seeing the glacier is
MIND-BLOWING !!!
If you ask me what is one of the most impressive things I have seen, I’d say it is definitely seeing the Perito Moreno Glacier.
Los Glaciares National Park in Argentine Patagonia is home to the Perito Moreno Glacier. The park is 75 km west of El Calafate, the town where most people stay when visiting the glacier. It is one of the most important tourist attractions in the Argentine Patagonia.
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Some FACTS about Perito Moreno Glacier
- It was named in honour of the Argentinian explorer Francisco Moreno, who played an important role in the border dispute between Argentina and Chile in the 19th century.
- It is the third largest reserve of fresh water on the planet.
- It is covering a total of 100 square miles, the glacier is 3 miles wide and rises 78 meters above the lake Lago Argentino, with its deepest point stretching to approximately 700 meters.
- Despite the global warming, this glacier is growing, moving forward around 2 meters a day.
How to Get There & How Much?
El Calafate is my second stop after visiting El Chaltén, we booked on a shuttle bus directly from El Chaltén to our accommodation in El Calafate. Journey is 3.5 hours and the ticket costs around USD 25 per person.
If you arrive at the El Calafate airport (FTE) and you would like to go to the city first, it’s just 20 minutes away.
From the city centre, walk to the main bus terminal and purchase your bus ticket to Perito Moreno Glacier, at the same time you can also purchase the park ticket to the glacier. I’d recommend you to buy the ticket one day in advance to secure your seats, especially during peak season between November to March.
There are a few bus companies running the route, CalTur and Chaltén Travel are the 2 main ones. The bus journey is 1.5 hours and it costs around USD 30 return. First departure is at 0800.
… bring some Argentine Pesos …
The entrance fee for Los Glaciares National Park is ARS 800 (USD 13). Do remember to bring some Argentine Pesos with you, from my experience, they don’t take USD and credit card. You do not want to have any hassles when you are going to see one of the greatest natural wonders.
What to Do at the Los Glaciares National Park?
To visit the glacier, you can either join a tour or go on your own. I took the latter option to have more freedom, and cheaper of course. It is actually very easy to go independently, after buying the bus and park ticket, you are all set!
Boardwalk and viewing platform are built in the park, making the visit very enjoyable and easy. You are able to watch the glacier up close and personal, but still at a safe distance away. There are information signs in the park for you to know about the glacier and the history.
While the glacier may seem frozen, it is actually on the move. As it grows, huge chunks break off the face of it, the splash creating a spectacular show. This phenomenon is called ice calving, or glacier calving.
… dress warm, bring some snacks, get ready to see the Ice Calving …
You must not miss the this incredible phenomenon, spend a little longer at the viewing platform and patiently wait for it to happen. The temperature is higher in the afternoon, therefore the chances of seeing ice calving is better. It is going to be very cold being so close to the glacier, dress warm and bring some snacks and a thermos flask filled with hot coffee, so you’ll stay warm and comfortable, while waiting for the magical moment.
Get your camera ready and when it happens, you are going to witness the ice breaking off and plummeting down into the turquoise water, the thunderous rumble of cracking ice can be heard from all over the park. I couldn’t hold my excitement when I saw it happening, jumping and screaming like a kid. The feeling of excitement is overwhelming. Sometimes the wonder of nature simply cannot be described by words!
Go there on a sunny day for best photographs of the glacier, when the blue of the ice will really shine.
… take a Boat Tour to get closer to the glacier …
Once you are at the park, you have the option to book on a boat tour. You will get up to 100 meters away from the face of Perito Moreno Glacier, having a spectacular perspective from the water’s level. You’ll see a small booth with a sign saying ‘Navegacion’ at the park entrance, there’s where you buy your ticket. There should be a departure every hourly, the tour last for 1.5 hours and the price is around USD 20, it usually include a snack and a whisky with glacier ice at the end.
…go Glacier Trekking, expensive but it’s an experience of a lifetime …
If you have the budget, I’d strongly recommend you to join the tour to Perito Moreno Glacier with Glacier Trekking, it’s expensive but I think it’s an experience of a lifetime. I wish I had done it when I was there.
You will be given crampons and ice axes and be taken on a guided trek, imagine walking on this enormous glacier and feel the crack of the ice right under your feet, I believe it’s going to be an experience you will never forget.
There are two options for the Glacier Trekking:
- Big Ice Trek costs around ARS 4000 (USD 275), it’s a full experience where you will get the chance of visiting ice cave, walking further up on the glacier, of course it’s more challenging physically.
- Mini Trek costs around ARS 2400 (USD 156).
“ The most beautiful gift of nature is that it gives one pleasure to look around and try to comprehend what we see. ”
– Albert Einstein
When is the BEST Time to Go?
The best time to visit the glacier is between November and March. The summer months come with clear skies and warmer weather. However, that also means it will be packed with tourists. Spend at least 3 days in El Calafate because you’d want to see the glacier at its best, give yourself some buffer in case the weather changes.
If you’d like to avoid tourist crowd, maybe you can consider visiting in October and April.
The visit of Perito Moreno Glacier is often combined with Mount Fitz Roy Hikes in El Chaltén which is 3 hours away, that makes a complete Argentine Patagonia itinerary.