I have seen pictures of Perito Moreno Glacier before the trip. It looks good. But I would never have thought it looks so amazing in person.
We bought the MiniTrekking package from Hielo y Aventura after we arrived in El Calafate. Even though it is not cheap (4,500 pesos pp with shuttle service), it's totally worth it. It started with hotel pickups at El Calafate (about 45 minutes to pick up everyone), then 1.5 hours’ drive to Los Glaciers National Park. We reached the main glacier viewing area parking lot around 10:30 am. We were given 2 hours to walk around on our own. The glacier is amazing, probably the most impressive glacier we have seen.
1. Entered Los Glaciers National Park (need to pay 600 pesos pp in cash for the national park fee), still 7km away from Perito Moreno Glacier.
2. Perito Moreno Glacier.
3. Perito Moreno Glacier.
4. Perito Moreno Glacier.
5. Perito Moreno Glacier.
6. Perito Moreno Glacier.
Around 12:30 pm, we were driven to a dock, taking a boat across the lake to the other side, where we were received by a different guide. We were divided by English and Spanish group, then further divided to groups of 20 people each. 2 guides followed each group for the ice trekking. Had to walk maybe 20 minutes to the place where they helped us to put the crampons on. Then we started the trekking around 2:15 pm, and finished by 3:45 pm. It was really awesome. Our main guide's English was good, and he was really funny.
7. At the dock.
8. After a short boat ride, walking to a shelter to put on crampons for our ice trekking.
9. Perito Moreno Glacier.
10. Our main ice trekking guide.
11. He and the other guide carefully watched us during the ice trekking time to make sure we were safe.
12. Ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier.
13. Ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier.
14. Ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier.
15. Ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier.
16. Ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier.
17. Ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier.
18. Ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier.
19. One more look at Perito Moreno Glacier.
We came back to El Calafate around 6 pm. It was a long day, but it was a very enjoyable and memorable day.
(To be continued)
