Perito Moreno Big Ice and Walkways With Transfer from El Calafate

Perito Moreno is the glacier you see once, then keep talking about, and this Big Ice version adds the best part: you walk on the ice. I like that the day is built around real glacier time, not just bus rides and photos, with guides helping you feel steady on crampons.

Two things stand out for me. First, you get guided trekking with equipment included, so you are not guessing how to handle ice. Second, the booking experience is described as attentive and friendly, which matters when your day starts at 6:00 am.

The main drawback to weigh is the effort. This is high-difficulty, and it is not a casual stroll, you need the stamina for walking for about 7.5 hours on cold, partly icy ground with crampons.

Key points to know before you go

• Small-group ice walking: groups of up to 10 on the glacier, with 2 mountain guides fitting crampons, helmets, and harnesses
• Guided walkways time: about one hour at the Perito Moreno balconies, plus self-guided paths
• Big glacier views with nearby peaks: you will see Dos Picos, Pietrobelli, and Cervantes hills from the walk
• Glacier ship crossing: a 20-minute navigation on Lago Rico before you reach the opposite coast in front of the south face
• Lunch break, but bring your own food: you get a break for lunch, yet the company does not sell food or drinks
• Park ticket is extra: entry to Los Glaciares National Park is not included (price subject to change)

Perito Moreno Big Ice, what makes this glacier day special

This is a day trip that treats the Perito Moreno Glacier like it deserves respect. You do not just stare from a distance. You start in El Calafate, travel into Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, then spend hours out on the ice with guides who teach you what you are looking at.

The “Big Ice” format is also about pacing. You get time for the glacier walk, time for viewpoints around the national park, and time to take in the scale from the walkways. It is a full day, but the structure helps you avoid the most common problem, getting rushed through the best moments.

6:00 am pickup and the schedule that shapes your experience

Your day kicks off early, with pickup in Calafate Center and a 6:00 am start time. That early departure is not a gimmick. It helps you reach the park area and the walkways in a logical order so you can focus on the glacier rather than playing catch-up.

Plan on about 12 hours total, including transfers. Some people compare this to shorter options, but the Big Ice approach is longer on purpose, because it includes both a guided glacier trek and a guided visit to the walkways.

If you skip the transfer and go on your own, the trekking portion is closer to 7.5 hours, leaving from the port and returning to the same point. With the transfer included, the day feels more seamless, and you are less likely to lose time juggling park entry and transportation.

Los Glaciares National Park entry, tickets, and the one cost you must plan for

The price you pay for the tour does not include entry to Los Glaciares National Park. The listed example cost is ARS 45,000 per person, and it is subject to change.

This matters because the park ticket is a “must-do” item at the entrance, and you need to show your ticket there. The tour can still feel like a package day, but you should treat the park admission like a separate budget line and not a surprise expense you hope gets covered.

Also note the tour time includes a guided push to get you onto the right parts of the park day. Since you cannot buy park admission through the tour listing data provided, plan to handle it at the entrance so you do not slow down your group.

The guided ice walk: crampons, safety fit, and what you learn on the glacier

The heart of this tour is the guided trek on Perito Moreno. Once you reach the glacier area, you will have about three hours to explore and move across the ice.

What I like about this is the way the guides are set up to teach and manage safety. You are divided into groups of up to 10 people, and there are two mountain guides for each group. Before you start walking, the guides fit crampons, helmets, and harnesses, then cover basic safety rules.

This is not just gear handed over at the start and forgotten. The guide presence during the walk is built into the experience, so you are not stuck figuring out how to walk on crampons by trial and error. That matters a lot on an ice surface where balance and foot placement count.

As you walk, the guides explain the ice and its environment. You also get views of nearby hills, including Dos Picos, Pietrobelli, and Cervantes. Those names help you orient yourself while you are out there, and it is a nice touch when you can point to what you are seeing instead of calling it all just mountains.

One more practical point: the listed difficulty is high. You should expect to walk for at least 7.5 hours total, partly on ice with crampons. Even if you are comfortable with hikes on land, glacier conditions add extra challenge, especially with cold air, uneven ice, and the pace set by a safety-first trek.

Lunch break on the glacier day, and why bringing your own matters

You get about a 30-minute break for lunch while you enjoy the glacier scenery. The catch is important: the company does not have a food and beverage sales service.

So yes, you get the break time, but you need to come ready with food and a water bottle. This is the kind of tour where buying snacks on the way can be the difference between a smooth day and a cranky one.

Also, think about how warm you can stay during that break. The tour asks for warm, waterproof clothing, and the cold does not pause just because you are sitting for lunch. Bring what you need so your rest is actually a rest.

Walkways and balconies near Perito Moreno, the panoramic payoff

After the glacier trekking portion, the schedule shifts to views and navigation. You get a guided visit to the walkways of Los Glaciares National Park, with about one hour specifically described as visiting the balconies.

The balconies are roughly 7 km from the port, and they are set up for maximum viewing angles. You will enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the glacier, then walk along self-guided paths. The guided part helps you know where to stand and what you are likely looking at, and the self-guided time lets you take your own pace with photos and lingering.

If you like your scenery in layers, this part of the day delivers. You have already experienced the glacier up close on foot, and now you can see how huge and structured it is from the walkways above.

Lago Rico crossing and the south face viewpoint

One of the more cinematic parts of the plan is the water segment. After arriving at Bajo de las Sombras port (listed as on Route 11, about 70 km from El Calafate), you board a ship to cross Lago Rico.

