HOW TO GET TO PERITO MORENO GLACIER + THE BEST WAY TO SEE PERITO MERINO.
When I first saw photos of Perito Moreno Glacier, I immediately wanted to know where it was and how I could get there! When we set out our plans to visit Argentina, there was no way I was missing out on visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier. I am so glad we managed to get there. The pictures do no do it justice. Porito Moreno really is a special sight.
Read on to find out more about how to get to Perito Merino Glacier and the best ways to see it when you get there.
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Here are our top picks for tours of Perito Moreno Glacier:
Where is Perito Moreno Glacier?
The mighty Perito Moreno Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as a crown jewel of Patagonia, Argentina. Its towering ice walls and dramatic calving (chunks of ice breaking off) leave every visitor awestruck.
One thing to note, Perito Moreno Glacier should not be confused with Perrito Moreno town, which is also in Argentina. The latter of the two is a small town on the Route 40 highway, often mistaken by visitors for the Perito Moreno Glacier. You can see the location of the Perito Moreno Glacier here on Google Maps.
How to get to Perito Moreno Glacier
Before you can witness the natural wonder that is the Perito Moreno, you need to plan your journey to El Calafate, the gateway town to the glacier.
Getting to El Calafate
There are a few ways to get to El Calafate.
By Air: El Calafate International Airport (FTE) receives regular flights from major Argentine cities like Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, and Bariloche.
By Bus: For a more scenic journey, consider intercity buses from other Patagonian towns like El Chalten (Argentina) or Puerto Natales (Chile).
By Car: You can also drive to El Calafate if you have access to a hire car. This is what we did on our trip to Argentina. We stayed in nearby El Chalten first, before making our way to El Calafate (around a 2-3 hour drive.)
From El Calafate to Perito Moreno Glacier
Once you’re in El Calafate, here are your options for reaching the glacier:
Organized Tours
Numerous tour operators offer comfortable and hassle-free day trips to Perito Moreno Glacier. These tours typically include transportation, park entrance fees, and sometimes even lunch. This is a convenient option, especially if you’re short on time.
Bus from El Calafate to Perito Moreno Glacier
A budget-friendly option is taking a public bus from El Calafate to Los Glaciares National Park. Buses depart regularly from the bus terminal in El Calafate and take approximately 2 hours to reach the park entrance. Be sure to factor in additional time for buying park entrance fees and waiting for the bus.
The bus runs in the morning to the glacier (around 09:00) and leaves the park at 16:00 to return to El Calafate. There is also a 13:00 service, returning at 19:30. The cost is approximately $20. Find the latest times on the bus company website – CalTur.
Many people also choose to hitch hike either to or from the Glacier, when the bus is not available.
Drive to Perito Moreno Glacier
For the ultimate flexibility, consider renting a car in El Calafate. This allows you to travel at your own pace, stopping at scenic viewpoints along the way. The drive is relatively straightforward from El Calafate, but be sure to check weather conditions and road closures before embarking on your journey. The distance is around 60km along one road (Route 11) and takes around one hour.
At the entrance to the park (around 30km from El Calafate), you will be asked to pull over to buy tickets. From here, you can drive straight into the glacier area and park up pretty close to the walkways or to access boat tours, as you wish. We understand there is also a car park close to the accessible trails, for anyone who needs to use this. Parking is no additional charge and there are plenty of spaces.
As you drive into the park, you’ll see a few Miradors (viewing points), both are worth pulling over to take some photos!
How much does it cost to visit Perito Moreno Glacier
We were pleasantly surprised by the cost of entering Perito Merino Glacier park. It is currently 12,000 Argentinean Pesos per person (around $14). Considering how fabulous the glacier is, it seems to us that it is very accessible.
It gets a lot more expensive when you consider taking an ice trek, or kayaking. But boat trips are fairly reasonably priced (see more below.)
When is the best time to visit Perito Moreno Glacier?
The glacier is open all year round, but with shorter opening hours in the winter (closing at around 16:30 rather than 19:30). The glacier looks beautiful year round.
Summer (December to February)- most people will come to visit the glacier in the summer months, purely because this is the most popular time to visit Patagonia. At this time, temperatures are milder (although not warm!) and it is possible to spend quite a long time exploring the glacier without getting too cold. You will also have longer days so you can enjoy a morning or evening visit. However, the downside is that the glacier is very busy during this time.
