How to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier: Honest Tour Review & Tips

As avid hikers, Patagonia has always been at the top of our bucket list. While epic treks like Laguna Los Tres and Mount Fitz Roy were a major draw, we were equally excited to witness one of the most impressive natural glaciers still in existence: Perito Moreno. Unlike most glaciers around the world, Perito Moreno isn’t just massive, spanning 5 km in width and 30 km in length, but it’s also easily accessible. It’s also one of the rare glaciers that is still advancing, giving visitors the chance to see jaw-dropping calving events in action. After spending over a week exploring the best of Los Glaciares National Park and experiencing Perito Moreno Glacier firsthand, we’ve put together this guide to help you plan your visit, choose the best tours, and make the most of this unforgettable Patagonian experience.

Should You Visit Perito Moreno Glacier on a Guided Tour?

We almost always prefer traveling independently, but after diving into the logistics of visiting Perito Moreno Glacier, this was one spot where a guided tour genuinely felt like the better option.

Once you do the math, the cost of a tour ends up being very similar than arranging transportation on your own. But with a tour you also get the added value of a knowledgeable guide, access to the best viewpoints, help with coordinating the boat navigation, and plenty of fascinating context about the glacier itself.

Honestly, we were really glad to have a guide who knew exactly which footbridge routes led to the best viewpoints, which paths are less worth visiting, and how to manage the timing so we could see everything without feeling rushed.

If you are someone who likes seeing the numbers laid out clearly, we will break down in the next section the costs and differences between visiting independently by self drive, taking a bus transport to the glacier, versus going with a guided tour, based on what we experienced firsthand during our trip in Argentina.

How to Get to Perito Moreno Glacier

1) Guided Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier

This is the the method we would recommend. The tour we took to Perito Moreno Glacier costed only 57 USD per person which includes the round-trip transportation from El Calafate, a few extra viewpoint stops along the way, and the professional guidance from the tour leader. If you want to do the nautical safari, it costs an additional 90,000 ARS (62 USD) but that price is the same even if you visit independently. 

---

2) Bus Transfer El Calafate – Perito Moreno Glacier

There are several bus companies, including AlwaysGlacier, Marga Taqsa, and Cal Tur, that offer transportation from the El Calafate bus terminal to Perito Moreno Glacier. Prices typically range from 32 to 40 USD per person, with buses running from around 7:30 am until approximately 4 pm.

Tickets can be purchased online through BusBud, but you’ll notice that the tickets are showing as one-way. Despite this, travelers who have taken this route report that the ticket is actually valid for a return journey. To avoid confusion, the safest option is to buy your ticket directly at the bus terminal a few days in advance and confirm the exact return time with the booking agent.

Alternatively, AlwaysGlacier offers a shuttle service that can be booked online and clearly states it includes round trip transportation, departing at 7:30 am and returning at 2:30 pm. Keep in mind that there is also a terminal usage fee of 4,000 ARS (about 2.75 USD) per person, payable separately in cash.

---

3) Renting a Car

We absolutely love doing road trips, and chose to travel through Torres del Paine in Chile by renting a car. However, we decided to stick to bus transportation in Los Glaciares National Park as most of the highlight attractions and hikes are just a short walk from El Calafate and El Chalten.

Renting a car to visit Perito Moreno Glacier can be a great option, especially if you are traveling with three to four people. In El Calafate, a 24 hour car rental typically costs around 110 to 130 USD per day, which is roughly equivalent to the price of the guided tour for two adults.

We ultimately decided against this option, as renting a car also comes with added time and logistics, including the rental paperwork, photographing the vehicle, refuelling before returning it, and coordinating the drop off. For us, the guided tour felt like the more stress free and straightforward choice.

---

4) Taxi Round-Trip

Another transportation option is hiring a taxi to take you to Perito Moreno Glacier, wait on site, and then bring you back to El Calafate. Prices typically range from 110 to 140 USD per vehicle. This usually includes around three hours of waiting time at the glacier, which is enough to explore the boardwalk viewpoints, but not sufficient if you plan to do the boat navigation or ice trekking, as those activities require extra time and would increase the cost significantly.

If you are traveling with four people and can split the fare, this can be a reasonable option. For us, however, there were only two of us, so we ultimately opted for the guided tour instead.

Perito Moreno Glacier Entrance Fee

We were incredibly confused with how the park entrance fees work in Argentina Patagonia and had to dig deep into other traveler’s experiences to figure it out. Now that we’ve gone through it, here is a rundown of how the entrance fees work.

