The Perito Moreno mini trekking is one of the most famous experiences in Patagonia. But with a high price tag, many travelers wonder if it’s really worth it.

If you’re planning to visit and wondering whether walking on Perito Moreno glacier is really worth the high price, you’re in the right place.

On my recent visit to Patagonia, I did the Perito Moreno glacier ice trekking tour, and I had the exact same doubts before booking. It’s not cheap. It sells out quickly. And when you start researching, you’ll see very mixed opinions online.

So I decided to write the review I wish I had read before going.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly what the experience is like, what happens during the day, how physically demanding it is, and whether it’s actually worth the money.

But here’s the short answer if you’re in a hurry.

Yes, the Perito Moreno mini trekking was one of my favorite experiences in Patagonia, and one I’ll remember for a long time.

Before getting into the details, it helps to understand why the Perito Moreno glacier is so special.

Located inside Los Glaciares National Park, the glacier is 250 km² (97 sq mi) in size and around 30 km (19 miles) long. Massive blocks of ice regularly collapse into Lago Argentino, creating the dramatic cracking sounds that many visitors also come to witness.

The glacier is located about 75 km from El Calafate, and the drive there usually takes around 1h30.

El Calafate is the main gateway for anyone visiting Perito Moreno glacier. Whether you book a guided tour or travel independently, this is where the journey normally begins.

There are no hotels or accommodation options inside the park, so all visitors stay in El Calafate and travel from there.

Because of its accessibility and size, visiting Perito Moreno has become one of the highlights of any Patagonia trip.

But once you start researching how to see it, things get a bit confusing.

In reality, there are two main ways to experience the glacier from the ice itself: the mini trekking or the Big Ice trekking.

Both experiences are operated by Hielo y Aventura, the only company authorized to run tours on top of the glacier.

Within the mini trekking option, there are actually two versions: the mini trekking and mini trekking 2. I did the mini trekking 2, which is the experience I’ll talk about in this guide.

Both tours cost the same. The main difference is the difficulty and seasonality.

• Mini trekking 2
  • Available from August to late May
  • Around 5.5 km (3.4 mi) of walking
  • Slightly more physically demanding
  • Includes visiting a small waterfall
• Mini trekking
  • Available year-round
  • Around 3.5 km (2 mi) of walking
  • Easier route
  • Does not include the waterfall section

Next, I’ll explain exactly what the mini trekking experience looks like, step by step. That way, you’ll know what to expect before stepping onto the glacier.

Yes. The Perito Moreno mini trekking experience is absolutely worth it. It was one of my favorite things I did in Patagonia, and it’s an experience I won’t forget.

Here’s the honest breakdown.

• It’s hard not to enjoy this experience. Walking on a glacier is something most people will never do in their lifetime. Standing on that ice and seeing the landscape from there feels truly special.
• The first few minutes can feel a bit strange. Walking with crampons on ice isn’t something most people are used to. But after a short while, you get comfortable with the movement, and it quickly becomes a beautiful and surprisingly fun experience.
• The time on the glacier goes by incredibly fast. Between the views, the guides’ explanations, and the constant changes in the ice formations, it never feels repetitive.
• It’s expensive, but the experience justifies the price. The tour is very well organized. Safety is clearly a priority throughout the entire activity.
• Guides are extremely attentive. During my Perito Moreno mini trekking tour, there were two guides for a relatively small group. They constantly checked that everyone was comfortable and walking safely on the ice.

If you’re debating whether to book a Perito Moreno glacier mini trekking experience, my honest advice is simple.

If it fits your budget, do it. It’s one of the most unique ways to experience Patagonia.

The Perito Moreno mini trekking experience allows you to actually walk on top of one of Patagonia’s most famous glaciers. Instead of only seeing it from viewpoints, you get to explore the ice itself with a guide.

The day usually starts with a short boat ride. During this crossing, you already get your first close views of the glacier. It’s an impressive way to approach the ice wall.

Once you reach the shore, the experience begins with a walk near the glacier, but still on normal terrain.

• You hike along a trail close to the glacier for about 1 hour
• Guides explain the geology and the history of the glacier
• You get increasingly close views of the ice wall

After that, it’s time for the most exciting part.

