Big Ice: The Epic Adventure On The Perito Moreno Glacier

Definitely a must go place if you are in planning to go Argentina. Overall it was a bit challenging for me, I choose the long trail that took around 7 hours. First there are some hiking in the beginning, once you arrived to the big ice you will have to walk with the cramps on. Ngl it actually make the walk even difficult but was a fun experience overall.

We had a terrible experience with Gray Line Argentina. We booked and paid for the mini trekking experience over one and a half months before the event. We contacted Gray Line at that time to verify that the reservation was OK and filled in all requested information. On our tripadvisor page the booking was shown as confirmed. With just a few days of notice before the event, Gray Line contacted us saying that there were no availabilities for the selected date and did not reply any further when we asked for explanations nor apologized in any way. As we had paid in argentinian pesos, given the volatility of the currency, for us getting the money back 2 months later resulted in big losses due to the very high changes in exchange rate during the period. Our experience unfortunately shows that Grayline Argentina is untrustworthy and disorganized. Not only did they cause complications with our trip to Perito Moreno making us look for a plan B with little notice, but they also made us lose lots of money due to their lack of transparency and organization. Unfortunately, looking at other reviews, we see that we are not the first victims of this untrustworty company...

This was one of the best experiences of our lives - you will not regret booking this trip. We booked directly via Hielo y Aventura (there may be many third party companies you can book through but Hielo y Aventura are the actual company that run the excursion). We were picked up from our hotel promptly at 7am. The journey to the National Park was about 1hr. Even though we had purchased entrance to the park online, we had to exchange our e-voucher for a real ticket. We arrived at the balconies at around 9am and had them pretty much to ourselves before the coach loads arrived. Stunning views of the glacier, but quite cold and windy! The coach took us to the port where we boarded a catamaran for a 15min journey across the lake. Here, we were divided into English-speaking and Spanish-speaking groups and informed about the trip. We were then split into smaller groups and began a short walk to some huts where we were equipped with helmets and harnesses. I had read other reviews warning that the hike to the glacier was very difficult - but it was actually just a short uphill hike (about 1hr), not difficult at all. There were a few stops along the way to adjust layers as you quickly get warm. There was a short section of scree to get down to the crampon station which I found difficult only because I am a massive wimp when it comes to going downhill! But the guides helped me and even taught me some tricks for downhill. We were then fitted with crampons. It took a bit of time to get used to walking in them but the guides taught us skills and helped us over crevasses. Again, I am a massive wimp but soon felt confident on the ice. It is very safe. We had about 3hr on the glacier and the time flew by. We had lunch in a sheltered section just before a short snow storm rolled in. This was so atmospheric. We saw ice caves, waterfalls and ice pools; we couldn't stop smiling for the entire trip. Who knew there were so many shades of blue?! After removing crampons we hiked back the way we came and took the catamaran in front of the glacier for a final view. I won't spoil the extra surprises! We returned back to El Calafate by around 6.30/7pm. I'll also share a few other bits of information that I wanted to know before starting the trip: What to wear We wore baselayer bottoms underneath waterproof pants. On top we were mostly in our baselayers when hiking, and had to regularly take on or off soft/hard shells. You get warm while walking, but it quickly becomes cold especially when the wind hits. Toilets! There were proper toilets at the balconies and the huts before starting the hike. There are also pit toilets near the crampon station. The trip was very well organised, all the guides were full of interesting facts, useful tips and tricks and were so supportive to everyone. We cannot recommend this enough, it was worth every penny and we will treasure this experience for the rest of our lives. Thanks Hielo Aventura for an amazing day.

A must go activity if you will travel to El Calafate. The view is just spectacular and walking inside a mini ice cave is just so much fun. Staffs are friendly and knowledgeable about the history and conditions of the Big Ice. Highly recommended!!

Big Ice trek was one of the most amazing glacier experiences I have ever had. The service provided was excellent by the guides on the ice, the bus driver and the guide on the bus and the boat crew and of course Perito Moreno is amazing - if you are the first group (of 6 a day only - 10 people in a group) on the ice in the morning you have the ice field all for yourself. Go for it! You won't regret!

