Visit Perito Moreno Glacier In Argentina Today

One of the biggest tourist attractions in Argentina is Los Glaciares National Park. Located in the country's Southwest region, more than half of this Argentina glacier park is covered in ice! The park’s mesmerizing landscapes and the captivating presence of its many glaciers draw in visitors from around the world, many of whom come to visit Perito Moreno glacier.

Los Glaciares owes its name to the numerous glaciers that blanket the park. Many of these glaciers are fed by the massive South Patagonian Ice Field, a relic of the country’s geological past. But impressive glaciers also developed independently of the main ice field in this Argentina glacier park. In addition to being a huge tourist attraction, the park is also a massive freshwater reservoir – the third largest in the world.

Los Glaciares’ Star Attraction – The Perito Moreno Glacier

The first thing you notice when you arrive at Los Glaciares National Park is that ice dominates the landscape. Over 1,500 square miles of ice fields cover the park’s landscape, from which 47 major glaciers descend. However, the most popular of the glaciers in this Argentina glacier park is the Perito Moreno Glacier. It has an imposing front wall of 3.1 miles and is over 196 feet tall!

There are numerous tours and activities for the adventurers who visit Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina. One popular option is to tour the balconies and footbridges near the glacier, which offer breathtaking views and opportunities to photograph the glacier and its surroundings. These vantage points provide visitors with a unique perspective of this beautiful Argentina glacier park.

Another way to tour the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina is through a boat ride. These boat tours offer an up-close encounter with the glacier, allowing travelers to witness its immense size and take in the breathtaking beauty of the scenery from the water.

Five Fun Facts About The Perito Moreno Glacier

When you visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, you will learn that it was named after the explorer Francisco Moreno, a pioneer who traveled to the region in the 19^th century. Moreno played an important role in defending Argentina during the country’s border dispute with Chile. This Argentina glacier park was then named in his honor!

• Perito Moreno is a “growing” glacier - Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few glaciers in the world that is NOT shrinking. Instead, the glacier exhibits an incredible phenomenon of continuous growth. This colossal glacier propels forward at an average rate of six feet per day, while simultaneously losing proportional amounts of mass. This delicate balance ensures the equilibrium and stability of the glacier. This unusual activity is one of the main reasons thousands of tourists visit Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina each year!
• Perito Moreno is massive - Perito Moreno Glacier spans an area of 100 square miles and stretches an astonishing 3 miles in width. Rising majestically to a height of almost 256 feet above the surface of Lake Argentino, it is a jewel in the crown of this Argentina glacier park. Beneath the surface, the glacier’s sheer magnitude is equally awe-inspiring. The glacier plunges a staggering 2,297 feet into Lake Argentino, highlighting the colossal nature of this icy wonder.
• Perito Moreno is easy to access – One of the reasons that so many tourists visit Perito Moreno glacier is that it is easy to access. Unlike some other glaciers, Perito Moreno Glacier is located near the entrance to Los Glaciares National Park, allowing visitors to experience the grandeur of this natural wonder without extensive trekking or physically demanding expeditions. The easy access not only attracts visitors of all ages and fitness levels but ensures that individuals with limited mobility or time constraints can still appreciate the glacier’s majesty and beauty!
• Perito Moreno is a freshwater reserve – not only is this incredible glacier a majestic sight to behold, but it is also a crucial freshwater resource. Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina is the third-largest reserve of freshwater on the planet, holding incredible amounts of this resource within its icy walls. The glacier’s massive size and continuous accumulation of snow and ice contribute to its role as a vital freshwater reservoir. As the glacier slowly moves and advances, it provides a steady supply of fresh water to the surrounding ecosystem and nearby Lake Argentino. The meltwater supplied by the glacier sustains the region’s diverse flora and fauna, but it also helps regulate the flow of the local rivers and maintain a delicate balance within the surrounding ecosystem.
• Perito Moreno is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field – Perito Moreno is part of the larger Southern Patagonian Ice Field, which is located within this Argentina glacier park. This icefield is the second-largest icefield in the world. It extends across the southern Andes, and stands as a testament to the last Ice Age. The icefield’s vast expanse boasts a total of 49 colossal glaciers emerging from its icy depths. Alongside Perito Moreno Glacier, other notable glaciers that originate from this field include the Upsala and Viedma glaciers.

To ensure the preservation of this natural wonder, the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field are protected by various national parks, including Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park and Chile’s Torres del Paine and Bernardo O’Higgins National Parks. These protected areas play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the parks’ surrounding ecosystems.

An Outdoor Adventure At The Perito Moreno Glacier In Argentina

One of the most exciting outdoor activities for tourists who visit Perito Moreno Glacier is glacier hiking. Glacier hiking, or glacier trekking, is a form of hiking that involves exploring and walking on the surface of a glacier! Glacier hiking at Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina requires special gear and special techniques, but the activity offers adventurers endless opportunities to see magnificent ice towers, deep caves, plummeting waterfalls, and meltwater lakes.

There are two types of trekking opportunities offered to tourists in this Argentina glacier park. The first is mini trekking and the second is big ice trekking. Keep reading to learn more about these two incredible opportunities to see Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina up close and personal!

Mini Trekking	Big Ice Trekking
Moderately difficult – involves navigating various ascents and descents on the glacier.	More difficult than mini-trekking. In addition to crossing the surface of the glacier, you will descend into ice caves and glacial cracks.
All gear is provided by the tour company.	All gear is provided by the tour company.
Guided tour -  guides will provide you with more information about the ice and its surroundings.	Guided tour -  guides will provide you with more information about the ice and its surroundings.
Involves four hours of hiking.	Involves seven hours of hiking.
No lunch provided – return to the mainland for lunch.	You will enjoy a boxed lunch sitting on the surface of the glacier!
Only available through a licensed and insured tour operator.	Only available through a licensed and insured tour operator.

The Best Time To Visit Perito Moreno Glacier

So, when is the best time to visit Perito Moreno Glacier and the fabulous Argentina glacier park, Los Glaciares? If you want to book a trek across the glacier’s surface, there are a few things to consider, including weather conditions, ice stability, and crowd levels.

During the summer months of December to February, temperatures are milder, and the days are longer, which makes it a popular time to visit the glacier. The ice on the glacier is more stable during these three months, making hiking easier and safer. On the other hand, if you visit during the winter months of June to August, you may experience more challenging hiking conditions and unstable ice. However, you may have the opportunity to see the glacier in a unique and different light, making your visit even more memorable.

Another factor to consider is crowd levels. Perito Moreno Glacier is a popular tourist destination and can get crowded, especially during the peak summer months. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of March to May or September to November.

An Adventure To Remember In Argentina

If visiting Argentina Glacier Park is on your bucket list, look no further than Gondwana Ecotours. Gondwana specializes in unique, bucket-list tours for small groups, and will guide you through this incredible park in Argentina as well as to top Argentinian destinations for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Visit Perito Moreno Glacier today – an icy adventure awaits you!