El Calafate: Safari Azul Los Glaciares Trekking Tour

Perito Moreno delivers the big wow. This nine-hour outing combines a boat ride across Lago Rico, a guided walk beside the glacier, and two hours on the famous walkways. I like the close approach to the ice and the way the day shows Perito Moreno from several angles, not just one viewing platform. The extra park fee and packed lunch cost more, and a pickup mix-up is possible, so you will want to confirm the details carefully.

This is not a glacier walk, despite the word trekking in the tour name. You walk over sandy, rocky, and forested ground to the glacier edge, where you can touch the ice. Guides including Alexa, Diego, Leandro, Victoria, and Camilla have been praised for clear explanations and friendly help, though your exact guide will depend on the departure.

Key points to know before booking

• Touch the glacier without walking on it: The route brings you to the edge of Perito Moreno, but crampon trekking on the ice is not included.
• See the glacier from three useful angles: You view it from the boat, from the shore, and from the Perito Moreno walkways.
• Allow a full nine hours: The day includes roughly three hours of driving, boat crossings, guided walking, and two hours at the catwalks.
• Bring your own lunch and water: There is no chance to buy food in the park area during the activity.
• Expect a gentle but uneven hike: The total walking time is about three hours, across stones, slopes, sand, and forest paths.
• Budget for the national park ticket: The $182 price covers transport and guiding, but not the Los Glaciares National Park entrance.

Why this Perito Moreno tour works so well

Perito Moreno is famous for its size, blue ice, cracking sounds, and sudden blocks that break into the lake. A standard visit to the viewing walkways gives you excellent long views, but this tour adds movement and proximity. You cross the water, walk through Patagonian woodland, and reach the southern wall of the glacier on foot.

I like that mix. The day does not ask you to choose between an active outing and an easy sightseeing stop. You get both. The hike is not a technical expedition, and the walkways later provide a calmer way to appreciate the glacier’s full scale.

The route also gives you changing distances. From the boat, the ice wall rises above the water and seems almost too large to judge. At the shore, you notice its cracks, ridges, deep blue sections, and white surfaces. From the catwalks, the glacier becomes part of the much wider setting around Lago Argentino and Los Glaciares National Park.

The main limitation is simple: you do not walk on the glacier itself. If your goal is crampons, ice formations underfoot, or a proper glacier hike, choose a different excursion. Safari Azul is better for getting very close to the ice while keeping the walking at a low intensity.

The morning drive from El Calafate

Pickup is arranged from El Calafate, with transfers to and from your accommodation. The drive to the park takes about an hour and a half each way, so transportation is a major part of the experience. That is useful if you do not have a rental car, since the route to Perito Moreno is long and the day involves two separate park stops.

You need to wait at your accommodation reception 10 minutes before the stated pickup time. The transfer works only for places with a reception. If you are staying in a short-term rental or somewhere without one, the operator provides a nearby meeting point.

Pay close attention to the pickup time. The stated pickup window can run from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM, and the exact time is confirmed the day before. One reported departure involved a confusing early pickup time and a long wait in the cold before the correct time was clarified. That issue was eventually solved with a private taxi, but it is an avoidable nuisance. Confirm the time through the tour provider, and ask your hotel desk to help if anything looks unclear.

The drive itself is part of the Patagonian experience. You leave El Calafate behind and move toward open steppe and the park. Keep warm clothing within reach rather than buried in your bag, since the weather can change quickly around the water and ice.

Bajo Las Sombras and the boat across Lago Rico

At Bajo de las Sombras, about seven kilometers from the main glacier walkways, you board a boat for the crossing to the opposite shore. The sailing is described as about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the timing used for the departure.

This short crossing is far more than a transfer. It gives you a first close view of the glacier from the water, with the ice wall filling more of your sightline as the boat approaches. You can study the uneven face, blue seams, bright white sections, and vertical lines that are difficult to appreciate from far away.

The boat ride also solves one problem with glacier viewing: scale. From the walkways, Perito Moreno looks enormous but can appear almost flat against the distance. From the water, you see height, depth, and the wall’s irregular surface. A drink or small chocolate treat has been offered on some departures, but do not count on that as your meal. Bring the food and water specified for the day.

You should pack a waterproof bag for phones, cameras, and other small items. Even without heavy rain, boat spray and wet weather are possible. Sunglasses help with glare from the ice, and waterproof shoes are much more useful than ordinary sneakers if the trail is damp.

The guided walk beside the glacier

After landing, the walking portion begins. The path crosses a mixture of sand, forest, rocks, and gently sloped ground. The total walking time is approximately three hours, with about an hour and a half each way according to the tour information, although the initial approach is also described as roughly 30 minutes.

The important point is that this is a real walk, not a paved promenade. You should be comfortable on uneven ground and mild slopes. The activity is classed as low intensity, but stones and changing surfaces still require steady footing.

The southern wall of Perito Moreno remains visible as you go. The forest sections provide a useful contrast to the ice. Instead of arriving at the glacier after a bus stop and a short photo pause, you approach it through natural surroundings. That gradual arrival builds anticipation and helps you notice how the glacier sits within the wider park.

At the glacier edge, the guide allows time for photographs and close observation. You may touch the ancient ice and look for small openings, blue tones, cracks, and layered textures. Some parts can feel almost sculpted, while others look rough and fractured. The ice is constantly changing, so this is one of those stops where it pays to put the camera away for a minute.