This tour is actually operates by helio y adventura, their page has a much more detailed description of what you’re doing with pictures. the big ice trek is AMAZING. It’s a solid 11 miles total including 1 hour free time at the viewing point, a 1 mile hike to and from the glacier then about 4-5 miles hiking around the glacier. If you’re in shape do this instead of the mini trek for sure. Pickup happens at hotel around 7am and you’ll get back to town around 7pm. In summer wear some layers, not not a parka, and some water resistant hiking boots with ankle support. You’re gonna be going up/down/up/down constantly... in puddles.

The tour is expensive, but worth the money. All guides were really nice, took care and provided all necessary information. It was a great day!

I went on the Big Ice tour as a solo traveler. One girl in our tour group was very scared and had a hard time keeping up. Our guide, Agustin took her by the hand the whole time and led her as well as the group on a great tour of the glacier. They did a great job making her feel comfortable and safe while making the tour good for everyone else.

We spent over 3 hours on the ice. There was no path - the landscape of the top of the glacier changes too much. In some steep parts the guide just hacked into the ice with a pick to make footholds. The views were constantly breath-taking. We drank ice-cold deep blue glacier water that was the best I ever tasted. Carlos and Adrian were my tour guides, and they were amazing. We went farther than the other groups, learned a bit about glaciers, checked out some sinkholes. They were super experienced and knowledgeable. Highly recommend them. Afterwards, we had whiskey on the boat and chatted more with the new friends we just made. It was a great end to the trip. The only thing is you have to be <50 years old with no medical problems, and I can see why. This is a pretty intense hike. My parents, who did the little ice, would have had difficulty keeping up, and they're very fit in their mid-50s. Average age in my group of 10 was about 24-25.

The full day Big ice Tour was AMAZING. This was the best part of my vacation in Argentina! Our guides were thorough, the equipment was safe, and it was a great chance to learn about this ice field. There is a bit of hiking ~20-30 mins but it is doable, the views from the hike are breathtaking and eating lunch in the middle of the glacier, near the lagoon was spectacular. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys hiking and nature. In the end you get a scotch with a souvenir on the boat :)

The full day big ice tour was INCREDIBLE. Our guides were thorough, the equipment was safe, and it was a great chance to learn about this ice field. There is a lot of hiking but it is very manageable, and eating lunch on the glacier, while drinking from the glacier, was so fun. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys hiking - only thing to note is that hotel pick ups and drop offs do take a little time.

<p>My tour was overbooked and canceled last minute the night before, although they were able to get me rescheduled on the smaller/shorter trek for the same day. </p> <p>The trekking itself was an eye opening experience and tons of fun. Our guides were pretty laid back, and so we were given the freedom to walk around as long as we were within their sights / still in the same general area. The tour dates sell out well in advance though, so call in and ask.</p>

Incredible tour. Not only the place is a delirium but also the entire team and the guides are very cool. Unmissable if you go!

Incredible experience. It's expensive, but worth every penny. It is unique and is in all the details. It is not for everyone, you have to have status, because if not, in addition to putting yourself at risk, you put the entire group behind. It happened to me that one lady couldn't take it anymore and our group advanced much less than the others and the value is the same. Respect the rest, be honest and if you can't, do the mini trekking which is also a nice experience, surely without so much demand.

You can experience the extraordinary in a world surrounded by pure white. The icy ground was shaved away by the molten water, and the river created by the collected currents was an infinitely clear blue. When you take a sip of this water, you can feel the sweetness in the cold, and it is also exceptional.

很累的一天，但其實相當值得。和mini trekking 最大的差別是，big ice的行程可以看到照片中的冰洞（ice cave）。看完冰洞後，會開始爬山，繞到冰河後側，然後才開始爬冰河。最累人的也就是爬山這一段，冰河上可以看到藍色的湖和漂亮的河流，不過這其實mini trekking 也看的到，差別就沒那麼大。

Wonderful experience, the guides of the Perito Moreno Glacier very professional and very good vibe. Everything is perfectly planned and cared for to make trakking safe and unforgettable. Walking on the Glacier is an experience that must certainly be lived

The Big Ice tour is sensational! You need to be available as there is a trail of about 90 minutes each journey. Then walk 3 hours over Perito Moreno. Beautiful!

