Big Ice Perito Moreno Trek with Walkways and Navigation

The glacier makes ordinary hiking feel wonderfully strange. This full-day outing combines four hours on the ice with a boat ride, forest walking, and time at the famous Perito Moreno walkways. I like that crampons and trekking equipment are supplied, and I especially like the small group size, capped at 10 people. The main drawback is the price, about $572 per person, which makes this a serious splurge.

You should also know that this is not a gentle sightseeing trip. You need good fitness, steady footing, and the willingness to spend most of a long day outdoors in changing Patagonian weather. If you book without the transfer option, you must make your own way 80 kilometers to the park, and the walkways are not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Four hours walking on the glacier: Expect a real hike over sloping ice, with crevasses, streams, lagoons, waterfalls, and caves along the way.
• A small group of no more than 10: This allows the guide to watch your footing and explain what you are seeing without shouting across a crowd.
• The day begins at 7 a.m. and lasts about 12 hours: Most of your day is spent outdoors, on buses, boats, forest paths, and ice.
• Crampons are included, but proper boots are essential: Hiking boots work much better than running shoes with the supplied crampons.
• You bring your own food and drinks: Lunch is eaten at a scenic stopping point on the ice, so pack more than a token snack.
• The price deserves comparison: The operator is Tangol, while the excursion itself is run with Hielo y Aventura. Check the direct price before paying through a booking platform.

Why the Big Ice trek is different

Perito Moreno is not simply a wall of ice viewed from a railing. On this outing, you cross part of the glacier itself, following a route chosen for current ice conditions. You see the glacier from several angles: from the national park walkways, from the boat on Brazo Rico, from the forest at its base, and finally from the ice.

That variety is the heart of the experience. The walkways give you the grand picture, including the glacier’s roughly 196-foot, or 60-meter, front wall. The boat brings you close to the southern face. The trek lets you see the glacier’s smaller details, such as blue pools, meltwater channels, cracks, and ice caves.

The glacier is also moving. As you walk, you may hear ice cracking and see pieces calving into the water. That is not a staged show, and there is no guarantee of a dramatic collapse during your visit. Still, being near an advancing glacier gives the day a sense of motion and scale that a standard viewpoint cannot match.

The early bus ride from El Calafate

The day starts around 7 a.m. Pickup from your El Calafate hotel is available if you choose the transfer option. The journey to Los Glaciares National Park covers about 80 kilometers and takes a substantial part of the morning, so bring water, a warm layer, and something small to eat.

A guide provides information during the ride, which helps put the day in context before you arrive. This is useful because the excursion involves several handoffs: coach, park walkways, boat, forest trail, glacier, boat again, and coach back to town.

The long day is part of the bargain. You will not be back in El Calafate until roughly 7 or 7:30 p.m. That timing matters if you have an evening flight, a restaurant reservation, or a bus connection. Keep the night after this tour open. Your legs will appreciate the quiet.

If you do not purchase the transfer, you must reach Puerto Bajo las Sombras on your own. The meeting point is within Los Glaciares National Park, and the excursion does not include the walkways in that version. For most people staying in El Calafate, the pickup and drop-off upgrade is the practical choice.

The Perito Moreno walkways and first view

The walkways provide your first full look at Perito Moreno. Allow roughly 30 minutes at the main viewing area, though the broader stop may give you around an hour to walk and look around, depending on the day’s schedule.

This is a valuable part of the outing, even though the real goal is the ice trek. From land, you can understand the glacier’s scale in a way that is hard to grasp from the boat. The front wall rises about 60 meters above the water, with jagged white and blue peaks stretching across the view.

The wind can be sharp here, and the open viewing platforms are often colder than El Calafate. Wear layers that you can add or remove. Sunglasses and sunscreen matter even on a cold day, since glare from the ice can be intense.

The walkways are also your easiest chance to take broad photographs. Once you reach the glacier, your attention will shift to footing, safety instructions, and the changing surface beneath you. Use this first stop to get your wide views before the hike begins.

