The Perito Moreno Glacier, also known as Francisco Gormaz or Bismarck, is a stunning glacier located in Argentine Patagonia, in the province of Santa Cruz, at the southern tip of the country. Here, extreme cold and vast ice fields embrace everything, and while many describe it as harsh, every visitor leaves mesmerized by its breathtaking views.
Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentine Patagonia’s frozen jewel
The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its majestic presence spans 250 km² and is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the sub-Antarctic forests.
Its vast size extends across Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina—where it stands as the star attraction—and Bernardo O’Higgins National Park in Chile.
The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few glaciers in the world that continues to grow. Due to the immense pressure within this massive body of ice, water seeps through, forming tunnels with domes over 50 meters (164 feet) high. The collapse of these ice arches is a rare natural spectacle and one of the park’s main attractions, drawing visitors from all over the world who hope to witness the dramatic fall of enormous ice walls, their thunderous crash echoing across the stunning landscape.
Visiting this masterpiece of nature is an incredible experience at any time of year—winter, summer, spring, or fall. Each season transforms the scenery in a magical way, creating dreamlike views: the winter snow covering everything in white, the golden and mustard hues of autumn, the colorful bloom of spring flowers, and the radiant summer sun. Every season showcases its magnificence.
Being there, experiencing it in both summer and winter, is one of the most incredible moments you can experience, offering some of the most breathtaking landscapes you could ever see.
Thanks to its grandeur, the Perito Moreno Glacier is one of Argentina’s top tourist destinations. Visitors from across the country and around the world come to see this paradise, and leave completely in awe.
There are several ways to explore it: You can observe it from pedestrian walkways leading to viewpoints that offer panoramic views of the entire ice field from different angles. You can take a boat tour to see it up close and feel the damp, cold breeze from the lake. Or, you can walk on the glacier itself, wearing crampons, touching and experiencing its icy surface, and toasting with whiskey and ice freshly carved from the glacier. Cheers to this natural wonder!
Related: Chilean Patagonia Uncharted: Exploring the End of the World