Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking: What It Feels Like, What to Bring and How to Prepare
Already decided to do it? To compare Minitrekking vs Big Ice —prices, ages and duration— and book your spot, start with the decision guide:
Quick Summary: Walking on the Perito Moreno Glacier is the most immersive experience in Los Glaciares National Park. There are two options: Minitrekking (1.5h on ice, from 8 years old) and the Big Ice on Perito Moreno (4h on ice, 18–50 years old). Both are exclusively operated by Hielo & Aventura. This guide covers everything: differences, prices, fitness level, what to bring, best time, and how to book.
What is Perito Moreno Glacier trekking?
Walking on the Perito Moreno Glacier is different from any other activity in the park. Unlike the boardwalk circuit —which is the standard observation tour—, ice trekking involves descending onto the glacier and walking directly on it using crampons.
The glacier covers an area of 250 km² and has a 5 km wide front on Lago Argentino. Its ice is between 170 and 700 meters deep. Walking on it offers a completely different perspective than observing it from the shore: the blue ice, craters, crevasses, and water channels are visible from within.
Beyond trekking, if you want the full picture of how to visit the glacier —boardwalks, boat trips, tours, and updated prices—, check our Perito Moreno Glacier guide.
Los Glaciares National Park received over 700,000 visitors in 2023, according to data from Argentina's National Parks Administration. The Perito Moreno Glacier accounts for most of the park's traffic. Trekking spots are limited, which is why they sell out quickly in high season.
Minitrekking vs Big Ice: which one to choose?
There are two trekking modalities on the glacier, both exclusively operated by Hielo & Aventura, the official concessionaire of the National Park.
| Feature | Minitrekking | Big Ice |
|---|---|---|
| Time on ice | 1 hora 30 min | 4 horas |
| Price | See price → | See price → |
| Age allowed | 8 to 65 years | 18 to 50 years |
| Fitness level | Moderate | High |
| Glacier zone | Peripheral (plateaus, small crevasses) | Deep (caves, seracs, large crevasses) |
| Total duration | 9 horas | 12 horas |
| Group size | ~20 personas | ~10 personas |
| Forest hike | 1 hour (gentle) | 2 hours (demanding) |
| Photo opportunities | Good | Excellent |
Minitrekking includes:
- ✓20-min boat ride across Brazo Rico
- ✓1.5 hours walking on ice
- ✓1-hour hike through lenga forest
- ✓Crampons + helmet + harness
- ✓2 certified mountain guides
- ✓Whisky with glacial ice at the end
Big Ice includes:
- ✓20-min boat ride across Brazo Rico
- ✓4 hours exploring the glacier
- ✓2-hour forest hike (more demanding)
- ✓Crampons + helmet + harness
- ✓2 guides for 10 people (better ratio)
- ✓Whisky with glacial ice at the end
- ✓Deep crevasse and ice cave exploration
Choose Minitrekking if...
- Traveling with kids aged 10–17 or adults over 50
- It's your first time walking on ice
- You have normal fitness (no training needed)
- You want the iconic experience without an extra half day
- Budget-friendly: save USD 100 vs Big Ice
- You just want to "step on the glacier" without deep exploration
Choose Big Ice if...
- You're 18–50 years old and in excellent shape
- You want the MOST intense glacier experience
- You want to explore ice caves, deep crevasses, and unique formations
- You love adventure sports and don't mind the physical demand
- You've already done Minitrekking and want to go deeper
- Photography is a priority: far more dramatic landscapes
For an even more detailed comparison including a decision test, check our Minitrekking vs Big Ice guide.
Minitrekking: ideal for most visitors
Minitrekking is the most popular and accessible option. You arrive at the embarkation point by catamaran from the shore, put on crampons on land, and walk approximately 1.5 hours on the ice with a certified guide. It is suitable for ages 8 and up and does not require prior mountain experience.
The tour includes stops at viewpoints over crevasses and seracs, and concludes with a whisky toast over glacier ice — a tradition of the excursion.
I traveled with my 62-year-old mom and my 12-year-old son. Minitrekking was perfect for us. My mom had an amazing time, didn't feel overly exerted, and truly enjoyed it. The experience of stepping on the ice is unforgettable.
Big Ice: for those seeking total immersion
Big Ice covers approximately 3 km on the glacier, with access to areas further from the edge where the ice is older and bluer. It requires greater physical condition, is only available for ages 18 and up (maximum 50), and operates exclusively in season (September to April). Groups are smaller — maximum 10 people.
The main difference with Minitrekking is not just the duration, but the type of terrain: Big Ice leads to sectors with larger seracs, deeper crevasses, ice caves, and views into the heart of the glacier that are not accessible from any other point.
I'm 27, I trek often and was choosing between the two. I picked Big Ice and it was the best decision. The 4 hours fly by, the landscapes are otherworldly, and the feeling of being in the heart of the glacier is priceless.
