Perito Moreno feels unreal until you are on the water. This Blue Safari day pairs a close-up boat cruise with a forest-to-glacier hike, so you see the Perito Moreno Wall from multiple angles instead of just staring at it. The trade-off is practical, not dramatic: the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee and your food are not included, and the conditions can be cold and windy.

I like how the pace stays human. You get an easy hike along natural trails plus guided time at the glacier, and then you have around two hours to roam the walkways at your own speed. Small group size (up to 10) also means less waiting around and more time looking at the real details, like how the ice creaks and calves.

One more heads-up before you commit: this tour is not suitable for kids under 6 or for people over 70. If you are sensitive to cold, motion, or uneven ground, you will need to plan smart with layers, waterproof shoes, and weather gear.

Key takeaways before you go

• Sail close to the glacier for water-level views and big ice texture
• Guided hike through Patagonian forest to the southern wall area (about 1.5 km)
• Two perspectives, one glacier: guided walking and then boat cruising right in front
• Walkways time is on you: about two hours to explore different viewpoints
• Extra costs are real: park entrance fee and food are not included
• Cold and wind are part of the deal: pack thermal layers and protect your hands and face

Why Perito Moreno looks different from every step

Perito Moreno is one of those places where photos never tell the full story. The scale is wild, sure, but the bigger surprise is the glacier’s behavior. When you are standing close enough to hear the ice working, the sound changes everything. It is not just a wall, it is a living mass, shifting and cracking in its own rhythm.

This tour makes you earn the views in the best way. First, you cross the Brazo Rico of Lake Argentino by boat, so the glacier is already looming at eye level. Then you walk along natural trails through Patagonian forest and shoreline, which gives you changing sightlines as you get closer. Finally, you go back to the water for another close view of the imposing south face.

That combination is what I would call the value trick here. You are not paying only for admission to a viewpoint. You are paying for a guided approach that helps you understand what you are seeing while you are actually near it.

El Calafate pickup and the two ways to get to the port

Most people start in El Calafate, the practical jumping-off point for Los Glaciares National Park. With this Blue Safari, hotel transfer is optional. If you choose it, you will get comfortable pick-up and return, with waiting time for pickup that can be about 40 minutes.

If you skip transfer, you handle your own route. The information says it is an 80 km trip to access the port area, and you should arrive about 30 minutes before the scheduled time. Also pay attention to the footbridges detail: footbridges are not included in the excursion, and the port is about 7 km from them. In other words, you are still responsible for your position relative to the walkways.

So here is the simple decision rule. If you want low-stress logistics, pay for the transfer option. If you are confident with driving and timing, you can save money by doing it yourself, but you need to show up on time and be ready for the long day.

Puerto Bajo las Sombras and the short Lake Argentino crossing

From Puerto Bajo las Sombras, you board a boat and cross Brazo Rico of Lake Argentino. The crossing is short, about 20 minutes, but it is the moment that sets the tone for the entire day. You move through the open water with glacier views layered against the big Patagonian sky.

This part also helps with motion and cold planning. Patagonia weather can turn quickly, and boats do not care about your comfort level. One reviewer emphasized that the water can be extremely cold even with a wetsuit, and I take that as a signal to prepare for chills no matter what season you travel.

Motion sickness is also worth factoring in. Another review mentioned taking a motion sickness pill they offered at the start because conditions can be rough. Even if you feel fine, it is smart to have your own plan, like bringing your usual prevention method.

The guided hike to the glacier wall: what “1.5 km” really means

After the boat side gets you there, you start a guided hike of about 1.5 km. The route goes through a lush Patagonian forest and follows the lake shore, building your approach until you reach the southern wall area of the Perito Moreno Glacier.

This is not a long trek, but it can still feel intense because the environment is slippery, windy, and very exposed at times. The good news: you are not doing it alone. Expert guides talk as you walk, sharing how the glacier formed and how it behaves, including why you hear creaking and calving up close.

I also like that the hike is guided by context, not just directions. When someone explains formation and movement while you are standing near the wall, you get more than pretty pictures. You start noticing the texture of the ice, the shifting tones, and the way the glacier’s face changes the feel of the air around it.

What to watch for:

• Wear waterproof, grippy hiking shoes, not just comfortable sneakers
• Bring gloves, because cold hands turn a great hike into a miserable one fast
• Expect changing weather, even on clear mornings

Standing near the southern face: the moment you remember

The most dramatic part is seeing the glacier up close from the walkways area and also from the boat. During the excursion, you get a guided experience along the shore until you are near the glacier’s southern wall, where the scale can feel almost too big to process.

This is where small group size helps. With fewer people, the guide can manage where you stand, and you get more time to look without crowds constantly shifting around you.

Then, after the hike, the plan is to return to the boat for a final cruise in front of the glacier. This is your water-level perspective, just a few meters away. From the boat, the details you miss on land show up: cracks, ice textures, and the way light moves across the face.

One of the reviews called out the guide’s enthusiasm and solid English. I treat that as a practical plus, because glacier behavior is not something you can fully guess from visuals alone. A good guide helps you understand why this place is so famous, and why it has such a magnetic pull year after year.

