The Perito Moreno glacier is a pure marvel in Argentina made of huge, blue, lovely ice. Actually, this gorgeous glacier covers extra floor space than your entire metropolis of Buenos Aires.
You may see this Patagonian glacier from a metallic walkway that spans the sting of the lake, or there are even glacier trekking excursions so you’ll be able to hike on prime of the ice with a neighborhood information!
For sure, seeing this glacier and mountain climbing on it’s an incredible expertise, and it’s extremely popular with vacationers coming to the Los Glaciares Nationwide Park. It’s additionally surprisingly straightforward to do on a day journey from the city of El Calafate, in Argentina’s southern Patagonia area.
This journey weblog will clarify how you can get to Perito Moreno glacier from El Calafate (with or with out a tour), after which I’ll share some fascinating information concerning the glacier itself!
On the point of hike the Perito Moreno glacier. Epic!
The place Is Perito Moreno Glacier?
The Perito Moreno glacier is situated on Lake Argentino, close to the city of El Calafate, in Argentina’s well-known Patagonia area.
El Calafate is a vacationer pleasant city with numerous cozy inns and good eating places, so it’s an incredible place to base your self for visiting the Perito Moreno glacier and different sights in Patagonia.
How To Get To Perito Moreno Glacier
The closest airport to the Perito Moreno glacier is the small worldwide airport in El Calafate (FTE), which has direct flights from Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Ushuaia, and different locations.
The flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate takes about 3 hours and it’s provided by a number of airways, with fairly affordable costs. There are two airports in Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE) and you should utilize both of them to fly right here.
You may store for flights to Argentina on Skyscanner.
The spectacular walkway at Perito Moreno glacier
When you arrive in El Calafate, it’s a 1 hour drive to Perito Moreno glacier. The highway is winding once you get close to the top, nevertheless it’s all paved and in good situation.
Should you’re driving, you’ll find the situation on the map right here, though they’ll normally ask you to park earlier and take a free shuttle the remainder of the way in which to the glacier since there’s restricted parking.
You may get there with a bus, non-public taxi, or rental automobile. The bus service is obtainable by a number of firms with common departures from the bus terminal in El Calafate.
If you wish to simplify issues much more, there are additionally day excursions to Perito Moreno glacier from El Calafate that deal with all the transportation for you (extra on that beneath).
One other view of Perito Moreno glacier with the mountains within the background
Greatest Perito Moreno Glacier Excursions
One of many best methods to go to the Perito Moreno glacier is with a day tour from El Calafate.
GetYourGuide has high-rated day excursions to see Perito Moreno glacier from the walkway, with an optionally available boat cruise to see it from one other angle. These excursions embrace a bilingual tour information and lodge pickup and drop-off from El Calafate. They’re shared group excursions, or additionally they have non-public excursions.
Should you’re primarily eager to do trekking on the ice, they’ve a glacier ‘mini-trekking’ tour which I used myself, and so they even have the ‘Large Ice’ trek the place you get to go farther and see extra of Perito Moreno glacier.
Should you don’t assume your health degree is nice sufficient for mountain climbing on the ice, they’ve a ‘Safari Azul’ tour that takes you to a seashore in entrance of the glacier, the place you’ll be able to contact the ice and see it up shut with out trekking on it. Final, however not least, additionally they have kayaking excursions and boat cruises on the Perito Moreno glacier.
We’ve used GetYourGuide for plenty of excursions and actions world wide, and so they’re nice. Extremely really useful!
Guide Now: Perito Moreno Glacier Walkway / Kayaking / Glacier Hike / Large Ice Trek
Perito Moreno Glacier Walkway: What To Count on
The most well-liked strategy to see the Perito Moreno glacier is from the metallic walkway that spans the sting of Lake Argentino and its turquoise coloured waters.
The views are sensational and straightforward to entry! There’s an entire community of platforms right here exhibiting completely different sides of the glacier, and the walkways are divided into coloration coded circuits.
In my view, the easiest views are on the crimson and yellow circuits. The black and inexperienced circuits don’t have a lot to see, though the blue circuit often means that you can see some floating icebergs up shut.
Above the Perito Moreno glacier
The views from the walkway are implausible, and it feels such as you’re actually near the glacier. Photos don’t do it justice. It nearly looks like you can attain out and contact it!