The Big Ice age limit (50 years) is not arbitrary. The lateral moraine has slopes up to 35° on unstable terrain, and the return is made with accumulated fatigue. The evacuation rate increases significantly in those over 50 without regular training.
Who does the trekking? Hielo & Aventura and agencies
This point causes a lot of confusion among visitors.
Hielo & Aventura: the official operator on the glacier
Hielo & Aventura is the only company with a concession from Los Glaciares National Park to operate trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier. No other company can legally take tourists to walk on the ice. This means that, regardless of who you book with, the trek itself is guided by Hielo & Aventura's teams.
The company has been operating on the glacier for over 30 years. Their guides are certified and receive specific technical training in glaciology and ice safety.
Agencies: transport, spots, and service
Tourism agencies like calafate.tours do not replace Hielo & Aventura — they work together. When booking with an agency, you are contracting:
- Transfer from your accommodation in El Calafate to the National Park and back
- Guaranteed spot with Hielo & Aventura (spots are limited and sell out in high season)
- Bilingual guide during the transfer and the visit to the boardwalks
- Comprehensive organization: schedules, coordination in the park, and assistance in case of unforeseen events
It is also possible to book the trekking directly with Hielo & Aventura and arrive by your own means, but this requires having a vehicle or booking separate transportation.
How much it costs
The cost of Minitrekking and Big Ice depends on the season, the exchange rate, and whether you arrange it with transfers from El Calafate or just the trekking. In Argentina prices are updated very often, so instead of listing values that become outdated within weeks, we keep them always up to date on the tour page:
What affects the final cost:
- Modality: Big Ice (4h on ice) costs more than Minitrekking (1.5h on ice).
- Transfers: you can add the transfer from El Calafate or arrange just the trekking with Hielo & Aventura.
- National Park entrance fee: paid separately (buy online).
Required fitness level
Minitrekking
No prior experience or specific training is required. It is suitable for people in good general health:
- You walk between 2 and 4 km in total (including access to the embarkation point)
- The terrain on the ice is uneven — crampons compensate for most of the elevation changes
- Age: 8–65 years
- Not suitable for people with severe knee, hip, or balance problems
Big Ice
Requires good cardiovascular condition and stamina:
- Age: 18–50 years (no exceptions)
- It is recommended to be able to walk for 4 hours non-stop
- Includes 2 km approach by lateral moraine (loose rocks, slopes up to 35°)
- The use of harness and ropes is part of the equipment — it does not involve climbing, but requires coordination
- Not suitable for people with severe heart or joint conditions
What to bring
Technical equipment (crampons, poles, and, for Big Ice, harness) is included. What you should bring:
- Warm layered clothing (the temperature on the glacier can be 5–10°C colder than in El Calafate)
- Waterproof jacket or windbreaker
- Comfortable sneakers or boots with rubber soles (crampons are fitted over them)
- Comfortable pants — jeans are not recommended because they get wet and cold
- Gloves and hat
- Sunscreen and sunglasses (the reflection from the ice is intense)
- Water and a light snack
- Camera or phone in a waterproof case
Large backpacks are not allowed on the glacier. Bring only essentials in a small backpack or fanny pack.
For more detail on clothing and equipment, check our complete guide on what to wear to the glacier.
Best time of year to do the trekking
High season: November to March
Higher demand. Long days (up to 20 hours of daylight in December–January), milder temperatures (10–18°C in El Calafate), and increased calving activity on the glacier. Big Ice spots sell out weeks in advance.
Mid-season: October and April
Fewer tourists, more accessible prices, and still convenient weather. This is the time we recommend for those seeking the experience without crowds. Big Ice is still available.
Low season: May to September
Minitrekking operates all year, but Big Ice is not available. Temperatures of 0–5°C and shorter days. The advantage: the park is practically deserted, and the glacier looks different under the winter light.
For a more complete analysis of weather and seasonality, check our best time to visit El Calafate guide.
January and February are the months with the highest demand. If you plan to visit during this period, book Big Ice a minimum of 2–3 weeks in advance, and Minitrekking at least 48–72 hours in advance.
How to arrange it
Option 1: through calafate.tours (recommended)
Booking with calafate.tours includes transfers from El Calafate, a spot with Hielo & Aventura, a bilingual guide, and assistance in case of any weather or condition changes.
- Online booking with immediate confirmation
- Payment in pesos or dollars, with an option to pay at destination
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
- Direct WhatsApp contact for inquiries
Option 2: directly with Hielo & Aventura
If you already have a way to get to Los Glaciares National Park on your own, you can book only the trekking directly with Hielo & Aventura. This option does not include transfers or a guide for the journey.
Frequently asked questions
The most common questions about trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier.
To integrate trekking into your trip, check out our 3-day itinerary in El Calafate. If you want to explore other glaciers in the park like Upsala and Spegazzini, compare the Todo Glaciares vs Gourmet navigations. And for a direct comparison between the two trekking options, don't miss our Minitrekking vs Big Ice guide.
