Last Updated on: 1st February 2023, 06:40 am
After taking the 24-hour bus journey from Buenos Aires to Bariloche, I knew it would be hard to persuade Jonathan to do another 24-hour bus journey to El Calafate, Argentina. I dislike flying but the ‘it will be so much cheaper than flying and hey, we will save money on a night’s accommodation’ was just not going to work this time. And when we found promo seats on Aerolíneas Argentinas that were only marginally more than the bus, and with travel time less than two hours, it was a no brainer.
I would just have to ignore the images in my head that suggest every bump of turbulence meant the plane would crash! Funny enough, the plane didn’t crash, the flight was very smooth, and Aerolíneas Argentinas
Top Tips for Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier
The weather in Patagonia can be a bit unpredictable so assume flights may be delayed a little. You should allow a full day for visiting Perito Moreno Glacier so do factor this in when planning your trip to El Calafate. We met an American couple who thought they’d have enough time to visit the glacier, assuming the flight landed on time, as they were leaving early from El Calafate the next morning.
The flight was late, the glaciers are a good hours drive outside El Calafate, so they were not going to have enough time. The main reason for going to El Calafate is to see the Perito Moreno Glacier!
When we finally arrived at El Calafate Airport, we rented a car at the airport for our duration, as we like the freedom that having your own transport offers.
If you don’t fancy driving, you can pre-book your shared airport transfer to your accommodation in El Calafate here.
See Also:
- Penguins at Punta Tombo, Argentina
- The Complete Three Week Buenos Aires and Patagonia Itinerary
- Bariloche, Argentina and The Circuito Chico
- Argentina Lake District And The Route of the Seven Lakes
- Ushuaia, Patagonia – Traveling To The End Of The World
- Things To Do In Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
- Gaiman – A Little Bit Of Wales In The Heart Of Patagonia
Top tip: when travelling in high season, book car hire in advance to secure a better price. Do as we say, not as we do. Yes, that’s right, we didn’t book a car in advance, but we did manage to find the last remaining vehicle, probably paid more as beggars can’t be choosers. The rental cost us roughly $80 a day.
Our Visit Perito Moreno Glacier
The next day, we visited the Glacier Perito Moreno, definitely a highlight of our trip to Patagonia. It takes roughly an hour and a quarter to drive from El Calafate. The glacier is located in Los Glaciares National Park which is situated in the province of Santa Cruz in southwest Argentina, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Having a rental car, we were able to set off early and arrive before the tourist buses. The entrance fee to the park is currently 5500 pesos per person. For up to date prices, please check here.
By the visitor centre, there are loads of short boardwalk hikes to do, each varying in length and challenge. To be honest, even the most challenging walk wouldn’t be challenging for any reasonably fit person, it just means there’s a lot of stairs. None of the trails are that long, but allow lots of time, because I guarantee you will be stopping every few minutes to take just one more photo.
The views of the Perito Moreno were just incredible from every angle. It’s difficult for me to describe in words but just look at these photos.
And the sounds of the ice cracking before crashing into the water, known as calving were just incredible. At times, the noise of the ice cracking sounded like thunderclaps. Also, the intense blue colour of the glacial ice was just stunning.
So Why Is The Ice Blue?
Now, as I tended in my misspent youth not to pay any attention to my science teacher, I was curious as to why the ice was blue. I’m sure many of you know this already, but for those that don’t, apparently, the dense ice of a glacier absorbs every colour except blue, so that’s why we see blue. Having read various explanations about why ice is blue, I’m still somewhat confused; nevertheless, the blue is breathtaking.
In the afternoon, we decided to take the boat tour to the Glacier’s south face, because obviously, we needed more photos of Perito Moreno Glacier. When we boarded the boat, we were told to sit inside. We thought, ‘oh no, don’t say we have to view the glacier from inside.’
But after the safety briefings, you’re allowed to go up on top. So top tip, stay close to the exits when sitting downstairs so you will be one of the first on top deck to get a good view, but don’t worry the boat turns around so everyone should get a chance to see the glacier up close.
To be honest, we don’t usually do boat tours but this was great for photos and takes you right up close, plus we got the chance to see an ice bridge which was fascinating to see, and we wouldn’t have seen this if we remained on land. So, if you have the time, we’d recommend it. For prices, times and other tours, see below.
