El Calafate Perito Moreno Regular

Full Day Excursion

Operated between September to end of April

Subject to local weather conditions

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 Regular Full Day Excursion

The El Calafate Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the largest glaciers to flow down from the Southern Ice Field, which is accessible for viewing from the land.

This wonderful, full day excursion to the El Calafate Perito Moreno Glacier starts with a pick-up from your hotel in El Calafate at around 08:00 to 08:30hrs, depending on which hotel you are staying at. Once on board you will be transported by bus to the Glaciares National Park, which will take about 1hr. During this transfer you will pass by the large, Lake Argentina, as well as see in the far distance a little bit of the back of Torres del Paine. When you arrive to the park entrance you will need to pay the park entrance fee in person, for this reason we suggest that you bring local currency with you, because credit cards are not accepted.

Once past the park entrance it is about 30 minutes to the port from where the safari nautico operates from. This navigation will last about 1hr, during which time you will have many photo opportunities. However, the bus will wait for the safari nautico to return before it continues to where the boardwalks are accessed. Furthermore, the board walks entrance is located in a position with a full view to the glacier and is a 15-minute journey from the port.

The Boardwalks

Once you arrive to the entrance to the boardwalks you will be asked to leave the bus. Whereupon at this point you will get a panoramic view of the entire Perito Moreno Glacier. After you disembark from the bus you will have about two hours to enjoy the glacier from the viewing platforms. Most importantly, take your time to stop and see the glacier, but also to listen to it cracking and snapping. If you are hungry there is a cafe in the area where the entry to the boardwalks is, therefore remember to bring credit cards and local currency with you if you want to buy food.

Safari Nautico

The safari nautico is a short boat trip from where you can admire the southern, facial arm of the glacier. As a result of being on a boat you will be able to see the huge glacial face close up. Most importantly, for those who are on the safari nautico the navigation occurs prior to your arrival at the top of the viewing platforms. Consequently, you will be taken to the top of the viewing platforms after the boat trip.

In conclusion, if you have never seen a glacier close up then Perito Moreno is the one to come and see. Above all, unlike many glaciers in the world, this is one gigantic river of ice that is not receding. The sheer width and height of the glacial face, not to mention how far the glacier stretches back into the Andes, is an incredible sight. In addition, you will be able to hear the ice move as it cracks, snaps and breaks off into the lake.

Please note that we only offer this excursion as part of the rest of your itinerary with us, and not as a standalone trip.

Logistical Information

The pick-up from your hotel in El Calafate is between 08:00hrs and 08:30hrs, depending on which hotel you are staying at. You will return back to your hotel between 16:00hrs – 17:00hrs, so this is a full day excursion. Therefore, we will book your hotel for you, but remember that you will need a minimum of one night, and possibly two nights in El Calafate in order to participate in this excursion. In other words, we would build in a stay at El Calafate, either in-between travelling from El Chalten to Torres del Paine (or the reverse), or at the start or the end of your Patagonia itinerary.

Difficulty

This is an easy excursion, however, if you decide to not climb up and down the boardwalk steps during your visit, you can stay at the cafe area and still see the glacier from there. Although you will need to wait for all the other people to finish their walks, before returning to your hotel. For this reason make sure you bring warm clothes and something else for entertainment should you not be walking around.

Age Restrictions

There are no age restrictions, but this is not so suitable for babies or very young people due to the cold air near the glacier. For example, when the wind blows the air coming off the glacier is, understandably icy cold.

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 (because sometimes the cafe is not open).

Description of Perito Moreno Glacier

In Spanish a glacier is called a “Ventisquero”, therefore the Perito Moreno Glacier is called the “Ventisquero” Perito Moreno. This glacier is located about 80km west of El Calafate. The vertical, glacial face is about 5km wide, rising to heights of around 60m. Moreover, what lies below the water is even higher. The glacier itself flows slowly from its source in the Southern Ice Field, some 30kms back on the horizon, down to meet the Lake Argentina.

Every few years, as the river of ice moves down from the Andes, its path becomes obstructed by the peninsula in front of it. Consequently, the glacier then divides Lake Argentina in two. However, the influx of water from river’s, increases the water level of one of the “new” lakes. As a result of this, over time the higher water level of one lake slowly erodes the ice that divides the two lakes. Consequently, the moving water creates a short “tunnel” that connects one lake to the other. In other words, the previously divided lake becomes unified again. As a result of the newly-formed tunnel an “ice bridge” is all that connects the glacier to the land.

Water Flow

However, as the water flows from the higher-level lake into the lower-level water of the main lake it gushes through the “tunnel” melting ice and increasing the width of the tunnel. In other words, the current becomes even stronger and erodes away the ice tunnel, which weakens the overhead ice bridge. The conclusion of this action is to weaken the ice bridge until it crashes down into the lake which causes a huge spectacle. Moreover, it is for this reason why thousands of people come to visit Perito Moreno to witness this thundering, natural demolition of ice, which has resulted in the glacier becoming the most famous glacier in Argentina.

Request here: request@experiencechile.org