep in mind:

• Passengers must bring their own lunch. The company does not have a food and beverage sales service.
• There is an entrance fee to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (~500 Pesos)
• The Mini Trekking excursion includes an hour long visit to Perito Moreno observation decks, where guests can capture plenty of photos and videos

Perito Moreno Boat Tour

• Ages: Every Age
• Physical Demand: None
• Duration: One Hour
• Boat Tour Frequency: Hourly departures from 10am to 4pm (From June to September the only departure is at 12:00pm)
• Boat Capacity: ~130 passengers
• Dates: All Year
• Suggested Attire: Weather appropriate clothing: comfortable sports wear, long pants, warm sweater, pullover, or windproof jacket, and sun glasses.

The boat excursion takes passengers on a cruise across Lago Rico, passing by large icebergs that have fallen off the front of the Perito Moreno glacier. After reaching the “Iceberg Channel,” the boat will stop at a safe distance from the glacier, continuing to sail alongside the glacier’s front wall, allowing passengers to take spectacular photos of the high ice walls.

The boat used for this excursion is the Yagan (capacity ~130 passengers), and the embarkment takes place from the “Bajo de las Sombras” port, which is about 6 km from the glacier.

The excursion lasts approximately one hour and provides a completely different perspective of the Perito Moreno glacier.

Tickets can be purchased at the “Bajo de las Sombras” port.

Perito Moreno Photo Gallery