Perito Moreno Full Day Minitrekking with Transfer and Walkways

El Calafate , Argentina

Perito Moreno Full Day Minitrekking with Transfer and Walkways

Active

(54 reviews)

10h

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Manual confirmation

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

The tour starts when passengers are picked up in El Calafate. You will board our comfortable buses, where our tour guides will give you information on the place, the glacier and the tour on our way to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares.
Once you arrive at Bajo de las Sombras port you’ll board a ship to cross Lago Rico and descend on the opposite coast, the south face of Glaciar Perito Moreno.
When you disembark, you will be welcomed by our expert mountain guides. Here starts the trekking! We will start by walking along the coast of the lake, keeping our eyes on the glacier The guides will give a talk about glaciology.
When we reach the glacier side, with its amazing shades of blue ice framing the landscape, you will be divided into subgroups of up to 20 people each and you will have the crampons and helmets fitted.
At the end of the ice trekking, you will return along a path crossing the Bosque Andino Patagónico, completing the THREE-HOUR WALK ON THE LAKE COAST, MORAINE, ICE AND WOODS

Available options

MINITREKKING WITH TRANSFERS

MINITREKKING<br/>Pickup included

MINITREKKING WITHOUT TRANSFERS

Pickup included

What's included

Guide for all the tour

One hour guided visit to the walkways when choosing the WITH TRANSFERoption.

Hotel pickup and drop-off to Calafate hotels are included when choosing the with transfer option.

Pick up time could be at 8 AM or at 1 PM depending on the availability in high season

Crampons to the participants

Detailed itinerary

The tour begins with the pick-up from the meeting point agreed in El Calafate. In our comfortable buses, we will give information about the place, the glacier and the tour through audio guides available in Spanish, English and Portuguese.

Once in the “Bajo las Sombras” port (Ruta 11, km 70.9) you board a ship to cross the Lago Rico to arrive at the opposite shore after a 20-minute trip approximately in front of the southern wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier.

When you get ashore, and after passing by the shelter, the mountain guides organize small groups of up to 20 people. Then, a short 20-minute walk begins with a talk about glaciology along the shore of the lake towards the glacier. Once on the ice, the guides put on each participant a pair of crampons and give them instructions on how they should walk on the ice. In the about 1:30 hour walk on the glacier, you will be able to appreciate a wide variety of ice formations as well as cracks, seracs, glacier mills and small ponds.

Stop 2

Los Glaciares National Park is located in the southern Andes of southwestern Argentina, near the Chilean border. Its numerous glaciers include Perito Moreno, famous for the spectacular ice cascades on its front wall, which end at Lake Argentino. In the north, the irregular peak of Mount Fitz Roy rises above the mountain village of El Chaltén and Viedma Lake. The park hosts many species of birds, such as condors and black eagles.

What's not included

Gratuities

Entry to Los Glaciares National Park - Price subject to change.

Take a lunch box to have a meal in the woods at the side of the lake, before embarking.

Transfers Calafate airport to Calafate Hotel are not included

Food or Drinks

If you choose the option WITHOUT transfer; the service does not include transfer to the walkways

If you choose the without transfer option, the duration of the tour is reduced to 5 hours.

Available languages

Guide guide

PT EN ES

Reviews breakdown

Viator 4.3

13 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Tripadvisor 4.8

41 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Important information

Wheelchair accessible

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Age allowed to make this tour: From 8 years of age and under 65 years of age.

Pick up time depending on the availability in high season - the pick up time will be written in the MINITREKKING voucher that we will send to you after the booking

You need to Print The minitrekking Voucher that you will receive 5 days before the day of the tour

When you disembark, you will be welcomed by our expert mountain guides, who will lead you to a cozy shelter with a privileged view of the glacier. Here starts the trekking! We will start by walking along the coast of the lake, keeping our eyes on the glacier so that we do not miss any ice calvings. Then, the guides will give a talk about glaciology. When we reach the glacier side, with its amazing shades of blue ice framing the landscape, you will be divided into subgroups of up to 20 people each and you will have the crampons and helmets fitted, which are provided by the company. This tour is highly personalized (one guide every up to 10 passengers). Once on the glacier, you will hear the safety instructions and you will walk to enjoy this frozen paradise, which has been declared a Word Heritage Site in 1981.

The level of difficulty of this walk is moderate. The surface of the ice is irregular, but firm and safe. During the trekking, you will be able to see a variety of typical glacier features, such as deep cracks, blue moulins, huge seracs and turquoise ponds.

At the end of the ice trekking, you will walk on the area around the glacier and the side moraine, from where you will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of Glaciar Perito Moreno, the mountains and the lake. Later, you will return along a path crossing the exuberant Bosque Andino Patagónico, completing the THREE-HOUR WALK ON THE LAKE COAST, MORAINE, ICE AND WOODS (about one hour is on the glacier’s ice). When we arrive to the shelter, we will give visitors hot drinks and a souvenir. Shortly after, you will embark to return to “Bajo de las Sombras” port, but before departing you will be able to watch the huge walls of the glacier from the ship.

