Perito Moreno Glacier + Nautical Safari
Combined Tour
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About this tour
A must-do combined tour that brings together the best of Los Glaciares National Park and a boat trip on its waters.
The distance from the city to the Perito Moreno Glacier is about 80 km on a paved road.
The trip has pleasant surprises in store from the very start, as we head out on Route 11, skirting Lago Argentino and looking out over Bahía Redonda.
Here you can spot a wide variety of birdlife, including black-necked swans, flamingos, coots and upland geese (cauquenes), among other species.
The yellow of the fields, typical of the Patagonian steppe, stands out in the landscape.
After about 40 km, once we pass the entrance to Los Glaciares National Park, we can see trees such as ñire, guindo and lenga, most of them from the Nothofagus family, as well as flowers of many colors, most notably the bright red notro. This landscape belongs to the Andean-Patagonian Forest.
We then reach the Curva de los Suspiros ("Curve of Sighs"), named this way because it is the first point with a panoramic view of the Perito Moreno Glacier.
The Perito Moreno flows from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the third-largest expanse of continental ice on Earth, after Antarctica and Greenland. Its front wall is 5 km wide and up to 80 meters high.
It is also one of the glaciers that make up the Patagonian Continental Ice Field.
We make a short photo stop and continue to Puerto Bajo las Sombras.
From here we take the Nautical Safari (boat trip), a 1-hour cruise offering different views of the Perito Moreno Glacier's wall.
This boat trip lets you see the impressive walls of the Perito Moreno Glacier from a completely different perspective, along with the constant ice falls into the waters of Lago Rico.
You will see icebergs that have broken off the walls.
Once in front of the wall, the boat stops for a few minutes so you can take in the scenery in more detail. It is a great moment for photos and videos, and an unforgettable experience in front of the white giant.
We then head to the walkways, where there is a visitor services area and a system of balconies and footpaths offering different routes and truly amazing views of the glacier.
After free time for walks and lunch (optional, not included), we start back to El Calafate.
Itinerary
- 08:30 - 09:15 Hotel pickups
- 09:40 - 09:50 Stop at Seccional Mitre
- 10:10 - 10:20 Arrival at the Los Glaciares National Park gate - Entrance fees paid
- 10:30 - 10:40 Restrooms
- 11:00 - 11:15 Curva de los Suspiros viewpoint
- 11:20 Arrival at Puerto Bajo las Sombras (Safari)
- 11:30 - 12:30 Nautical Safari boat trip (optional)
- 11:50 Arrival at the walkways (those not taking the boat)
- 12:50 Arrival at the walkways (those taking the boat)
- 12:50 - 15:30 The walkway area has restrooms and lunch options at the "Campos de Hielo" café and shop or the "Nativos de la Patagonia" restaurant
- Free time.
- 15:30 The whole group leaves the walkways
- 16:30 - 17:15 Hotel drop-offs.
Rate policy
- Adult: 16 and over
- Child: 4 to 15
- Ages 0 to 3: free
Useful information
- Departure and return point: Downtown hotels
- Departure time: From 8:30 h
- Return time: From 16:30 h
Included
- Transfers.
- Guide.
- Insurance.
- Pickup at downtown hotels.
Not included
- Meals and drinks.
- National park entrance ticket.
Meeting point
Before you go
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes and warm clothing (sweater, sweatshirt and a windbreaker and/or rain jacket).
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and gloves.
- Also a sun hat, or a warm hat if it is very cold.
Cancellation policy
Terms and conditions
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a shared group tour and a private tour? Can you do it just for my group?
On a shared group tour, you share the vehicle with other travelers, with a set schedule and route. A private tour is just for your group and is adapted in schedule, pace, and stops. Message us with what you're looking for and we'll advise you.
Should I bring cash? Are there ATMs along the way?
Yes, it's a good idea to bring some cash: in small towns, not all shops accept cards, and there are few ATMs.
Do you offer pickup from my accommodation? From what area? What if I'm outside downtown?
Yes, on most shared group tours we offer pickup from your accommodation if it's within about 15 blocks of Plaza 9 de Julio. If you're outside that area, we'll give you a nearby meeting point. Each tour page states whether pickup is included.
Where do I enter my accommodation? Can I change it later?
You enter it when you book. If you change accommodation, send us a message on WhatsApp.
What time will you pick me up? Why is it a time window and not an exact time?
We give you a window of about 45 minutes, because the vehicle stops at several accommodations before reaching yours. Be ready from the start of the window.
Where do I wait, and how do I know the vehicle is on its way? What if it's late?
Wait at the door of your accommodation from the start of the time window. The guide will contact you; if you don't hear anything, message our on-call WhatsApp.
Can you drop me off somewhere else at the end?
Yes, within the downtown area or at any point along the vehicle's route.
Can I end the tour at the destination and stay there?
