Key differences: comparison table
Before deciding, check the numbers. All data has been verified and corresponds to the 2025–2026 season based on official information from Hielo & Aventura, the only operator authorized by Los Glaciares National Park.
| Feature | 🧊 Minitrekking | ❄️ Big Ice |
|---|---|---|
| Time on the ice | 1h 15min | 3h |
| Adult price (2026) | $395,000 ARS | ~$640,000 ARS |
| Price in USD (approx.) | ≈ USD 282 | ≈ USD 460 |
| Permitted age | 8 – 65 years | 18 – 50 years |
| Physical level | Moderate | High |
| Glacier zone | Periphery (north zone) | Deep interior (caves, seracs) |
| Total day duration | 9h 30min | 12h |
| Group size | Up to 20 people | Maximum 10 people |
| Crampons included | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Certified guide | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Transfer from Calafate | Optional (+$80,000) | Optional (+$80,000) |
| Lunch | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| Official operator | Hielo & Aventura | Hielo & Aventura |
| Season | Year-round | Oct – Apr |
| Availability | High | Limited |
At Mundo Austral we have coordinated more than 110,000 passengers to Perito Moreno since 2000. The question we get most often via WhatsApp is exactly this one: Minitrekking or Big Ice? The short answer: 80% of our clients choose the Minitrekking and come back happy. The Big Ice is for a specific profile, which we detail below.
Minitrekking: the most popular experience
The Minitrekking is the most popular glacier trek in the world. Each year, more than 50,000 people walk on Perito Moreno wearing crampons — and the vast majority do so through this option.
The excursion includes a 20-minute boat ride from Brazo Rico of Lago Argentino to the base of the glacier. From there, with crampons on and under the guidance of certified Hielo & Aventura instructors, the group spends 1h15 on the ice exploring the northern zone of Perito Moreno.
What do you do on the Minitrekking?
- Boat ride across Lago Argentino to the glacier (20 min)
- Crampon fitting at the base (guides teach you on-site)
- 1h15 trekking on the glacier periphery with views of seracs and blue ice caves
- Glacier-ice whisky at the end — a tradition of the excursion
- Return boat ride and transfer back to the hotel
Big Ice: total immersion in the glacier
The Big Ice is the extended, intensive version of glacier trekking. It accesses parts of Perito Moreno that very few tourists ever get to see: blue ice caves, 20-metre seracs, deep crevasses and science-fiction landscapes.
The main difference from the Minitrekking is the time on the ice: 3 hours vs 1h15. It also penetrates deeper zones of the glacier, groups are a maximum of 10 people (more intimate), and the required physical level is significantly higher.
What do you do on the Big Ice?
- Private boat ride across Lago Argentino (20 min)
- Crampon and full safety equipment fitting
- 3 hours of trekking accessing deep glacier zones: caves, seracs, crevasses
- 2 guides per group (maximum 10 people) — more personalised attention
- Exploration of areas the Minitrekking never reaches
- Glacier-ice whisky at the end
⚠️ Important: The Big Ice is NOT available for people under 18 or over 50, or for those with cardiac, knee or spinal conditions. Consult your doctor if you have any doubts about your physical condition.
What does each one include?
Updated 2026 prices
Prices in Argentine pesos are updated frequently based on the season and inflation. USD values are more stable. Always confirm the exact price when booking.
The Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee is NOT included in either excursion. It is bought online at ventaweb.apn.gob.ar (or at the park gate) and costs $25,000 ARS for Argentine residents and up to $50,000 ARS for non-resident foreigners (2026). Cash and card are both accepted.
Which one is right for you? Choose based on your profile
- You are travelling with children (from age 8)
- It is your first time in El Calafate
- Your fitness level is average (no specific training)
- You are aged 50–65
- You want to walk on the ice without excessive effort
- Your budget is tight (~USD 282)
- You want to do other activities the same day
- You are travelling as a family with different age groups
- You are aged 18–50 with good physical fitness
- You want the deepest, most immersive experience
- You have already done the Minitrekking and want more
- You are interested in landscape photography at unique locations
- You have no knee, heart or spinal issues
- Budget is not a limiting factor (~USD 460)
- You prefer small groups and personalised attention
- You want to explore blue ice caves and seracs
Required fitness level
Minitrekking
The Minitrekking does not require specific physical training. It is suitable for people in good general health. Bear in mind that:
- You walk a total of 2–3 km (including the walk to the dock)
- The terrain on the ice is uneven — crampons ensure a firm grip
- The temperature on the glacier can feel colder than in town
- Not suitable for people with serious knee, hip or balance problems
Big Ice
The Big Ice does require good cardiovascular fitness and stamina:
- You walk approximately 6–8 km in total on the ice
- Includes a 2 km approach walk on land before reaching the ice
- Ascending and descending slopes with crampons
- Total outdoor activity duration: 4–5 hours
- Not suitable for people with cardiac conditions or severe joint problems
The number one reason someone cannot finish the Big Ice is not age — it is underestimating the effort required. We recommend that anyone interested in the Big Ice should be able to do 2–3 hour hikes on uneven terrain without fatigue before booking. If you have any doubts, the Minitrekking never disappoints.
