Big Ice is a 12-hour day from El Calafate with three to four hours far out on the glacier, for fit adults aged 18–50. It runs September to April and costs $459 to $650.
The longest day you can spend on the Perito Moreno ice — and the cheapest per hour on it.
Four listings sell Big Ice. They walk the same terrain; the differences are the seller, the group size and what surrounds the trek. The cheapest is $459 with transfer; the most-reviewed one costs $588 and caps groups at 10.
Prices — GetYourGuide, adult, checked Nov 2026.
Three of the four listings include transfer from your El Calafate hotel; only Tangol's sells a cheaper option where you meet at the port. On the dates we checked, Hielo y Aventura's no-transfer option was sold out.
Big Ice is the longest day you can spend on the glacier: pick-up from 6:45, back around 19:00. The trek starts with a climb along the lateral moraine, then the group puts on crampons and harnesses and walks deep onto the ice, where the surface turns into ridges, deep crevasses, sinkholes and caves.
El Calafate, 6:45–7:30.
80 km; the gate checks your ticket.
To the south face.
To the edge of the ice.
Crevasses, lagoons, caves; lunch on the ice.
The last group of the day.
Only if you are 18–50 and walk for a full day without trouble. Operators describe the physical demand as high: about 7.5 hours of walking, partly on uneven ice with crampons. They ask for a medical form before the trek and refuse anyone with heart or breathing conditions, recent surgery, back problems or a low level of fitness.
November 2026: Big Ice is running — September to April, the warmer half of the Patagonian year.
Big Ice for the full glacier experience; Minitrekking 2 if you are 51–55 or want a shorter day. Minitrekking 2 is two hours on the ice, 5–5.5 km, a waterfall and an afternoon finish, from $370. Big Ice goes further onto the glacier for twice as long and costs at least $89 more.
Four things catch people out — each has a simple fix.
About three to four hours on the ice inside a 12-hour day from El Calafate, or 7.5 hours from the port when a no-transfer option is available.
Much harder. Big Ice adds a moraine climb and several hours on uneven ice in crampons and a harness; operators rate it high in physical demand, while Minitrekking is moderate.
The operator sets 18–50 for the effort and the terrain; it is checked at the port against your passport and has no exceptions.
No. Big Ice runs September to April. From May to August only Minitrekking runs on the glacier.
No listing includes lunch; you eat a packed lunch on the glacier. Bring water too.
Waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, waterproof hiking boots, a 40-litre backpack, gloves, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Big Ice runs September to April — check your date first.
Dates and prices on GetYourGuide — Big Ice with transfer.
Hike formats
Minitrekking 8 hikesMinitrekking 2 2 hikesBig Ice 4 hikesGuides
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