Los Glaciares National Park: Argentina's Ice Giant

Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few glaciers on Earth still advancing, and you can stand 400 meters from its 60-meter ice wall on a network of boardwalks for a foreign adult entry fee of about 45,000 Argentine pesos. The park sits in southwest Santa Cruz Province, 80 km from El Calafate via paved Route 11, and receives over 700,000 visitors a year. Most arrive on day trips, but the park rewards two distinct itineraries: the southern sector around Perito Moreno and the northern sector around El Chaltén.

Getting There and Orientation

From El Calafate: The Southern Gateway

El Calafate (population roughly 25,000) is the service base for the southern sector. Buses leave twice daily in high season, around 8:00 and 13:00, with returns at 14:00 and 18:00; a round-trip ticket costs about USD 25–30 per person and takes 1.5 hours each way. Rental cars are the flexible alternative — the road is fully paved, and the parking lot at the Sendero de los Tempanos trailhead is free. Note that park gates close two hours before official closing, so a 13:00 bus gives you only about three hours on the boardwalks.

From El Chaltén: The Northern Gateway

El Chaltén, 220 km north of El Calafate via Route 11 and Route 40, is a trailhead town rather than a glacier-viewing base. The Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre trails begin at the edge of town, and the northern sector charges no entrance fee. If you want both sectors, budget a full day for the drive between them — the gravel sections are slow, and winter snow can close Route 23 entirely.

By Air

El Calafate Airport (FTE) is 20 km from downtown and has direct flights to Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, and several other Argentine cities. A taxi into town runs about 30 minutes. Book flights well ahead for December–February; seats sell out and prices climb sharply.

What to See and Do

The Perito Moreno Boardwalks

A 3–4 km network of wooden walkways and stairs connects viewing platforms at different heights and angles over the glacier's south face. The yellow route offers the widest panorama; the red route drops closer to the ice. Most people spend two hours here. The walkways are wheelchair-accessible in the main sections — a detail that matters for families traveling with older parents. Calving is most frequent in the afternoon, when rising temperatures weaken the ice front, so keep the last hour free for patient watching.

Ice Trekking: Minitrekking and Big Ice

Both treks are operated exclusively by Hielo & Aventura, the park's official concessionaire. Minitrekking gives you 1.5 hours on the ice with crampons and a whiskey-on-glacier toast; Big Ice puts you on the ice for four hours and demands better fitness. In peak season these sell out one to three months ahead — book before you book your flights. Participants must be 8–65 years old and in reasonable health; pregnant travelers and people with heart or respiratory conditions are excluded. Bring a passport, comfortable shoes, lunch, and a windproof layer.

Boat Crossings and Lago Argentino

A one-hour boat trip on the Rico arm approaches within 150 meters of the glacier's southern wall — the only way to appreciate the 60-meter height from water level. Book it as an add-on to a day tour or at Puerto Bajo de las Sombras. Elsewhere in the park, catamarans from Punta Bandera run to the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers, passing through fleets of icebergs. This is a full-day commitment and a different experience from Perito Moreno: quieter, colder, and far less crowded.

El Chaltén and the Fitz Roy Massif

The northern sector holds the granite spires of Fitz Roy (3,405 m) and Cerro Torre, reached by a well-marked trail system from El Chaltén. The classic Laguna de los Tres hike is 20 km round-trip with about 800 m of elevation gain — a full day for most hikers. There is no entrance fee here, but register at the trailhead and check weather at the visitor center; high winds can make exposed sections unsafe.

Practical Details: Tickets, Hours, and Seasons

Entrance Fees and Opening Hours

The park is open year-round. From September through April, gates operate 8:00–20:00; from May through August, 9:00–18:00. Foreign adults pay about 45,000 ARS (roughly USD 31), with discounted rates for Argentine residents and free entry for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased at pnlosglaciares.ar or at the park offices at Punta Bandera terminal — buying online avoids the queue at the gate. Fees are subject to change given Argentina's inflation; check the official site for current rates. Cash and Visa are accepted at the gate, but Mastercard is not.

Best Time to Visit

December through February brings 17 hours of daylight and temperatures of 5–20°C, but also crowds and peak prices. The shoulder months of November and March trade a little daylight and warmth for thinner crowds and slightly calmer wind. Winter (May–August) is underrated: the ice looks more dramatic, prices drop, and you may have the boardwalks nearly to yourself — but some roads require chains and the boat schedule shrinks. Wind is a constant in any season; November and December are the windiest months.

What to Bring and Rules to Follow

Layers, a hooded windbreaker, gloves, sunglasses, and trekking shoes are essential even in summer. Drones are banned. Pets are not allowed. Stay on marked trails, carry out all trash, and keep your distance from wildlife — the huemul deer is an endangered natural monument, and pumas, though rarely seen, should never be approached. Weather can change within an hour; always check trail and road status before setting out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to visit Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate?

A day trip takes 8–9 hours including 1.5 hours of driving each way and about 4 hours in the park. If you only want the boardwalks, a half-day tour is enough; add the boat trip or an ice trek and you need the full day.

Do I need to book Perito Moreno tickets in advance?

Park entry can be bought online at pnlosglaciares.ar or at the gate, but ice treks must be reserved well ahead — Minitrekking and Big Ice sell out one to three months in advance during December–February. Book trekking before you finalize flights.

Can you visit Los Glaciares National Park in winter?

Yes. The park stays open year-round, with shorter hours (9:00–18:00) from May through August. Winter offers fewer visitors and dramatic ice, but some roads may close for snow and boat services are reduced. Check conditions before driving.

Is the park accessible for wheelchairs?

The main Perito Moreno boardwalk circuit is wheelchair-accessible, with ramps and wide platforms. The trails around El Chaltén are not suitable for wheelchairs. Ask at the visitor center for the specific accessible route.

How much does it cost to enter Los Glaciares National Park?

Foreign adults pay about 45,000 ARS (around USD 31), Argentine residents pay less, and children under 12 enter free. The northern sector around El Chaltén has no entrance fee. Rates change with inflation — verify at the official site before you travel.