Perito Moreno Glacier: the most popular in Patagonia

Its name comes from the 19th-century explorer, Francisco Moreno, known as "perito" for his knowledge of the region.
Located in Los Glaciares National Park, southwest of the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, the glacier is part of the Southern Patagonian ice field, including several other well-known glaciers and touristic sites in Chile and Argentina such as El Chalten or Torres del Paine.

The Perito Moreno Glacier is characterized by its remarkable dimensions, 250 square kilometers and 30 kilometers long, and is famous for its massive front forming an impressive iced wall. One intriguing thing about this glacier is that even though it is getting thinner, it continues to advance while most of the world’s glaciers are retreating. This slow movement towards the peninsula of Magallanes causes frequent ice falling under the enthusiastic gaze of the visitors.

Another interesting feature is the accessibility to the site. Only two hours by bus from El Calafate, it is the only glacier in Patagonia that can be visited from the mainland, without having to take a boat.

There are several ways to visit Perito Moreno:

Through the observation boardwalks. The Perito Moreno site has a very good touristic infrastructure, including an information center and an extensive network of wooden walkways from which it is possible to enjoy a complete panoramic view of the glacier´s front and observe the chunks of ice calving off it.

Boat trips on the Argentino Lake. It is an excellent complement to the visit to the walkways to see the glacier up close. The navigation usually lasts 60 minutes and allows to see the Perito Moreno from another angle, providing an incredible view of the ice, which towers an average of 70 m above the water’s surface.

Hike on the Perito Moreno glacier. This is the third possible way to visit the Perito Moreno, another excellent complementary activity to the footbridges. Long hikes and mini-treks are available, with options lasting from 1.5 hours to longer excursions of around five hours. Please note that it is not possible to do this activity on your own, so be sure to book your ice hike in advance.