The Big Ice is a full day excursion that starts with the pick up of the passengers in El Calafate. In our comfortable buses, on the way to Los Glaciares National Park, the tour guides will provide information about the activity, the place and the glacier. Once at the port “Bajo de las Sombras” (Route 11, 70 km from El Calafate) you will embark to cross the Rico Lake, arriving at the opposite shore after approximately 20 minutes of navigation in front of the imposing south face of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Upon arrival at the refuge, the group will be welcomed by expert mountain guides, who will divide them into subgroups and accompany them throughout the trek. The trekking begins with a walk along the moraine for approximately 2 hours, where you will be able to observe different panoramic views of the glacier and the forest. The Big Ice is a highly personalized excursion: the groups on the ice will be of up to 10 people, accompanied by two mountain guides who will put on crampons, helmets and harnesses and explain the basic safety rules.
The physical demand is high both in the forest and on the ice, where the surface is uneven but firm and safe.
Once on the glacier and with crampons on, the world takes on a new perspective: blue lagoons, deep crevasses, huge sinkholes, magical caves, and the unique feeling of being in the heart of the glacier.
You will explore the nooks and crannies of the most special glacier in the world for approximately three hours. During the tour, the mountain guides will help you get to know the ice and its surroundings better and you will be able to size up the magnitude of the glacier and enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains, such as the Dos Picos, Pietrobelli and Cervantes hills. In addition, you will have half an hour to have lunch and be amazed in a place of unparalleled beauty. At the end of the walk on the glacier, you will return along the same path until you reach the refuge, where you will have a few minutes to contemplate this place of unparalleled beauty. When you take the boat back, you will sail very close to the south face of the Perito Moreno Glacier and then return to “civilization”, after having enjoyed one of the most spectacular ice treks in the world!
The duration of the excursion with the transfer is about twelve hours in total and includes a guided visit of approximately one hour to the walkways of the Perito Moreno Glacier, 7 km from the port. There you will be able to enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the glacier and walk along one of the self-guided trails. In case you do not opt for our transportation and go by your own means, the Big Ice takes about seven and a half hours, leaving from the port and returning to the same starting point.
Big Ice takes place in a natural environment, so the weather conditions and characteristics of the glacier and its surroundings change daily. However, the excursion is not suspended, as long as the safety conditions allow it, we are waiting for you!
-not suitable for minors
Not included: Entrance fee to the National Park and lunch.