Glacier walkways time: plan your route before you run out

After the hike and cruise, if you booked the option with transportation, you will then head to the famous glacier walkways. You get about two hours free to explore at your own pace.

Two hours sounds simple, but walkways have multiple viewpoints at different angles and heights. I recommend you do this like you would museum time: pick one priority view first, then loop for the extras. If you want the classic wide-face views, start with the easier access platforms. If you want dramatic angles, save some time for the higher sections.

Also remember the earlier note: the entrance fee for Los Glaciares National Park is not included. That means you should budget for paying at the park entrance and arriving with enough time to avoid stress.

Bring your best “walkways kit” because this part is where you stand still and really look. Sunglasses help, sunscreen matters even when the air feels cold, and gloves keep you from rushing because your hands hurt.

Blue Safari pricing: what $321 includes, and what you still pay

At $321 per person, this is not a bargain-basement outing. The value comes from the combination of things that are expensive in Patagonia: guided time with specialized instructors, boat navigation on Lake Argentino, and the structured hike to get you close to the glacier wall.

Here is what is included:

• Optional comfortable transfers (pick-up and return)
• Boat crossing on Brazo Rico with guided planning and views
• A guided hike (about 1.5 km)
• Boat exploration from close to the glacier face
• Time at the glacier walkways with panoramic viewpoints
• Expert guides for the experience

Not included:

• Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee
• Food and drinks

That last part is the budget landmine. You are better off assuming you will spend extra on snacks, lunch, and drinks. The tour info explicitly suggests packing a lunch and bringing water and snacks, which is exactly what I would do. Pack once, and you control your day instead of paying for convenience at the wrong moment.

So is it worth it? For first-timers who want the full Perito Moreno experience, yes, because you are getting both walking and boating plus guided interpretation. If you already plan to drive yourself to the walkways and only want to stand back and take photos, this price might feel steep. But if you want to hear, smell, and feel Patagonia up close, the guided approach is where the money goes.

What to bring so the glacier day stays enjoyable

This is a cold place, even when the sun is out. The tour guidance specifically calls for warm clothing and thermal clothing, plus gloves, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and weather-appropriate layers.

My packing list, based on the conditions this kind of day creates:

• Waterproof hiking shoes with good grip
• Warm base layers, plus something windproof
• Gloves and a hat that stay on in gusts
• Sunglasses and sunscreen (light can be intense)
• A packed lunch, snacks, and water since food is not included

One review noted the cold water can be extreme even with a wetsuit. That does not mean you will be handed a wetsuit by default, but it does mean you should treat “cold” as a certainty, not a guess. If you have thermal gear you trust, bring it.

Also plan for wet hands, not just wet feet. Gloves and small waterproof pouches can save your phone from a bad surprise.

Who this tour fits best, and who should choose another option

This Blue Safari suits people who want a glacier day that mixes hiking + boating and includes expert guide context. If you are comfortable walking around 1.5 km, taking photos, standing on walkways, and dressing in layers, you will likely enjoy it a lot.

Because it is not suitable for children under 6 and people over 70, you should take that seriously. This is not designed as a gentle stroller day. It is also not ideal for anyone who struggles with uneven ground or who gets knocked around by boat motion.

Where it shines:

• Couples and friends who want a “close up” day at Perito Moreno
• Travelers who like guided explanations, especially about how glaciers work
• First-time visitors who want the full flow, not just one viewpoint

Where you might consider a different plan:

• If your top priority is minimal walking
• If cold and motion sickness are major issues and you cannot prepare
• If you want to skip boats and pay only for the walkways

Should you book Perito Moreno with the Blue Safari?

Book it if you want the classic Perito Moreno story told the best way: from the boat, on foot, and with time to explore the walkways. The included navigation, guided hike, and glacier-close viewing are exactly the parts that make this more than a bus ride and a photo stop.

I would also book it if you value small group dynamics. Up to 10 participants means less chaos, and it makes it easier to follow the guide while you focus on the ice.

Skip or reconsider if the extra costs and the cold-weather reality are dealbreakers. The park entrance fee and food add to your total, and the day will ask you to dress for wind, wet ground, and cold water conditions.

If you decide to go, do it prepared: layers, gloves, waterproof shoes, and a packed lunch. That’s the difference between a great glacier day and a cold, rushed one.

FAQ

Is the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee must be paid separately at the park entrance.

Do I need a hotel transfer to do this tour?

Transfer is optional. If you book with transportation, you get pick-up from your accommodation in El Calafate and return. If not, you access the port on your own.

How long is the hike and where does it go?

The guided hike is about 1.5 km. It follows natural trails through a Patagonian forest and along the lake shore until reaching the glacier area.

How close do you get to Perito Moreno?

You get close views from the boat during the crossing and the cruise in front of the glacier, and you also reach the southern wall area during the hike.

Is food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring a packed lunch, snacks, and water.

How big is the group?

The group is small, limited to 10 participants.

What should I wear or bring for this day?

Bring warm clothing and thermal layers, plus a hat, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable waterproof hiking shoes. You should also bring food, drinks, and water.