El Calafate: Safari Azul Los Glaciares Trekking Tour

Perito Moreno Glacier is the star here, but the best part is seeing it in several ways. You first approach by boat, then walk across forest, sand, and rock to reach the ice, and finish from the broad viewing platforms. That change of scale helps you understand just how huge this glacier is.

I like the close approach to the ice, where you can touch the glacier and study its blue folds and white ridges. I also like the two hours at the catwalks, since you can choose your own paths and watch for cracks, falling ice, and wide views of the glacier front. The main catch is that the tour is not a glacier walk. You walk beside the glacier, not across it, and the park fee, lunch, and drinks cost extra.

Key points

• Boat approach across Lago Rico: A short 20 to 30-minute sailing gives you a dramatic first view of Perito Moreno from the water.
• Touch the ancient ice: The guided shore walk brings you close enough to see the glacier’s fine textures and strong blue tones.
• Up to three hours of walking: The route crosses sand, forest, stones, and gentle slopes, so waterproof shoes matter.
• Two hours at the catwalks: You have time to explore the famous viewing routes at your own pace.
• Hotel pickup from El Calafate: Transfers are included, but short-term rentals without reception need a nearby meeting point.
• Bring your own food and water: There is no chance to buy supplies during the park portion of the day.

Why this Perito Moreno tour works so well

This tour gives you three useful views of Perito Moreno Glacier in one day: from a distance, from the boat, and from the shore. That variety is the reason I would choose it over a simple bus trip to the catwalks.

From El Calafate, the drive to Bajo de las Sombras takes about 1.5 hours. The road crosses open Patagonian steppe, so keep your eyes on the window. The scenery is broad and spare, with little to interrupt the view. It is a long transfer, but it gets you from town to the glacier efficiently.

At the port, you board a boat for Lago Rico. The crossing is short, listed at about 20 to 30 minutes, but it packs in a lot of scenery. As the boat moves toward the opposite shore, the glacier wall grows from a distant strip of white into a huge, jagged face.

The boat ride matters because Perito Moreno can be hard to judge from one fixed viewpoint. Water gives you a moving perspective. You can watch the ice wall change shape as the boat passes, spotting blue hollows, dark cracks, and rough ridges that are easy to miss from the main viewing platforms.

The walk beside the ice

After landing, the walking section begins. The route passes over sandy stretches, forest trails, and rocky ground, with gentle slopes along the way. The southern wall of the glacier stays in view, giving the walk a clear destination and plenty of reasons to stop for photographs.

The description of the shore approach puts the hike at about 30 minutes, while the activity information advises allowing roughly three hours of total walking, with about 1.5 hours each way. That difference is worth noting. Plan for a longer active section rather than a quick stroll from the boat to the ice.

The walking is described as low intensity, but low intensity does not mean perfectly smooth. Stones and uneven ground are part of the route. You should be comfortable walking for several hours, even if the pace itself is gentle. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, or anyone over 70, and it is limited to people aged 6 to 70.

Your guide leads the group toward the glacier edge and explains the ice, plants, and surrounding area. Guide names associated with this activity include Alexa, Diego, Leandro, Victoria, and Camilla, though your own guide will depend on the departure. The tour runs in Spanish and English.

At the ice, you get time to look closely and take photographs. This is not a technical ice trek, so you do not strap on crampons or cross the glacier. Instead, you stand beside it and touch the exposed ice. That distinction is important when comparing tours in El Calafate. If your goal is to walk on Perito Moreno, this is the wrong product. If your goal is to get close without a demanding mountaineering activity, it is a good fit.

The glacier’s colors are one of the strongest parts of the visit. You may see bright white snow, deep blue channels, and layered surfaces that look almost carved. The sound matters too. Ice can crack and fall into the water, producing a sudden boom that makes the glacier feel active rather than frozen and silent.

Returning to the catwalks

After the shore visit, you sail back to Bajo de las Sombras and board the coach for the Perito Moreno viewing area. The catwalks give you a different kind of visit. Instead of standing close to one section of the ice, you can look across the whole glacier front from several levels and angles.

You have two full hours here. That is enough time to follow more than one route, pause at the main viewpoints, and eat your packed lunch with a wide view of Los Glaciares National Park. The guides can suggest which paths are useful, but you are free to explore during this part of the day.

I like this structure because the catwalk visit comes after the close approach. You already know how the ice feels and looks nearby, so the huge front across the water makes more sense. From the platforms, you can better appreciate the glacier’s scale and watch for movement along the wall.

Two hours is also a practical amount of time. You are unlikely to feel rushed, but the visit stays focused rather than turning into an all-day platform circuit. Bring a warm layer even if El Calafate feels mild. Wind and cold can be more noticeable near the glacier.

What the $182 price covers

At $182 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Perito Moreno. You are paying for a full nine-hour day, hotel transfers, the coach ride, the boat crossings, a guided shore visit, and two hours at the catwalks.

The value is strongest if you want the close approach and do not want to arrange transport yourself. Getting to Bajo de las Sombras and then connecting with the catwalks would require careful planning. Here, the day is built around those transfers, and the guides keep the schedule moving.

The price does not include the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee. You can buy that ticket at the park in Argentine pesos or purchase it through the official National Parks website. Food and drinks are also excluded, so the real cost is higher than the advertised tour price.

