Full description
Head to the Bajo de las Sombras port and embark on the demanding Big Ice excursion to explore the heart of the Perito Moreno Glacier on foot
Venture into the heart of Los Glaciares National Park with the Big Ice excursion, an epic adventure designed to experience the vastness of the Perito Moreno Glacier firsthand. The journey begins directly at the Bajo de las Sombras port, where you will board a boat to cross Rico Lake, sailing in front of the towering southern face of the glacier before disembarking on the opposite shore alongside expert mountain guides.
The route demands a high level of physical fitness, starting with an approach hike through the moraine and the lush Patagonian Andean forest. Upon reaching the edge of the ice, you will be fitted with crampons, a helmet, and a harness to begin an in-depth exploration in small groups of a maximum of ten people. On the ice, you will discover a fascinating perspective with blue lagoons, deep crevasses, sinkholes, and magical caves for three and a half hours, with free time to have lunch immersed in this frozen paradise before starting the return journey to board the boat back to the port.
Please note that this activity has strict medical restrictions and is exclusively for people aged 18 to 50. To confirm the booking, it is mandatory to submit the passport or identity document details of all passengers in advance. The service does not include transfers from El Calafate, a guided visit to the walkways, food, or admission to Los Glaciares National Park (approximately 50,000 ARS to be paid at the destination).
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Additional Information
● Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes in advance
● The published schedule is an estimate; once all required details to confirm the booking have been received, our team will inform you of the exact start time at Puerto Bajo de las Sombras
● To confirm the booking and guarantee spots, it is mandatory to submit in advance for all passengers their full name, passport or national identity document number, nationality, and date of birth
● Admission to Los Glaciares National Park is not included (approximately 50,000 ARS to be paid at the destination) and must be paid upon entering the park solely in Argentine pesos, in cash or by Visa card (Mastercard cards are not accepted)
● Please note that the physical demand of this excursion is very high, both in the approach forest and on the ice, where the surface is uneven; groups on the glacier are limited to a maximum of 10 people accompanied by two mountain guides
● Please note that food and drinks are not included and there are no places to purchase them during the excursion, so each passenger must bring their own food from El Calafate to eat during the allotted time in the glacier area
● Activity suitable exclusively for people aged 18 to 50 inclusive, without exception
● Due to strict medical restrictions, pregnant women and individuals with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, or emphysema), central or peripheral cardiovascular conditions, reduced cardiac or vascular capacity, stents, bypasses, pacemakers, or other prostheses, physical or mental disabilities affecting attention, gait, or coordination, recent fractures, severe spinal or knee problems, or recent surgeries may not participate. If at the start of the excursion a participant exhibits any of these excluding conditions or presents difficulties walking independently or keeping up with the group's pace, they will not be allowed to take part in the activity and no refund will be issued
● Please dress according to the extreme and demanding weather conditions. Comfortable clothing and footwear are recommended, specifically a thermal shirt and leggings, warm sweater and jacket, windproof and waterproof jacket, trekking pants, waterproof trekking footwear (mandatory for crampons), thermal socks or two pairs of socks, gloves, warm hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
● The itinerary may be subject to changes due to weather conditions, traffic, city events, road closures, or high visitor volume
● The service ends with the return to the same initial meeting point at Puerto Bajo de las Sombras
Inclusions
✔ Bilingual guide in Spanish and English
✔ Boarding at the port and round-trip boat ride across Rico Lake in front of the southern face of the Perito Moreno Glacier
✔ Approach hike through the Patagonian Andean forest and the moraine (round trip)
✔ Walk of 3 hours and 30 minutes on the ice of the Perito Moreno Glacier in groups of maximum 10 people
✔ Crampons, helmet, and harness for walking on the ice
Exclusions
✖ Hotel pickup and drop-off
✖ Admission to Los Glaciares National Park
✖ Visit to the walkways of the Perito Moreno Glacier
✖ Entrance fees, food, and drinks, unless expressly specified in the tour inclusions
✖ Any other unspecified service
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the service. For cancellations made with less notice or in case of no-show, no refund will be issued
Meeting point
Puerto Bajo de las Sombras (Route 11, 70 km from El Calafate)