Los Glaciares National Park Pass: what is Included

When visiting Argentina Patagonia, you will be spending most of your time in Los Glaciares National Park. This is where you’ll find Perito Moreno Glacier near El Calafate, as well as 90% of the iconic hikes in El Chalten.

Below is a map that shows the demarcations of the park, which areas are included, but in general, pretty much all the activities you want to do during your Argentina itinerary will fall within the area of Los Glaciares National Park.

Now with that figured out, how does the park entrance fees to Los Glaciares National Park work?

Los glaciares National Park Pass: Options

There are mainly 3 Park Pass Options:

• One Day Pass: 45,000 ARS
• Two Day Pass: 67,500 ARS (you get 50% discount on the second day)
• Three Day Pass: 90,000 ARS

If you will only be visting Perito Moreno glacier as a day trip, then the entrance fee is 45,000 ARS. However, if you plan to do 2 days of activities in Los Glaciares, there is a promotional 50% discount on the second day, coming to a total of 67,500 ARS for both days (the second day pass must be used within 72 hours though). In our opinion though, the most worth it is the 3 day Los Glaciares Flexipass at the price of 90,000ARS. 

This is the pass that we purchased on our Argentina Patagonia trip and spent 1 of our passes at Perito Moreno, our second pass hiking the famous Laguna Los Tres in El Chalten, and the final pass for hiking Laguna Torre in El Chalten. The other hike we wanted to do from El Chalten was the Glaciar Huemul but that actually falls outside of the Los Glaciares National Park, thus requires it’s own private entrance fee. 

So in summary, with the 3 day Los Glaciares National Park Flexipass, you’ll be able to visit Perito Moreno Glacier and also do two iconic hikes of Patagonia. Whether you take the Guided Perito Moreno Glacier Tour, the bus transportation, shuttle bus, or self-drive, you will still need to pay the entrance fee as it is not included in the package price. 

For the most updated price for Los Glaciares National Park, as well as purchasing the pass online, you can visit the official Argentina National Park Website. 

Honest Review of the Perito Moreno Glacier Tour

Here we’ll give you a full rundown of the Perito Moreno Glacier Tour in Patagonia, what to expect during the tour, and share our thoughts about what we liked and what we didn’t like as much.

How Impressive Is Perito Moreno Glacier, Really?

Pictures honestly can’t capture the sheer scale and drama of Perito Moreno Glacier. Even though we’ve seen other glaciers before, this one completely blew us away! Just standing at the viewpoints, taking in the full expanse of the glacier wall crawling down from the towering mountains was absolutely mind-blowing. And then comes the sound! The thunderous crackle as massive chunks of ice calve off into the lake, sending waves rippling across the water. You really have to experience it to understand.

To give you a sense of just how enormous it is: Perito Moreno spans 5 kilometers in width, towers 70 meters above the water, and stretches nearly 30 kilometers in length. What makes it even more incredible is that it’s one of the few glaciers in the world that is still advancing.

---

Transportation and First Impressions

We were picked up right on time from our hotel, and after collecting a few more guests, we set off on the 90-minute drive to Perito Moreno Glacier.

Along the way, our guide shared fascinating facts and insights about the glacier, which kept the journey engaging the entire time. All explanations were provided in both Spanish and English, which is really helpful. About an hour into the drive, we arrived at the first viewpoint, where we got our very first glimpse of this incredible natural wonder. The guide even helped us snap a few photos together!

---

Boat Navigation Experience

Once you arrive at Perito Moreno Glacier, the first stop is the Boat Navigation Experience, which honestly turned out to be one of the highlights of our day. On the boat, you get to sail right up to the towering glacier wall and watch massive icebergs in brilliant shades of blue drift past.

We’ve done ice trekking before where we hiked on top of a glacier, but being face-to-face with a glacier wall of this scale is a completely different experience. What we really appreciated about this boat tour was that it wasn’t rushed.  At each stop, there was plenty of time to take in the views and snap photos. The boat even re-oriented at each viewpoint so that everyone on board could enjoy the best angles. 

The entire boat navigation lasts about 1 hour, and we can confidently say it’s 100% worth doing!

---

Perito Moreno Boardwalk Viewpoints

After the boat navigation, you’ll have around 2 to 3 hours to explore the boardwalks and reach the many viewpoints overlooking Perito Moreno Glacier. The park is laid out with several color coded boardwalk routes, each offering a different perspective of the glacier.

