"PERITO MORENO GLACIER + BASIC CRIOLLO LUNCH" Tour

"PERITO MORENO GLACIER + BASIC CRIOLLO LUNCH" Tour

PERITO MORENO GLACIER: Located in the Lago Argentino Department of Santa Cruz Province, in the heart of Argentine Patagonia, the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the world. Part of the Los Glaciares National Park, this immense river of ice originates from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, one of the largest continental ice reserves on the planet. Stretching over 5 kilometers wide and towering 60 meters above the waters of Lake Argentino, the glacier’s slow but constant advance creates an extraordinary natural phenomenon: it forms an ice dam that separates the Rico Arm from the rest of the lake, causing a dramatic difference in water levels of up to 30 meters. Eventually, the immense pressure carves out a majestic ice tunnel, whose spectacular collapse is one of nature’s most breathtaking displays. Named in honor of Francisco Moreno, the distinguished explorer and naturalist who dedicated his life to studying Patagonia, the Perito Moreno Glacier is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also a symbol of Argentina’s wild and pristine beauty — a destination that captures the imagination of every traveler who beholds it.

EL CALAFATE: Known simply as “Calafate”, this charming Patagonian city lies on the southern shore of Lake Argentino, in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, just 80 kilometers from the world-famous Perito Moreno Glacier. El Calafate serves as the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in South America. With its cozy hotels, welcoming atmosphere, and spectacular natural surroundings, it has become one of the most important tourist centers in Patagonia and the third largest city in Santa Cruz Province, after Río Gallegos and Caleta Olivia. Named after the native Calafate bush — whose berries are said to ensure that anyone who tastes them will return to Patagonia — El Calafate invites travelers to experience the magic of the Argentine south, where glaciers, lakes, and steppe landscapes meet under vast, open skies.

Itinerary

• At 6:15 a.m., travelers must arrive at our office located at Calle Arturo Prat No. 236 in Puerto Natales, departure to the city of El Calafate.
• Crossing the Chilean border at Cerro Castillo, we will be able to appreciate the Patagonian steppe and its typical fauna, including rheas, foxes, and birds of prey that characterize the landscape.
• Arrival at Cerro Castillo, at the Río Don Guillermo border crossing, where we will complete customs and immigration procedures to enter Argentina.
• Then, from Cerro Castillo, we will continue directly to El Calafate and make a brief stop before continuing for approximately an hour and a half until we reach Los Glaciares National Park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
• Here we will appreciate the imposing Perito Moreno Glacier and the natural spectacle of melting ice caused by water seeping between its ice. This glacier is known worldwide for its breaking processes at the front.
• At the Perito Moreno Glacier, passengers will have the option of taking a catamaran ride on Lake Argentino (not included in the price), which allows them to get close to the imposing front wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier, where they can observe icefalls over 70 meters high.
• Afterwards, we will walk along more than 3 kilometers of walkways that offer spectacular views of the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most impressive glaciers in the world.
• Afterwards, we will begin our return trip to El Calafate, with a thirty-minute stop (if there are no delays during the park visit).
• After a long day of traveling and appreciating the natural beauty of this great glacier, we will finally return to Puerto Natales around 5:30 p.m., arriving at approximately 10:30 p.m.

The tour includes

• Tour guide service in Spanish and English during the visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier.
• Entrance fees.
• Shared round-trip transportation.

The tour does not include

• Professional tour guide in French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. If you would like a tour guide in one of these languages, please request one in advance and be aware that there will be an additional charge.
• Extra meals and drinks.
• Tips for the tour guide and driver.
• Other expenses not mentioned in the program.
• Immigration fees at the border crossing.
• Travel medical insurance.

Difficulty level: Low.