2025 Perito Moreno Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

#cityplaybook Lago Roca & the Quiet Side Start your day driving past the main Perito Moreno entrance toward Lago Roca, a peaceful corner of Los Glaciares National Park. Hike one of the trails (like Cerro Cristal or the lakeside path), picnic by the lake, and enjoy wide open views of the Andes. In the afternoon, visit the glacier from this side—less crowded, equally dramatic. Ideal for a chill day away from the main loop.

#cityplaybook Mini Trekking on the Glacier Book an early mini trekking excursion and strap on crampons for a once-in-a-lifetime walk on the glacier itself. Guides lead you over crevasses and icy streams, finishing with a glass of whiskey on glacier ice. Afterward, take time to explore the balconies. Back in El Calafate, celebrate with local lamb or trout—nothing hits harder after a day on the ice.

#cityplaybook Boat Cruise & Southern Wall Head to the Puerto Bajo de las Sombras and hop on a boat cruise along the southern face of Perito Moreno. The scale hits you differently from the water—massive, icy, alive. After the ride, walk a short portion of the pasarelas to catch different angles. Optional: stop at Nibepo Aike Estancia on the way back for a Patagonian meal with lake views and mountain air.

#cityplaybook Start with the Perito Moreno boat cruise from Bajo de las Sombras—watch the glacier calve while gliding past massive walls of ice. After the cruise, instead of staying near the walkways, head back toward Calafate and walk a stretch along the Lago Argentino shoreline. Enjoy a long lunch at Isabel Cocina al Disco, then catch sunset from the Bahía Redonda bird reserve.

#cityplaybook Begin with a boat cruise to the southern face of Perito Moreno—short but spectacular. Afterward, walk the Circuito Inferior y Superior (~3 km) on the platforms, then take the Sendero del Bosque trail nearby (~1.5 km return) for a forest escape and a quieter view. Back in town, unwind at La Zorra Taproom with a burger and local beer. Great for: combining glacier highlights with peaceful nature and good food.

#cityplaybook Book the Todo Glaciares cruise from Punta Bandera early in the morning. This full-day tour explores Upsala, Spegazzini, and the southern face of Perito Moreno from the water. Glacier walls tower over you as the boat sails past floating icebergs. After returning, stroll the lakefront in Calafate or visit the Glaciarium Museum. Ideal for: covering more ground from the water and pairing it with a chill museum experience.

#cityplaybook Start with a brisk walk on the pasarelas, then go all in with a mini-trekking excursion on the glacier—crampons, crevasses, and glacier whiskey included. After your icy adventure, head back to El Calafate to relax. Enjoy a massage or spa visit, then unwind at your hotel with views of the lake. Later, take a calm stroll through town, browsing crafts and booking your next Patagonia adventure. Dinner? Go simple and cozy—wood-fired pizza or a mountain-style stew.

#cityplaybook Wake up early and be among the first on the pasarelas of Perito Moreno—feel the chill, hear the thunder of falling ice, and take in the glacier in full morning light. After soaking it all in, head back to El Calafate for lunch at a local parrilla. Spend the afternoon strolling through the Laguna Nimez Reserve, spotting flamingos and soaking in the Patagonian landscape. Wrap up the day with dinner on Avenida del Libertador, where shops and warm cafés await.

#cityplaybook Wake up before sunrise and drive to the Perito Moreno Glacier—get there as the light hits the ice, perfect for photos. Mid-morning, take the Nautical Safari boat tour to get shots from the water. Afterward, head to Glaciarium Museum to learn more about the region’s ice. End your day with a cocktail at Glaciobar Branca, the ice bar near town and enjoy the cold!

#cityplaybook Start your day at Estancia Cristina, accessible via boat through the Upsala Glacier region—sailing among floating icebergs. Once there, tour the historic ranch, enjoy a traditional lunch, and hike or 4x4 to stunning viewpoints. Return in the evening and stroll around town, stopping for hot chocolate or wine by the fireplace. It was an amazing day.

#cityplaybook 7:00 AM: Coffee in hand, hop on the first bus or drive early to beat the crowds. The road to the glacier is a scenic dream—watch for guanacos and condors. 9:00 AM: Arrive at Los Glaciares National Park. Start with the lower walkways—you’ll hear the glacier creak and roar as it calves giant ice blocks into Lago Argentino. 11:00 AM: Hit the upper balconies for a wide, majestic view. Snap photos, but don’t forget to just be. 1:00 PM: Lunch at the on-site café is fine, but a packed picnic by the lake? Iconic. 2:30 PM: Book the mini-trekking experience—strap on crampons and hike across the glacier’s surface. It’s blue, surreal, and once-in-a-lifetime. 5:00 PM: Reward yourself with a whiskey on glacier ice at the end of the trek. Toast to nature. 7:00 PM: As the sun starts to dip, linger a bit longer. The glacier’s blues shift. Silence feels sacred. Night: Return to El Calafate feeling a little smaller—in the best way.