The glacier is sensational and the big ice seemed to me very worth it, but the guide Eduardo spoiled the experience wanting to do everything very quickly, I could not appreciate the way as I wanted, because everything seemed to be done in a lot of hurry, and the other group that was also doing the big ice arrived 40 minutes after us.

It's a scam! We paid over 350 dollars and when we arrived we found out that it was one of the cheapest excursions and that buying it in Calafate cost less than 90 per person. We weren’t told that we had to pay separate entrance fees to Los Glaciares National Park. Although we had already paid and had the tickets, when we arrived we were one hour and twenty minutes (80 minutes) standing in the cold and wind queuing to allow us to get on the boat Glaciers are beautiful, obviously.

The excursion is amazing and worth it... We contract directly with Ice and Adventure very punctual and professional. The guide saw that the group could almost did not give us rest and we were the group that reached further into the glacier. The amazing views! Eye can only be made under 50 and over 18 years old for that insurance.

We were extremely disappointed to receive an email the day before the excursion, telling us that we could not have places for it. It has been 6 months now, and no refund has been made to us despite our many messages.

I did with Enterprise H&A - Hielo y Aventura and I don't regret it. Worth every penny. It is indescribable to know that I walked over that so impressive natural monument, known worldwide. An experience I will never forget. It was exhausting, especially since I came from circuit W (5 days of trekking in Torres Del Paine). At the end the Enterprise gave a metal memorial keypad (a pin). Before the ice, have a good walk on land, marking the glacier. There we put the clamps and only after we go for ice.

Undoubtedly, a must if you go to El Calafate. Walking on the glacier so imposing is something that is never forgotten.

Very good experience, the landscape is magical, amazing views... in short a dream. The staff of the Ice and Adventure Enterprise are very friendly, during the excursion I had a problem with my knee and the guides were very attentive and helped me complete the excursion. The staff was very attentive to my health and even accompanied me to the hospital. Highly recommended, if they have the disposition and physical condition, do not hesitate to make the excursion, for sure, they will not regret it.

This is a three-hour day boat trip and glacier trekking tour. If you are under 50, you had better participate without hesitation. It was a great memory.

This tour has many physical constraints as it is exhausting and requires good physical condition from the traveler. We started with a view of the Perito Moreno from the shelves, then we took a boat and had 1 hour walk in the forest that slopes the glacier. We walked the Perito Moreno for 3 hours with clamps on the boots, which is pretty tired because it seems that we are marching to firm the clamps on the ice. Each takes his snack and we eat on ice. Then another hour to return to the glacier. On top of the ice there are several pools and varied shapes of blue color that form beautiful landscapes. I found it very special and made it all worth it!!!

This excursion has the merit of combining a small boat crossing that allows to approach the glaciers and its possible collapse, and an excursion on the glacier itself. The hike itself is a bit sporty, and guides allow themselves to refuse people whose physical abilities they doubt (which in this case can be very frustrating). It is therefore necessary to check at the time of booking the excursion that you can make the whole. On site, the show is grandiose, in the middle of nowhere, totally surrounded by the peaks of the glacier and the surrounding mountains. Provide good shoes (cleats are provided), gloves and sunglasses (very bright when there is sun). To do absolutely!!

When comparing the description of mini trekking and Big Ice it seemed to me that the only difference was the time spent on the ice. I didn't. We start like this: 1 hour on the walkways, we crossed the lake by boat, after a moment to go to the toilets we walked along a wooden path between the grove and reached the shores of the glacier. Those who did the mini-trekking went up there on the ice, but we needed a place that allows us to go into the glacier so we had to do a hike that starts ascending a steep slope and continues down the brunette. The first stretch made me tired, especially since I came from doing the Glacier South Adventure tour that involves walking about 6 hours in different types of terrain. Big mistake. Especially considering I'm not an athlete and I had my backpack loaded. But it was worth it. Once on the ice, the tiredness and wind no longer mattered, which was especially strong that day but then calmed down quite a bit. Going up and down the ice walls is priceless. The guide also contributed his experience and knowledge.