One of the few glaciers on Earth that's still advancing. Standing in front of it changes you — and getting there is easier than you think.
The Perito Moreno Glacier is 5 km wide, 60 m tall above water, and 30,000 years old. It calves chunks of ice the size of buildings into Lago Argentino — and you can hear them coming. UNESCO declared this a World Heritage site for a reason. The good news: it's only 80 km from El Calafate, and there are real options to get there. Here's the local breakdown.
80 km
from town
1h 20m
drive each way
250 km²
glacier surface
UNESCO
World Heritage
Your 4 options to the glacier
Each one has its place. Here's the honest local view.
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⭐ The smart choice
Private Transfer with Daniel
Door-to-door pickup, the driver waits at the park while you explore at your pace, scenic stops on the route, and we add boat safaris or mini-trekking if you want them. For 2+ travelers, the private transfer is very competitive per person — and you control the schedule.
From $150.000 per vehicle (transfer only) · + Safari Náutico $64.000 per person
🚐
Group day tour (travel agency)
Shared minibus with a guide, fixed schedule (departure ~8 AM), 2-3 hours at the glacier and you return with the group. Convenient if you want zero planning, restrictive if you want to linger.
Guided · fixed group schedule
🚙
Self-drive rental car
Ruta 11 is fully paved and easy to drive. Worth it if you have multiple days and want full independence — but you'll miss the local commentary and have to navigate the park parking on busy days.
You drive · fuel + park entrance on top
🚌
Public bus to the park
Cal-Tur runs a bus from El Calafate's bus terminal. Cheapest option, but very limited departures, no scenic stops, no boat tours included, and you have to time everything precisely or get stranded.
Cheapest option · very limited departures
The glacier, at your pace
🚗 Exclusive vehicle, just for you
⏰ Leave whenever you want
🧊 Unlimited time at the glacier
📸 Scenic stops along the way
✈️ Flight monitoring
🚪 Door-to-door from your hotel
The price is per vehicle, up to 4 passengers — the more of you travel together, the less each one pays. No fixed schedules, no waiting, and no sharing with dozens of strangers.
Bottom line: for most travelers the private transfer is the most convenient way to reach the glacier — door-to-door, on your own schedule, with the driver waiting while you explore. The bus is cheapest if you're solo and flexible with its few departures; a group tour or rental car suit specific cases (see below).
🚌 Public bus
🚐 Group tour
🚗 Private transfer
🚙 Rental car
Schedule
Fixed, few departures/day
Fixed, the group's
Leave whenever you want
You decide
Who you ride with
Shared
Shared + guide
Exclusive vehicle (up to 4)
Just you, you drive
Door-to-door
No (terminal ↔ stop)
Sometimes hotel pickup
Yes, hotel to hotel
Yes (you drive)
Time at the glacier
Tied to return time
Fixed, back with the group
As long as you want — I wait
Free
Ideal for
Tight budget, solo traveler
Those who don't want to plan
Families, couples and groups
Those who want to drive, with several days
Our private transfer: fixed price per vehicle, today $150.000 (≈USD 130), up to 4 passengers, round trip with waiting. Park entrance paid separately.
Which one suits you?
Traveling as a family, couple or group (2-4): the private transfer is the most convenient — door-to-door, no fixed schedules, and the driver waits as long as you want in front of the ice.
Solo on a tight budget: the public bus does the job, if you fit its few departures and don't mind the shared pace.
You want full independence and have several days: a rental car works, if you're comfortable driving 160 km round trip and finding parking in high season.
You don't want to plan and don't mind the pace: a guided group tour is an option.
Once you've decided how to get there, the next big question is what to do at the glacier — just the boardwalks, add a boat ride (Safari Náutico or Azul) or walk on the ice (Mini-trekking). I compare them in detail in which excursion to choose at Perito Moreno.
The road to the glacier · step by step
The drive itself is part of the experience. Here's what you'll see along the way.
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km 0
Departure from your hotel
We pick you up between 8-9 AM — early enough to beat the crowds and catch the best morning light on the glacier.
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km 20
First view of Lago Argentino
Argentina's largest lake, fed by glacial meltwater. Turquoise waters and the Andes rising in the distance — a perfect first photo stop.
