Perito Moreno in Los Glaciares Nationwide Park in Argentine Patagonia is the largest glacier on the earth accessible by land. It is without doubt one of the hottest websites to go to in South America. Perito Moreno Glacier, Iguazu Falls, and the Inca ruins at Machu Picchu had been the highest three explored in South America. The glacier and the Laguna de Los Tres hike to Mt Fitzroy each positioned within the park had been our highlights to go to on the Argentina facet of Patagonia. The closest city to the positioning is El Calafate, positioned 80 km (50 miles) away.
The huge glacier is a part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Discipline together with a number of different well-known glaciers in Chile and Argentina. We mixed visiting Perito Moreno Glacier with mountaineering in El Chalten and backpacking in Torres del Paine.
Perito Moreno is 30 km in size increasing over 250 sq. kilometers (96 sq. miles). The glacier is really spectacular, it is vitally touristy, however the infrastructure is nice, and being surrounded by walkways and balconies with a number of glorious viewpoints all the opposite vacationers didn’t trouble me. Visiting the glacier by boat tour is one other fashionable choice. See wonderful websites on a guided day journey by boat within the Glacier Nationwide Park.
The O’Higgins Glacier Trek was a improbable of the overwhelmed monitor journey. This beautiful glacier was declared as one of many World Heritage Websites by UNESCO in 1981.
You get shut sufficient to the glacier to really feel its icy breath in your face. The in depth system of wood bridges means that you can stroll for an hour or two and see the glacier from completely different angles and cruise boats can take you even nearer to expertise the glacier, if you wish to discover the glacier trekking excursions can be found to take you out to stroll on elements of the glacier. Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier was one of many highlights of our Patagonia itinerary.
There was a major drop within the worth of the Argentinian Peso in comparison with the USD since 2020, so for foreigners touring this makes an enormous distinction. Costs on this article had been up to date in September 2024.
One of the best time to go to the Perito Moreno Glacier
One of the best season to go to Perito Moreno and Los Glaciares Nationwide Park is in the summertime months, from November to March with the sunniest climate. That is excessive season with many vacationers. Nice climate makes this an ideal time if you happen to planning on doing day hikes in Patagonia or a few multi-day treks. On sunny days you’ve got the perfect probability to expertise the ice cracking and crashing into the lake, this spectacle known as ‘calving’ and occurs virtually each half an hour in case you are fortunate you may see this unbelievable visible expertise from up shut! Visiting the glacier is an unforgettable day.
To share the positioning with fewer vacationers throughout peak season your finest probability is to reach early within the morning earlier than the buses begin arriving, one of the simplest ways to take action is by taxi or renting a automotive. Should you come by public transport there shall be fewer vacationers arriving by afternoon bus than by morning bus on most days.
If you wish to know extra about touring to South America examine our South America journey price range article for ideas and the price of touring this wonderful continent on completely different budgets.
Entrance price to Perito Moreno
In September 2024 the value to go to Perito Moreno is ARS 30 000 ($24), discover out what the present worth is or purchase on-line right here. The ticket is legitimate for someday solely so attempt to come earlier to have sufficient time to discover the world. Tickets could be bought with a bank card (Visa/Mastercard), debit card (Electron), or in money (Argentine pesos).
Methods to get to El Calafate?
The Perito Moreno Glacier could be reached from the city of El Calafate within the Santa Cruz province in Argentina. The commonest strategy to get to El Calafate is by bus with connections from El Chalten, Puerto Natales, and Bariloche.
By Air – There may be an airport in El Calafate, solely native flights arrive and depart right here, and direct flights from Ushuaia, Buenos Aires, and San Carlos de Bariloche a number of occasions a day.
By Bus – That is the most well-liked method of transport to El Calafate, transport by bus in Patagonia is expensive. We had lots of competitors hitchhiking from El Chalten to El Calafate since many backpackers went to the bus station and determined to hitchhike because it was too costly, the three-hour journey from El Chalten to El Calafate is round $20 (09/2024) with buses leaving a number of occasions a day todays bus ticket worth.
A 24-hour bus journey from Bariloche varies between $45 and $150 USD.
Hitchhiking – We discovered hitchhiking in Patagonia to work very effectively and this was our method of transport for touring the Carretera Austral. From El Chalten to El Calafate there have been many hitchhikers, so if you happen to determine to do that I might suggest you begin early. From El Calafate, we hitchhiked to Puerto Natales with out issues. The native folks had been very pleasant and useful.
Methods to get to Perito Moreno from El Calafate?
Perito Moreno Park is 80 km away from El Calafate, you’ll probably go to Perito Moreno from El Calafate. There are many choices to make this journey and you are able to do it every day by bus, rental automotive, organized tour, or taxi. Hitchhiking is even a very talked-about strategy to journey for backpackers.
Ebook a tour – that is the best choice with a lodge pick-up and isn’t too costly relative to move costs. Try this well-rated tour from Patagonia Desires for $45 (September 2024). Non-compulsory Boat journey included. Get to the entrance of the glacier on a ship journey!
Hitchhiking is the most cost effective strategy to get to the glacier, it’s comparatively protected and straightforward on this a part of the world, we hitched round (known as ‘a dedo’ in Spanish) Patagonia for about 3 months with no issues. We had been fortunate to get a journey with our neighbors within the campsite to Perito Moreno splitting the gas value. Hitching just isn’t at all times very dependable time-wise and you might find yourself spending little time on the glacier. Should you determine to hitch begin early within the morning when most individuals drive to the park.
