A short introduction to Perito Moreno Glacier
Perito Moreno glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina, is one of the most famous glaciers in the world and relatively easy to reach compared to others.
Covering an area of 250 km² and spanning 5 km in width, its impressive size and natural beauty secured its inscription onto UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1981.
The glacier is also part of the Southern Patagonian ice field, which is the third largest frozen body of fresh water in the world after Antarctica and Greenland. There are a few places where you can see the ice field in Patagonia, including Torres del Paine, the Huemul Circuit in El Chaltén, and the boardwalk across from the Perito Moreno glacier – the latter being outlined in this post.
Needless to say, when you’re in this part of the world, you shouldn’t return home without paying a visit to Perito Moreno Glacier. It truly is one of Mother Nature’s most spectacular visions.
Should you go by taxi, bus or tour?
It is located 78 kilometres from El Calafate, and here’s how you get there:
First of all, entrance to the park costs 10000 ARS, approximately $28 each. Please note that prices are up-to-date as of Jan 2024, but may vary slightly from the time this article has been written.
None of the options below include the price of the park entrance which must be paid in local currency upon entering the park.
Your mode of transport depends on your budget and also how much time you have. Below are you options:
1. Taxi
If you’re rushed for time, the best way to see the glacier is to take a taxi and your driver will wait in the park while you explore. We toyed with this option but were told the taxi would wait 3-hours for us and felt we wanted a bit longer, especially if we wanted to take a boat tour.
We were told the taxi would be around 75 USD, which if spilt between 3 or 4 people is worth it if travelling in a group, but less so if you’re travelling solo or as a couple.
2. Bus
In the end my friend and I decided to go independently by bus. I would recommend doing this if you prefer to explore on your own time. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hrs, a beautiful route that journeys along the edge of Lake Argentino.
There are a few buses departing from El Calafate to Perito Moreno Glacier daily. We used the bus company Tasqa (www.taqsa.com.ar) but CalTur (https://caltur.com.ar) is also good too and their website is easier to use if you don’t speak Spanish. I paid around $30 return, but expect it to increase slightly each year.
We took the 1 pm bus from El Calafete bus station which is a 15-minute walk from the centre of town. On return we opted to buy a ticket for the last bus departing from the park at 7.30pm. The whole journey was super easy from start to finish.
3. Day tour
If you’d prefer to be part of a group, there are also lots of tours you can book including this small group tour.
If you’d love to truly get up-close and personal to glacier, this tour includes upgrade with boat cruise.
Accommodation in El Calafate
We stayed in El Calafate because it’s considered the gateway to Perito Moreno Glacier. Plus, it’s also a great base for other activities whether hiking in the mountains or enjoying watersports along one of nearby lakes or rivers.
Beyond the glacier, El Calafate offers charming shops, delightful Patagonian cuisine, and a warm local atmosphere. Whether you’re exploring the glacier, marveling at the stunning vistas, or simply soaking in the Patagonian ambiance.
You will find a range of accommodation options to suit various preferences and budgets, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay while exploring the stunning landscapes of Patagonia.
We spent several very comfortable nights at Patagonia Queen Boutique Hotel located in town within the grounds a lovely garden. I loved the alpine appearance and vibe which enhanced the feeling of being in nature. It was also situated just a short walk to main high street with nearby restaurants, shops, and tour companies.
→ Search all hotels in El Calafate
Getting around the park and seeing the glacier
A huge walkway has been built to enable visitors to see Perito Moreno Glacier from different angles. At the start of the walkway you cannot initially see the glacier, but within a few minutes of being on the path it starts to creep into vision.
The longer you walk, the closer you get to the star attraction. The views from the walkway are incredible so make sure you have your camera. To reach the highest platform that gives the best panorama of Perito Moreno Glacier it probably takes 30 minutes, and longer if you are stopping to admire the views. You really get a sense of the scale of this thing, but even from the highest platform, there’s no way you’ll be able to see where it starts – a whole 35 kms away.
There are quite a lot of smaller walkways that branch off from the main route so it never felt very crowded during my visit. I veered off as high I was able to reach by foot to see as much as possible, and the glacier just seemed to go on for eternity. I had seen a few glaciers before in my life, including Von Post Glacier in Svalbard, but the size was nothing compared to this.
Though the lack of people may also have reflected the bad weather during my visit. Fortunately, it started off pretty good, but then it turned and just became more and more cold, windy, and rainy!
Check out my short video from my trip to Perito Moreno Glacier!
We had plans to go on a boat tour but because the weather was pretty awful we decided against it, and took shelter in the cafe at the end of the trail. There’s also a restaurant at the beginning of trail which I’d recommend stopping by for fantastic views of the glacier.
Looking on the bright side, I think the less than ideal weather I experienced during my trip is a testimony to the awesomeness of this natural wonder.
Not even a numb face and frost-bitten hands could wipe the smile from my face! Perito Moreno Glacier really is the best Mother Nature has to offer.
Want to explore more of Patagonia and Argentina?
If you’re heading to Argentina and want to read more about what to see and do, check out these blog posts for more recommendations:
6 responses
Hi ya.
Seen your blog regarding Perito Moreno it is great.
I was just wondering can you book a book tour when you are there or in el calafete?
Thanks
Jason
Hi Jason! Yes, you will be able to book a tour when you’re in El Calafate. There are a few excursion companies on the main high street who you can book with. If you’d prefer to book when you’re over there, just ensure you have enough time in case you have a wait a day or two for the next available tours. I recommend heading to one of the excursion companies on your day of arrival to secure tickets. Hopefully you’ll be able to get next day tickets, or for the date you want. You’ll have the option to choose from a variety of tours, from simply just the bus tickets, to guided walking tours, or included boat trips.
Have a wonderful time in Patagonia and exploring the wonder that is Perito Moreno!
Hi, thanks for your excellent website. Do you recall how much the bus costs and how often it leaves? (Unfortunately the bus companies’ websites don’t post that information.) We like to get an quick start and hope there’s a bus early-ish in the morning.
Thank-you!
Doug & Monica
Hi Doug and Monica. I paid approximately $25 – $30 for a return bus ticket – however, prices might be slightly more expensive now with inflation (hopefully not by much!). I highly recommend bringing US dollar as it might work out cheaper (though entry into the park is paid in local currency). If you check the website listed for Caltur under Perito Moreno Glacier it mentions that they run a service at 9am and return at 4pm, and an afternoon service from 1pm returning at 7.30pm.
Alternatively, if you arrive in El Calafate with enough time, you should be able to book bus tickets with a local agency for next-day departures. Failing that, you can book with a guided tour company, but this will be more expensive.
I hope you both have an incredible time in Patagonia and create lifetime memories! The landscape definitely left an impression on me 🙂
Hi
We would like to use the bus but were wondering if it drops you at the entrance to the park?
And how much further is it from the entrance of the park to the actual glacier?
Also, do you know if the bus operates in the June off season?
Thank you
Shakera
Thanks for this post! It was really very helpful Hadn’t thought about taking a bus, so this was something other sites fail to mention. Again thank you and it looks like you really enjoyed it!