Yes, let us know when you book. You'll need to arrange your own return.
Can I bring luggage or a suitcase? Do I need to let you know?
On shared group tours by minibus, one carry-on bag of up to 10 kg per traveler is allowed: the vehicles have no luggage compartment. Larger luggage is subject to confirmation and may have an additional cost if seats need to be left empty.
How many people travel, and in what vehicle?
The vehicle depends on the number of travelers; in high season, it may be a vehicle with 24 seats or more. If the vehicle can't enter downtown, we'll give you a central meeting point.
Is a guide included? Do they stay with you the whole way?
Yes. Depending on the tour, you travel with a guide and a driver, or with a driver-guide who stays with you the whole way.
Is lunch included? Where and when do we eat?
Unless the tour page says otherwise, lunch isn't included. There's a stop with free time to eat: you can bring your own food, buy something, or go to a restaurant. The guide can suggest places, with no obligation.
Are there extra costs during the tour (admission, meals)?
Unless the tour page says so, meals and admission to museums or archaeological sites, such as the Pucará de Tilcara, aren't included. Beyond that, the only cost is whatever you want to buy.
Can the route be changed?
No. Only the agency or the guide can change it if the weather or road conditions require it.
Are there restrooms and cell service along the way?
Yes, the stops have restrooms. There's service in the towns, but there may be none on some mountain stretches.
How far in advance do I need to book? Can I book for today or tomorrow?
We recommend booking in advance, especially during Argentine winter holidays, Easter and long weekends. On the website you can book until 6 pm the day before, unless the tour page shows a different cutoff. To pay by bank transfer you need at least 2 days before the departure. For the same day or outside those hours, message us on WhatsApp and we will check availability.
How do I know if there is availability, and when is my booking confirmed?
It depends on the service, and the tour page tells you before you pay. Services with "Instant confirmation" are confirmed as soon as the payment goes through, and you get the voucher right away. For the rest, your booking is registered when you pay and we confirm it with the provider within a few hours, during business hours. For trains, the ticket is issued by the operator. If there were no availability, we offer you another date, another activity or a full refund. Services on request are booked on WhatsApp: we confirm availability first.
Can I change the date or the travelers, or modify my booking after paying?
Yes, message us on WhatsApp and we will take care of it. For shared group tours and packages, if you let us know 48 hours or more in advance, we change the date free of charge, subject to availability. For private tours and trips we review each case, and for trains the operator's policy applies.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Within 10 days of your purchase and up to 24 hours before the first service, you can withdraw and we refund everything, except for trains and services run by other operators. Outside that period, each service's policy applies, which you see before paying: shared group tours can be canceled free of charge up to 48 hours before. It is calculated on what you paid, and you can cancel for all travelers or only for some.
What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather or force majeure?
First, we offer to reschedule it for another date. If you can't, we leave the date open so you can use it later, and if that doesn't work for you either, we refund what you paid.
What payment methods do you accept? Is there a discount depending on how I pay?
It depends on where you are paying from, and you choose it in your order. From Argentina: bank transfer or Mercado Pago, with a credit or debit card or account balance, and up to 3 interest-free installments. From abroad: PayPal, Wise or a card through Mercado Pago, and from Uruguay also Prex. Paying by bank transfer from an Argentine account gives you a discount: the tour page and the cart show the price with each method before you pay. We do not accept cash through the website.
Can I pay from another country or with a foreign card?
Yes. In your order, choose the country you are paying from and you will see the available methods: PayPal (in US dollars), Wise (in US dollars or euros) or a card through Mercado Pago. From Uruguay you can also pay with Prex. If your card is declined, try PayPal or Wise, or message us on WhatsApp.
What happens if I'm late?
There's little leeway, because the vehicle follows a route with other travelers. We'll try to contact you, but if you're not there on time, you may miss the service.
What language are the tours in? Can I request a guide in English or Portuguese?
Tours are in Spanish. English is available on request: let us know when you book. Portuguese is available only occasionally and must be requested in advance.
Can children come? Can I bring a baby? Do you have child seats?
Yes, children and babies can travel on shared group tours. If you need a baby seat, request it when you book and we'll install it. The minimum age for each activity is listed on its page.
Are tours suitable for seniors or people with reduced mobility?
Shared group tours are suitable for seniors; the effort level for each one is listed on the tour page. They're not suitable for people with reduced mobility, due to the type of vehicles.
Do I need to tell you about any health conditions?
Yes. When you book, let us know about any condition the guide should be aware of, such as heart or respiratory problems, pregnancy, or allergies. We use this only to organize the service.
Are tours canceled if it rains?
Generally not: tours run in the rain. During the rainy season, if a road is cut off by flooding and we can't get through, we'll let you know in advance. The forecast often shows rain in the mountains even when it doesn't actually rain, so don't let it scare you.
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