There are photographers from the nationwide park who can take your image right here for a small charge, or you’ll be able to take as many photographs as you need with your personal cellphone or digital camera. Typically you’ll see large condors flying overhead.
In the course of the summer time, you’ll be able to witness ‘calving’ at Perito Moreno glacier, the place huge chunks of ice often break off the sting of the glacier and fall into the lake with a crash.
It’s very spectacular to see and listen to, and should you’re fast along with your digital camera you’ll be able to typically catch it. The most effective time to go to is in the midst of the day if you wish to see numerous this!
The wall of ice towers 70 meters above the lake floor!
The viewing platforms at Perito Moreno glacier are appropriate for all ages. Among the views are even wheelchair accessible, though the perfect spots have stairs.
Many of the strolling is fairly straightforward, and you’ll attain the final platforms with a comparatively quick stroll from the parking space. Nevertheless, should you go right down to the underside platforms, nearest to the glacier, you then’ll have to return up the way in which you got here, so it’s not with out some effort.
If you get carried out exploring all the walkways, there’s a restaurant, reward store, and free loos within the parking zone.
Large blue ice area
Glacier Mini-Trekking Tour
Top-of-the-line issues to do at Perito Moreno is mountain climbing on the glacier itself!
A tour reserving is required for this, and also you’ll be part of a small group of 10 to twenty different vacationers. They’ll provide you with a pair of spiky metallic crampons to connect to the underside of your sneakers, after which you’ll be able to stroll on the floor of the ice with knowledgeable information, taking photos as you go.
They run these excursions each day, however they’re extremely popular and sometimes promote out (particularly in the summertime months), so it’s a good suggestion to e-book it properly upfront.
Climbing on the glacier is a should!
Glacier mini-trekking at Perito Moreno
In response to the corporate, the glacier mini-trekking tour is appropriate for ages 8 to 65 years previous. You don’t need to be very match to hike on the glacier, though they record weight problems and another well being issues as a disqualifier.
The trekking guides that conduct these excursions are from an organization referred to as Hielo y Aventura, and so they’ve been working the glacier excursions for greater than 30 years with none main security incidents. The guides are bilingual, in order that they converse good English and Spanish.
It’s a full day tour (as much as 10 hours) because it contains driving to the nationwide park, crossing the lake by boat, attending a brief security briefing, becoming the crampons and security helmets, mountain climbing on the glacier, after which returning to El Calafate afterwards.
On the finish of the tour, earlier than leaving the glacier, they gave us complementary whiskey cups with ice from the glacier. Enjoyable! All in all, the Perito Moreno glacier trek is an incredible expertise and also you shouldn’t miss it!
Guide Now: Glacier Mini-Trekking Tour
Surreal panorama
See the tiny individuals?
Glacier ‘Large Ice’ Trek
If you wish to do much more mountain climbing on the glacier, there’s a ‘Large Ice’ trek that goes longer and farther than the traditional trek.
In comparison with the mini-trekking tour, the ‘Large Ice’ journey offers you twice as a lot time on the glacier, so you’ll be able to see extra of the distinctive panorama, and also you’ll have extra time to take photos. The tour teams are additionally smaller and extra customized, which is a bonus should you don’t need to go mountain climbing with a bunch of individuals.
The Large Ice trek is tougher, so it’s solely really useful for people who find themselves match and ages 18 to 50 years previous. It’s additionally extra expensive. For me personally, I used to be pleased with my determination to do the traditional trek, however I’m certain I might be again at Perito Moreno sometime, after which I positively plan to do the Large Ice trek.
Should you’re not a frequent customer to Argentina and also you assume this can be your solely probability, then it is perhaps price it to spring the money for the Large Ice tour. I’m certain it’s the expertise of a lifetime!
Guide Now: Large Ice Glacier Trek
What To Carry For Glacier Hikes
- Outerwear: It may be very windy on the glacier, so that you’ll need to deliver a jacket and possibly a heat winter beanie hat simply in case.
- Gloves: This can be a requirement for the glacier trekking excursions. The rationale for it’s because should you occur to fall on the ice and catch your self, the ice may be sharp sufficient to chop your naked palms. Should you don’t have a pair of gloves, they will mortgage you some once you get there. I wore fingerless gloves so I may nonetheless work my digital camera, and that was fantastic.