Best time of year for the trek
| Season | Months | Minitrekking | Big Ice | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High season | Dec – Feb | Operates every day | Operates every day | Book 20–30 days in advance |
| Shoulder season | Sep – Nov / Mar – May | Operates every day | Reduced availability | Book 10–15 days in advance |
| Low season | Jun – Aug | Always operates | Generally closed | Minitrekking only available |
Perito Moreno is a glacier you can visit year-round. Unlike other Patagonian destinations, it does not close in winter. The light and cold of winter (June–August) create a unique experience — the glacier appears deep blue and there are fewer visitors. The Big Ice, however, only operates in the warm season.
How to book from El Calafate
Both excursions can only be carried out through Hielo & Aventura, the only operator authorised by Los Glaciares National Park for glacier trekking. They cannot be booked directly at the park entrance.
Ways to book:
- Through Mundo Austral — we coordinate everything: transfer, slots with Hielo & Aventura, park entrance. One point of contact, no complications.
- Directly with Hielo & Aventura — if you arrive in Calafate on your own you can go to their office on Av. del Libertador, but in high season slots sell out online days in advance.
Day programme: full schedule
One of the most common questions is how to organise the day. Here is the typical schedule so you can plan the rest of your stay without surprises.
Minitrekking — typical schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 07:30 | Departure by minibus from the hotel or meeting point in El Calafate |
| 09:00 | Arrival at Los Glaciares National Park — pay entrance fee (bring cash or card) |
| 09:15 – 11:00 | Walkway circuit (optional but recommended — frontal views of the glacier) |
| 11:15 | Transfer to Brazo Rico dock |
| 11:45 | 20-minute boat ride to the base of the glacier |
| 12:15 | Crampon fitting on land — guides explain the walking technique |
| 12:30 – 13:45 | Trekking on the ice (1h15) with certified Hielo & Aventura guides |
| 13:45 | Glacier-ice whisky at the end 🥃 |
| 14:15 | Return boat ride to the dock |
| 14:45 | Free lunch at the park restaurant or your own packed lunch |
| 16:30 | Departure back to El Calafate |
| 17:30 – 18:00 | Arrival at the hotel |
Big Ice — typical schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 07:00 | Departure from El Calafate (earlier than the Minitrekking) |
| 08:30 | Arrival at the National Park — entrance and transfer to the boarding area |
| 09:00 | Exclusive boat ride to the southern base of the glacier |
| 09:30 | 2 km approach walk along a dirt trail to reach the ice |
| 10:00 | Crampon, helmet and harness fitting — safety briefing |
| 10:30 – 13:30 | 3 hours of trekking in deep zones: caves, seracs, crevasses, ice tables |
| 13:30 | Glacier-ice whisky 🥃 — rest at the foot of the glacier |
| 14:15 | Return boat ride |
| 15:00 | Free lunch in the park |
| 17:00 | Departure back to El Calafate |
| 18:30 | Arrival at the hotel |
If you book the Minitrekking on the afternoon slot (when available), the schedule shifts by about 3 hours. However, the morning slot always has better light for photos — the sun illuminates the glacier head-on until 14:00.
What to wear: clothing and equipment
The glacier has its own microclimate. Even if it is 18°C in El Calafate, the wind-chill on the ice can drop to 3–5°C. The key is the 3-layer system.
Thermal top and leggings in polyester or merino wool. Never cotton — cotton retains moisture and chills you. You can buy thermals at sports shops in El Calafate if you don't have any.
Fleece or wool jumper. A fleece-type jacket is perfect. It needs to be comfortable for movement — you will need to raise your arms and bend your knees.
Windproof or Gore-Tex waterproof jacket with a hood. This is the most important layer — the wind on the glacier is constant. A regular fabric jacket is not enough.
Complete packing list
In El Calafate there are several shops where you can rent boots by the day (approx. $8,000–$12,000 ARS). Hielo & Aventura also has some available at their base. Let us know when you book and we'll give you the address of the best rental shops near Av. del Libertador.
How to get to Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate
Perito Moreno Glacier is 79 km from El Calafate via Provincial Route 11. The drive takes approximately 1h15. There is no direct public transport — the options are:
If you book the Minitrekking or Big Ice with Mundo Austral, the transfer to the port is optional (+$80,000 extra). If you add it, our minibuses pick you up at the hotel. You don't have to worry about anything — this is the most comfortable option and used by 90% of tourists.
