People on top of an ice mountain during the Perito Moreno mini trekking
People walking along the Perito Moreno walkways
People disembarking on the Perito Moreno walkways
Passengers sitting on the boat enjoying the views of the Perito Moreno Glacier
Guides putting crampons on the Perito Moreno mini trekking group members
People walking on the Perito Glacier near a crevasse
Girl walking among the ice on the Perito Moreno Glacier
Guides preparing whiskey glasses with glacier ice
People walking across the Perito Moreno Glacier
Howlanders girl walking through the forest after the Perito Moreno Mini Trekking activity
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Minitrekking Perito Moreno

Ice Hike on the Perito Moreno Glacier and boat tour. Transfers from El Calafate available.

(97 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 (depending on the selected option) between 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
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

Minitrekking Perito Moreno is one of the most popular tours in El Calafate, where you’ll walk directly on the ice of Perito Moreno, the most iconic glacier in Patagonia.

The tour begins with a boat ride along the southern face of the glacier, landing near the ice. You’ll then walk along the bay to the edge of the glacier, where you’ll strap on your crampons and begin a one-hour ice hike covering 1.9 miles (3 km). After the ice walk, the tour continues with a short hike through the Patagonian Andean forest. The trail is equipped with walkways, making it accessible for everyone. Finally, you’ll return to the port by boat.

This tour offers two booking options:

  • Without transfers: you must make your own way to Puerto Bajo las Sombras, where the tour begins.
  • With transfers: includes pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in El Calafate, plus a one-hour visit to the Perito Moreno walkways.

👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 Maximum group: 20 people [One guide for every 10 travelers]

⌛ Duration of hikes and boat ride: 5 hours

🗻 Difficulty: moderate

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 multiple daily departures between 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM. The exact departure time for your booking will be confirmed the afternoon before. We recommend setting aside the entire day for the excursion and not scheduling any other activities or transfers on the same day, as the exact time may vary.

👬 AGE RESTRICTION: This tour is only available for individuals between 8 and 65 years old (inclusive). 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 72 hours before the start of the tour, you will receive a full refund of the amount you have paid. After this point, or in the event of a no-show, no refunds will be issued.

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.

Guide helping passenger board van for tour

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.

Person with backpack looking at glacier

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 lining up to board boat

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.

Tourists walking on blue ice

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.

Wooden trail with glacier views

What to bring to Minitrekking Perito Moreno tour

During the mini-trekking, you’ll walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier, so it’s important to be properly equipped given the low temperatures and rapidly changing weather in Patagonia. At Howlanders, we recommend dressing in layers, as this allows you to adapt your clothing to changing weather conditions and activity levels. Here are some suggestions:

  • Long-sleeve or thermal shirt
  • Sweater or fleece
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Pants (ideally trekking or waterproof pants)
  • Trekking boots (preferably waterproof)
  • Gloves (preferably waterproof)
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Socks
  • Small backpack (to carry water, snacks...)
  • Sunscreen
  • Cash in Argentine pesos
  • Water and snacks
  • ID or passport
  • Park entrance ticket (if purchased in advance)

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:

📍 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’s the difference between the Perito Moreno Minitrekking and Big Ice glacier hiking tours?

    Both tours involve walking on the glacier ice and sailing in front of the glacier wall. The difference lies in the difficulty, distance, and hours spent hiking on the glacier and its surroundings. The "Minitrekking" is the easier option: it includes an hour and a half walk on the glacier and a short forest hike along wooden trails. The "Big Ice" tour is much more challenging—before reaching the glacier, you’ll hike over an hour on a difficult trail and then spend three and a half hours trekking on the ice.

  • 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.

Minitrekking Perito Moreno tour reviews with Howlanders

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