This crossing takes about 20 minutes, and it sets you up for the next scene. After navigation, you descend on the opposite coast in front of the glacier’s south face. That south-facing viewpoint is the kind of perspective you cannot recreate from the road or a single balcony platform.

Even if you are not a “boat person,” treat this as transportation plus perspective. It helps break up the long glacier day, and it gives you a clear before-and-after look at the glacier from a different angle.

What to wear, what to bring, and how to make the day feel safer

This tour asks for a strong focus on clothing and gear, and it is not overkill. You will be outdoors for a long day, including glacier walking conditions, so warm, waterproof, and secure clothing makes a real difference.

Here is what the tour data lists you should bring or wear:

• Comfortable and warm clothing
• Raincoat jacket
• Waterproof long pants
• Waterproof hiking boots
• Sunglasses
• Backpack (40 liters)
• Sunscreen
• Gloves
• Hat
• Water bottle and food for the day (no sales available)

The key is that you should match the conditions, not just your comfort. Waterproof boots and long waterproof pants matter because you are walking near ice where wet conditions are realistic. Sunglasses and sunscreen are included in the recommended list too, which is a reminder that glare can be an issue out on snow and ice.

One more practical note from the tour’s guidance: the day is listed for people with strong physical fitness. If you are used to long hikes, you will have a better shot. If you are not, this day can feel like a very long stretch of work.

Price and value: is $626 a fair deal for Big Ice?

At $626 per person, this is not a budget activity. The value comes from what the price covers versus what it leaves for you.

Included items:

• Hotel pickup from Calafate Center
• Guided transportation
• Guided visit to the walkways, including about one hour at the balconies
• Guided trekking on the Perito Moreno glacier
• Crampons, harnesses, and helmets
• Guided ship/route components that fit into the day plan

Not included items:

• Park entry to Los Glaciares National Park (price subject to change)
• Food and water for the day
• Any garment and personal equipment

When you judge whether this is worth it, I recommend you think in three buckets. First, glacier trekking safely is not just about taking a photo, it is about trained guidance and equipment. Second, the day combines ice walk plus walkways plus the Lago Rico crossing, which reduces the need for you to coordinate multiple pieces. Third, the group size stays relatively small on the ice (up to 10), which generally means more attention when you are learning how to move with crampons.

Also, book timing matters. The tour is typically booked about 14 days in advance, so if you want a specific date, plan ahead rather than waiting for last-minute luck.

Who this tour fits, and who should skip it

This Big Ice tour is built for healthy adults who can handle a long, cold, high-difficulty day.

The tour lists these fitness and age expectations:

• Age range: 18 to 50 years old
• Strong physical fitness level required
• Difficulty: high, with the ability to walk for at least 7.5 hours, partly on ice with crampons

It also lists health restrictions you should take seriously:

• Not recommended for people with cardiovascular diseases, COPD, emphysema, asthma
• Not recommended for people with recent surgeries
• Not recommended for people who have tested positive for COVID when taking the tour

It is also listed as not suitable for:

• Physical or mental disabilities
• Obesity
• Pregnant women
• People with severe vertigo

From a practical standpoint, that last one is huge. If you get dizzy with heights or uneven ground, the walkways, the ice surfaces, and the movement can all stack into a bad day. Trust your body here.

One more thing that shows up in the tour’s overall experience: the emphasis on physical conditioning is part of the reason people have a great day. If you go in ready and rested, you are much more likely to enjoy the glacier education and the viewpoints instead of fighting fatigue.

The booking vibe: attentive communication and a friendly guide team

The overall experience is described as well-handled from the first booking step. You should receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, and then you get pickup timing details after reservation.

That sounds small, but for a tour starting at 6:00 am, clarity helps. Early pickups can be stressful if you do not know the exact schedule, so having the itinerary sent to confirm pickup time is genuinely useful.

The tour is also described as having a very kind team. On a glacier trek, kindness and calm communication are not “nice to have.” They help when you are learning safety rules, getting crampons fitted, and trying to focus on steady steps.

Should you book the Perito Moreno Big Ice tour?

Book this tour if you want a guided Perito Moreno ice walk plus walkways views in one long, well-structured day. It is especially worth it if you value equipment and instruction, because crampons, harnesses, and helmets are provided and you go out with mountain guides in small groups.

Skip or choose a different style of tour if you are not confident with long, high-difficulty walking, even if you consider yourself an “active traveler.” This one is built for people who can handle about 7.5 hours of walking effort, partly on ice.

Finally, be honest about your health and comfort with heights. The tour has clear restrictions for a reason. If you meet the fitness needs, this is one of the most memorable ways to experience Perito Moreno, because you are not just watching the glacier, you are learning it with your boots on.

FAQ

What time does the Big Ice tour start?

The start time is listed as 6:00 am, with pickup from hotels in Calafate Center.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is approximately 12 hours, including transfer time and a guided visit to the walkways.

Is admission to Los Glaciares National Park included?

No. Entry to Los Glaciares National Park is not included, and the listed example price is ARS 45,000 per person (price subject to change). You buy tickets at the park entrance.

What glacier-walking equipment is included?

The tour includes crampons, harnesses, and helmets, and the mountain guides fit the gear before the trek.

What physical condition do I need?

The tour is listed as high difficulty. You should have the psychophysical capacity to walk for at least 7 hours and a half, partly on ice and with crampons.

Do they sell food or drinks on the tour?

No. You should bring water and food for the day because the company does not provide food and beverage sales.