Available Perito Moreno Glacier Tours:
Before you arrive at the visitor
Boat tours
or a Safari Nautico is a one-hour boat ride to the Glacier’s south face and costs $25 per person. The boats depart at 10:00 / 11:30 / 13:00 / 14:30 daily with an extra one at 16:00 at weekends.
Mini-Trekking
Walking on the glacier approx $120 per person. Must be reasonably fit. No children under 10 and no seniors over 65.
Big Ice Tours
Trekking on the glacier. Must be physically fit and is only for those aged 18 to 50. Cost approx $220.
Book A Day Tour From El Calafate
For those who prefer not to drive, there is this popular one day tour ‘Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking Tour and Cruise’ that leaves from El Calafate.
Top Tips For Visiting The Perito Moreno Glacier
Arrive early. Allow a good few hours. We spent almost a full day here.
Bring water and snacks with you. There are some great places to enjoy a picnic lunch with great views of the glacier. There is a snack bar but it gets very crowded, plus you don’t get the view.
Dress for all weathers, the age-old saying, four seasons in one day (Jonathan really hates this phrase lol) really does apply to Patagonia.
Drone photography is NOT allowed in the park.
How To Get To The Perito Moreno Glacier
We drove. We like the independence and flexibility, although this is the more expensive option. But you can reach the park before the tourist buses arrive and have the place to yourself and for us, that’s worth paying a little bit more.
As we booked our car on arrival at the airport in high season, it cost us $80 per day. It’s an easy drive to see the Perito Moreno Glacier, just follow route 11 all the way from Calafate town. The road is paved all the way with a couple of places where you can pull over to enjoy your first view of the glacier.
There are also plenty of bus companies in El Calafate that offer return trips to the glacier. The going rate for travelling in high season when we were there was 5000 pesos per person (Approx $30). But check with your hotel or hostel for up to date prices and times.
We noticed that many people were using guides, but you really don’t need to. The boardwalk walks are all clearly signposted, and all the information signs are written in both Spanish and English.
What Else Is There To Do El Calafate Argentina?
Reserva Laguna Nimez in El Calafate, Argentina
With a few hours to spare before seeking dinner, we decided to visit the Reserva Laguna Nimez, located just on the edge of El Calafate town. It’s a lovely nature trail through wetlands alongside the Lago Argentino shoreline and the Nimez lagoons. A perfect place for bird watchers and for those that enjoy a leisurely stroll in nature. I’m not great at bird recognition, but we saw lots of flamingoes and the adorable blue beaked ruddy duck.
The trail is three kilometres, and you should allow one to two hours to walk around. It costs 350 pesos to enter (about 10 dollars), but your ticket is valid for a few days so you can pop back for free.
Walking around El Calafate, Argentina
The town has a nice relaxed vibe to it. Most of the shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants are along route 11. It’s a nice mix of touristy and locals. With a couple of hours spare, it’s a pleasant place to stroll around.
We didn’t have time to do this, but there’s a walking tour in El Calafate. The tour takes two hours and starts at 5:30pm on Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays and Sundays. On the walking tour you’ll learn about the history of El Calafate and its early settlers. You can reserve a spot through the Tourist Office or at your hotel. If you have done this tour, let us know what it was like in the comments below.
Glaciarium
A fascinating museum about ice, glaciers, how they are formed and climate change. The information signs at the Glaciarium are written in both Spanish and English, and there are many documentaries shown in both languages too. The friendly, helpful guides will tell you when the next show is shown in English. It was fascinating and well worth spending a few hours there. If you don’t believe in Climate Change, this place may just change your mind!
The unusual architecture of the museum is supposed to represent a glacier!
To Get to the Glaciarium
It’s just a five minutes drive from the town on the way to the glacier. If you don’t have your own transport, free transfers to the museum depart hourly from the car park of the Santa Cruz Province Tourist Bureau.
Opening Hours of El Calafate Glaciarium
It’s open every day from 12 – 8pm.
Cost of El Calafate Glaciarium
3000 pesos per adult (Approx $16)
Coming back from the museum into town early evening, we saw loads of flamingoes on the lake. Unfortunately, the flamingoes were too away to get a great photo, but close enough to enjoy the experience and say ‘Wow, look at all those flamingoes!’
