The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most spectacular sights that you without a doubt will ever witness, it is worth the visit. The glacier, which covers 97 square miles and is an established UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-visit during your trip to Patagonia. Perito Moreno Glacier is located in the Los Glaciares National Park, which is with in reach to other famous sites such as Mount Fitz Roy, which can be combined to make a spectacular voyage. This post will provide you with much-needed information to help inspire a trip or ensure you make the most of your visit to Perito Moreno Glacier.
Facts about Perito Moreno Glacier
The Perito Moreno Glacier sits on the Southern Patagonia Ice Field, which is the world’s third-largest freshwater reserve and it is spread across both Argentina and neighbouring Chile. The glacier covers 250 square kilometres, is 30 kilometres long and 5 kilometres wide. The glaciers size can only be appreciated upon a visit, especially when on a boat and the 74-metre height towers above you!
Whilst many glaciers across the world are retreating due to global warming, the Perito Moreno Glacier is actually growing and amazingly, scientists are not sure why. This growth means that from time to time, large chunks of ice crack and break away, which makes for incredible viewing if you are lucky enough to witness this event! Visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier whilst you are still able to is a must for your trip to Argentina!
Getting to Perito Moreno Glacier
The ease of access to this spectacular glacier makes it a must-do on your trip! Perito Moreno Glacier is less than an hour from the exciting town of El Calafate, situated on the southern edge of Lake Argentino (Lago Argentino). The glacier can be reached from the town by renting a car, taking a public bus or partaking in a tour. The glacier is located very close to the border of Argentina and Chile, making it a good place to form part of a longer voyage. The landscape surrounding Perito Moreno Glacier is home to many other glaciers and close to the Chilean Torres del Paine National Park.
El Calafate is easily accessible from Buenos Aires with several flights per day leaving from AEP in the city, with flight times taking a little over 3 hours. The bus is another option for those travelling from Buenos Aires. Buses head south from the city every day and with a stop in Rio Gallegos, the journey usually takes around 40 hours. One important thing to note is that the glacier is not located near the town of Perito Moreno, that town is located 600 kilometres north of the glacier.
When to visit Perito Moreno Glacier?
Choosing when to visit Perito Moreno Glacier is a difficult decision. You can visit the glacier all year, but the weather in some months can be unpredictable and even unpleasant.
The weather in Patagonia is likely to be best in the Argentine summer, which extends from November to March. However, visiting during these months will mean that crowds will be larger than during the off-season.
Visiting outside of the summer months will result in fewer crowds and better photo opportunities! These months are quieter for a reason though, these are the colder months. Often snowstorms sweep across the region.
The months of April and May provide visitors with the beauty of Autumn. During these two months, the colours of the surrounding trees are spectacular. A visit during those off-season months will be sure to impress you.
Despite all the planning and preparation, in Patagonia, the weather can change quickly! Anyone visiting this part of the world must be prepared for bad weather, a raincoat is always handy to keep in your backpack!
What to do at the Perito Moreno Glacier?
The many activities around Perito Moreno Glacier will keep you busy during your visit; boat trips, trekking and boardwalk hiking are some of those activities.
Surrounding the Perito Moreno Glacier are several boardwalks which provide constant viewpoints to take in the natural beauty of the glacier. Several trails exist totalling about 4 kilometres which provide plenty of walking opportunities for an active day. Depending on when you visit the glacier, on your walk around the boardwalk you may witness the glacier calve (break). It is advisable to bring some lunch, so you can sit and enjoy the breath-taking scenery. If you aren’t that prepared, then there is a visitor centre which sells food and drink.
Boat trips are an exciting way to get up close to one of the most famed glaciers in the world. Boat trips provide you with a different angle from which to view the glacier, from the water level you get a true feeling for the immense size of this wonder.
One of the best ways to take in the natural beauty of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field is through trekking. Trekking tours can be booked in the town and are completed with a specialist tour guide. Two trekking tours exist;
Mini Trekking or
Big Ice Trek. The mini trekking lasts just a couple of hours, whereas the Big Ice Trek lasts upwards of 3 hours.
El Calafate
El Calafate is quite simply the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier. It is worth making this town your base to explore the glacier, given its proximity. The town has numerous shops, restaurants and hotels which make it a perfect place to be for a short stay.
Many accommodations exist in the town depending on your budget, from decent hostels to luxury hotels which provide expansive views across the Lake Argentino and the surrounding Santa Cruz province countryside.
Once you arrive in El Calafate, you are in a good position to explore more of the stunning scenery in Patagonia.
El Chalten is a small village just a couple of hours north, and this town is the gateway to exploring Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
Torres del Paine, just across the border in Chile is another fantastic national park and is easily accessible from El Calafate by bus.
How Tangol can help?
This short guide to Perito Moreno Glacier has been written to help you choose and learn more about destinations!
Tangol offer a variety of tours that help you to take in the beautiful landscape of Perito Moreno Glacier. Please
contact us if you want to know more about Perito Moreno Glacier, or to help you start planning your trip!