🦅
km 40
Patagonian steppe & wildlife
Watch for condors overhead, guanacos grazing, gray foxes and pink flamingos in the lagoons. Daniel knows where they appear.
🎫
km 52
National Park entrance
Park ticket booth (paid separately, varies by season and nationality). Bring your passport — they ask.
🧊
km 80
Perito Moreno Glacier
First glimpse from the road will leave you speechless. Then the boardwalks. Then the calving sounds. You'll remember this for the rest of your life.
Choose your experience
All options below include private round-trip transfer with waiting at the park.
Walk the elevated boardwalks at your own pace. Multiple platforms with frontal views of the glacier. Listen for ice cracks and watch for calvings.
$150.000
cash · per vehicle · up to 4 pax
Most popular
🚢
Safari Náutico
1-hour boat ride
Boardwalks + 1-hour navigation right in front of the glacier wall. Get close enough to feel the cold air and touch ancient ice.
How many traveling?
2
Round-trip transfer (per vehicle)$150.000
Safari Náutico ($64.000 × 2)$128.000
CASH TOTALbest price$278.000
💳 ARS 323,870💵 USD 239
with card, small surcharge of 16.5%
⚠️ Price per vehicle, up to 4 pax. More than 4 people → message us on WhatsApp.
🥃
Safari Azul
3-hour navigation + whisky
The most complete navigation: 3 hours circling the glacier from multiple angles, with whisky served over ice carved from the glacier itself. It's charged per person and each passenger arranges their spot — we take you there and back, and help you coordinate it.
$120.000/ person
+ round-trip transfer $150.000 per vehicle · safari paid at the dock
🥾
Mini-Trekking
Walk on the ice
Cross the lake by catamaran, strap on crampons, and walk on the glacier itself. A guided trek across millennial ice — once-in-a-lifetime stuff.
$190.000
cash · per vehicle · up to 4 pax
Tips from a local driver
🌅
Afternoons = more calvings
The sun warms the front wall of the glacier between 2-5 PM, causing more ice to break off. The sound is like thunder — you'll never forget it.
🧥
Dress warm, even in summer
Temperatures drop 5-8°C near the glacier face. Bring a waterproof jacket, hat and gloves. The wind amplifies the cold dramatically.
🥪
Bring snacks and water
There's a restaurant at the boardwalks but prices are high. A packed lunch + thermos of coffee makes the day better.
📸
Bring extra batteries
Cold drains your phone fast. Carry a power bank or keep your phone close to your body between photos.
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Park entrance separate
Not included in any transfer price. Pay at the park gate (cash or card). Price varies by season and nationality.
🚗
We wait — you set the pace
The driver stays at the park parking the entire time. Take 4 hours, take 7 — it's your day. We never rush you back.
⚠️
High-season heads up (mid-August to mid-May): The park can reach maximum capacity and temporarily close entry. Leaving before 9 AM guarantees you get in without waiting in long queues at the gate.
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Traveling 5 or more? Our private car seats up to 4 passengers. For larger groups we arrange a second vehicle so everyone travels together — message us on WhatsApp and we'll sort it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Perito Moreno Glacier
Transfer only:$150.000 per vehicle (up to 4 pax). With Safari Náutico: add $64.000 per person. With Safari Azul:$120.000 per person (paid at the dock). The transfer is per vehicle; the safaris, per person. Park entrance not included.
1 hour 20 minutes via Ruta 11 (80 km). The road is fully paved with views of Lago Argentino.
Náutico (1h, $64.000/person): up close to the glacier wall, you can touch ice. Azul (3h, $120.000/person): full circumnavigation with whisky on glacier ice — the most complete experience.
No. Always paid separately at the park gate. Varies by season and visitor nationality. Bring your passport.
Year-round, actually. Summer (Dec-Feb) has the best weather and most calvings. Winter (Jun-Aug) has fewer crowds and snow-covered scenery. Spring and fall are sweet spots — fewer tourists, mild weather.
Don't bother. Daniel coordinates everything: transfer + boat ticket. One price, one provider, no juggling reservations. We've been doing this since 2012.
Book ahead · spots fill fast
High season runs from mid-August to mid-May — almost all year round. Transfers and boat safaris sell out days in advance, and the park can hit its daily cap. Lock in your date and leave early to enjoy it stress-free.
