El Calafate Perito Moreno Ice Hike

Full Day Excursion

Operated between September to end of April

Subject to local weather conditions & age limits

FULL REFUND IF TRIP CANNOT BE OPERATED

Note: We offer this activity to be built into your main itinerary and not as a standalone

An Introduction to El Calafate Perito Moreno Ice Hike Full Day Excursion

The Perito Moreno ice hike full day excursion is also known as “Mini Ice” (the ice-climbing option is known as “Big Ice”). This is an activity that requires a certain amount of physical exertion. In other words, you need to be in good, physical shape and be perfectly capable of putting ice crampons (which will be supplied) over your trekking boots and be able to then walk on the ice which, in some areas, may be close to a deep crevasse.

For the adventurous this is a great activity as well as experience. After all, not everyone will be able to hike on top of one of the largest glaciers in Patagonia!

It should be noted that if you wish to participate in this activity, you will need two nights’ accommodation in El Calafate, and if we are arranging this excursion, we have to make the accommodation bookings.

Perito Moreno Background Information

About 80km west of El Calafate is Ventisquero Perito Moreno (Perito Moreno Glacier) – the “big one” that everyone comes to see. It has a 5km long, vertical wall of glacial ice face rising to heights of around 60m flowing some 30km from its source in the Andes Mountains.

Itinerary

Pick-up from your hotel in El Calafate will be between the 08:00hrs – 09:00hrs time period. The bus will go around collecting people from their different hotels. After about a one-hour or so bus transfer, the excursion begins at the embarking pier located at “Bajo de las Sombras” port, about 6km before the Perito Moreno Glacier viewing platforms. Here, you will embark a small boat for a 20-minute navigation across the sector of the lake called “Rico Arm”, enjoying breathtaking views of the Perito Moreno glacier wall.

The Guide

You will disembark on the opposite shore, where a specialized bilingual mountain guide will welcome you and lead you to a small shelter. After doing a check on participants, what clothing you have and to see that all people involved are there (group sizes are restricted to not more than 20 people), you will then follow the guide along the lake shore towards the edge of the glacier. Once beside the ice the guide will instruct each participant to put on a pair of crampons and will also explain how to use them.

The trek on the ice, which is moderate in difficulty, will last for around 1.5hrs. In particular, the circuit will introduce you to the fascinating landscape of the glaciers.  It should be noted that the ice surface over which you walk is irregular ie not totally flat, but firm. After the walk, a stroll through a native woodland forest will bring you back to the shelter.

Age Restrictions

Age Restrictions: 10 to 65 years of age at time of the activity (proof of age at time of reservation will be requested).
Physical demand: Moderate, but participants must be physically fit and in good shape.
Morning departures every day with pick-up from your hotel in El Calafate around 08:00hrs

Remember to Bring

Our recommendations for what to bring are: Firstly, a warm jacket, gloves, sunglasses (the glare from the glacier is very strong). Secondly, bring a warm hat, lip balm and sunscreen cream. Finally, consider bringing a lunch box.

Included
Guide, Crampons,
Return Transportation to Parque los Glaciares

Request here: request@experiencechile.org