What is the difference between the minitrekking, ice trekking, and big ice tours?

In all three tours hikers walk on the glacier but the difference lies in the difficulty, distance, and hours of walking on the glacier. The "mini trekking" is the easiest tour (in an hour and a half you’ll walk for about 2 mi (3 km) on the glacier and through the forest with the walkways). For the "Hiking on the ice" tour the difficulty is medium (walk 3 mi (5 km) on the ice in an hour and a half and visit a waterfall which is accessed by a more demanding path). Finally, the "Bigice" is a high-difficulty trek (to access the glacier you’ll have to walk for more than an hour on a challenging path and continue for three and a half hours on the glacier itself).

Is this tour available all year round?

No, during the winter, especially in June, the tour does not operate. For the remainder of the year, there are available departures, however, they may not be available for booking on the calendar. In that case, we advise contacting us here.

What time does the tour start?

The tour has several daily departures, the exact time of pick-up (depending on the selected option) will be provided to you the day before the tour begins. At Howlanders, we advise not booking other activities (excursions, etc.) for the day or booking transportation (flights, buses, etc.) after the tour due to variable end times.

Is there an age limit for this tour?

Yes, the minimum age is 8 years old and the maximum age is 65 years old. Age restrictions are imposed by the National Park and are strictly enforced. A valid passport is required to make a reservation and the date of birth will be checked.

How long will I walk on the glacier?

You'll be walking on the glacier for about an hour and a half.

Are the groups on this tour very large?

No, for safety reasons, the maximum group size is 20 travelers with a pair of guides per group to ensure the safety of all travelers.

How are crampons used to walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier?

A small team is in charge of fitting crampons to each hiker because, for many, it’s their first time using them. For safety, and before starting the tour, your guides will also give you a short briefing and demonstration to help you practice a bit before taking on the glacier.

What kind of clothes should I wear?

We recommend warm and waterproof clothing, gloves, a hat, and hiking boots. If you don’t have trekking boots, tennis shoes/sneakers are acceptable. If you forget your gloves, your guides will provide you with some (they are mandatory: in case of a fall the ice can cause serious injury).

Where can I find additional information about Minitrekking?

You can find a post in our blog in which we explain our experience doing the Minitrekking in the Perito Moreno.

Group atop an ice mountain on the Mini Trekking Perito Moreno Tour

people walking on the Perito Moreno walkways

passengers sitting in the navigation watching the views of the Perito Moreno glacier.

people disembarking the Navigation to walk to the Perito Moreno footbridges

the guides put the crampons on the members of the group who are going to hike on the Perito Moreno Glacier.

people hiking on the Perito Moreno observing the formations of the glacier, a crevasse, a crevice

Hiker enjoys the glacier on Minitrekking Ice Hike Tour

The two guides sipping whiskey with glacier ice and a bonbon.

howlanders girl walking in the forest after the Minitrekking Perito Moreno activity.

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Minitrekking Perito Moreno

Q: How long will I walk on the glacier?

You&#39;ll be walking on the glacier for about an hour and a half.

Glacier hike on the Perito Moreno and navigate in front of its wall. Pick up from El Calafate available

(93 reviews)

🚨Limited availability. Book in advance to secure your spot.

El Calafate

1 day

English and Spanish

Starts: From your accommodation in El Calafate or from Puerto Bajo las Sombras, inside Los Glaciares National Park (depending on the selected option) between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Ends: To Puerto Bajo las Sombras 5 hours after the start of the tour, or to El Calafate 10 hours later (depending on the selected option).

Free cancellation!

Briefing

Mini Trekking Perito Moreno is one of the most popular tours in El Calafate. Hike the most iconic glacier in Patagonia, El Perito Moreno. There are two options for booking this tour: without transfers, this option places the responsibility of arriving at Puerto Bajo Las Sombras on the traveler; or with transfers, includes pick up and return to El Calafate, as well as a one-hour visit to the Perito Moreno walkways too.

Once the group is complete, step aboard the ship and set sail to view the south wall of Perito Moreno. Soon, the boat will allow everyone to disembark, stretch their legs, and walk along the bay. Before reaching the glacier moraine, where the exciting ice hike really begins, hikers will be given crampons to use for the next 2-mile (3 km) stretch. Afterward, take a short walk through the Patagonian Andean Forest with ease by using the many walkways. Finally you will take the boat back to the port.

👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 Group maximum 20 [One guide for every ten travelers]

⌛ Duration hiking and navigation: 5 hours

🗻 Moderate difficulty

Tour details

Included

Transfers from El Calafate (according to selected option)
Visit to the walkways (according to selected option)
Bilingual guide (Spanish-English)
Boat tour
Crampons
Complimentary drink with glacial ice

Not included

Entrance to the National Park (you can buy your ticket on-site in Argentine pesos)
Food

Important information

⏰ SCHEDULE: The tour offers several daily departures throughout the day. The exact departure time of your tour will be confirmed by WhatsApp the day before the tour and in the afternoon. If the tour is booked with pick-up in El Calafate, travelers will be picked up in the morning, between 7:00 am and 12:00 pm. If the tour is booked without pick-up, this tour starts between 8:30 am and 3:00 pm. We recommended dedicating the entire day to this tour and not booking another activity or transfer on the same day due to varying end times.

👬 LIMITATION: Only suitable for people from 8 to 65 years old (both included). No exceptions.

🚫 NOT SUITABLE: People with heart or respiratory problems, recent surgeries, pregnant women, reduced mobility, obesity, or vertigo.

🎟️ ENTRY TICKET TO LOS GLACIARES N.P.: Entrance to the park can be purchased online or at the park. If purchasing onsite, accepted forms of payment are credit cards (ONLY VISA) or cash in Argentine Pesos. Travelers will also be required to present an identity card or passport.

The itinerary offers flexibility with modifications: should travelers select the option with pick-up, the hour-long visit to walkways can be completed before or after the walk.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellations!

If you cancel at least 48 hours before the tour begins, you will be refunded 100% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of a no-show, no refunds will be provided.

Tour itinerary

Mini Ice Trekking Perito Moreno Glacier

🚐 Transfer from El Calafate → National Park (only for reservations with transfers)

🚢 Boat ride from the port to the starting point of the hike

🚶‍♂️ Duration of trekking 3 hours (forest, moraine, and glacial ice)

🚢 Return to Bajo de Las Sombras Port

📸 Visit Perito Moreno walkways [1 hour] (only for reservations with transfers)

🚐 Return to El Calafate (only for reservations with transfers)

Pick up in El Calafate (optional)

If you have selected the option with transfers when booking the Mini Trekking Perito Moreno Tour, you will be picked up at your accommodations in El Calafate. In a shuttle bus, your group will then travel 43 miles (70 kilometers) to the starting point of the tour. While on the road, your guide will provide information about the Los Glaciares National Park, El Perito Moreno, and the surrounding areas.

If you have selected the option without transfers, you’ll meet the tour group at Puerto Bajo las Sombras, located just inside Los Glaciares National Park.

Howlanders traveler with the guide getting into the minivan for the excursion.

Perito Moreno walkways

If you have booked with transfers, the minibus will take you to the Perito Moreno walkways. There you will have one hour to enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the glacier and walk along one of the self-guided trails.

You will also have free time to have a snack and recharge your batteries before the activity, or you can have a coffee at the Refugio located just in front of the walkways.

girl howlanders on the perito moreno walkways

Navigation

If you have booked without transfers, you will meet the group at Puerto Bajo las Sombras and once there you will all board the boat together. For 20 minutes you will sail across Rico Lake, taking in panoramic views of the south wall of the glacier.

When you disembark, you will be met by a team of expert mountain guides, and you will start the hike through the bay and the glacier's moraine, until you reach the point where you will put on your crampons.

group of people queuing to embark on the Shadow Harbour Navigation

Minitrekking Perito Moreno Glacier

Your group will be sectioned into smaller groups with a maximum of 20 travelers, each accompanied by two professional guides (a ratio of 10 travelers per guide). With their assistance, you’ll put on a helmet and crampons. Safety comes first! So your guides will explain how to correctly use the crampons while traversing the glacier.

All set, let's get started! For an hour and a half, you’ll walk along the glacial ice, which by its very nature is constantly changing.

The guide may alter the itinerary so that you’ll get to see the greatest number of formations and have the best experience. Crevasses, sinkholes, small streams, turquoise lagoons...are among just a few of the many formations that cannot be seen from the walkways.

💬✅ The glacier circuit is about 2 miles (3 km) long with a medium difficulty. The ice surface is irregular but firm and safe.

Trekkers walking up the glacier on the mini trekking excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier

Patagonian rainforest hike and return to El Calafate

The tour will continue with a short hike through the Andean Patagonian Forest. This route features small wooden walkways, providing a comfortable stroll with little to no difficulty. After this short hike, you will board the boat again to return to Puerto Bajo las Sombras, taking a last look at the huge glacier wall.