The tour does not promise a walk inside the glacier, and you should not assume you can crawl into an ice cave. One account described getting very close to formations at the end of the route, but conditions and access can vary. Follow the guide’s instructions and stay within the permitted area.

Guiding is one of the stronger parts of this outing. The team has included people such as Alexa, Diego, Leandro, Victoria, and Camilla, with praise for explanations about the glacier, plants, animals, and the region. A guide matters here because the ice can look like a wall of blue and white at first. Context helps you notice more than the obvious view.

Returning by boat, then changing the pace

You return to Bajo de las Sombras by boat before heading to the main Perito Moreno viewing area. This repeat crossing gives you another chance to see the glacier from the lake, often from a different position or under different light.

The day has a useful rhythm: walk, pause, boat, bus, then walkways. You are not locked into one long hike. At the same time, the schedule is full, so wear clothing you can keep on throughout the day rather than planning several changes.

There are no food purchases available in the park area for this activity. Bring a packed lunch, snacks, and a reusable water bottle. A waterproof container or bag is sensible, especially if you want to keep lunch dry during the boat ride.

Two hours at the Perito Moreno walkways

The final major stop gives you two hours at the Perito Moreno catwalks. This is where the glacier’s full scale becomes easiest to understand. From different platforms, you can look across the water toward the broad ice front, watch for movement, and compare the glacier with the surrounding mountains and forest.

The walkways let you choose your own pace after the guided section. You can spend the time on viewpoints, eat lunch with a wide view, or move between routes for different angles. The guides provide suggestions about which paths to take, which is helpful when you have only two hours.

This stop is not a filler added after the hike. It offers something the close approach cannot. At the glacier edge, you study texture and color. From the catwalks, you see the size of the entire ice front and understand why Perito Moreno is one of the defining sights in southern Argentina.

Two hours should be enough for a useful visit, but not for lingering at every platform. If you want a very slow walk through all possible viewing routes, an independent full-day visit may give you more control. The guided tour trades some freedom for transport, timing, and information.

What is included for $182

At $182 per person, this is not a cheap day trip. The value comes from combining several services that would otherwise require separate planning:

• Hotel or meeting-point transfers from El Calafate
• Spanish and English guiding
• Boat crossings to and from the glacier approach
• Guided walking near the ice
• Two hours at the Perito Moreno catwalks

The biggest extra cost is the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee. You can buy it on arrival in Argentine pesos or use the official National Parks website. Food and drinks are also excluded, so add the park ticket and your packed lunch to the advertised price when setting your budget.

For a visitor without a car, the price is easier to justify. You get transport for the long road section, the boat connection, a guide, and access to both the close approach and the walkways. If you already have transport and prefer to spend the whole day at the catwalks, the package may offer less value.

The strongest value comes from the variety. A basic walkway visit shows you Perito Moreno from afar. This excursion adds a boat perspective and a guided route through the park to the glacier edge.

Clothing, fitness, and age limits

Dress for wind, cold, rain, and glare. Bring warm layers, a jacket, rain gear, sunglasses, a waterproof bag, and waterproof shoes. Shorts, sandals, flip flops, and sleeveless shirts are not allowed, so this is not the place for casual summer clothing even if El Calafate feels mild at breakfast.

The walking is low intensity, but it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The trail has rocks and gentle slopes, and the total walking time is around three hours. The activity is limited to people from 6 through 70 years old and is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone over 70.

You should also think about stamina rather than just age. A child who handles a few hours outdoors may enjoy it, while someone unused to uneven paths may find the ground tiring. The guide controls the pace, but the terrain remains natural.

Who should choose Safari Azul

I would choose this tour if you want a close encounter with Perito Moreno without committing to a technical glacier hike. It suits you if you like a moderate outdoor day, want explanations along the way, and prefer having transport arranged from El Calafate.

It is also a good choice for a first visit to the glacier. The boat, shore route, and catwalks create a clear progression from distant scale to close detail and back to a wide view.

You may want another option if you dislike fixed schedules, need step-free access, want to buy lunch during the day, or specifically want to walk on the ice. The tour also requires patience with a long bus ride and a full day outside.

My recommendation

I would book Safari Azul if your priority is variety and closeness rather than a glacier walk with crampons. The best parts are the boat approach, the short but memorable route through forest and rocky ground, and the two hours at the catwalks. Together, they give you a fuller day than simply visiting one viewpoint.

Before paying, confirm the pickup time, check how you will receive the park ticket, and prepare your own lunch and water. If you can handle uneven paths and dress for cold, wet conditions, $182 is a fair price for a guided day that covers the main ways to experience Perito Moreno.

FAQ

How long does the Safari Azul Los Glaciares tour last?

The activity lasts approximately nine hours, including transport from El Calafate, the boat crossings, guided walking, and two hours at the Perito Moreno walkways.

Does the tour include a walk on Perito Moreno Glacier?

No. The tour takes you to the glacier edge, where you can touch the ice, but it does not include walking on the glacier.

How much walking is involved?

Total walking time is approximately three hours, or about one and a half hours each way. The route includes stones, gentle slopes, sand, forest paths, and rocky ground.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no opportunity to buy them in the area. Bring a packed lunch, snacks, and water.

Is the national park entrance fee included?

No. The Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee is separate. You can buy the ticket on arrival in Argentine pesos or use the official National Parks website.

What languages are available?

The tour has live guiding in Spanish and English.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from accommodation with a reception. You should wait at reception 10 minutes before the indicated time. If you are staying in a short-term rental or somewhere without a reception, the provider gives you a nearby meeting point.