Perito Moreno Glacier Tour: My Minitrekking Experience

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Last Updated on 4 June, 2026 by Daniel Silvente

Perito Moreno Glacier was, without a doubt, one of the most impressive experiences of my trip to Patagonia. My name is Annia, and in this article, I’m going to tell you what my Perito Moreno Glacier Tour was like, including the Minitrekking Perito Moreno, one of the most special activities you can do from El Calafate if you want to experience the glacier far beyond the walkways.

During this tour, you don’t just visit the famous Perito Moreno Glacier walkways, where you get some of the best panoramic views of the ice. You also take a boat ride in front of the glacier and walk on the ice with crampons. If you’ve ever dreamed of hiking on Perito Moreno Glacier, this is one of the most complete ways to do it.

What Is the Minitrekking Perito Moreno Tour?

The Minitrekking Perito Moreno is one of the most complete ways to experience the glacier from El Calafate. This tour combines a visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier walkways, a Perito Moreno Glacier Boat Tour across Lake Rico in front of the glacier’s southern wall, and an ice trek with crampons.

The activity takes place inside Los Glaciares National Park and can be booked with or without transfers from El Calafate. After crossing by boat to the glacier area, the guides provide the necessary equipment, explain how to walk safely on the ice, and then the glacier trekking experience begins.

During the route, you’ll see crevasses, small streams, turquoise lagoons, and ice formations that you can’t fully appreciate from the walkways. It’s an ideal option if you want to walk on Perito Moreno Glacier without choosing a route as demanding as Big Ice.

Preparations Before the Tour

The day before the tour, I received a WhatsApp message confirming the pick-up time at my accommodation, along with a reminder of everything I needed to bring: a water bottle, food, gloves, a hat, proper footwear, preferably hiking boots, and the ticket to Los Glaciares National Park, which can be purchased online or directly at the park.

That same afternoon, I went to La Anónima supermarket in El Calafate to buy food, drinks, and snacks for the next day. And since we were in Argentina, an alfajor was obviously a must. We also stopped by El Panda, a small kiosk where we bought some empanadas and a sandwich to take with us during the tour.

Minibus to Perito Moreno National Park

The next day, we were picked up from our accommodation at around 10:30 AM in a small minivan. After a few stops to pick up the rest of the group, we headed toward Los Glaciares National Park with two guides, who shared information about the landscape, flora, and fauna of the area along the way.

Once we arrived at the park, we stopped to buy or show our tickets. Although some passengers paid by card, this is not the most recommended option because the connection in the area can fail. My advice is to bring cash to avoid any issues.

TIP: if you plan to visit the park again on another day, keep your entrance ticket. On your second visit, you get a 50% discount, so your ticket will be cheaper.

Once inside the park, we continued for a few more minutes until we reached the Perito Moreno Glacier walkways. Before starting, the guide showed us a map with the different trails and recommended which routes to follow to see the glacier from several angles.

First Stop: The Perito Moreno Glacier Walkways

The first stop on the tour was the Perito Moreno Glacier walkways, where we had two hours of free time to explore the different viewpoints. Even though we were going to walk on the glacier later, this part is absolutely worth it on its own.

From the walkways, you can really understand the scale of Perito Moreno Glacier: its huge ice walls, bright blue tones, and the sound of ice breaking make it impossible to look away. We took lots of photos, walked along several trails, and enjoyed the landscape from different viewpoints.

After visiting the walkways, we went to the café and service area. Since you can’t bring your own food inside, we decided to sit on the outdoor benches to eat something and recharge before the main activity. The guides had already told us this was the best time to eat, as there wouldn’t be another long break afterward.

After a hot coffee, we returned to the meeting point, where the minivan was waiting to take us to the port and begin the next part of the tour.

Boat Ride to the Start of the Minitrekking

Once we arrived at the port, we took a catamaran that brought us to the starting area of the Minitrekking Perito Moreno in about 20 minutes. During the boat ride, the glacier gets closer and closer, so it’s almost impossible not to take out your camera.

After getting off the boat, we walked for a few minutes along the lake, with the glacier right in front of us and a few stops for photos. That’s when you start to realize how special the experience is going to be: you’re no longer seeing Perito Moreno Glacier from a viewpoint, you’re about to walk on it.

The Perito Moreno Glacier Trek Begins

Before starting the glacier trek, we were divided into groups by language: Spanish on one side and English on the other. The groups were small, with around 15 to 20 people, and each group was accompanied by two guides: a main guide, who led the route and gave explanations, and a support guide, who helped ensure the group’s safety along the way.

Then it was time to put on our helmets and crampons. For many of us, it was our first time walking with this equipment, so the first steps were a mix of excitement, nerves, and laughter. The guide explained how to use the crampons correctly: keep your feet apart, step firmly, always watch where you place your feet, and avoid distractions during the walk.

The ice trek lasted almost two hours and covered around 2 miles (3 km). It was an incredible experience. Walking on Perito Moreno Glacier lets you see formations that you can’t fully appreciate from the walkways: crevasses, small caves, tunnels, streams, and areas of deep blue ice.

The glacier is also constantly moving, so the route can change from one day to the next depending on the ice conditions. That feeling of walking on a living, massive, ever-changing landscape was one of the most impressive parts of the tour.

During the route, the guide shared interesting facts about the glacier and stopped at the most special spots so we could take photos and enjoy the surroundings. In the more challenging sections, the support guide stayed close to help the group and make sure everyone passed safely.

A Surprise Ending

At the end of the route, there was one last surprise waiting for us: a glass of whisky with glacier ice and a chocolate bonbon to toast together. Yes, it’s a very touristy detail, but after walking on the ice, it feels pretty amazing.

After that, we left the glacier behind, took off our crampons, and followed a short trail through the forest back to the port. The catamaran was waiting there to take us back, followed by the minivan for the return trip to El Calafate.

Return to El Calafate

The ride back to El Calafate took about an hour and a half. It was much quieter than the way there: after so many emotions, most of us were just looking out the window, taking in the landscape and thinking about everything we had just experienced.

When we arrived in town, the guides asked if we wanted to go back to our accommodation or be dropped off in the center. We decided to stay downtown for dinner and end the day at a slower pace.?

Is the Minitrekking Perito Moreno Worth It?

Yes, absolutely. Seeing the glacier from the walkways is already impressive, but walking on Perito Moreno Glacier takes the experience to a whole new level. The Minitrekking Perito Moreno combines a boat ride, panoramic views, adventure, and an ice trek that you won’t easily forget.

You also don’t need previous experience with crampons: the guides explain everything before starting and stay with the group throughout the route. That makes it a perfect activity if you want to experience Perito Moreno in a more special, safe, and complete way.

If you’re planning your trip to El Calafate, my recommendation is clear: book the Minitrekking Perito Moreno tour in advance, especially if you’re traveling during high season. Spots are limited, and this is one of the most popular experiences in Patagonia.

Check availability with Howlanders, choose your date, and get ready to walk on one of the most impressive glaciers in the world.