Autumn (March to May) and Spring (September to November) – these are popular times to visit the glacier, but you can expect it to be much quieter than during summer months. During spring and autumn, tour activity may be reduced. Weather can also be unpredictable. I’ve seen photos of the glacier during autumn, and it does look beautiful next to the seasonal trees.
Winter (June to August) – the weather can be very cold with potential for snowfall during the winter. Access to walkways can be limited. But, of course it can be a beautiful and very quiet time to visit the Perito Moreno.
Perito Moreno Hiking – How to do it
Most people who come to Patagonia do so to go hiking! So, you may be interested to know how you can hike when you visit the Perito Moreno Glacier. Based on our research and experiencing of visiting, there are four possible ways to incorporate seeing the spectacular ice creature, with a hike or walk.
Option One: Perito Moreno Big Ice
The Big Ice Trek, is the ULTIMATE hiking experience in Perito Moreno. It is, I can only imagine, something that you would look back on for years to come as a memorable and once in a lifetime experience. However, it comes at a high price. The Big Ice is very expensive. Personally, we didn’t opt for the Big Ice Trek as it wasn’t in budget for our trip, but if it was, I would do it in a heartbeat.
The trip includes transport to/from El Calafate as as well as a trek on land and a FOUR HOUR trek on the Glacier. You will also have experienced guides and equipment provided.
Here are some of the reviews of this experience, and the full details below.
“Amazing. Once in a lifetime experience with two incredibly talented and knowledgeable guides.” Eli, USA.
“Unforgettable excursion”. Marco, Italy.
“Something I won’t forget, so do it if you have the chance” Traveller, USA
✅ 3 trek in the woods
✅4 hour trek on the ice
✅Equipment included
✅ Transport to/from El Calafate
Option Two: Perito Moreno Mini-Trekking
The mini-trek, is a shorter version of the big ice trek in Perito Moreno. With this tour, you are still able to experience the magic of waking on the glacier alongside experienced guides and will all the required equipment.
The tour includes transport, a boat tour and one hour of trekking on the ice. A great option if you want a taster of walking on the glacier, but don’t want to spend all your savings to do it!
Here’s what previous travellers doing the mini-trek had to say:
“One of the best activities of our trip to Argentina!” Evelina, UK
“This was just incredible. All of the guides were kind and knowledgeable about the glacier. The guides were especially cautious and patient while we were trekking the glacier, which was comforting for someone who was nervous like me.” Anureet, USA.
You can read more reviews and find the details below and here.
✅ 1 hour trek on the ice
✅Boat trip to see Glacier from below
✅Equipment included
✅ Transport to/from El Calafate
Option Three: Perito Moreno Glacier Board Walks
The third option to experience walking at Perito Moreno Glacier, is to enjoy the free board walks and balconies that allow you to get the best views of Perito Moreno. This is a completely free activity, beyond the entrance fee to access the park. We were really impressed with the glacier board walks and spent hours meandering around trying to get the best views.
There are five walkways varying in difficulty. The blue route, Sendero de la Costa will take you to and from the carpark and provide the first views to the glacier. For some of the best balconies and viewing spots, the orange route Sendero Central is one to enjoy. We also walked the Sendero Inferior, the red route, which is a slightly more difficult but quieter route offering close ups of Perito Moreno.
All walkways are relatively easy – they are level, but do involve climbing stairs. When we visited, there were lots of children with parents happily walking around the board walks. There are also some accessible walkways with view points.
🧊Look out for sections of the glacier dropping into the water. You’ll probably hear it before you see it! It has quite an impact.
Option Four: DIY Hike Cerro Cristales
A final option to see the Perito Moreno Glacier, is to hike to the top of Cerro Cristales. This is a mountain across the river from the glacier.
After reading about this in our trusty Lonely Planet guide, we attempted to do this hike but ran into some trouble on route with our car. If you plan to do this hike, please be aware that the trail head is found along a gravel road which you must drive on for about 50km. Unless or want to burst your hire car tyre or you have a 4×4, this isn’t really recommended.
The hike is 5.7 miles, but includes an ascent of 3,444ft. A short but steep climb, before views of the glacier await you. It is only recommended on a clear day, as you are not likely to see the glacier on a cloud day.
If you do choose to do it, you can find the trail head here, directly below the mountain. All Trails has a map of the route available, which can be found here.
Alternatives to walking at Perito Moreno
If you’d prefer to see the Perito Moreno from the water, rather than from the walkways or a trek, there are a few fabulous options on offer!