Guides help everyone put on crampons, which are metal spikes attached to your boots that allow you to walk safely on the ice. Once everyone is ready, the group steps onto the glacier.

Walking near the glacier vs walking on the ice

Many people ask if the experience is similar to the classic viewpoints inside Los Glaciares National Park.

The answer is no.

From the walkways, you can admire the glacier from afar and appreciate its enormous size. But trekking Perito Moreno glacier gives you a completely different perspective.

When you’re on the ice, you can see details that are impossible to notice from the viewpoints:

• Deep crevasses opening in the glacier
• Small streams of meltwater running across the ice
• Pools of water with an intense crystal blue color
• Natural ice formations and small caves created over time

How long do you spend on the glacier?

During the Perito Moreno glacier mini trekking, you spend about 1 hour walking on the glacier itself.

This is enough time to explore different areas, stop for photos, and learn about the glacier from the guides.

If you want a longer experience on the ice, there is another option called Big Ice, which allows 3 hours on the glacier.

💡 EXTRA TIP: For safety reasons, hiking on the Perito Moreno glacier is only possible with a guide. The tours are operated by authorized guides who provide the equipment and lead the group across the ice.

💼 TRAVEL INSURANCE: It’s one of those things you hope you won’t need… but it can save you a lot of money and stress if something goes wrong.

I personally use Heymondo because it offers strong coverage at a reasonable price, including medical expenses, lost luggage, and electronics.

What I like most is how easy it is to manage everything through their app, especially if you ever need assistance while traveling.

As a A Ticket to Take Off reader, you get 5% off, already applied when booking through the link below.

Here’s what a typical Perito Moreno mini trekking 2 tour looks like. The experience is well organized and follows a clear sequence of steps, from the boat ride to the glacier walk itself.

Below is a breakdown of the day so you know exactly what to expect.

Meet at the dock inside the park or get picked up in El Calafate

There are two ways to start the tour.

You can add a bus transfer from El Calafate to your tour package or drive yourself to the port (Puerto Bajo las Sombras), the dock inside Los Glaciares National Park, where the actual tour starts.

If you’re traveling without a car, the transfer from El Calafate is the easiest option. The bus picks you up in town and brings you directly to the park.

However, this option is more expensive.

If you have a rental car, you can drive to Puerto Bajo las Sombras, which is where the Perito Moreno glacier tours begin. That’s what I did, and it gave me more flexibility with timing.

🚗If you’re renting a car in Patagonia, Discover Cars is a great platform to compare prices across different rental companies. It offers free cancellation for flexibility, an easy-to-use search tool to find the best deals, and side-by-side comparisons to ensure you get the lowest rates.

Boat ride to the glacier

The experience officially starts with a boat ride across Lago Argentino.

The crossing is short (about 10 to 15 minutes) but incredibly scenic.

During the first minutes, passengers need to stay inside the boat. But once the crew allows it, everyone rushes outside to see the glacier up close.

And honestly, the excitement is contagious.

As soon as the guide said we could go outside, almost everyone ran to the deck to get their first close look at the glacier wall.

This is the first moment you realize how massive the ice really is.

Once you reach the other side, the group is divided into smaller teams.

Each group usually has around 15 people, and two guides are assigned to each group. Everyone receives a helmet before the hike begins.

Walking on land before reaching the glacier

Before starting the Perito Moreno glacier hike, there is a walk of about 1 hour on normal terrain.

This trail runs close to the glacier but still on solid ground.

The path has some uphill sections, but nothing too demanding. The surface is uneven in some places, so you need to watch your step.

As you walk, the glacier becomes more and more visible.

Standing next to it makes you realize how enormous it is. You truly feel tiny compared to the scale of the ice wall.

At one point, our guide even let us touch the glacier before we stepped onto it.

Time to gear up

Before stepping onto the ice, the group stops at a small area where everyone prepares the equipment.

This is where you get your crampons.

Crampons are metal spikes that attach to your boots. They allow you to walk safely on the ice without slipping.

• Guides help every participant put them on
• They make sure everything is properly secured
• A short safety explanation follows

At first, walking with crampons feels a bit strange.

But after a few minutes, most people adapt quickly. The only downside is that they are quite heavy, and after a while, you start feeling that weight in your legs.

Walking on the glacier

This is the highlight of the day.