Bring a packed lunch, snacks, and a reusable water bottle. There is no opportunity to buy food or water in the area. A few people may receive a small calafate drink or chocolate from the provider, but you should not rely on that as your meal plan.

For comparison, a basic catwalk visit may suit you better if you only want viewpoints and already have transport. This tour earns its higher price through the boat ride and shore walk. Those are the features to value, not simply the number of stops.

Transport, pickup, and timing

Pickup is included from accommodations with a reception. You should wait there 10 minutes before the stated time. The provider confirms the exact pickup time the day before, and the possible pickup window runs from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

That wide window means you should not make tight plans around a presumed departure hour. Keep your phone available for the final confirmation. If you are staying in a short-term rental or a property without a reception, the provider gives you a nearby meeting point.

This detail deserves attention. A pickup problem can be especially unpleasant in El Calafate, where the morning may be cold and the transfer to the park takes time. Confirm the meeting point clearly, particularly if your accommodation is an Airbnb or another rental without front-desk staff.

The buses have received praise for being clean and new, and the overall timing is usually well organized. Still, one departure experienced a major pickup mix-up, with the actual collection time differing from the first information given. That appears to be an exception, but it is a good reason to confirm the time rather than simply waiting outside.

The day includes about three hours of driving in total, plus both boat crossings. You are giving up most of a day, but that is normal for a Perito Moreno visit from El Calafate. The drive is part of the cost of reaching this remote part of the park.

Clothing and physical demands

Dress for changing Patagonian weather. You should bring warm clothing, a jacket, rain gear, sunglasses, and clothing suited to the forecast. Waterproof shoes are especially useful because the route includes sand, stones, and possible wet ground.

A waterproof bag protects your phone, camera, and lunch during the boat ride or in rain. Sandals, flip-flops, shorts, and sleeveless shirts are not allowed, so pack for coverage rather than warm-town conditions.

The walk is not presented as strenuous, but the distance and surface still matter. You may walk for up to three hours, and the ground is not flat pavement. If you are steady on your feet and comfortable with gentle slopes, the route should be manageable. If you need step-free access or frequent assistance, choose a catwalk-only option instead.

The activity has a firm age range of 6 to 70. Children under six cannot join, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Those rules are not minor booking details. They reflect the boat transfers, uneven shore route, and amount of walking.

What the guides add

A good guide is valuable here because the glacier can become a wall of ice without context. The guide helps point out details, explains the area, and suggests useful routes at the catwalks.

The tour operates in English and Spanish. Previous guide teams have included Alexa, Diego, Leandro, Victoria, and Camilla. You might have a small English-speaking group or a larger mixed-language departure, depending on the day.

The strongest guide reports focus on clear explanations, friendly handling of the group, and useful information about the glacier, plants, and local wildlife. That makes the guided shore section more than a supervised walk. You get help noticing details that you might pass without a second look.

The guide also helps with safety near the ice. You are close enough to touch the glacier, but this is still an active ice front. Follow instructions, stay with the group, and do not treat the shore as a place for independent exploration.

Best for, and who should skip it

I would recommend this tour to you if you want more than a photograph from the main platform. It suits first-time visitors to El Calafate who want transport, a boat ride, a guided close approach, and free time at the catwalks in one package.

It is also a good choice if you prefer a light outdoor activity rather than a technical glacier excursion. You can get close to the ice without climbing onto it, and the route offers a satisfying mix of boat travel, forest, rocks, and open views.

You should think twice if you dislike long coach transfers, need a fully accessible route, or want a quiet independent day. The group schedule controls the boat and transport times. You also need to carry your own lunch and water, and the park entrance is an extra charge.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Patagonia plans are still shifting, but they do not change the need to check the pickup details and weather-ready clothing.

Should you book this Perito Moreno experience?

Book it if you want the fullest standard day around Perito Moreno without walking on the glacier. The boat gives you a close water-level view, the shore route brings you to the ice, and the catwalks provide the wide view that puts everything into scale.

At $182, plus park entry and your food, it is best viewed as a convenience and access package rather than a low-cost sightseeing trip. I would choose it over a simple catwalk transfer if touching the ice and crossing Lago Rico are high priorities.

Skip it in favor of a simpler visit if you only want the platforms, cannot manage uneven ground, or need a fully flexible schedule. For most active visitors aged 6 to 70, though, this is a well-rounded way to meet Perito Moreno in one memorable day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The full activity lasts about nine hours, including the transfers from El Calafate, the boat crossings, the guided glacier visit, and two hours at the catwalks.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes. Transfers to and from your hotel are included if the accommodation has a reception. If you stay in a short-term rental or a property without reception, you will receive a nearby meeting point.

Does this tour include walking on Perito Moreno Glacier?

No. You walk beside the glacier and can touch the ice, but you do not walk across the glacier itself.

Is the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee included?

No. You must pay the park entrance separately, either at the park in Argentine pesos or through the official National Parks website.

Should I bring lunch and water?

Yes. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no opportunity to buy supplies during the park visit. Bring a packed lunch, snacks, and a reusable water bottle.

How much walking is involved?

The activity information advises allowing approximately three hours of walking, with uneven stones and gentle slopes. The shore approach itself is described as about 30 minutes, so you should prepare for a longer active portion overall.

Who can take this tour?

The activity is for people aged 6 to 70. It is not suitable for children under six, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or people over 70.