The Walichu Caves
If you have extra time and your own car, you should pay a visit to the Walichu Caves. It’s just a short drive out of town, heading towards the airport and then down a wide dirt track, but it’s clearly signposted.
Here is where the first cave paintings in the province were discovered. Even though most of the cave paintings have severely weathered, it’s still a fun self-guided walk with an audio guide. It takes about 50 minutes to get around. And even if you can’t see as many cave paintings as clearly as you may have hoped, it’s still a great view over Lago Argentino.
Open every day, except Monday.
Our Favourite Restaurants In El Calafate, Argentina
There are loads of good restaurants in El Calafate, but we had great meals at the following restaurants.
Parilla Don Pichon
Jonathan enjoyed a lamb dish, and I went vegetarian. (The portion sizes for meat dishes are so huge in Argentina, it really put me off eating meat. Fortunately, most restaurants do offer vegetarian options.) The restaurant is located on a hilltop, with great views of the lake and town. They even provide a free transfer back to your hotel, but as we were only a few minutes walk to our guesthouse, we walked.
Mi Viejo
is another restaurant that’s great for lamb. Patagonia lamb seems to be the specialty in El Calafate. And Jonathan was taking a brief hiatus from all the steaks he had been devouring in Buenos Aires. Vegetarian options are available. This restaurant is very popular, so be prepared to wait for a table. Located on the Main Street, so easy to find.
La Cantina
a hole in the wall restaurant, that was near our guesthouse. Simple food and good beers. It is catered more for locals than tourists.
The German Bakery
on the Main Street is good for coffee and breakfast.
So, after three nights in El Calafate, Argentina it was time to move on. Next stop: Ushuaia.
Disclaimer:Some of the links on this website are “affiliate links”, meaning that if you click on the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost. This helps me to keep my website running and continue to share my travelling knowledge with you. I thank you for using the links on my website.
This sounds like a great adventure! I’ve always wondered why some of the ice is blue. This is so interesting! Your dinner at Mi Viejo in El Calafate looks amazing! I always love trying new foods when traveling.
Trying new foods is one of the best bits about travelling.
We have just visited El Calafate and Perito Moreno Glacier. We booked a tour that picked us up at our accommodation. It was such an amazing experience, the boat tour as well as time spent on the ‘balconies’ overlooking the glacier.
It’s a great day out. Definitely a must-see. Did you enjoy it?
24 hours bus ride?? Wow, I’m not sure I could have handled that. Glad the plane trip worked out well despite the delay. The glacier is beyond stunning. I love the blue hue of the ice as it makes it look so surreal! The photos are wonderful and I’m super jealous!
Yes, 24 hours on a bus is rather a long time but the seats were comfy 🙂
These glaciers look so incredible! Its always smart to plan ahead and book everything in advance so you can enjoy the trip. Also love the photos you took.
It’s always smart to book ahead but we rarely do lol
Looks like a gorgeous trip! A very thorough guide- you provided all the needed details for someone to plan a successful trip to see the glacier! I love the blue color- would be amazing to see in person!
Thank you 🙂 It was a gorgeous trip, I hope you have the chance to see it one day!
Wow!!!!. The Glacier is so breathtaking, awesome and so cool, I didn’t know Argentina has that. And yup, now I’m confused too why the ice is blue, even after you explained it, hmm
LOL, yes I still don’t understand why the ice is blue either. Guess science is just not my thing!
Oh, this is a dream! I’d love to visit – so sad we didn’t make it there when we were in Argentina. And blue ice looks captivating! I believe that now, even though missing out on your science teacher stories, you know more about it than 99% of our planet’s population!
LOL, I wish that was true. Still don’t fully understand the explanation why it’s blue 🙂
The Glacier Perito Moreno looks really spectacular. The blue ice is really fascinating, forget the principles of science behind it, it is simply breathtaking. We were not really aware much about this part of Argentina but El Calafate seems a wonderful place to head to. It is relatively lesser known and hence this adds to the charm too.
Good idea, I like that. Forget the science and admire the beauty 🙂
To see the Perito Moreno Glacier is a dream trip. I didn’t realize how far it is to get there. But, it’s not always easy to find the best spots in the world, right? Your pictures are just amazing. I love it.
Yes, everywhere in Patagonia is a bit of an effort to get to but well worth it!
