Perito Moreno Glacier Tours — Frequently Asked Questions
Everything travellers ask before booking, answered from the national park’s own figures and the live tour listings.
How much does it cost to enter the Perito Moreno Glacier?
Entry is charged as access to Los Glaciares National Park: ARS 50,000 for non-residents from 1 June 2026, ARS 25,000 for Argentine residents and ARS 8,000 for Santa Cruz residents. Most tour listings still print the older ARS 45,000 rate.
Is the park entrance fee included in Perito Moreno Glacier tours?
No. Not on any tour listed on this site. Budget for it separately and buy it online in advance if you can.
What time does the Perito Moreno Glacier open?
The Mitre–Glaciar Moreno corridor admits visitors 08:00–18:00 from 1 September to 30 April, and 09:00–16:00 from 1 May to 31 August. You may stay in the corridor until 20:00 and 18:00 respectively.
How far is the Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate?
80 km by paved RP 11, which takes about an hour and a half each way.
Do I need a tour, or can I visit independently?
You can drive or take a scheduled bus from the El Calafate terminal. A tour buys the transfer, commentary on the drive and a boat slot already reserved.
Can I walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier?
Yes, on a guided crampon trek only. Minitrekking accepts ages 8 to 65; Big Ice is 18 to 50. There is no independent access to the ice.
What is the difference between minitrekking and Big Ice?
Minitrekking puts you on the ice for roughly an hour and a half. Big Ice runs three and a half to four hours with a long forest approach, smaller groups and a tighter age band.
Is the boat safari worth adding?
It is the closest legal approach to the ice wall and the most recommended upgrade in the reviews. Expect about an hour on the water.
Which face of the glacier does the boat visit?
It varies by operator. Some sail the north wall, others run the south face to within about 150 metres. Check the listing before booking if it matters to you.
Are Perito Moreno Glacier tours wheelchair accessible?
Yes — the Day Trip with Optional Boat Ride and the Unesco Jewels tour, which also has accessible transport. No ice trek is wheelchair accessible.
Can children do the ice trek?
From age 8 on minitrekking, with identification and proof of relationship to the accompanying adult on several listings. Big Ice is adults only, 18 to 50.
Do Perito Moreno Glacier tours include lunch?
Almost none do. Bring a packed lunch. There is a cafeteria at the visitor centre, and the multi-glacier cruise includes a box or four-course lunch.
Is free cancellation available?
On most tours, up to 24 hours before departure. One tour on this site is non-refundable, and one operator makes departures between 24 December and 2 January final sale.
When is the best time to see calving?
Calving happens year-round and several times a day. The long daylight from November to March gives the most viewing hours.
How long should I spend at the walkways?
Two to four hours covers the circuits at a comfortable pace. Tours differ enormously in how much of that they give you.
How do I buy the park ticket in advance?
Online through the official national parks portal. Tickets are validated at the gate against your passport.
Can I pay the park fee by card at the entrance?
It varies and has changed. Several operators state Mastercard is not accepted and ask for cash or Visa in Argentine pesos. Buying online avoids the question.
Is there a discount for a second visit?
Yes, 50% off a second entry within 72 hours. Flexipass tickets over three or seven days and an annual pass are also sold.
Is the Perito Moreno Glacier still advancing?
No. It held near-equilibrium for around eighty years, but research published in 2025 documented accelerated thinning and unprecedented frontal retreat since 2019.
How big is the Perito Moreno Glacier?
About 30 km long, with a terminus roughly 5 km wide and a surface area near 250 square kilometres.
How high is the ice wall?
Roughly 60 to 74 metres above the lake depending on the source and the point measured, with about 170 metres more below the waterline.
Why is it called the Perito Moreno Glacier?
After Francisco Pascasio Moreno. Perito means expert and was his job title on the boundary commission with Chile, not a first name. He never saw this ice front.
What is the rupture at Perito Moreno?
The ice front periodically dams an arm of Lago Argentino. Water backs up until it forces a tunnel through the ice, and eventually an arch collapses. It cannot be predicted or booked.
Where does the glacier come from?
The Southern Patagonian Ice Field, roughly 13,000 square kilometres spanning Argentina and Chile, and one of the largest non-polar ice masses on Earth.
What is Brazo Rico?
The southern arm of Lago Argentino that the ice front reaches, and the water that every crampon trek crosses by boat from Puerto Bajo de las Sombras.
Is Los Glaciares a UNESCO site?
Yes, inscribed in 1981. The park covers 726,927 hectares and was created in 1937.
What else is in Los Glaciares National Park?
The Upsala, Spegazzini, Viedma, Onelli and Seco glaciers, plus the El Chaltén sector under Mount Fitz Roy in the northern zone.
Do I need to book ice treks in advance?
Yes. They sell out well ahead in the southern summer, and listings show average booking lead times of thirty to eighty days.
What should I wear at the Perito Moreno Glacier?
Layers with a windproof and waterproof shell, gloves, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Trekking boots for any ice trek; flat grippy shoes for the walkways.
Are there toilets and food at the glacier?
Yes. The visitor centre has toilets, shelter and a cafeteria, and there are rest areas along the walkway circuits.
Can I visit the Perito Moreno Glacier in winter?
Yes. The corridor opens 09:00–16:00 from May to August. Days are short and cold, and the forest around the walkways carries snow.
Is there a minimum age for the walkways?
No. Age limits apply only to the crampon treks on the ice.
How many days do I need in El Calafate?
One full day covers the glacier. Two lets you add a cruise or an ice trek without rushing, and gives you a spare day if weather cancels a boat.
Can I combine the glacier with El Chaltén?
Yes, both sit inside Los Glaciares National Park, but they are 220 km apart by road and are best treated as separate days.
Are pets allowed in the park?
No. Pets are not permitted in any Argentine national park.
Still deciding?
Compare the options side by side, with the hours at the ice each one buys.
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