Adventure in Argentina
Glacier Trekking on Perito Moreno
Strap on crampons and walk across the living Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate with expert guides. The Mini-Trekking option offers a 2-hour surface walk while the Big Ice program covers remote glacier zones over 4 hours.
Glacier trekking on Perito Moreno is one of Patagonia's most iconic adventure experiences, offered at Los Glaciares National Park near El Calafate in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. Perito Moreno is one of the world's few advancing glaciers, measuring approximately 30 km in length and 5 km in width, with a towering face that rises up to 74 metres above Lago Argentino's surface. Certified guide companies operate two main trekking programs that allow visitors to walk directly on the glacier's surface with crampons.
The Mini-Trekking program involves a short boat transfer from the boardwalk viewpoints to the glacier's edge, followed by a crampon fitting and approximately two hours of guided walking on the blue-ice surface. The Big Ice program extends the on-ice experience to around four hours and ventures into more remote zones of the glacier away from the central tourist areas, offering dramatic crevasse landscapes and unobstructed panoramic views of the surrounding Patagonian mountains.
Both programs are rated moderate in difficulty. Participants should be reasonably fit and comfortable walking on uneven terrain. Minimum age is typically 10 years for Mini-Trekking and 16 for Big Ice. All crampons and harnesses are provided by the operator; trekkers need only bring waterproof outer layers, warm mid-layers, gloves, and suitable ankle-supporting hiking boots. Operators include Hielo & Aventura, the most established concession on the glacier, with certified guides trained in glaciology and wilderness first aid.
Safety briefings take place on shore before the boat transfer, covering crampon use, walking technique on ice, and emergency procedures. Guides carry communication equipment and are trained in crevasse rescue. The glacier surface changes seasonally, with calving events and surface melt altering routes; guides adjust daily routes to match conditions.
The best season runs from October through April, when days are longest and temperatures hover between 5°C and 15°C. Rainy or high-wind days can limit sections of the route but rarely cancel trips entirely. Advance booking during November to February is strongly advised as group sizes are capped. Daily calving events, where enormous ice blocks crash into Lago Argentino, can be witnessed from the free public boardwalk viewpoints surrounding the glacier — a remarkable spectacle that requires no booking.
Highlights
- Walk on the surface of Perito Moreno, one of the world's only advancing glaciers, with certified glacier guides.
- Choose between the 2-hour Mini-Trekking option or the 4-hour Big Ice program in remote glacier zones.
- Spectacular views of deep blue crevasses and Lago Argentino from the glacier surface.
- All crampons and safety equipment provided — no prior glacier experience required for Mini-Trekking.
- Daily calving events produce dramatic ice collapses into Lago Argentino, visible from the free boardwalk viewpoints.
Tips
- Book Mini-Trekking at least 2 weeks ahead in peak season (November–January); Big Ice often sells out weeks in advance.
- Wear waterproof boots with ankle support — trail runners are not recommended on crampon-equipped glacier surfaces.
- Bring warm layers (fleece and waterproof jacket) regardless of the morning forecast; glacier winds are unpredictable.
- GoPro chest mounts and wrist mounts are generally permitted; tripods are not allowed on the glacier surface.
- Combine the trekking experience with an afternoon at the free boardwalk viewpoints to watch natural calving events.
FAQ
Do visitors need previous glacier experience to trek on Perito Moreno?
No prior glacier experience is required for the Mini-Trekking program. Guides provide a full crampon-fitting and technique briefing on shore before the walk. The Big Ice program is more physically demanding and suits participants with moderate hiking fitness.
What footwear is required for glacier trekking?
Ankle-supporting waterproof hiking boots are strongly recommended. Crampons are fitted over boots by the guide team. Trail runners and low-cut shoes are not suitable as they provide insufficient ankle stability on icy terrain.
Is trekking on Perito Moreno safe?
The trekking programs are operated by certified guides trained in glacier safety and crevasse rescue. All participants receive a full safety briefing before departure. The glacier surface varies with conditions and guides adjust routes daily; certified operators have strong safety records spanning decades.
What is the minimum age for Perito Moreno glacier trekking?
The minimum age for Mini-Trekking is typically 10 years old, and 16 years old for the more demanding Big Ice program. Participants under 18 require parental consent. Age limits may vary slightly between operators.
Accessibility
The glacier trekking programs involve uneven icy terrain with significant elevation changes and are not accessible for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility. The free boardwalk viewpoints surrounding the glacier are partially paved and offer wheelchair-accessible viewing platforms with excellent sightlines.
When to visit
October to April offers the most daylight hours and most stable temperatures for glacier trekking. January and February are the busiest months; booking well in advance is essential. Late March and April offer fewer crowds with similar conditions.