Your photos of the glacier are stunning! I bet it was amazing seeing them close-up. The Walichu Caves sound like an interesting place to visit as well, even if the cave paintings aren’t very visible. The view you show of the lake from there is beautiful – love the color of the water!
Thank you – it’s Jonathan that takes all the photos. I just lug the bags around lol.
I’m heading over that way to go to Antarctica so I want to explore more of Argentina first, this looks awesome and a real through guide!
Oh, you’re going to Antarctica, very jealous. There were some good deals to pick up last minute cruises to Antarctica when we visited Ushuaia. Enjoy your trip!!
Oh my gosh. Patagonia has been at the top of my travel bucket list for a few years, and I think I’m finally going to make it happen next year. I would LOVE to do the glacier trek – I wonder how long the trek is and what all it entails (just walking on the glacier or getting strapped into gear and trying to climb it?) Anyway I cannot wait to check out El Calafate and all the surrounding beauty – and that Patagonia lamb and beer sounds delicious! I could happily eat that for dinner every night.
Sorry, can’t help you with details on the glacier trek because apparently, I’m too old 🙁
Wow those glaciers look amazing! It’s almost like they don’t belong there haha. When I think of South America I don’t think of ice and cold weather. Really special!
And when you drive to the glaciers, you drive through a desert landscape. It’s all very weird and wonderful in Patagonia.
This is such a thorough guide. The body tour seems so rad. I couldn’t resist the water. Holy cow these photos are Beautiful!
omg so good to read this post. I was there 8 years ago. wow time flies!!! I loved Calafate and the experience of walking above the glacier is amazing. Great shots guys!!!!
It’s gorgeous there, isn’t it?
What a stunning pictures! Greatly detailed guide. South America is on my travel list!
You must go, you’ll have a fantastic time!
Wow, that is so cool! The ice arch is just stunning. Love your photos, and it sounds like quite the adventure!
Cool, wasn’t it? Never seen an ice arch before
Wow, this sounds and looks incredible! I actually made it to Patagonia over a decade ago when I still worked on cruise ships. (Managed to do a gorgeous hike up to an emerald green lake and see some incredible glaciers from the ship!) I’ve never been to El Calafate, though. It sounds like this would be the way to go if I ever make it back there. I think you made the right decision taking a boat ride to view the glaciers and also paying extra to rent a car so you could get to the national park before the other tourists. Thanks for sharing your adventures (and gorgeous pictures!) with us.
Thank you for your kind words:)
Wow, such stunning pictures. I would like to go hiking someday to the ever-shifting icy landscape of Perito Moreno Glacier. Need to start saving for South America 🙂
Patagonia isn’t cheap as some destinations but worth it. Keep saving 🙂
Blue ice? Wow!! Your photos look amazing and I hope I get to visit the place someday!
Thank you
That sounds like an amazing trip! That ice arch is breathtaking. I remember learning about blue ice in Iceland, I had no idea it was naturally blue like that. I think I am going to have to add this to my bucket list.
I think you should too
A 24-hour bus ride? Wow – major respect to you guys! The photos look amazing, I was surprised that you could get so close to the Perito Moreno glacier 🙂
Long bus journeys in Argentina, you have to try at least one lol
Guys, if next year I’m broke, it will be totally on you! But after seeing these pix, I know where I have to go as soon as possible….should I thank you now?!? Probably!
Can’t take your money with you when you’re gone, so blow it all on travel now lol
This is truly the place where I only see on television or have read in big travel magazines before. I’m thankful that I get to experience it virtually as I seemed traveling with you. Truly, the Glacier Perito Moreno, is definitely a highlight of everybody’s trip to Patagonia and would do the same If I get the chance. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Thank you, you must go and see for yourself.
I am glad that your plane made it safely to Argentina. What there is a glacier park there? I had no idea! and it is good that they also have the glacier museum for people like me that know nothing about it. I like the architecture of that funny little museum.
I had to go google this, but it looks AMAZING. We love remote, cold places, so this is right up our alley. The Ice Arch is breathtaking and you really captured the blue coloring of the glaciers. I’d love to visit the Glaciarium; I’ll bet there aren’t too many museums dedicated to glaciers. Great post, thanks for all of the tips, will bookmark for when we make it to southern Argentina!
I never made it to El Calafate. This post has got me thinking I should be arranging another trip to Argentina to finally see the Perito Moreno Glacier!