A short boat ride across Brazo Rico

At Puerto Bajo las Sombras, you board a boat for a ride across the Rico Arm of Lake Argentino. The supplied information describes the crossing as about 10 to 20 minutes, and the boat offers close views of Perito Moreno’s southern face.

This is more than transport. From the water, the glacier appears as a massive wall pressed against the lake, while the surrounding peaks and ice fields give you a sense of how remote the setting is. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire crossing behind it. The ride is short.

After landing, you meet the local glacier guides and receive your trekking equipment. The supplied gear includes crampons, and some outings also issue a harness and helmet. Listen closely to the instructions. The equipment is basic and functional, not luxury mountaineering gear.

The forest trail to the glacier base

The route from the boat landing to the glacier includes a shore walk along Lago Argentino and a forest section beside Brazo Rico. The approach takes about 45 minutes, according to the detailed timing provided by the operator.

This walk is a useful transition. You start in ordinary hiking conditions, then gradually move toward the glacier’s edge. The trail also gives you a chance to settle into your boots before the crampons go on.

You should carry only what you need. A storage area is available after the boat ride, so you can leave extra clothing or bulky items before stepping onto the ice. That is helpful because a heavy pack becomes irritating quickly when you are climbing and adjusting your feet on uneven ice.

The hike has a high level of difficulty. Even before the glacier section, you should be ready for a sustained walk rather than a short stroll to a viewpoint.

Four hours on the ice

The central part of the day lasts about three to four hours on the glacier, with around four hours total allocated to the ice experience. You receive a safety briefing, put on crampons, and follow the guide across gently sloping ice.

Crampons change the way you walk. You lift your feet a little higher and place them firmly instead of taking a normal rolling step. This is why hiking boots matter. One person used running shoes and found the crampons uncomfortable, while another specifically recommended sturdy hiking boots. I would not risk casual footwear for a day like this.

The ice is uneven, sharp, and constantly changing. You may cross narrow channels, skirt ravines, and step around meltwater. Your guide sets the pace and points out safer footholds, but you still need to pay attention. This is not the place to walk while staring at your phone.

The reward is a close look at glacier features that cannot be seen from the walkways. Expect to see:

• Blue lagoons formed by meltwater
• Streams running across or beneath the ice
• Waterfalls and drainage channels
• Crevasses and ravines
• Ice caves, some large enough to enter
• Jagged formations in several shades of blue and white

The guide also explains Perito Moreno’s geography, formation, and movement. With a group of 10 or fewer, you have a better chance of hearing the explanation and asking questions. Safety remains the first concern, but the educational side gives the hike more meaning than a simple walk over frozen ground.

Lunch on the glacier

You must bring your own packed lunch, snacks, and drinks. Lunch is eaten at a sheltered scenic point on the ice, with time to rest before the second part of the route.

Do not underestimate this detail. The timing can put lunch around 2 p.m., so a small breakfast and a few snacks are sensible. Bring enough food to support several hours of exercise, not just a sandwich meant for a short bus excursion.

You will also want water. Cold air can hide how much you are drinking, and walking in crampons takes effort. A windproof jacket, warm sweater or fleece, gloves, and sun protection belong in your day pack.

The lunch stop is one of the quieter moments of the day. You can look across blue pools and ice formations while taking a break, rather than rushing from one photo stop to the next. Keep your gloves on when possible. Ice edges can be sharp, and several people found gloves essential.

What to wear for Patagonia’s changing weather

Weather is a major part of the experience. Wind, sun, and cold can change how the day feels from one stop to the next. At the walkways, you may want a warm layer and wind protection. During the uphill hike, you may warm up and need to remove one.

I recommend a simple layered system:

• Long trousers
• A warm sweater or fleece
• A water-resistant or windproof jacket
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Warm gloves
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• A hat, ear warmers, or face buff

The recommendation for gloves is not cosmetic. Ice can cut your hands, especially when you use them for balance. Sunglasses and sunscreen are just as important because reflected light off the glacier is strong.