If you have booked the option without transfers, your tour ends at the port, while if you have booked the option with transfers, the driver will be waiting for you to take you back to El Calafate.

Hiker at Perito Moreno Glacier during mini trekking excursion

What to bring to Minitrekking Perito Moreno tour

During the minitrekking you will walk on the Perito Moreno glacier and it is important to be well equipped considering the low temperatures and changing weather conditions in the region. From Howlanders we recommend dressing in layers, as this will allow you to adjust your clothing as weather conditions and activity level change. Here are some recommendations:

Layer Clothing

Base Layer: long sleeve or thermal t-shirt.
Middle Layer: a sweater or fleece to retain warmth.
Outer Layer: waterproof and windproof jacket to protect you from the cold and rain.

Pants: preferably trekking pants or waterproof pants.

Footwear: waterproof trekking boots with good grip. Make sure they are comfortable and well-fitting, as you will be strapping your crampons to your boots.

Accessories

Gloves: waterproof if possible
Hat
Sunglasses
Socks: preferably high and comfortable to avoid chafing inside the boots.
Small backpack: to store water, snacks and anything else you may need during the tour.
Sunscreen
Cash in Argentine pesos
Water and snacks
Identity card/passport
Entrance fee to the park (in case you have already bought it)

Where does the tour Minitrekking Perito Moreno start

🚌 Pick up and return:

TOUR WITH PICK UP: you will be picked up at your accommodation in El Calafate. In case your accommodation is not included in the pick-up points (for example an Airbnb), you will be indicated a meeting point a few minutes away from your accommodation.
TOUR WITHOUT PICK UP: in this case you will have to go by your own means to Puerto Bajo las Sombras, located inside Los Glaciares National Park. The distance between El Calafate and the port is 43.5 mi (70 km).

✈️ Plan your entire trip:

Be sure to arrange your transfer to or from El Calafate Airport before or after the tour:

🚖 Shuttle from the airport
🚖 Shuttle to the airport

📍 How to get to El Calafate?

Check our complete guide and discover all the routes and transportation options to get to this amazing destination.

Questions & Answers

What is the difference between the minitrekking, ice trekking, and big ice tours?
In all three tours hikers walk on the glacier but the difference lies in the difficulty, distance, and hours of walking on the glacier. The "mini trekking" is the easiest tour (in an hour and a half you’ll walk for about 2 mi (3 km) on the glacier and through the forest with the walkways). For the "Hiking on the ice" tour the difficulty is medium (walk 3 mi (5 km) on the ice in an hour and a half and visit a waterfall which is accessed by a more demanding path). Finally, the "Bigice" is a high-difficulty trek (to access the glacier you’ll have to walk for more than an hour on a challenging path and continue for three and a half hours on the glacier itself).
Is this tour available all year round?
No, during the winter, especially in June, the tour does not operate. For the remainder of the year, there are available departures, however, they may not be available for booking on the calendar. In that case, we advise contacting us here.
What time does the tour start?
The tour has several daily departures, the exact time of pick-up (depending on the selected option) will be provided to you the day before the tour begins. At Howlanders, we advise not booking other activities (excursions, etc.) for the day or booking transportation (flights, buses, etc.) after the tour due to variable end times.
Is there an age limit for this tour?
Yes, the minimum age is 8 years old and the maximum age is 65 years old. Age restrictions are imposed by the National Park and are strictly enforced. A valid passport is required to make a reservation and the date of birth will be checked.
How long will I walk on the glacier?
You'll be walking on the glacier for about an hour and a half.
Are the groups on this tour very large?
No, for safety reasons, the maximum group size is 20 travelers with a pair of guides per group to ensure the safety of all travelers.
How are crampons used to walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier?
A small team is in charge of fitting crampons to each hiker because, for many, it’s their first time using them. For safety, and before starting the tour, your guides will also give you a short briefing and demonstration to help you practice a bit before taking on the glacier.
What kind of clothes should I wear?
We recommend warm and waterproof clothing, gloves, a hat, and hiking boots. If you don’t have trekking boots, tennis shoes/sneakers are acceptable. If you forget your gloves, your guides will provide you with some (they are mandatory: in case of a fall the ice can cause serious injury).
Where can I find additional information about Minitrekking?
You can find a post in our blog in which we explain our experience doing the Minitrekking in the Perito Moreno.

from ‌

Minitrekking Perito Moreno

El Calafate, 1 day

Free cancellation!

(93 reviews)