Big Ice Tour Navigation Hike and Minitrekking in Perito Moreno

The Big Ice Tour Navigation Hike and Minitrekking in Perito Moreno
Rating: 4.5/5 (13 reviews)
Location: El Calafate, Argentina
Price: $1,422.00 per person
Supplier: Nautilus Viajes
Duration: About 11 hours (including transfers)

A Day Spent Exploring the Perito Moreno Glacier

If you’re looking for a full immersion into one of Patagonia’s most iconic sights, this Big Ice Tour offers a wonderfully comprehensive experience. For around $1,422, you get to see Perito Moreno Glacier from multiple angles — on land, from the water, and, most excitingly, walking right on the ice itself. The tour lasts approximately 11 hours from door to door, starting early with hotel pickups in El Calafate and ending with a scenic boat trip back.

What we love about this experience is how it combines spectacular scenery with active exploration. You’ll not only get the classic views from the observation points but also venture onto the glacier with crampons, feeling the rugged ice beneath your feet. Plus, the navigation segment across Lake Rico offers a peaceful waterway perspective of the glacier’s southern face.

A potential consideration is that this tour demands good physical fitness and a willingness to be outdoors for most of the day. The terrain can be uneven and chilly, and the schedule is packed. It’s best suited for those who love adventure and are comfortable with a full day of activity.

If you’re craving a truly personalized glacier experience with knowledgeable guides and unrepeatable views, this tour suits adventurous travelers eager to walk on ice and see Patagonia’s crown jewel from every possible angle.

Key Points

• Comprehensive Experience: Combines sightseeing, navigation, and ice trekking in one full day
• Expert Guides: Bilingual guides help interpret the landscape and assist on hikes
• Authentic Adventure: Personal small groups (up to 10 on the ice) for a more intimate experience
• Varied Scenery: Water, woods, moraine, and glacier treks offer diverse perspectives
• Weather Variability: Climate and glacier conditions change daily, ensuring a unique experience each time
• Physical Demands: Requires good fitness; ideal for active travelers

Exploring the Itinerary in Detail

Early Morning Departure and the First Look at Perito Moreno

The day begins early with a pickup from your El Calafate hotel, which is convenient and saves the hassle of transportation planning. A bilingual guide — usually helpful for understanding the landscape — will accompany you and share insights about the Los Glaciares National Park.

The first stop is the viewpoint at the park’s overlook, where you’ll get one of the best panoramic vistas of Perito Moreno Glacier. The sheer size and blue hues of the ice are breathtaking, and this immediate introduction sets a tone of awe for the day ahead. Keep in mind, the entrance fee to the park isn’t included, so budget for that separately.

Crossing Lake Rico: From Land to Ice

Next, you’ll board a boat at Bajo las sombras port, embarking on a 20-minute cruise across the Rico arm of the lake. This boat ride offers a peaceful transition from land to water and provides a closer look at the glacier’s southern face. Many reviews highlight how much they enjoyed this part, describing it as a “really beautiful way to see the glacier from the water.”

Once ashore, your guides will welcome you to the glacier base. Their expertise becomes apparent as they help you gear up with helmets, harnesses, and crampons, ready for the glacier walk.

Two-Hour Moraine Walk: A Precursor to the Ice Trek

Before stepping onto the ice, you’ll trek for about 2 hours along the glacier’s moraine — a rocky, sediment-laden ridge left behind by retreating glaciers. This walk offers sweeping views of the glacier and surrounding woods, giving you a chance to see the landscape in a more natural state.

Many visitors rave about this part, with one saying, “We loved the way our guide helped us interpret the landscape,” and another noting the “beautiful views of the glacier.” It’s a chance to stretch your legs, take photos, and soak in the wild Patagonian environment.

Picnic Break: Nature’s Quiet Moment

Midway through the moraine hike, you’ll stop for a picnic in nature. It’s important to remember that you need to bring all your food and beverages, as there are no vendors on-site. Packing a hearty lunch and water is essential, especially since the tour doesn’t include lunch.

