The most impressive Patagonia glaciers

perito moreno glacier with snowy mountains on the background

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Surely you have heard about Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia, the beauty of its glaciers, snow-white mountains, and lakes that reflect the intensity of the blue sky.

If you have not yet visited, we are going to introduce you to some of the spectacles of nature that you can find in this adventure on the ice: the most impressive glaciers of Patagonia.

Patagonia glaciers

Patagonia is an extensive territory of more than one million square kilometers that include the southernmost regions of Chile and Argentina.

Along this area, more than 300 glaciers are located, which belong to the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina and to the Bernardo O’Higgins de Magallanes National Park in Chile. Among all of them, the Perito Moreno Glacier Minitrekking is one of the most visited.

Perito Moreno Glacier

The Perito Moreno Glacier is considered one of the great wonders of nature, not only of Patagonia but of the whole world. This huge ice wall is located in a unique area surrounded by a vast forest, in addition to the mountains that contrast with the view of the glacier. The Perito Moreno Glacier is 5 kilometers long and measures about 60 meters high.

In the Big Ice trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier you can take a boat ride on the glacier lakes, showing the most imposing part of the glacier; you can also hike or walk along the wooden walkway that is 5 kilometers long, the view from there will impress you.

road with views of snow-capped Mount Fitz Roy in patagonia

What makes this glacier even more famous is a phenomenon that occurs called cyclic breakup, which causes many people to visit this place in the period of ice breakup in the Perito Moreno. They associate the sound of the phenomenon with the roar of a beast, something that makes it very attractive to tourists.

Do not miss the opportunity to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier located in Patagonia Argentina, it is an experience you will never forget.

Glacier Grey

Within the immensity of the Torres del Paine, you can find the famous Glacier Grey. It is a mass of ice of about 6 kilometers wide, by more than 30 meters high.

grey glacier with snowy mountain in patagonia

In the Torres del Paine tour you will have the chance to visit this glacier. And if you are one of the more adventurous, you will even have the opportunity to kayak on Grey Glacier.

Despite this, the glacier is currently in retreat. It is estimated to be in retreat due to rising regional temperatures and changes in precipitation amounts. Also, the glacier is shedding ice fragments that can commonly be observed near Glacier Grey.

Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier

The Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier Tour is a great possibility if you are near Puerto Natales, since it is located in the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park.

Upon arrival, a colony of cormorants that nest in the area will be waiting for you. The Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier still retains all its splendor, although it is in retreat. In fact, in the early 1980s, this glacier connected with the Nueva Esperanza fjord.

persons walking with views to glacier balmaceda and serrano

Upsala Glacier

It is one of the longest glaciers. Its length is 765 kilometers, and it is located in the territory of Los Glaciares National Park in the Santa Cruz province of Argentina.

Behind this glacier, it can be seen the mountains partially covered with snow, and from it originates the famous Perito Moreno.

views upsala glacier from plane

It is one of the most famous excursions in El Calafate. Together, the climate, vegetation, glaciers, and lakes form a unique harmony of nature.

Spegazzini Glacier

The Spegazzini Glacier occupies part of Chilean and Argentinean territory. The starting point to be able to visit this ice colossus is also from El Calafate, just like the Upsala Glacier.

boat in excursion to spegazzini glacier in patagonia

Although it is located in two countries, the part that can be visited is the smaller part of this glacier. Its total size is 66 kilometers and the highest part measures 135 meters, being the highest in the Argentine Patagonia.

Viedma Glacier

This is one of the largest glaciers in the world, and the longest in all of South America. The Viedma Glacier is also located between two countries, Chile and Argentina, and very close to El Chaltén, the invented city in the heart of Patagonia.

views viedma glacier in patagonia

Pío XI Glacier

In the Bernardo O’Higgins de Magallanes National Park in Chile, like the Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier, is the Pío XI Glacier. It consists of several ice masses that form the Southern Ice Field.

glacier lake pio xi in patagonia

Its surface is 1,265 kilometers, and you can visit its edges by boat or hike over a part of the glacier.

What do you think of all these Patagonia glaciers? Which one would you like to visit first?

Lily

Lily is happy with a backpack on her back. Every year she travels through one country in Latin America and has repeated several times, especially Peru where she says she feels at home (although she says the same about Argentina, Chile and Bolivia).

She loves ceviche, hiking and Sunday picnics with her friends, although whenever you ask her, she's always planning her next destination.

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2 Comments

  1. Excellent presentation. Beautiful glaciers and country. Would like to visit sometime.
    Thank you for doing this report.
    Brad Logan
    Texas

    1. Thank YOU!!! Is an amazing country ❤

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