What Is Minitrekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier (and How to Prepare)

Walking on the ice of the Perito Moreno Glacier, hearing it crack beneath your crampons and peering into crevasses of an impossible blue is one of those experiences you never forget. If you’re planning your trip to El Calafate, you’ve probably come across the word minitrekking and wondered what it actually is, whether you’ll be able to do it, and how to prepare. As a local Patagonia tour operator, we coordinate it hundreds of times each season, so here’s the honest, no-nonsense rundown.

What minitrekking on the Perito Moreno is

Minitrekking is a full-day excursion that combines three very distinct moments: a boat ride across the Canal de los Témpanos facing the glacier’s southern wall, a walk along the shore and through the forest, and the star of the show, an ice walk of roughly one hour fitted with crampons and accompanied at all times by certified mountain guides.

This is not mountaineering or anything technical: you walk on the glacier’s surface along a route that the guides open and check every single day, because the ice is a living body that moves and changes. During that hour you’ll see seracs, internal pools of turquoise water, sinkholes and crevasses up close, while your guide explains how the Perito Moreno forms and advances inside Los Glaciares National Park.

In short, it’s the most accessible way to set foot on one of the most famous glaciers in the world. You can see all the details and book on the minitrekking page.

What the day looks like, step by step

While times can vary by season and the day’s logistics, the general structure is always similar:

• Departure from El Calafate in the morning toward Los Glaciares National Park (the park entrance fee is usually paid separately; check availability and price on the website).
• Arrival at Puerto Bajo de las Sombras and a short boat ride facing the towering ice wall.
• A walk through the forest and moraine to the point where crampons are fitted.
• Safety briefing from the guides and gear setup.
• Ice walk of about an hour, in small groups.
• Return along the same trail, the boat ride back, and the drive to El Calafate in the afternoon.

A detail many people love: at the end of the ice walk it’s a tradition to toast with a whisky on glacier ice. It’s optional, but it’s a pretty cool way to close the experience.

Difficulty level: is it for me?

This is the question we get the most. The good news is that minitrekking is designed for people with no prior mountain or ice experience. That said, it’s not a boardwalk stroll: it involves several hours of walking in total, with stretches over uneven terrain, ups and downs, and roughly an hour on the glacier with crampons on.

Here’s the summary:

• Fitness: moderate. If you can comfortably walk a couple of hours over uneven ground, you’ll be fine.
• Ages: minitrekking generally has a minimum and maximum age range set for safety reasons. It’s usually accepted from the teenage years up to a certain age, but this can change depending on the operation. Please check the exact range on the tour page before booking, especially if you’re traveling with children or older adults.
• Health conditions: it’s not recommended for people with serious mobility issues, recent knee or ankle injuries, or for pregnant travelers. If you have any medical doubts, write to us and we’ll look at it together.

If you’re more active and looking for a bigger challenge, there’s the Big Ice: a much longer, more demanding walk of about 3 hours on the ice that reaches deeper areas of the glacier. That one does require good physical condition and usually has a tighter age range.

The difference between minitrekking and the boardwalks

Many people confuse minitrekking with visiting the boardwalks, and they’re different things (although both are wonderful):

• The boardwalks are a network of balconies and trails facing the glacier’s front. They let you see it from different angles without walking on the ice, with very little physical demand, ideal for all ages. This is the best spot to watch huge blocks of ice calve into the lake.
• Minitrekking takes you to step onto the glacier, to experience it from within, with crampons and a guide.

Our honest recommendation: if your body and your schedule allow it, do both. The boardwalks give you the postcard view and the sheer scale of the Perito Moreno; minitrekking gives you the texture, the sound and the thrill of walking on it. If you only want the boardwalks or to see the glacier from the water, we also have options like Glaciar Perito Moreno and the Safari Azul boat ride.

What minitrekking includes

What’s normally included in the excursion:

• Transfer from El Calafate (depending on the option booked).
• Boat ride across the Canal de los Témpanos.
• Crampons and all the technical gear needed for the ice walk.
• Certified bilingual mountain guides.

What is generally not included and worth planning for:

• The entrance fee to Los Glaciares National Park.
• Food and drinks (bring your own packed lunch and water).
• Personal warm clothing and proper footwear.

Since inclusions can vary by season and option, the safest bet is to confirm them on the minitrekking page when you book.

What to bring: the gear that really matters

Patagonian weather is changeable and windy, and it’s always colder out on the ice. The golden rule is to dress in layers so you can add or remove them as the day goes on. We recommend bringing:

• Comfortable trekking shoes that are already broken in and have good soles (crampons go over them). Don’t wear brand-new shoes that day.
• Thick socks (ideally trekking socks, not cotton).
• A thermal base layer, a mid layer (fleece) and a windproof, waterproof jacket.
• Comfortable pants you can move in; waterproof or quick-dry is even better.
• Beanie, buff and gloves, even in summer.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen: the glare off the ice is very strong.
• A small backpack with water, lunch and a light change of clothes in case you get wet.
• A camera or phone with a full battery (the view is worth it).

You don’t need to buy expensive technical gear: ordinary warm clothing layered well, plus good footwear, is enough to enjoy it.

When to do it and a couple of final tips

Minitrekking runs mainly in the summer season (October to April), when ice and weather conditions are friendlier, though it may operate on other dates depending on the year. We suggest booking in advance, especially in high season, since spots are limited for safety reasons.

One last tip from those of us who live here: start the day calmly, follow your guide at all times, and enjoy without rushing. The Perito Moreno has its own rhythm, and walking on it is one of the most beautiful things you’ll do in Patagonia.

Book your minitrekking with us

If you want to live this experience with local guides and all the gear included, check availability and prices on the minitrekking page, or write to us to plan your perfect day in El Calafate. And if you’re after a bigger challenge on the ice, tell us and we’ll advise you on the Big Ice. We’ll see you in Patagonia.