Departs from El Calafate Bus Terminal. Cost: approx. $15,000–$20,000 ARS return. Advantage: affordable. Disadvantage: fixed timetables that may not match your trekking slot if you booked directly with Hielo & Aventura.
Route RP-11 is paved to the park entrance. Ample free parking available. Car rental in El Calafate: from $35,000 ARS/day. Renting a car also lets you combine the trip with other attractions during the day.
Round-trip cost: $60,000–$80,000 ARS (negotiate before departure). A good option for groups of 3 or more. The driver waits for you in the park while you do the excursion.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Patagonia has a well-deserved reputation for unpredictable weather. But the glacier has a special feature: it operates almost every day of the year, even with rain and moderate wind. The ice doesn't disappear in bad weather.
Hielo & Aventura cancellation policy
The official operator only cancels the excursion when there are winds exceeding 80 km/h or extreme safety conditions — a situation that occurs only a few times per year. If it rains, the trek goes ahead (it's part of the Patagonian experience). If the operator cancels:
- You can reschedule for another day at no extra cost
- You receive a voucher valid for the next 12 months
- In extreme cases a full refund is issued
🌧️ Genuine advice: Many of our clients who did the Minitrekking in the rain say it was the best experience — the low clouds that wrap around the glacier create a mystical atmosphere you don't get on clear days. Don't cancel because of rain!
How often do they cancel?
In our 25 years of operation, the cancellation rate due to extreme weather conditions is less than 3% of departures. That means out of every 100 scheduled excursions, 97 go ahead without problems. Patagonia has a bad reputation for wind, but Perito Moreno Glacier has a natural geographical shelter that makes it more stable than other points in the region.
What you will see and experience on the ice
Photos don't do it justice. This is what you really experience when you step onto Perito Moreno wearing crampons:
The blue colour of the ice
Glacier ice is not white — it is deep blue. This is because ice compressed at thousands of metres of depth absorbs the warm colours of the spectrum and reflects blue. The deeper the ice, the bluer it appears. In the Big Ice, where you access the interior caves, the blue is almost electric.
The sound of the glacier
Perito Moreno speaks. You can constantly hear cracking sounds, internal rumbles and the sound of water running beneath the ice. If you are lucky (and patient), you may witness the calving of an ice block — pieces that fall into the lake with a tremendous roar and raise 2-metre waves.
Seracs and crevasses
Seracs are ice towers up to 30–40 metres tall formed by the movement of the glacier. Crevasses are deep fissures that can reach dozens of metres down. The Minitrekking takes you near the smaller ones. The Big Ice accesses the most spectacular.
The glacier whisky
At the end of both excursions, Hielo & Aventura guides offer a glass of whisky with glacier ice. It is not a minor detail — that ice is between 300 and 500 years old. Many clients say it is the most memorable drink of their lives.
To photograph the blue ice you need diffuse light, not direct sunlight. Overcast days give the best photos of texture and colour on the ice. Use Portrait mode on your phone to blur the background and highlight the ice details. And always keep your camera in a waterproof bag — the melting ice constantly drips water.
How to combine with other excursions in El Calafate
The Minitrekking and Big Ice are the highlights of Perito Moreno, but El Calafate has many more experiences to offer. Here is how we recommend organising your days:
Arrival at the airport, transfer to the hotel, rest. Free afternoon to explore Av. del Libertador — local Patagonian clothing shops, artisan chocolates and the centre of El Calafate. Book your excursions for the following days.
Full day at the glacier: arrive early to do the Walkways before the trek. In the afternoon, return to Calafate with time to have dinner at La Tablita or El Viejo Almacén.
Choose between the Todo Glaciares boat cruise (Upsala + Spegazzini — breathtaking) or a full day in El Chaltén to see Fitz Roy. Both are full-day excursions.
If you have the profile for the Big Ice, this is the ideal day — you already know the glacier from Day 2 and will enjoy it even more. A relaxed alternative: Safari Azul, the iceberg navigation on Lago Argentino, perfect for families with children.
If you have a valid passport, the excursion to Torres del Paine from El Calafate is a different kind of experience: landscapes, wildlife (guanacos, condors) and the famous Towers. Very early departure — ideal as the penultimate day.
Real questions we get via WhatsApp
After 25 years answering enquiries, here are some of the most specific questions — and our honest answers.
Frequently asked questions
The most common questions about the Minitrekking and Big Ice in El Calafate.
Ready to walk on the glacier?
Book the Minitrekking with Mundo Austral — we coordinate everything: transfer, slots with Hielo & Aventura and park entrance. Over 25 years taking families to Perito Moreno.