Based on our guide’s recommendations, we followed a route that connected three different paths, allowing us to see the most impressive observation decks. What we loved most was the variety of viewpoints, some offer sweeping panoramic views of the entire glacier, while others bringing us much closer to the ice, where we could really appreciate the scale and even watch chunks of ice calving into the water.

The boardwalks themselves are very well maintained, with a mix of ramps and staircases, plus several seating areas along the way.

---

Tour Schedule and Timing

One of our biggest hesitations with joining a group tour is always the schedule, specifically whether we’ll feel rushed or limited in how much time we have to explore on our own. Fortunately, with the Perito Moreno Glacier tour we took, the pacing felt perfect.

After finishing the boat navigation, we had nearly three full hours to explore the boardwalks, which was more than enough time to soak in the views, take photos, and even sit quietly and wait for the incredible moment when the ice wall calves into the water. With three hours, you can comfortably explore most of the boardwalk routes.

The only one we didn’t have time for was the path along the eastern side of the island, but our guide mentioned it’s not the most worthwhile anyway since it actually brings you farther away from the glacier.

---

What the Tour Includes

This Perito Moreno Glacier tour includes roundtrip transportation from El Calafate with hotel pickup, two scenic viewpoint stops along the way, and full guidance from a knowledgeable tour guide. Our guide was more than happy to recommend the best viewpoints, boardwalk routes, and even share photography tips to help us make the most of the experience.

We chose the package that also included the boat navigation, which made things especially easy since the tour handled all the ticket arrangements for us. Just note that the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee is not included in the tour price and must be purchased separately. Tickets can be bought online through the official park website.

---

What We’d Improve About the Tour

I genuinely sat in front of my laptop for a good ten minutes trying to think of something that could have been improved about this tour and honestly, I came up with nothing. The Perito Moreno Glacier tour we took delivered exactly what we were hoping for, with great pacing, excellent guidance, and all at a very reasonable price.

We ended up booking our tour through Nomades, a platform we’ve used and trusted multiple times throughout South America. It was also about $20 cheaper than the equivalent tour on Viator, which was a nice bonus.

🇦🇷 vs. 🇨🇱 Patagonia: One of the hardest decisions we faced when planning our Patagonia trip was choosing between the Chilean side, the Argentinian side, or doing both. If you’re struggling with the same question, we put together a full guide comparing Argentina vs Chile Patagonia, including the pros and cons of each, and which type of traveler each destination is best suited for.

Is the Nautical Safari Boat Tour Worth Doing

The boat tour at Perito Moreno Glacier costs an additional 64,000 to 74,000 ARS (around 50 USD), so you might be wondering if it is actually worth it. We did it as part of our Perito Moreno Glacier day tour, and honestly, it ended up being one of the biggest highlights of the day!

The boardwalk viewpoints already give you some incredible vantage points to take in the sheer scale of the glacier, but getting this close to the towering ice walls is on another level. Floating nearby, you can see the unreal glow of the frozen blue ice and truly grasp just how massive the glacier is as it looms high above you. I mean how often can you say that you floated by a gigantic glacier wall?

For us, the boat tour really made the day feel more complete and unique.

And if you want to take things even further, the Perito Moreno Glacier ice trekking experience lets you literally walk and climb on the glacier itself, which is about as extreme as it gets. We had done this glacier climbing expedition in Iceland and it was unforgettable! 

🇨🇱 Since you’ll be exploring Argentina’s Patagonia, make sure to also hop over the border to explore Chile’s Patagonia: Torres del Paine National Park. Not only are there absolutely jaw-dropping hikes, but you can also do scenic road trips accessible for all as well as horseback riding in the Patagonian mountains!

Perito Moreno Glacier Tour Recommendations

There are countless Perito Moreno Glacier tours available online, but we would confidently recommend booking the exact tour we did. Not only were we completely happy with the overall experience, but it was also one of the most affordable options we found.

We compared multiple guided Perito Moreno Glacier tours that included the boat navigation, and many were charging close to $180 per person, while the tour we chose was just $111 per person. At first, we were a bit hesitant about such a big price difference because it almost felt too good to be true. However, after experiencing the tour firsthand, we can say with confidence that it absolutely delivered and is 100% worth booking.