- Footwear: Any sneakers or mountain climbing boots will work. If you trek on the glacier, crampons are supplied with the tour and so they can match them to any shoe measurement.
- Backpack: This may be very useful for holding any snacks, drinks, and different objects you deliver with you for the Perito Moreno glacier trekking tour.
- Digicam: The glacier is so photogenic. A lens with slightly little bit of zoom is right, however nearly any digital camera setup will do nice right here.
Ready for the boat
Entrance Price: Los Glaciares Nationwide Park
Perito Moreno is a part of Argentina’s Los Glaciares Nationwide Park, so there’s a charge it’s a must to pay to enter the park. This is applicable whether or not you’re visiting the walkway or doing different actions within the park like glacier trekking, kayaking, and boat cruises.
The park charge is roughly $14 USD per day (paid in Argentine pesos), however should you go to two days in a row then the second day worth is discounted by 50 %. Simply bear in mind to maintain your ticket so you’ll be able to present them.
The park charge is one thing paid separate out of your bus tickets or tour worth, and you’ll pay with money (pesos) or bank card once you attain the doorway of Los Glaciares Nationwide Park. I paid with a international bank card and that was fantastic.
You may also purchase park tickets upfront on the Argentina nationwide parks web site, nevertheless it’s fully in Spanish and the positioning could be very glitchy. I used to be by no means capable of get it to work. No worries although, as a result of the park tickets are limitless and by no means promote out, in contrast to the excursions.
An advance reserving isn’t required for the nationwide park tickets, and visiting the walkway is free except for the park entrance charge. The one factor that you must e-book upfront is the glacier trekking or different particular actions should you plan to do them.
Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina
It’s straightforward to go to Perito Moreno glacier on a day journey from El Calafate
Enjoyable Details About Perito Moreno Glacier
- How huge is it?
The glacier is 30 kilometers lengthy (nearly 19 miles), and it covers a complete space of 250 sq. kilometers (100 mi²), making it larger than the Argentine capital metropolis of Buenos Aires. The wall of ice towers over Lago Argentino, with a mean peak of 75 meters (250 ft) above the floor of the lake.
- Why is it blue?
Pure glacier ice is blue as a result of it’s so dense and compressed, with the air bubbles squeezed out from the ice. Because of this, it displays the blue colours of the sunshine spectrum, and a stupendous blue coloration reaches our eyes. It’s rather a lot completely different from the frozen water you get out of the freezer.
- What’s the supply?
The glacier is a part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Area, which is the world’s second largest contiguous extrapolar ice area, and one of many world’s largest reserves of recent water.
- How did it get its identify?
The Perito Moreno glacier was named after a nineteenth century Argentine explorer, Francisco Moreno, who was influential within the Patagonia area. ‘Perito’ in Spanish is a title of respect which means ‘professional’ or ‘specialist.’
- Is Perito Moreno a city?
Considerably confusingly, there’s a city named Perito Moreno in southern Argentina, nevertheless it’s situated nearly 700 kilometers from the glacier. This threw me for a loop one time once I was shopping for bus tickets from El Calafate. The Perito Moreno city and glacier are two very completely different locations!
- Is the glacier melting or shrinking?
Not like most glaciers world wide, Perito Moreno isn’t shrinking. The glacier is uncommon as a result of it’s really advancing and transferring ahead by as much as 2 meters (6 ft) per day, though the general mass stays in stability due to the chunks of ice it loses from calving and ruptures.
- What’s the rupture?
Due to its fixed advance, the Perito Moreno glacier typically kinds a dam on the fringe of Lake Argentino, blocking the southern arm of the lake (Brazo Rico) and inflicting the water degree to rise and put great strain on the glacier. Ultimately, this results in a spectacular rupture of the glacial dam, and big chunks of ice fall into the lake. The rupture occurs each 3 to five years or so.
- What’s calving?
Calving is when huge chunks of ice often break off the sting of the Perito Moreno glacier and fall into the lake with a crash. On a great day, this may occur as typically as each half-hour. Afternoon is the perfect time to see it.
- What’s the UNESCO standing?
