Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking, Argentina. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Argentina
- Biome
- Patagonian glacier (200–1,000 m)
- Best season
- November – March
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
Key takeaways
- Biome: Patagonian glacier (200–1,000 m)
- Best season: November – March
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking
Topic summary
Guided ice trekking on the calving Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: November – March
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Patagonian glacier (200–1,000 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Bear Country Food StorageBear country: canister, Ursack or hang, and the local rules.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
Plan with verified data
Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking trip tools
How to get there
Perito Moreno Glacier is in Los Glaciares National Park in southwest Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, 78 kilometres from El Calafate. Confirm the exact arrival or meeting point and transport arrangements for the chosen activity.
- El Calafate
The named town for orienting travel to Perito Moreno Glacier, which lies 78 kilometres away. Confirm onward transport and any trekking meeting point separately.
- Los Glaciares National Park
The park containing the Argentine destination. This identifies the access area, not a specific entrance, trailhead or glacier boarding point.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
Animals around Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Perito Moreno Glacier TrekkingAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking
Planning to fish Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking, Argentina? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Argentina are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking?
- A Argentina fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Argentina fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Argentina yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
Hunting near Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking
Thinking about hunting Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking, Argentina? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Argentina are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking?
- Confirm the land around Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Argentina?
- A Argentina hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Argentina yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
The glacier and its setting
Perito Moreno Glacier lies in Los Glaciares National Park in southwest Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. It is a major ice formation in Argentine Patagonia: approximately 250 square kilometres in area and 30 kilometres long. Those figures describe the glacier itself, not a trekking route or the distance visitors should expect to walk. The glacier is fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, an Andean ice system shared by Argentina and Chile. El Calafate, 78 kilometres from the glacier, is the named town to use when orienting a visit. For trip planning, distinguish the destination from the activity: visiting Perito Moreno and arranging a trek on glacier ice require different information. The glacier’s location and scale alone do not establish where visitors may walk or how they can reach the ice.
Planning a trekking visit
Treat an ice trek as an activity that needs its own confirmed itinerary, rather than assuming that arrival at Perito Moreno provides walking access to the glacier. Before committing to travel, confirm the meeting point, transport arrangements, whether the outing actually goes onto the ice, and what equipment and experience it requires. A glacier’s overall dimensions are not useful measures of a visitor route’s length or difficulty. Likewise, the stated 78-kilometre separation from El Calafate is a location reference, not a journey time or a walking distance. For this mountain, lake and ice setting, prepare for changing weather and check conditions close to departure. Confirm current access requirements with the park administration, and use an activity-specific briefing to decide whether a proposed trek suits the group.
Understanding the wider park
Los Glaciares National Park gives Perito Moreno its broader landscape context. The park covers more than 4,000 square kilometres of Argentine Patagonia and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with mountains, glaciers, lakes and wildlife. About one third of its area is covered by ice. Perito Moreno is therefore part of a much larger glaciated region, rather than an isolated patch of ice beside a visitor destination. The Southern Patagonian Ice Field feeds dozens of glaciers and is described as the world’s third-largest reserve of fresh water. Keep the scale of the park separate from the scope of a single outing: a visit focused on Perito Moreno does not amount to exploring the wider ice field. Any additional walking or glacier activities need their own access and route checks.
Route options
- Perito Moreno Glacier
A glacier-focused outing is the central planning option. No specific on-ice itinerary is established here; confirm the route, access arrangements and equipment requirements before treating it as a trekking plan.
- Los Glaciares National Park
A broader park visit offers a different planning scope from a Perito Moreno ice trek, in a landscape of mountains, lakes and glaciers. No named walking circuit or trailhead is established here, so select and verify a specific route separately.
Sample itineraries
- One-day Perito Moreno focus · 1 day
Plan a glacier-focused day from El Calafate, 78 kilometres from Perito Moreno Glacier. Confirm transport, current access and whether an appropriate guided ice trek is available before committing. Keep the day focused on this glacier rather than adding other park destinations.
- Two-day flexible glacier visit · 2 days
Use El Calafate as a planning base. Allow one day for arrival and checking access, equipment requirements and trekking availability, then one day for Perito Moreno. This is a suggested planning framework, not a documented trekking route.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Confirm operating dates before planning a spring trek.
Do not assume spring means mild conditions on the ice. Pack insulating layers and weather protection for this glacier setting in the Patagonian Andes.
Summer
Confirm summer trekking availability before booking travel.
A summer visit still involves a glacier environment. Carry insulation and eye protection, and check the local forecast rather than relying on conditions in El Calafate.
Fall
Confirm access and trekking availability for your fall dates.
Keep the itinerary flexible and check conditions close to departure. Clothing should suit cold ice, exposed mountain surroundings and changing weather.
Winter
Verify winter access before committing to a trekking itinerary.
Do not assume ice trekking operates throughout winter. Confirm that the intended activity is available and suitable for the conditions, and prepare for cold exposure.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Confirm operating dates before planning a spring trek. | Do not assume spring means mild conditions on the ice. Pack insulating layers and weather protection for this glacier setting in the Patagonian Andes. |
| Summer | Confirm summer trekking availability before booking travel. | A summer visit still involves a glacier environment. Carry insulation and eye protection, and check the local forecast rather than relying on conditions in El Calafate. |
| Fall | Confirm access and trekking availability for your fall dates. | Keep the itinerary flexible and check conditions close to departure. Clothing should suit cold ice, exposed mountain surroundings and changing weather. |
| Winter | Verify winter access before committing to a trekking itinerary. | Do not assume ice trekking operates throughout winter. Confirm that the intended activity is available and suitable for the conditions, and prepare for cold exposure. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current entry requirements and any trekking permissions with the managing agency for Los Glaciares National Park.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Glacier ice requires specialized footing and equipment. Confirm the skills, supervision and equipment needed before attempting an ice trek.
- Cold exposure is a concern in an ice-covered mountain setting; carry insulation and protection from wind and precipitation.
- Weather can affect outdoor plans in the Patagonian Andes. Check the forecast and current access conditions before leaving El Calafate.
What to pack for Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking
- Insulating layers
- Weatherproof outer layer
- Warm hat and gloves
- Footwear confirmed as suitable for the planned activity
- Required ice-travel equipment, checked with the trekking provider
- Drinking water
- Food for the outing
- Sunglasses and sun protection
- Small daypack
Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking FAQ
- Where is Perito Moreno Glacier?
- It is in Los Glaciares National Park in southwest Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, within Argentine Patagonia.
- How far is the glacier from El Calafate?
- Perito Moreno Glacier is 78 kilometres from El Calafate. Confirm transport arrangements separately; that distance does not establish a travel time.
- How large is the glacier?
- The ice formation covers about 250 square kilometres and extends roughly 30 kilometres. Those dimensions describe the glacier, not a trekking route.
- Can an ice trek be planned without checking local arrangements?
- Confirm current access, guided trekking availability, suitability requirements and equipment before planning to walk on the glacier. Do not treat a general glacier visit as confirmation of ice access.
- What feeds Perito Moreno Glacier?
- It is one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the Andes, shared by Argentina and Chile.
- What is the surrounding park like?
- Los Glaciares National Park contains mountains, glaciers and lakes across more than 4,000 square kilometres of Argentine Patagonia. About one third of the park is covered by ice, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.