The supplied crampons are described as basic, strap-on equipment. They work best with sturdy boots that hold your feet firmly. Good footwear will make the day safer and much less painful.

The boat ride back and return to El Calafate

After retracing the route to the glacier’s edge, you return to the Rico Arm and board the boat again. The second crossing gives you another look at the southern face, this time after several hours of seeing the glacier from above and within its ice formations.

Then the coach takes you back to El Calafate. The return ride is part of the roughly 12-hour schedule, so expect to arrive in the evening. The day is tightly organized, and the transport connections are important: missing a boat or delaying the group would affect everyone.

That firm schedule is a strength for a complicated excursion. You do not have to arrange separate park transport, boat tickets, equipment, and guides. The tradeoff is that you have little freedom to linger or change the plan.

Is $572 a fair price?

At $572 per person, this is expensive. The price includes the guided glacier trek, trekking equipment, crampons, professional guides, boat transportation, and hotel pickup and drop-off if you select that option. Walkway access is included only with the appropriate option, and the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee is extra.

The value depends on what you want from Perito Moreno. If your goal is simply to see the glacier, the regular walkways offer the essential view at a far lower cost. If you want to walk on the glacier itself, this package saves you from arranging several separate parts of a demanding day.

There is one important price warning. The excursion is connected with Hielo y Aventura, and booking directly through that company may be considerably cheaper. One price comparison reported a difference of about £150 per person. Prices and currencies can change, so compare the direct rate before booking through Tangol or another platform.

The small group and guide support help justify some of the cost. You are not joining a huge line on the ice, and the guides can keep an eye on your crampons, footing, and pace. Still, I would never assume that a higher booking price automatically means better service. Check what each rate includes, especially transfers, walkways, park entry, and food.

Who should book this glacier trek?

This tour suits adults aged 18 to 50 who have a good level of fitness and enjoy active sightseeing. You need to be comfortable walking for several hours, climbing over uneven ice, and spending a full day outdoors.

It is a particularly good choice if you want:

• A close-up experience rather than a viewpoint-only visit
• A small group with direct guide attention
• A structured day from El Calafate
• Glacier scenery that includes caves, lagoons, and streams
• A challenging outdoor activity during a Patagonia trip

It is a poor match if you dislike cold, have limited fitness, need a relaxed pace, or want plenty of independent time. The maximum age is listed as 50, and all participants must provide passport details and a passport copy to confirm their places.

The tour also requires reasonable flexibility. It depends on good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, but late cancellations and changes are not accepted.

Should you book the Big Ice Perito Moreno Trek?

I would book this if walking on a glacier is one of your main goals in Argentina. The best parts are the small group, the long time on the ice, the changing blue formations, and the chance to see Perito Moreno from the walkways, boat, forest, and glacier itself.

I would not book it casually. It is a demanding, costly day, and you must supply your own lunch, drinks, gloves, and suitable clothing. Compare the direct Hielo y Aventura price first, then choose the version that clearly includes the transport and walkway access you need.

If you are fit, properly dressed, and ready for a long day, this is the kind of excursion that can become the central memory of your El Calafate visit.

FAQ

How long does the Big Ice Perito Moreno Trek take?

The experience lasts approximately 12 hours. It begins around 7 a.m. and usually returns to El Calafate in the evening, around 7 or 7:30 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select the transfer option. Without that option, you must travel the 80 kilometers to Puerto Bajo las Sombras on your own.

Are crampons and trekking equipment provided?

Yes. Trekking equipment, including crampons, is included. You should still bring sturdy hiking boots, gloves, warm layers, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Do I need to bring lunch?

Yes. Food and drinks are not included. You must bring your own snacks, boxed lunch, and drinks. Lunch is eaten at a sheltered point on the glacier.

Is the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee included?

No. The national park entrance fee is not included in the tour price.

What age and fitness requirements apply?

Participants must be at least 18 and no older than 50. A moderate to good level of physical fitness is required because the activity includes forest walking and several hours of difficult glacier trekking.