This post is part of our series about Patagonia. If you want to learn more about Patagonia on both the Chilean and Argentina side, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:

1 Week in Argentina Patagonia: Ultimate Los Glaciares Travel Guide

Where to Stay in Torres del Paine: Puerto Natales vs Inside Park Hotels

How to Visit Torres del Paine in Patagonia, Chile (Beginner’s Guide)

Estancia Horseback Riding in Patagonia: Review & Recommendations

8 Best Day Hikes in Torres del Paine, Chile (Easy to Moderate Trails)

29 Essential Patagonia Travel Tips (From Real Experience)

Chile Patagonia vs Argentina Patagonia: Which is Right for You

Additional Experiences at Perito Moreno Glacier

In addition to the classic Perito Moreno Glacier tour, which includes the boardwalk viewpoints and boat navigation, there are several other exciting ways to experience Perito Moreno and even explore some other lesser known nearby glaciers. Below are some great alternatives to consider:

• Perito Moreno Glacier Mini Trekking (Viator): If you’ve ever dreamed of actually walking on a glacier with crampons, a helmet, and an ice axe, this experience is for you. You’ll spend around 1.5 hours trekking across Perito Moreno itself, weaving through icy crevasses and bright blue lagoons, before having time to explore the boardwalk viewpoints afterward.

• Perito Moreno Glacier Big Ice Trekking: For an even more ultimate experience, the Big Ice Trekking includes 3 full hours trekking across Perito Moreno, and an additional hour exploring the moraine. Note that this tour does not include time to explore the Boardwalk. 
  
• Upsala & Spegazzini Glacier Navigation: This tour takes you by boat to the lesser-known Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers, offering a completely different perspective from the classic Perito Moreno visit. The experience also includes a stop at the Spegazzini Refuge, where you can enjoy a scenic lunch, visit several lookout points, or even hike one of the nearby mountain trails.

FAQ

Where to Base Yourself when Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier

We would recommend basing yourself in the gateway town of El Calafate. This is where most tours will depart from and is easily accessible by bus as well as having its own airport.

---

How Much Time to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier

We would recommend spending one full day to experience Perito Moreno Glacier. Most travelers will book only one night in El Calafate, visit Perito Moreno Glacier, and then take the onward bus to El Chalten in the evening.

We would recommend instead to spend 2 nights in El Calafate, which will give you a more relaxed pace. This is what we did and then we took the bus to El Chalten in the morning.

---

Is Perito Moreno Glacier Worth Visiting

This one is easy! Yes, Perito Moreno Glacier is 100% worth visiting and is one of the most impressive sights in Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina’s Patagonia!

---

What is the best way to see Perito Moreno Glacier

In our opinion, the best way to experience Perito Moreno Glacier is with a guided tour rather than relying on shuttle buses. For roughly a $10-15 difference per person, you gain the expertise of a professional guide, helpful recommendations on how to structure your time at the glacier, and assistance with coordinating tickets and logistics.

Another epic way to experience Perito Moreno, one we wish we had time for, is the Big Ice Trekking adventure.

---

Is the Perito Moreno Boardwalk challenging to walk

The boardwalks are very accessible, with color coded routes that let you choose a path based on your fitness level. Some involve plenty of stairs, while others are mostly flat and easy to walk.

---

Will you see the glacier wall calving

Seeing the glacier wall calving is a true spectacle, but does require some luck and patience. We spent 3 hours there and did see the pieces of the ice wall break off at least 4 times.

Best Time to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier

The best time to visit Perito Moreno Glacier is during Southern Hemisphere spring and summer, roughly October to March. There are several reasons for this. The weather during this period is warmer and more comfortable, longer daylight hours, and there tends to be more visible calving events due to the warmer temperatures.

Using WISE card in Patagonia

When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.

Summary: How to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier

Experiencing Perito Moreno Glacier in person is truly unforgettable, whether you’re drawn by its sheer size, the advancing ice, or the spectacular calving events. With the right planning and the tour tips we’ve shared, you can make your visit smooth, stress-free, and absolutely memorable. No matter how you choose to explore it, Perito Moreno is a highlight of Patagonia that will stay with you long after you leave. But before going, make sure to check out our essential Patagonian travel tips that will make your adventure even smoother and stress-free!

Looking for more travel inspiration?

Incredible volcanoes and ancient Mayan civilizations: Tikal and Antigua in Guatemala.

Hiking in the Andes and discovering Machu Picchu: Travel itinerary in Peru, hiking to Machu Picchu

Exploring ancient cave dwellings and riding hot air balloons in Cappadocia

Exploring and sailing on the Turkish Coast

Hiking in one of the US’s best national parks and road tripping through Utah

Discover Vietnam and the exciting northern Ha Giang Loop, as well as the Unesco city of Hoi An.

Discover Japan through the bustling city of Tokyo, the ancient culture of Kyoto, savouring the food of Osaka, the bowing deers of Nara, or off-the-beaten path on the coast of Izu Peninsula.