in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Glaciers National Park
Beyond Perito Moreno, this vast park contains 47 glaciers including Upsala and Spegazzini. Take boat tours to witness towering ice walls, explore ice caves, and experience the raw power of Patagonian glaciers.
Los Glaciares National Park in Santa Cruz Province, Patagonian Argentina, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing 47 named glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field — the world's third-largest freshwater reserve outside the polar regions. The park's 726,927 hectares divide between a southern sector centered on El Calafate and a northern sector accessed from El Chaltén.
The southern sector's dominant feature is Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers in the world and arguably South America's most dramatic natural spectacle. The glacier calves into Lago Argentino with a sound audible kilometres away; ice towers up to 60 meters high fracture from the face and crash into the turquoise water below. A network of elevated walkways and platforms on the southern shore provides viewing positions at multiple elevations and angles, from close-up views of the glacier's broken margin to wide panoramas of the full 5-kilometer face. The walkway circuit takes 1.5 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace.
Boat excursions from Puerto Bandera, northwest of El Calafate, reach the less-visited glaciers of the park's Brazo Norte arm: Upsala, the park's largest glacier at 870 square kilometers, and Spegazzini, which rises 135 meters from the waterline — taller than Perito Moreno's face. These tours typically take a full day and include navigation through channels filled with floating ice. A more adventurous option, Minitrekking, lands passengers on Perito Moreno's surface for a guided ice walk with crampons provided.
The northern sector around El Chaltén provides access to the granite towers of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre without requiring technical climbing. The Laguna de los Tres trail (22 km round trip) climbs from El Chaltén to a glacial lake directly below the Fitz Roy massif. El Chaltén trails are free and begin within the village limits, making it an excellent self-guided trekking base.
Admission to Perito Moreno is collected at the park entrance approximately 80 km from El Calafate. Boat tours and ice trekking require separate advance booking, typically through agencies in El Calafate town.
Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily
Best for: nature lovers, photographers, adventure seekers, couples
Visit / Book / Contact
Location
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, Santa Cruz
-50.3264, -73.1881 — View on map
Highlights
- Perito Moreno Glacier — a 5-kilometer advancing ice face calving into Lago Argentino with viewing walkways at multiple levels
- Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers reached by full-day boat expedition through floating ice on Lago Argentino
- Minitrekking ice walk on Perito Moreno's surface with crampons and a certified park guide
- Northern sector El Chaltén trailheads for Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre — no permits or technical gear required
- 726,927 hectares of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Patagonian wilderness with 47 named glaciers
Tips
- Book boat tours from El Calafate in advance
- All-Glaciers tour tour covers multiple glaciers
- November-March best access and weather
- Bring sunglasses and sunscreen for ice reflection
FAQ
How long does a visit to Perito Moreno Glacier take?
The walkway circuit at Perito Moreno takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Adding a boat excursion or ice trek extends the experience to a full day. Most visitors from El Calafate join a half-day or full-day organized tour.
What is the best time of year to visit Los Glaciares National Park?
November through March (Patagonian summer) offers the longest days, best weather, and full access to boat tours and trekking. Winter (June–August) is cold and many services reduce frequency, though Perito Moreno remains accessible year-round.
Do glaciers calve on a predictable schedule?
No. Calving events — when large sections of ice fall from the glacier face — occur spontaneously throughout the day. Spending two or more hours at the viewpoint significantly improves the chance of witnessing one.
Accessibility
The walkway network at Perito Moreno Glacier is paved and has ramps between levels, making it largely accessible to wheelchair users with companion assistance. Boat tours load from docks and may present boarding challenges. Ice trekking requires physical fitness and is not accessible to mobility-impaired visitors.
When to visit
November through March provides the best combination of long days, mild temperatures, and full boat tour schedules. Early morning visits to Perito Moreno avoid the day-tour buses, which typically arrive between 10 am and noon.