Know Before You Go: Hiking Perito Moreno Glacier

Perito Moreno Glacier looks spectacular from every angle, whether you’re watching car-sized chunks of ice plunge into the water on a walkway tour or sailing around it on a boat.

However, due to its sheer size, trekking on it emphasizes its glacial grandeur. As you feel the crunch of ancient ice beneath your feet, you’ll use your ice axe to clamber over crevasses, cross rivers rushing with melted ice, and peek into aquamarine ice caves. While admiring it from afar is a thrill, trekking excursions make you feel like a true Antarctic explorer.

Thanks to the highest chance of clear and sunny skies, the austral summer months of December and January are undoubtedly the best time to visit the glacier. Not only this, but summer also provides more stable trekking conditions on the glacier.

However, this time of year is typically busiest, as it’s when both Argentines and Chileans flee to Patagonia to escape the sweltering city heat. Be sure to book tours farther in advance during this time. And while the weather can be more unpredictable, the shoulder seasons of early fall and late spring see far fewer people.

The best time to hike on the Perito Moreno Glacier is in the morning, when most trekking tours depart. While a bonus of morning trekking is less sun exposure, this is mostly because the glacier calves (sheds big blocks of ice from its sides) mostly during the afternoon, when the heat of the day causes more movement across its surface.

However, the spectacle of the huge icebergs smashing into the water below is amazing to behold, so it’s worth sticking around on the walkways after your trekking experience to watch this.

As one of Argentina’s most famous attractions, there are plenty of Perito Moreno Glacier tours to choose from. One of the most popular ways to go hiking on the glacier is on a mini trekking tour, as these shorter excursions are ideal for beginners and typically only take you out on the ice for a few hours. Hiking in such extreme conditions can feel quite gruelling, so a more compact experience is a perfect place to start, even for people with good fitness levels.

Having said that, if you’ve got a big appetite for adventure, you can opt for a longer Big Ice tour that allows you to go deeper into the heart of the glacier.

If you’d rather soak up the splendor of Perito Moreno from more of a distance—and stay a little warmer in the process—there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the national park.

Options including indulging in a multi-course meal during a gourmet cruise on Argentino Lake, seeing other highlights such as the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers on a more comprehensive navigation route, or even paddling around the glacier on a kayak trip for unique perspectives you won’t get on top of it.

Even in summer, Patagonia is famous for experiencing four seasons in one day, so it’s best to prepare for all eventualities—even though this doesn’t allow for lightweight packing! When it comes to what to wear in Patagonia, it’ll be no surprise that you’ll need sturdy hiking boots and a warm, well-insulated jacket.

Most tours provide crampons to help you navigate the ice, but one thing that’s a must is sunglasses, even if the sky looks grey and overcast. The bright blue glare from the glacier is extremely bright, so be sure to protect your eyes.

The walkways and lookout points flanking the Perito Moreno Glacier are partially accessible to wheelchairs, with elevators and ramps that make it possible to explore on wheels. However, due to the uneven terrain and physical challenges involved in walking on the glacier itself, this activity isn’t feasible for those with limited mobility.

Many of the boats that sail around Los Glaciares National Park are equipped for wheelchairs and offer ramp access, though—just be sure to check with your tour provider before you book.

• What is the closest town or city to the Perito Moreno Glacier? Most travelers visit the Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate, a small town well-equipped for tourists that’s 50 miles (80 kilometers) away. There are plenty of accommodation and restaurant options here, and coaches depart regularly for the glacier from morning until mid-afternoon. The journey typically takes around 1.5 hours. Some of the top eco tours in Argentina depart from here too, and it’s a great base for exploring Patagonia.

• What are the opening hours of the Perito Moreno Glacier? During the spring and summer months (September to April), the Perito Moreno Glacier is open from 8am to 6pm. From May through August, the opening hours are shorter due to limited daylight: 9am to 4pm. The last departure for hiking tours is typically around lunchtime.

• Do you need a good fitness level to hike on the Perito Moreno Glacier? Yes, you need to have a moderate fitness level to hike on the Perito Moreno Glacier. While the minitrek isn’t considered strenuous, trekking on the ice in cold conditions for around three hours is certainly tiring. Plus, you’ll be ascending some slopes and navigating challenging terrain throughout. Opt for a private tour to ensure you can hike at your own pace.