Option One: Perito Moreno Boat Tour
One fabulous way to see the Perito Moreno Glacier is from the water beneath it. We didn’t take a boat trip, but I can imagine that the views from the boat would be spectacular and you could really get an idea of the scale of the immense glacier.
There are two ways to take a boat tour. The first, is to book a tour which includes transport and a boat tour. This allows a full day at the park, exploring the board walks and a one hour boat navigation. Full details are below for this tour.
✅Boat trip to see Glacier from below
✅Transport to/from El Calafate with a guide
✅Free cancellation
The second option, if you have your own transport, is to take a boat tour from the park. You don’t have to book these excursions, but they are popular so can get busy. The cost is 45,000 pesos per adult, with concessions for children. The full timetable is available when you enter the park, near to where you leave your car. The timetable (as of March 2024) is shown in a photo below.
Option Two: Perito Moreno Kayaking
Finally, an option for adventurers is to kayak on the lake next to the Perito Moreno Glacier. This is a spectacular and once in a life time experience, but it does come at a cost. Witnessing the kayak experience from above, the kayaks look tiny in comparison to the glacier. The views from the water must be absolutely mind blowing!
✅1.5 hours of Kayaking
✅Transport to/from El Calafate with a guide
✅All equipment provided, including thermo wear
✅Suitable for beginners
Our top tips for visiting Perito Moreno Glacier
Here are a few of our top tips for visiting Perito Moreno Glacier.
- Wear plenty of layers – whatever activity you are doing, even just walking around the board walks, you will need layers as it gets chilly. Hats and gloves are useful, as well as a warm/ windproof jacket.
- There are two restaurants/ cafes, but you can bring your own food in too. There are designated areas to enjoy a picnic, should you wish to.
- Give yourself plenty of time – you’ll need at least two hours, ideally more to experience the walkways.
- You’ll want to take lots of pictures, so make sure you have cameras/ phones with plenty of battery.
Where to stay to visit Perito Moreno
There are two choices when you visit Perito Moreno, either you can stay near to the Glacier. Or around 30kms away in El Calafate which is the nearest town. El Calafate is a really cool town with restaurants, breweries and a great vibe.
We would recommend staying in El Calafate, especially if you want to enjoy a nice meal out in the evening. El Calafate is also where you can get transport to take you to the glacier. Here are some of the best places to stay in El Calafate when visiting Perito Moreno.
Best places to stay in El Calafate
BUDGET
Calafate Hostel is one of the most popular budget accommodations in El Calafate. It offers private rooms or dorm style accommodation, all for a good price. Unlike other hostels, it is nice and central to the town too.
A second budget choice is the fairly new America Del Sur Calafate Hostel. This hostel has a 9.0 out of 10 on booking.com. It offers both private rooms and dorm style accommodation. Guests particularly love the views and outdoor space (terrace and garden) as well as the large communal areas. A great hostel to socialize after your day out visiting Perito Moreno!
MID-RANGE
Del Glaciar Libertador Hotel is a fairly new mid-range proposition towards the centre of El-Calafate. The hotel is laid-back and cosy, found on a quiet street.
Posada Karut Josh is a great mid-range hotel option if you’d prefer to be close to the lake. Guests particularly love the location, near to town but with lake views.
LUXURY
MadreTierra Patagonia is a comfortable spa hotel near to the centre of El Calafate. Guests love the service provided by kind staff and the cosy spaces around the hotel. This is a smart hotel and very reasonably priced.
Calafate Parque Hotel is a more upscale spa hotel, again near to the centre of El Calafate. Guests love the facilities, including spa and the comfortable beds.
Where to next in Argentina?
You can find our guides to travelling in Argentina below:
- Buenos Aires – a three day itinerary
- Best things to do in Palermo, Buenos Aires
- Dining at Don Julio restaurant in Buenos Aires
- Where to stay in Buenos Aires
- Where to stay in Mendoza
- Our experience of staying in a wine hotel in Mendoza
- Wine cycling in Mendoza – a top experience
- Best hikes in Bariloche
- Best hikes & things to do in El Chalten
- Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier – a guide
- Driving in Argentina: A guide
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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2 responses to “How to get to Perito Moreno Glacier: All you need to know”
[…] El Chalten, it seems almost criminal not to pop along to El Calafate to visit the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier. You can, if you wish, limit your trip to El Calafate to one or two days. However, we recommend […]
[…] burst a tire regardless of checking our tire pressure. This actually happened on a road near to the Perito Moreno Glacier, and not on route 40. But it frequently happens to cards on the 40 every […]