Take a bus – ARS$ 32 000 ($32) for bus tickets September 2024
You possibly can attain Perito Moreno from El Chalten by bus. Caltur Journey is a bus service that goes from El Chalten to Perito Moreno return every day. The approximate keep time is 5 hours.
Rental automotive – Rental Automobiles is a superb firm for reserving automotive leases. Renting a automotive means that you can miss the crowds and arrive at time – early! All public transport begins arriving later and the park will get tremendous busy. That is positively essentially the most handy strategy to journey the entire Carretera Austral and permits you essentially the most flexibility to journey from El Calafate to Perito Moreno. Simply soar on Provincial Route No. 15 from El Calafate, it’s going to take you about an hour and a half to drive the 80km (50 miles) to Perito Moreno.
Take a taxi – Ask your lodge/hostel to cellphone and set up a taxi. This isn’t that costly in case you are sharing and your driver will fortunately wait when you go and discover.
Strolling trails at Perito Moreno
The strolling routes on the metallic boardwalk dealing with the glacier are well-marked with spectacular viewpoints of the glacier. There are a number of trails of various issue taking 45 minutes to an hour and a half to finish. Right here you may observe the glacier from balconies positioned at completely different heights and respect this surprise from completely different views.
Perito Moreno Glacier Excursions
An enormous number of Perito Moreno Glacier excursions can be found beginning at $80 and going as much as $800. All excursions don’t embrace drop-off at your lodge and entrance to the glacier, so simply be sure that while you guide your tour what’s included. Please learn latest critiques written by different vacationers on the precise tour. Sure excursions could be purchased within the nationwide park at a sales space with an indication saying ‘Navegacion’
Perito Moreno Tour by Boat
On a ship tour on the glacier, you’ll sail throughout the Rico arm of Lake Argentino. Crusing between floating ice near the spectacular 196-foot (60-meter) excessive entrance wall it’s an unreal vantage level for taking photographs. Watching huge chunks of ice crash into the water crashing into Lago Argentino is an unforgettable sight. This fashionable Perito Moreno Glacier Day Journey with Non-compulsory Boat Trip from El Calafate consists of an non-compulsory boat journey.
Perito Moreno Glacier Mini Trekking Expertise
The Glacier Mini Trekking is an especially fashionable, well-rated exercise, all people we spoke to beloved it! Now we have accomplished this at different websites and had been a bit restricted on time and price range so we didn’t do that, however it does look improbable. Glacier Mini Trekking
Perito Moreno Glacier Massive Ice Trek
Do an extended trek on the glacier mixed with a hike within the Patagonian Forest. Expertise an unforgettable hike throughout the ice on the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier. From El Calafate, embark on an unbelievable Patagonian journey as you marvel on the ice move from new angles and study this frozen panorama. Strap on some crampons, seize your ice decide, and prepare! Massive Glacier Trek
Should you like mountaineering you may mix a visit to Perito Moreno with a go to to some day hikes in Torres del Paine Nationwide Park or do one of many difficult multi-day treks akin to the O circuit or the W trek.
Perito Moreno Kayak Tour Expertise
Discover the well-known Moreno glacier with a guided kayak tour that features full switch, lodge decide up, and drop off. Expertise this pure surprise from the perspective of the water. Stroll the footbridges that encompass the glacier. Glacier Kayak Journey
El Calafate, the gateway to Perito Moreno
The town is 80 km away from the park and nearly all of vacationers who come to see the glacier keep right here. It has good infrastructure and all you want to spend a few days visiting the well-known glacier. It’s a good little vacation city, however it was a bit touristy for our liking.
A bonus is nonetheless that every one conveniences could be discovered right here, in El Calafate there are a number of ATMs and cash alternate locations. Fancy outlets, supermarkets, and eating places settle for playing cards. The withdrawal restrict at native ATMs was fairly low, so drawing cash works out costly. To get larger quantities attempt to discover ATMs of worldwide banks like Citibank or Santander.
Lodging in El Calafate
Price range lodging – Bla Lodge: It has a pleasant location however just isn’t on the town. Good views, is well-rated, and has low-cost dormitory beds.
Mid-Vary – Lodge Quijote, a pleasant extremely advisable lodge with a wonderful location on the primary avenue
Luxurious – Esplendor by Wyndham El Calafate – Extremely advisable 4-star boutique lodge with a central location
The place to eat in El Calafate?
El Calafate has an enormous vary of eating places catering to completely different budgets. If you’re backpacking there’s a massive grocery store, do your self a favor and go to the butchery on the town, and purchase steak to barbeque on the campsite. The city additionally has some bakeries with scrumptious treats. There’s a vary of nice eating places in El Calafate with pizza, steaks, burgers, empanadas, or no matter you’re feeling like.
Like this publish? Pin it!
The sturdy half of Stingy Nomads, a nomadic aquaman that will be glad to spend all his life within the water diving, browsing and spearfishing however usually has to compromise with Alya and go mountaineering as an alternative. Campbell is answerable for all our marine adventures and following them with write-ups. He loves touring, braai (BBQ in South Africa), purple wine and spending the day in a wetsuit.
