in El Calafate, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Perito Moreno Glacier
This stunning glacier in Los Glaciares National Park is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world. Watch massive ice chunks calve into Lake Argentino with thunderous cracks from viewing platforms, or take an ice trekking tour on the glacier itself.
Perito Moreno Glacier sits within Los Glaciares National Park in Santa Cruz Province, Argentine Patagonia, and stands as one of the most accessible and visually dramatic glaciers on Earth. Unlike the majority of the world's glaciers, which are in retreat, Perito Moreno advances at roughly two meters per day and periodically blocks the Magallanes Channel — a natural dam event that culminates in a spectacular rupture and series of massive ice collapses.
The glacier stretches approximately 30 kilometers in length and rises up to 74 meters above the surface of Lake Argentino. Its terminal face — the five-kilometer wall that visitors observe from the platforms — displays ice in vivid shades of deep blue caused by light refracting through dense, compressed ancient ice. This wall contrasts dramatically against the grey water of Lake Argentino and the Patagonian mountains in the distance.
A system of elevated steel walkways organized across multiple levels on the Magellan Peninsula directly opposite the glacier face provides unobstructed viewing from various heights and distances. The platforms resound constantly with groans and cracks as the glacier moves; enormous blocks of ice calve and fall into the lake with thunderous splashes. Calving events are unpredictable, but visitors standing on the platforms for an extended period will typically witness multiple collapses per hour during active periods.
For a more immersive experience, licensed ice trekking operators lead guided excursions directly onto the glacier surface from the southern shore. Participants are fitted with crampons and guided across the blue-tinged ice past towering seracs and narrow crevasses, with Patagonian peaks visible in the distance. The mini-trekking excursion lasts approximately two hours on the ice and must be booked well in advance through operators based in El Calafate. A longer Big Ice expedition covers more remote sections of the glacier.
A boat excursion along the glacier's southern face offers a water-level perspective on ice towers and submerged caverns. Most visitors base themselves in El Calafate, 78 kilometers east. Public buses and organized tours depart daily; combining the viewing platforms with a mini-trekking excursion fills a full day.
Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (summer), 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (winter)
Best for: nature enthusiasts, photographers, adventure travelers, couples
Location
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, RP 11, El Calafate, Santa Cruz
-50.4956, -73.1372 — View on map
Highlights
- Five-kilometer-wide glacier face rising 74 meters above Lake Argentino, calving ice towers into the grey water in near-constant activity
- Multi-level steel walkway system on the Magellan Peninsula positioned directly opposite the glacier terminal wall
- Mini-trekking tours lead groups across the glacier surface on crampons, past vivid blue seracs and open crevasses
- Periodic dam rupture events when the glacier seals the Magallanes Channel, culminating in large-scale ice collapses visible from the platforms
- Boat excursion along the glacier's south face revealing underwater blue caverns and ice formations at lake level
Tips
- Dress in layers as weather changes rapidly
- Best calving activity typically in summer afternoons
- Book ice trekking tours weeks in advance
- Bring high-quality binoculars for distant viewing
FAQ
How long should a visit to Perito Moreno take?
The viewing platforms and walkways require two to three hours minimum to experience properly. Combining the platforms with a mini-trekking excursion extends the visit to six to eight hours. Most organized tours from El Calafate return by late afternoon.
Can visitors walk on the glacier?
Yes, through licensed ice trekking operators based in El Calafate. Mini-trekking tours (approximately two hours on the ice) and multi-hour Big Ice expeditions are available. These must be booked at least a day in advance and operate only during the summer season.
Is it worth visiting in winter?
The park is open year-round with reduced hours outside summer. Winter offers far fewer crowds and dramatic moody Patagonian light. Calving activity continues in all seasons. Ice trekking programs do not operate in winter months.
Accessibility
The elevated steel walkways and viewing platforms are wheelchair accessible via ramps. The park's internal bus service connects parking areas to the walkway entrances. Ice trekking excursions require physical fitness and are not suitable for visitors with mobility limitations.
When to visit
October to April offers the best weather, longest daylight, and full access to ice trekking programs. The glacier calves in all seasons; summer afternoons are associated with the most active periods. The periodic dam rupture events occur unpredictably in any season.