At the mini trekking 2, you get to spend about 1 hour walking on the ice.

And honestly, the time flies.

The terrain is surprisingly manageable. There are some gentle climbs and descents, but overall the route isn’t difficult.

In some sections, the guides have carved small steps into the ice to make the path easier.

The group walks at a relaxed pace, which allows everyone to stop and observe the details around them.

The guides constantly point out interesting features such as:

• Deep crevasses in the glacier
• Small streams of pure meltwater
• Bright blue pools forming in the ice
• Natural ice formations that change every season

Sometimes, you’ll find it hard to believe you’re actually hiking a glacier.

I also always felt safe during the activity. Some sections are slightly more challenging, but the guides help by telling you exactly where to step. Sometimes they even offer a hand to help you pass a tricky spot.

Return and end of walking on ice

After about an hour, it’s time to leave the glacier.

By that point, you can definitely feel the weight of the crampons in your legs. But the excitement of being there makes you forget the fatigue.

Before leaving the ice, there’s one last tradition.

Everyone gathers for a small whiskey toast with glacier ice. It’s a fun moment and a great way to end the glacier walk.

After that:

• You return to the spot where the crampons were put on
• The guides remove the equipment
• The group continues the walk on normal terrain

From there, the trail leads to a waterfall near the glacier.

To be honest, this was the most difficult part of the tour for me. The path has loose rocks and a fairly steep climb.

Lunch and heading back

After the waterfall section, the group reaches a higher area with a great view of the glacier.

This is where the lunch break happens.

Participants are expected to bring their own food. The stop lasts around 20 minutes, which is enough time to rest and enjoy the view for a bit.

From there, it’s just a short walk back to the dock.

When we arrived at the dock, there was coffee available after lunch, which was a nice surprise.

The return boat ride lasts about 30 minutes, slightly longer than the first crossing. This gives you more time to take photos of the glacier from the water.

What happens after the tour

If you booked the tour with transport from El Calafate, the itinerary usually includes a 1-hour stop at the famous glacier walkways, located inside Los Glaciares National Park.

From there, you can admire the glacier from another perspective. I highly recommend that part as well.

Since I had a car, I visited the walkways independently after the tour.

💡 EXTRA TIP: If you meet directly at the dock, the experience usually runs from 10 am to around 3 pm. However, if you choose the transfer from El Calafate, the tour is longer because driving to El Calafate takes 1h30 each way.

One of the most common questions people have before booking a Perito Moreno glacier hike is how physically demanding it actually is.

Officially, the activity is usually described as medium to high difficulty. But based on my experience, I found it much easier than expected.

After doing some longer hikes in Patagonia (after doing the hike to Fitz Roy a few days before, I felt like I could do anything!), this experience felt relatively manageable.

Fitness level required

You don’t need to be an athlete to complete the tour.

The mini trekking 2 route includes:

• Around 1 hour of walking on uneven terrain before reaching the glacier
• Around 1 hour walking on the ice
• A few short uphill sections during the day

The crampons can feel heavy after a while, but the pace is slow and the guides allow plenty of stops. You’ll walk about 5.5 km (3.4 mi) on mini trekking 2. If you decide to do the mini trekking instead, you’ll walk less (about 3.5 km/ 2 mi).

Age restrictions

Age limits depend on which version of the experience you choose.

• Mini trekking 2: 18 to 55 years old
• Mini trekking (standard version): 8 to 65 years old

The stricter age range for mini trekking 2 is due to the slightly longer and more demanding route.

Who might struggle the most

People who struggle the most are usually those not used to any physical activity.

That said, I don’t think you need serious preparation to do this tour.

I exercise a few times a week, but I’m far from an extreme hiker. In my opinion, most reasonably active travelers should be able to complete this trekking Perito Moreno glacier experience without major issues.

The guides are also very attentive and always help if someone needs support.

If you’re researching how to visit Perito Moreno (by this I mean walking on the actual glacier), you’ll quickly realize there are three possible glacier experiences. The mini trekking, mini trekking 2, and the Big Ice tour.

The biggest differences come down to time on the glacier, difficulty, and overall duration of the tour.

Mini trekking and mini trekking 2 are similar experiences. Both spend about 1 hour walking on the glacier and cost the same. The second version is slightly longer and a bit more demanding.

