The ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) costs over 500USD per person. So, what does this 500 USD day tour actually include?
- Boat ride from the viewing platforms to the glacier’s edge: 30 minutes
- Walk to the ice trekking starting point: 30 minutes
- Ice trekking on the glacier: 1 hour
- Return walk from the ice to the boat pick-up point: 30 minutes
- Boat ride back to the viewing platforms: 30 minutes
- Walk along the viewing platforms to admire Perito Moreno Glacier, with a guide: 40 minutes
Some might ask, “Is that everything?” Actually, no! The hotel pick-up and drop-off from El Calafate is not included in this price. If you factor in the transportation, the cost rises to around 700USD per person.
But wait, there’s more! If you opt for the longer Big Ice trekking experience (the more intensive glacier hike), the price jumps to nearly 1000 USD! This extended tour offers a deeper exploration of the glacier, and naturally, the price reflects the enhanced adventure.
Upon seeing the price, many travelers exclaimed, “It’s so expensive!” And indeed, it is! When Summer visited Argentina a few years ago, 1 USD was worth about 35 Argentine pesos. Fast forward to just a few years later, and 1 USD now exchanges for over 1000 pesos. Naturally, Argentina’s prices have followed suit, with the cost of the glacier ice trekking rising sharply to over 500 USD!
What if you really want to visit Perito Moreno Glacier without opting for the pricey ice trekking? What other activities are worth doing?
The simplest and cheapest option: Take a bus or hire a private vehicle to the park entrance, buy your ticket, and enter the park (often, you’ll hear the massive sound of ice calving before you even see the glacier).
Then, head straight to the walkways. The park’s walkways are well-maintained and thoughtfully designed, offering panoramic views from various angles, allowing you to experience the glacier from every stunning perspective.
This is a great option for those who want to appreciate the glacier without the hefty price tag!
When asked if Summer thinks this route needs a guide, the answer is: no, this route is simple, and you can easily navigate it without one. In fact, if the park gets crowded, the walkways are long and narrow, so you’ll likely find people ahead and behind you. A guide might not be able to attend to everyone, so it’s just as well to go without one! Don’t ask Summer how she knows this!
Walkway + Boat Tour at Perito Moreno Glacie, approx. 200 USD per person: If you feel that the walkway alone isn’t enough, you can add an extra hour-long boat tour. The tour starts in the morning from El Calafate, where you first walk the path and then enjoy lunch. Afterward, you’ll embark on a boat that takes you around the front of Perito Moreno Glacier for a 1-hour cruise. The advantage of the boat ride is that you get much closer to the glacier than from the walkway, as the boat can get within a safe range of the ice.
Walkway + Boat Tour to Upsala and Spagazzini Glaciers, approx. 350 USD per person: What? Besides Perito Moreno, there are other glaciers to explore? Yes, you heard that right! When Summer first visited, she assumed the park only had Perito Moreno Glacier, but later realized how naïve she was! The park is full of glaciers—after all, it’s called Los Glaciares National Park for a reason!
Upsala and Spagazzini are just two of the many glaciers to explore.
If you arrange a two-day itinerary, you can spend the first day walking the pathways to view Perito Moreno Glacier, and on the second day, embark on a boat tour to see Upsala and Spagazzini glaciers. With these two days, you’ll have experienced the highlights of Los Glaciares National Park!
Perito Moreno + Upsala + Spagazzini — The ultimate glacier gourmet, approx. 400 USD per person: Some travelers ask, is there a boat tour that covers all three glaciers in one day? Absolutely! This is the ultimate glacier experience in Los Glaciares National Park—the most comprehensive glacier tour that includes Perito Moreno, Upsala, and Spagazzini glaciers. It truly lives up to its name as a glacier feast! In just one day, you’ll visit all three major glaciers and take in the breathtaking beauty of each.
Many travelers do the ice trekking just to experience the thrill of touching glaciers that have existed for millions of years. But as ice trekking prices continue to rise, what if you still want to get up close and personal with the glacier? The good news is, there’s an alternative!
The Azul Safari trekking tour offers just that. Starting from Bajo las Sombras harbor , you’ll take a boat across the lake to the opposite shore and then begin your hike. This trek allows you to get close to the glacier and experience its stunning beauty without the steep price tag of ice trekking!
Walk all the way to the edge of the glacier, and you’ll be able to touch the ice with your own hands! So, isn’t this the best alternative to ice trekking?
Negro Hill Ice Waterfall + Perito Moreno Glacier Boat Tour, approx. 300 USD per person: This route is definitely one of the more off-the-beaten-path options for visiting Perito Moreno Glacier. The boat first takes you to Toro Bay for a hike up Negro Hill. Why hike? Because this area is home to the spectacular hanging ice waterfalls formed by the glacier! (Didn’t know about them? No worries, Summer didn’t either the first time!)
After admiring the ice waterfalls, the boat will take you to the north side of Perito Moreno Glacier, where you can get as close as possible to witness the incredible spectacle of the glacier calving and crashing into the water. It’s an absolutely awe-inspiring experience!
If you feel like that’s still not enough, how about kayaking right at the foot of Perito Moreno Glacier? This is definitely something Summer wants to try on her next visit! Just thinking about it gives her such an adrenaline rush!
For more route options around Perito Moreno Glacier, Torres del Paine National Park, and Fitz Roy Peak, leave a message or reach out to Summer. I’m ready to help you plan the perfect adventure!
