Ice up close beats photos every time. This Blue Safari tour is interesting because you get to see Perito Moreno Glacier from land and from a boat, with a guided hike that takes you right to the glacier’s southern face; I love the close boat sailing and the guided walk through Patagonian forest. One drawback to plan for: the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee and your food/drinks are not included, so you’ll want cash and a packed lunch ready.

Logistically, you’ve got a real choice: book with hotel transfer for an easier day, or go on your own if you prefer independence. Either way, you’ll start from El Calafate (the gateway town) and spend the day on Lake Argentino and at the glacier area.

If you skip the transfer, you’re dealing with an 80 km trip to reach the port area, plus timing matters (you should arrive early). That part isn’t hard, but it’s one more thing to manage on a day that’s all about timing, weather, and getting warm again fast.

Key points you’ll care about

• Boat time just meters from the ice: a short Lake Argentino crossing that gets you close enough to hear and see the glacier up front.
• Guided hike through forest and shoreline: about 1.5 km with a natural-trail route and glacier views building as you walk.
• Two perspectives of the same ice wall: land views from the hike, then water views from a return cruise.
• Free exploration at the walkways: roughly two hours to wander on your own with big panoramic angles.
• Small group size: limited to 10 participants, which helps the day feel organized and less crowded.
• Extra costs to budget: park entrance fee and food/drinks are on you.

Why Perito Moreno feels different on a Blue Safari

Perito Moreno is the kind of natural wonder that can feel almost unreal in pictures—so the real win here is how quickly your brain catches up when you’re actually there. On this tour, you don’t just look at the glacier from a distance. You get a guided approach on foot, and then you switch to a boat view that puts the ice wall at eye level.

I like that the day is built around moments: the approach, the walk, and then the cruise back in front of the face. It keeps you from bouncing between random stops. And with an expert guide explaining how the glacier formed and how it moves, the scenery becomes more than scenery.

The pace is also sensible for most people who can handle a hike. You’re not doing a marathon. You’re doing a guided walk along natural trails, then taking the weight off once you’re back on the water.

The day’s backbone: El Calafate to Puerto Bajo las Sombras

Your tour day starts in El Calafate, the classic base for Los Glaciares National Park. If you choose the option with pickup, you’ll be collected from your hotel (only from places that offer reception service during the contracted pickup window). If not, you’ll handle the trip yourself to Puerto Bajo las Sombras.

Either way, here’s the key idea: you’re not starting at the walkways first. You start closer to the water access point, then you work your way toward the glacier views.

A useful detail: the tour notes that pickup waits can be around 40 minutes. That matters because Patagonia weather can change fast, and you don’t want your day to start late.

If you’re driving yourself (no transfer option), expect a long day. The information provided sets this up as an 80 km journey to get to the port area, and you’ll want to arrive about 30 minutes before your scheduled time.

The Brazo Rico boat crossing: short ride, big payoff

Next comes the water: you board a boat and cross Brazo Rico of Lake Argentino. The crossing is about 20 minutes, and you’re doing it surrounded by Patagonia scenery rather than in a distant “window view” way.

This is the part that often makes the tour feel worth the price. You’re not just traveling to the glacier. You’re also getting your first close look at the ice.

And because you’re on a small boat ride experience rather than a long cruise, you’ll feel the day turning into action quickly. You get from El Calafate → water access → ice views without spending your whole time in transit.

If you’re sensitive to motion, remember you’re still on a lake crossing. Bring what helps you personally—because once you’re cold and slightly queasy, it’s hard to enjoy the ice.

The guided hike: forest trails and the shoreline approach

After the crossing, you start a guided hike—about 1.5 km—along natural trails. The route goes through lush Patagonian forest and along the lake shore, gradually bringing you to the southern wall of the glacier.

This isn’t just a walk to “reach a view.” It’s timed to change your perspective as you go. Forest cover gives you a break from direct wind and makes the glacier feel like it appears from the outside world. Then, as the trail lines up with the lake, the glacier becomes the central character.

Guides share facts during the experience—especially about the history, formation, and glacier dynamics. You’ll hear and see why this glacier is so active and why the sound matters as much as the sight.

The best practical advice here is simple: wear waterproof, grippy footwear. A shoreline trail can be wet. Also wear layers. Even if it starts mild, you’ll be outside for hours.

Facing the Perito Moreno wall: creaks, calving, and scale

Reaching the glacier’s southern face is the emotional core of the whole tour. The tour experience is designed around you being close enough to notice how massive the ice wall is, how the colors shift in the light, and how the glacier moves.

You’ll get that very “this is alive” moment when you hear creaking and calving. Even if you’ve seen glacier videos before, the scale hits differently in person.

Guides add context as you’re there. They explain how glaciers form and evolve over time, and how the dynamics of Perito Moreno create that dramatic behavior. That matters because the glacier isn’t just a static block. It’s a system, and hearing the explanation makes what you’re seeing feel more real.

The return cruise: see the same ice from a new angle

After the hike, you re-board the boat for a final cruise in front of the glacier. This part changes the geometry again: instead of being onshore with the wall towering above you, you’re closer to the face from the water.

You’ll likely appreciate textures and details more from the boat. You also get that “few meters away” feeling the tour highlights. It’s not a dramatic theme-park view. It’s a raw, close encounter with ice that can look almost sculpted.