The Big Ice tour is the most immersive option. You spend around 3 hours on the glacier, explore deeper areas of the ice, and the full experience lasts the entire day.

Honestly, if budget and time allow, I would consider the Big Ice experience. Walking on the glacier is incredible and the time on the ice passes extremely quickly.

Why booking in advance matters

This is one of the most popular activities in El Calafate. During peak travel months, tours often sell out days in advance.

If you already know your travel dates, I strongly recommend booking ahead. That way, you can secure the exact experience you want, whether that’s mini trekking, mini trekking 2, or the Big Ice tour.

The official operator

All glacier trekking experiences on Perito Moreno are operated by a single company: Hielo y Aventura.

They are the only company authorized to run tours on top of the glacier inside Los Glaciares National Park.

Many travel agencies in El Calafate sell the tours, but the experience itself is always operated by Hielo y Aventura. Regardless of where you book, the activity will be run by the same company.

Prices for glacier tours in Argentina can change quite frequently due to inflation. Because of that, it’s always best to check the latest prices online before booking.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee is not included in the tour price.

The park ticket currently costs 45.000 ARS (~26€/32 USD) for a one-day visit. You can buy it online or pay at the park entrance.

Below are the current prices for the glacier experiences.

• Mini trekking (1 or 2): 320.000 ARS (~196€/ 228 USD)
• Mini trekking with transfer from El Calafate: 384.000 ARS (~235€/ 274 USD)
• Big Ice: 490.000 ARS (~300€/ 350 USD)
• Big Ice with transfer from El Calafate: 554.000 ARS (~340€/ 395 USD)

The transfer option includes transportation from El Calafate to the park and back. If you have a rental car, driving yourself to the dock can help reduce the cost.

Packing the right gear can make a big difference when doing the glacier trekking. The weather in Patagonia can change quickly, and you’ll be spending time both on regular terrain and on the ice.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the tour runs in almost any weather. Rain or shine, the activity usually goes ahead. Because of that, it’s important to be prepared for changing conditions.

The good news is that you don’t need any technical mountaineering gear. But there are a few essentials you shouldn’t forget.

• Comfortable clothes. Ideally water-resistant or waterproof.
• Layered clothing. A T-shirt, fleece, and a windproof or waterproof jacket work well.
• Waterproof trekking shoes or hiking boots. Good grip is important on uneven terrain.
• Gloves. These are mandatory. Not because of the cold, but to protect your hands if you fall on the ice. If you forget them, the guides will provide a pair.
• Sunglasses. The sun reflecting on the ice can be very strong.
• Sunscreen. You’re exposed to the sun for several hours.
• Small backpack. Keep it light since you’ll carry it the whole time.
• Water. There are no places to buy drinks during the tour.
• Snacks and lunch. There is a short stop during the experience where you can eat what you bring.

💡 EXTRA TIP: When I did the tour, we were actually quite lucky and the temperature was fairly warm. But most days it’s colder on the glacier, especially if the wind picks up. The safest approach is to bring several layers so you can adjust depending on the conditions.

If you’re wondering whether the Perito Moreno mini trekking is worth it, my answer is simple. Yes. Absolutely.

Seeing the glacier from the walkways is already impressive, but trekking the Perito Moreno glacier is a completely different experience. Being on the ice, seeing the deep cracks, the bright blue pools of water, and the constantly changing shapes of the glacier makes you realize how special this place really is.

For me, it was easily one of the highlights of my time in Patagonia and an experience I won’t forget anytime soon.

If you’re planning to do it, I strongly recommend booking ahead, especially during high season. It’s a very popular activity in El Calafate and tours can sell out quickly. If walking on the glacier is something you really want to do, it’s better to secure your spot in advance.

If, for some reason, you decide not to do the trekking, whether because of the age restrictions, budget, or simply personal preference, there are still great ways to experience the glacier.

Besides visiting the famous walkways, you can also book a boat tour that takes you closer to the ice wall. Hielo y Aventura runs a short navigation called Safari Náutico, which lasts about an hour and allows you to see the glacier from very close.

If you’re planning a trip to Patagonia and still debating whether to book the Perito Moreno mini trekking, leave a comment below. I’m happy to help with any questions about the experience.