The Perito Moreno glacier is a part of Los Glaciares Nationwide Park, which has been acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage web site since 1981. That is due to its excellent pure significance and sweetness.
- How onerous is it to get to Perito Moreno glacier from El Calafate?
It’s straightforward to get to Perito Moreno glacier from wherever within the city of El Calafate. You may get there with the bus, take a personal taxi, hire a automobile, or e-book a tour.
- How will you hike on the Perito Moreno glacier?
There’s a glacier mini-trek or a ‘Large Ice’ trek. The Large Ice hike is longer and higher, nevertheless it’s tougher and costlier. Most individuals will most likely be pleased with the mini trek. It’s an incredible expertise.
Floating icebergs on the lake
Greatest Time To Go to Patagonia
The most effective time to go to Perito Moreno glacier is within the spring, summer time, or fall. The summer time months run from December to February, and these months have a number of the longest days and greatest mountain climbing climate, however they’re additionally extra fashionable and costly.
The shoulder months of March, April, and November will also be nice, though the temperatures could also be a bit cooler. All the photos on this journey information have been taken in mid-March, which appeared nearly excellent to me.
There’s actually no greatest time of day to go to the glacier. It’s implausible at any time of day. You might be able to keep away from a number of the crowds within the morning or late afternoon, though the perfect lighting for images is mostly round midday or late morning. The glacier may be backlit by the solar within the night, so it’s not ideally suited for photographs.
If you wish to witness the calving, when the massive chunks of ice fall into the lake with a growth, the perfect time for that’s close to the center of the day, when the temperatures are warmest. Afternoon is greatest for that.
It seems to be like one other planet
Different Patagonia Glacier Excursions
If you wish to see extra glaciers in El Calafate and the Patagonia area, try the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers! These ones are solely accessible with a boat tour.
The Spegazzini glacier is notable for being the very best glacier within the nationwide park. Its ice towers over the floor of the lake by a whopping 135 meters (440 ft)! In the identical space, you can too see the hanging glaciers of Dry, Heim Sur, and Peineta.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to hike to Lake Frias, which is roofed with icebergs, and see the Dickson, Cubo, and Grande glaciers. It’s a good way to see a few of Patagonia’s much less identified glaciers!
GetYourGuide has some high-rated excursions that go to these glaciers on a day journey from El Calafate, with the boat cruise and different transportation included.
Guide Now: Upsala & Spegazzini Glaciers / Lake Frias Tour
Different Ideas For El Calafate City
- Inns: There are a bunch of snug inns and hostels in El Calafate city. Try Calafate Hostel for a price range choice, Kau Yatun Boutique for midrange, and Xelena Resort for prime finish.
- Eating places: The city has numerous good locations to eat. A pleasant breakfast choice is Pietro’s Cafe, and for dinner try La Tablita or Isabel Cocina al Disco.
- Credit score Playing cards: Most locations on the town settle for bank cards, however some could also be money solely. Carry sufficient money simply in case. The ATMs on the town should not very dependable.
- Cash Changers: Yow will discover cash changers (‘cambio’) in El Calafate with good charges. I modified US {Dollars} to Argentine Pesos on the Arte Indio memento store close to the city heart.
- WiFi: The inns and eating places in El Calafate normally have quick, dependable WiFi. I used to be capable of finding nice WiFi all over the place I went on the town.
- Cell Service: With T-Cell roaming, I had good cell service/cellphone reception from Claro in El Calafate city.
- Provides: There are many grocery and comfort shops in El Calafate, in addition to outlets the place you should buy or hire tents, sleeping luggage, backpacks, jackets, and every kind of different tools for tenting and mountain climbing. I’m certain it’s extra expensive than bringing your personal gear, although, so do this should you can.
- Security: Argentina is a fairly secure nation general, and the Patagonia area is very secure. Typically you don’t have to fret about crime right here. Simply follow regular precautions. Don’t go away money in your room, or valuables in your automobile.
Extra Patagonia Journey Ideas
Thanks for trying! I hope you loved this journey information for the Perito Moreno glacier walkway and trekking excursions in Patagonia, Argentina.
Don’t neglect to take a look at my weblog submit for the wonderful Mount Fitz Roy hike and Laguna De Los Tres, within the close by city of El Chalten.
Pleased travels!
