Even if you've seen glaciers in New Zealand, Iceland or Alaska, nothing quite compares to the awe-inspiring sight of Perito Moreno, one of the world's most dynamic and accessible ice fields. Walkways get you mesmerizingly close to its chiseled white-blue facade, which stretches 60m high and 5km wide. It's easy to spend a day taking in one of Patagonia's great wonders, or multiple days if you opt for a boat trip, kayaking or ice trekking.
Navigating the Site
The gate to the park entrance is located about 30km from the glacier, and 50km from El Calafate. Here you'll pay your admission (or show your multi-day pass) before continuing along a winding two-lane road, with various overlooks along the way. As you near the road's end, follow signs to Circuito Pasarelas (Walkway Circuit), where you can park before setting off on the boardwalk paths.
Boardwalk Paths
Five different color-coded, interconnecting paths make up the 4km of pasarelas (walkways) that lace the headland opposite the glacier, with a narrow channel of water separating the two. The red 1100m Sendero Inferior gets you closest to the glacier's face. As you zigzag your way down a series of staircases, stopping for the jaw-dropping views, remember that you'll need to contend with some 520 stairs on your return.
The orange 600m Sendero Central has some of the best wide-angle overlooks, while the green Sendero del Bosque takes you through the cool subarctic forest common in southern Patagonia. The blue 1117m Sendero de la Costa offers a different perspective, as it takes you along the Canal de los Témpanos and around a bend where you'll have views of Lago Argentino. If you take this trail to the end, you can then find your way onto a short dirt path (150m) of the Sendero de los Témpanos leading down to a rocky beach. Wheelchair users and travelers with limited mobility should head to the purple 565m Sendero Accessible, which has several photogenic viewpoints, and after taking the sloping ramps down to the overlooks, you can return to your starting point by elevator.
Boat Trips to the Glacier
For a close-up view of the glacier from the water, book an excursion with Moreno Spirit (southernspiritfte.com.ar). The one-hour boat ride motors across the Canal de los Témpanos then slowly travels along the north wall of the glacier. A guide (speaking Spanish and English) gives an overview of the famous glacier, and with luck, you might witness a dramatic calving event. Boats depart several times daily from Puerto Perito Moreno, located near the terminus of the Sendero de la Costa. The same company offers the full-day Mayo Spirit Trek from Puerto Punta Bandera, with a longer boat trip to three glaciers (including Perito Moreno) and a forest walk to see a waterfall. Solo Patagonia (solopatagonia.com) also runs boat trips from Puerto Punta Bandera to a trio of glaciers.
Kayaking Excursions
Mil Outdoor (miloutdoor.com.ar) operates the Perito Moreno Kayak Experience, which features a 1½-hour guided paddling trip along the Canal de los Témpanos toward the north face of the glacier (departing from the beach off Sendero de los Témpanos). You'll be outfitted with proper gear (dry suit, boots and gloves), and warm up afterwards over hot drinks and snacks.
Ice Trekking
The long-running operator Hielo y Aventura (hieloyaventura.com) leads memorable outings on the glacier, where you'll head off on a hike over the ice outfitted with crampons, helmet and a trusty guide. You can choose between the mini-trekking (4½ hours) or the more challenging Big Ice (7½ hours), which includes a boat ride to the south face of the glacier. Trips depart from Puerto Bajo las Sombras.
Multiday Passes
Perito Moreno Glacier and the hiking trails outside El Chaltén are both part of the Parque Nacional los Glaciares. You might save money by purchasing a Flexipass (ventaweb.apn.gob.ar; 3/7 days AR$90,000/158,000). Available online, the pass can be used on non-consecutive days. Alternatively, save your entrance ticket, which gives a 50% discount for park admission on another day (within 72 hours).