This section is also where you can take a breath. Walking gets your legs, but cruising lets your mind catch up—especially when you’re warmed up by movement and ready for those photos you’ll actually feel good about later.

Glacier walkways: about two hours of your own pace

If you booked the option with transportation, the vehicle takes you to the famous glacier walkways after the boat and hike portion. You’ll have around two hours to explore on your own.

This is where you can control your rhythm. Want to slow down and stare at the wall from a higher angle? Go for it. Prefer staying near viewpoints that give you a wider panorama? You can pick your spots.

One more practical note: the information provided clearly separates two things—walkways are part of the experience, but footbridges/access details depend on whether you took transfer. If you’re self-arranging, you’ll need to handle your way from the Puerto Bajo las Sombras area to the footbridges on your own (noted as about 7 km away).

Also remember the entrance fee to Los Glaciares National Park is not included. So plan to pay at the park entrance before you start roaming.

Price and value: what $321 gets you (and what doesn’t)

At $321 per person, you’re paying for a full mix: transfer option (optional), boat navigation, a guided hike, and time on the panoramic walkways, plus expert guiding throughout.

To judge value, split costs into two buckets:

Included value:

• Boat cross and cruising navigation on Lake Argentino
• Guided hike (about 1.5 km) with interpretation from your guide
• Time at the walkways (free time to explore on your own)
• Small group format (max 10)

Extra you must budget:

• Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee (paid separately)
• Food and drinks (not included)

So the tour isn’t “cheap,” but it’s also not just a single viewpoint. You’re buying variety: land view + water view + multiple walkway angles. If you were to do the pieces independently, it’s easy for costs to add up fast once you include boat access and guided components.

For your packing plan, this matters: bring a packed lunch, snacks, and water. If you arrive hungry and cold, the day gets less enjoyable fast.

What to bring: stay warm, stay comfortable, stay sane

Patagonia weather can be sneaky. The tour info calls for warm clothing and weather-appropriate layers, plus items that help you keep control of the day.

I’d treat this list like your checklist, not a suggestion:

• Warm layers and thermal clothing
• Waterproof hiking shoes (not fashion sneakers)
• Gloves and a hat
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• A packed lunch, snacks, and water

This isn’t a “sit and watch” outing. You’ll be outside walking and standing around viewpoints. If you get cold easily, pack extra layers even if the morning looks fine.

Logistics that can make or break your schedule

This tour offers optional pickup and return. When pickup is offered, it may only happen from accommodations with reception service during the contracted pickup time. That’s a small detail, but it’s the difference between a smooth morning and a confusing scramble.

Also, give yourself buffer for pickup timing. The information provided notes waiting time for pickup may take about 40 minutes.

If you skip the transfer option, take the timing seriously:

• You’ll manage the 80 km trip on your own
• You need to be at the port area about 30 minutes before the scheduled time

That early arrival buffer is how you avoid stress. And on a day like this, stress makes you miss small things—like the first time you hear ice calving.

Who should book this, and who should skip it

This Blue Safari suits you best if you want:

• A guided day outdoors that mixes hiking and boating
• Close-up glacier views and multiple perspectives
• Expert explanations while you’re actually seeing the glacier’s scale and behavior

It may not be right for everyone. The tour is not suitable for children under 6, and it’s also not suitable for people over 70. If you’re in that boundary zone, it’s worth thinking about walking comfort and cold exposure.

Because the group is limited to 10 participants, it’s a good fit if you don’t want your day controlled by a giant crowd. You still get the structure of a guided tour, without feeling like you’re part of a conveyor belt.

Should you book the Blue Safari with Perito Moreno?

If you want maximum “ice time” and you like the idea of seeing Perito Moreno from both land and water, I think this is a smart pick. The structure is logical: boat approach, guided hike to the glacier face, then a return cruise, and finally walkways time.

Book it if:

• You’re excited by guided interpretation, not just scenery snapshots
• You can handle a short hike on natural trails
• You’re willing to pack a full day of warmth and food

Skip or choose another style if:

• You don’t want to deal with park fees and bringing your own meals
• You prefer a purely observational, no-walking experience
• You’re worried about cold and want fewer outdoor minutes

If you do book, plan for two things: layers that actually work in cold wind, and a realistic budget that includes the park entrance fee.

FAQ

FAQ

Is the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee to Los Glaciares National Park is not included in the tour price and must be paid separately at the park entrance.

What’s included in the tour besides the glacier walkways?

You’ll get hotel pickup/return if you choose that option (optional), a boat crossing on Brazo Rico of Lake Argentino, a guided hike along natural trails (about 1.5 km), and a cruise close to the glacier south face. You’ll also have free time on the panoramic walkways.

How long does the Blue Safari take?

The duration is listed as 3 to 8 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Do I need hotel transfer to join the tour?

Transfer is optional. If you don’t book it, you’ll need to reach Puerto Bajo las Sombras yourself, and you should arrive about 30 minutes before the scheduled time.

How big is the group?

The group is small, limited to 10 participants.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring warm clothing, gloves, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, water, and food/drinks. Wear comfortable, waterproof hiking shoes and weather-appropriate layers, including thermal clothing if needed.