This pause is also a perfect moment to relax and enjoy the tranquility away from crowds, making it a highlight for many travelers craving a genuine connection with nature.

Mini-Trekking on the Glacier: A Personal Adventure

After the moraine walk, your guides will help you gear up for the 3-hour mini-trekking on the glacier itself. With groups limited to 10 people, the experience feels intimate and personalized. You’ll walk with two mountain guides, who will help navigate cracks, lagoons, streams, and seracs — towering blocks of ice — and sometimes even explore ice caves.

The crystal-clear ice beneath your feet and the constant shifting of the glacier create a dynamic, constantly changing landscape. Many reviewers mention how “guides made all the difference,” helping them understand the glacier’s features and ensuring safety.

Final Views and Return Journey

After completing the trek, you’ll return along the same route, taking a moment at the refuge to admire the glacier one last time. The final part of the day is a boat trip back to the port, providing a different perspective of the ice from below. This combination of walks, boat rides, and guided hikes guarantees varied scenery and keeps the experience engaging.

The Value of This Tour

At over $1,400, this is not a budget excursion, but the cost reflects the comprehensive nature, small group sizes, and expert guidance. You’re paying for a full day of adventure in one of the world’s most stunning natural settings, with opportunities to walk on the glacier, enjoy panoramic views, and learn from guides who are passionate about Patagonia.

Many visitors find the personalized experience, with up to only 10 people on the ice, makes the price worthwhile, especially compared to larger, less interactive tours. The quality of the guides and the variety of activities — water, land, ice — ensure you get a full, memorable day.

Who Would Love This Tour?

This experience is best suited for adventurous travelers with good physical health who aren’t afraid of a full day outdoors. It’s perfect for those who want more than just a quick glance at Perito Moreno and are eager to walk on ice and see the glacier from multiple angles.

If you’re traveling with people who enjoy active pursuits, scenic boat rides, and interpretative guides, this tour offers a rich, authentic encounter with Patagonia’s most famous glacier.

Final Thoughts

The Big Ice Tour is a rich, multi-faceted adventure that captures the essence of Patagonia’s wild beauty. You’ll love the variety of perspectives — from panoramic viewpoints to the glacier’s surface — and the expert guidance that helps you appreciate the landscape.

While it requires a good level of fitness and a full-day commitment, those willing to invest the time will find this tour worth every penny. It’s ideal for travelers craving genuine experiences, stunning scenery, and a sense of connection with one of the Earth’s most extraordinary glaciers.

If you’re ready for an active, memorable day that combines adventure, scenery, and expert insights, this tour is a fantastic choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s included in this tour?
Transfers from and back to your hotel in El Calafate, bilingual guides, mini-trekking on the glacier, navigation, ice walking, and walking through Patagonian woods are included.

Are food and park entry fees included?
No, the tour price does not cover lunch or entrance to the National Park. You must bring your own food for the picnic and pay separately for park entry.

How long is the entire experience?
Including transfers, the full day lasts about 11 hours, with most of that time spent actively exploring or traveling.

Is this tour suitable for children?
The tour requires good physical fitness and involves walking on uneven terrain and ice, so it’s best for older children or teenagers comfortable with active outings.

What should I bring?
Bring sturdy hiking shoes, warm clothing, your packed lunch, water, and camera. Weather can change quickly, so layers are advised.

How many people will be on the ice?
Groups are limited to 10 people on the glacier, ensuring a more personalized and safe experience.

To sum it up, this tour offers an immersive, adventurous way to experience Perito Moreno Glacier. It’s ideal for those eager to combine scenic beauty with physical activity and expert guidance. If the idea of walking on ice, exploring different facets of the glacier, and enjoying Patagonian wilderness appeals to you, then this Big Ice Tour will likely be a highlight of your trip to Argentina.