The duration of this tour is about 10 hours, including the transfer and a one-hour guided visit to the walkways of Glaciar Perito Moreno, 7 km from the port. There, you’ll enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the glacier and walk along some of the self-guided paths. If you don’t use our transfer and go by your own means, the Minitrekking takes about five hours and a half, leaving from the port and returning to the same point.

Group departures: we have several departures at different times. If you are traveling in a group or with a partner, please tell us the details in advance, in order to place them at the same time and guarantee the group departure at the same time

If there is a participant under the age of 15, please provide a photo of their passport with the date of birth so we can confirm the reservation. This will be requested at the time of confirmation.

If you choose the without transfer option, please note that this alternative does not include transportation to and from the walkways, and therefore, the total duration of the tour is reduced to approximately 5 hours.

Passengers who choose the without transfer option: The meeting point will be at Puerto Bajo Las Sombras, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, Z9405, El Calafate. We will inform you of the meeting time when your booking is confirmed and will send it to you along with the itinerary once the reservation is finalized.

Important notes

Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to this time

About El Calafate

El Calafate is a charming town in Argentine Patagonia, known as the gateway to the stunning Los Glaciares National Park. It's famous for its dramatic glaciers, crystal-clear lakes, and breathtaking landscapes, offering a mix of adventure and relaxation in a unique Patagonian setting.

Top Attractions

Perito Moreno Glacier

One of the most impressive glaciers in the world, Perito Moreno is part of the Los Glaciares National Park and is known for its massive size and dramatic calving events.

Nature Half day to full day AR$1,500-2,500 ($15-25 USD) for park entry and boat tours

Laguna Nimez Reserve

A small reserve near El Calafate that is home to a variety of bird species, including flamingos, ducks, and geese.

Nature 1-2 hours AR$500-1,000 ($5-10 USD) for entry

El Calafate Historic Museum

A small museum that offers insights into the history and culture of the region, including exhibits on the local Tehuelche people and the early settlers.

Historical 1 hour AR$300-500 ($3-5 USD) for entry

Glaciares National Park

A vast national park that includes the Perito Moreno Glacier and numerous other glaciers, lakes, and mountains. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a variety of outdoor activities.

Nature Full day AR$1,500-2,500 ($15-25 USD) for park entry and activities

Must-Try Local Dishes

Cordero al Asador (Roast Lamb)

Slow-roasted lamb, a specialty of the region, often served with local vegetables and sauces.

Main Course Contains meat

Trucha (Trout)

Freshly caught trout, often grilled or fried, served with local sides like potatoes and salads.

Main Course Contains fish

Calafate Berry Desserts

Desserts made with the local calafate berry, including jams, pies, and liqueurs.

Dessert Vegetarian

Popular Activities

Glacier trekking Kayaking Mountain biking Boat tours Wildlife viewing Sunset cruises Visiting local museums Attending festivals

Best Time to Visit

December to February (Summer)

Summer is the peak tourist season with warm temperatures, long daylight hours, and the best conditions for outdoor activities. All attractions are open, and the weather is most favorable for hiking and exploring.

10°C to 22°C (50°F to 72°F) 50°F to 72°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: Spanish
Widely spoken: English, German
English: Moderately spoken in tourist areas

Currency

Argentine Peso (ARS)

Time Zone

GMT-3

Electricity

220VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

El Calafate is generally safe for travelers, with low crime rates. However, as with any destination, it's important to take basic precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure and out of sight
• Use licensed taxis or ride-sharing apps
• Be cautious when withdrawing cash from ATMs

Getting there

By air

Comodoro Rivadavia International Airport (CRD) • 450 km (280 miles) from El Calafate
El Calafate International Airport (FTE) • 25 km (15.5 miles) from city center

By bus

Terminal de Ómnibus El Calafate

Getting around

Public transport

The local bus service is affordable and convenient for getting around town and to major attractions like the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber (limited availability), Local taxi apps

Rentals

Car, Bike

Neighborhoods

Downtown El Calafate Lago Argentino Area

Day trips

Upsala Glacier

50 km (31 miles) from El Calafate • Full day

A massive glacier that can be visited via boat tour from the Lago Argentino.

Rio de los Glaciares

100 km (62 miles) from El Calafate • Full day

A stunning river surrounded by glaciers and mountains, offering breathtaking views and outdoor activities.

Festivals

El Calafate Festival • January Fiesta Nacional del Glacial • February

Pro tips

Visit the Perito Moreno Glacier early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and enjoy the best lighting for photos.
Dress in layers, as the weather can change quickly and dramatically in Patagonia.
Book tours and accommodations well in advance, especially during peak season (December to February).
Try local specialties like cordero al asador (roast lamb) and calafate berry desserts.
Explore the town's local markets and shops for unique souvenirs and handmade crafts.