Blue Safari: ride near Perito Moreno

A glacier can make a quiet day feel enormous. Blue Safari combines a short boat ride, a guided coastal hike, and close views of Perito Moreno Glacier before giving you two hours on the famous walkways. I especially like the 20-minute crossing of Lake Rico and the chance to see the glacier from water level, not only from a distant platform. I also like that the day includes both an active hike and free time at the walkways.

The main drawback is cost: $304 per person, with the park entrance and lunch still extra. The tour operator has also caused concern with last-minute changes on another glacier activity, so I would confirm the Blue Safari booking directly and keep your plans flexible.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different glacier views: You hike along the south side of Lake Rico, then sail close to the glacier wall.
• A 1.5-kilometer hike: Expect sand, stones, stairs, forest, and about 1.5 hours on foot.
• Two hours at the walkways: You have time to explore the viewing routes and eat a packed lunch.
• The $304 price is not all-inclusive: Park admission, food, and drinks cost extra.
• A small but not tiny group: The maximum is 40 people, with hotel pickup from central El Calafate.
• Guide quality matters: Camila and Eduardo received especially warm praise for their work around the glacier.

What Blue Safari actually offers

Blue Safari is a full-day outing from El Calafate to Perito Moreno Glacier. The day lasts about eight hours and begins around 8:00 a.m. with a bus ride toward Los Glaciares National Park.

This is not an ice-trekking trip. You do not walk across the glacier itself. Instead, you cross Lake Rico, hike along the opposite shore, approach the glacier from the south, and then sail near its ice wall. That distinction matters. If your main goal is to walk on blue ice with crampons, this is the wrong product. If you want several close views without committing to a demanding glacier expedition, it makes much more sense.

The experience combines transport, guiding, a short boat trip, a moderate hike, and time at the standard Perito Moreno walkways. You get variety, but you also spend much of the day moving between parts of the park. I see that as a fair trade for the different angles.

The morning bus ride from El Calafate

Pickup begins at central hotels with a reception desk. If you stay in a temporary rental or at a property without reception, the company assigns a nearby meeting point. Confirm this before the morning of departure, since an apartment address may not be enough for hotel pickup.

The bus first heads toward Los Glaciares National Park. The first major access point is Puerto Bajo de las Sombras, located about 7 kilometers from the main glacier walkways. The port is important because this is where you leave the road and cross Lake Rico.

A maximum group size of 40 people keeps the price lower than a private outing, but it is still a fairly large group for a hike. You should expect some waiting as people board the boat, gather for instructions, and move along the trail. The guide’s ability to keep the group together makes a real difference here. The bus guide received strong praise for explaining the area clearly, and Camila and Eduardo were singled out for their work near the glacier.

Crossing Lake Rico in 20 minutes

The boat ride lasts about 20 minutes. You cross between floating pieces of ice on clear water, with the glacier area coming closer as the boat reaches the far shore.

This is a short ride, not a full lake cruise. Its value is practical as well as scenic: it gets you to the less accessible side of the glacier and begins the day with a strong sense of distance and scale. The floating ice gives you an immediate reminder that the glacier is active, not a frozen wall placed behind a railing.

Boat time can feel brief, especially if you want photographs from every angle. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire crossing looking at a screen. The best part of this experience is the changing relationship between water, ice, and forest. You will have more photo time later.

Hiking the south side for 1.5 kilometers

After leaving the boat, you follow a nature trail through native forest and sandy ground. The route covers about 1.5 kilometers along the shore and takes roughly 1.5 hours in total, including stops and time near the glacier.

The first section lasts about 30 minutes. The south wall of Perito Moreno Glacier remains in view as you walk, and the scenery changes at each bend. Blue ice, strange formations, and the occasional loud crack or rumble give the route its character. That sound may signal ice breaking somewhere on the glacier, though you cannot count on seeing a major collapse during your visit.

The trail is not a flat promenade. You should be prepared for sand, stones, and stairs. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, so comfortable shoes are essential. The description does not promise an easy, smooth path, and you should take that seriously if stairs or uneven ground are difficult for you.

At the closest point, you have time to stop, take photographs, and look closely at the glacier’s shapes. This is where the tour earns its name. You are not merely viewing Perito Moreno from a distant boardwalk. You are approaching its south wall on foot, with the ice filling your view across the water and shore.

Seeing the glacier from the boat

The group returns to the boat for another 20-minute sailing, this time passing very close to the glacier’s south wall. From the water, you can see crevasses, suspended blocks, and the height of the ice more clearly than from the trail.

This second boat ride is one of the strongest parts of the day. The walk gives you texture and atmosphere. The boat gives you scale. From below, the glacier can feel less like a scenic backdrop and more like a moving mass of ice.

Still, the ride is short. Do not book Blue Safari expecting a long cruise with a full commentary program. The boat is used to position you close to the glacier, and the hike is the main active part of the experience. Weather also affects the quality of the view, which is why the activity requires good conditions.

Two hours on the Perito Moreno walkways

After returning to the port, the bus takes you to the famous Perito Moreno walkways. You have about two hours to explore at your own pace.

This portion adds a useful contrast. The earlier hike brings you close to the south wall through forest and shore. The walkways give you broader panoramic views and multiple angles on the glacier. You can move between viewing routes, pause at the railings, and wait for the sound of cracking ice.

The two-hour limit is enough for a focused visit, but it is not unlimited. If you stop often for photographs, you may need to choose which sections matter most. The tour includes lunch time at the walkways, but food and drinks are not provided. The practical choice is to bring lunch from El Calafate rather than hope to find a convenient meal during the day.

This is also the least flexible part of a group tour. You must return to the bus at the assigned time. Keep an eye on your watch, especially if the glacier is active and you are tempted to wait for another ice fall.

Is $304 a fair price?

At $304 per person, Blue Safari is expensive. The price includes round-trip transport from central El Calafate hotels, the boat crossings, the hike, guiding, and time at the walkways. It does not include the entrance fee to Los Glaciares National Park, lunch, or drinks.

The value depends on how you would otherwise arrange the day. You are paying for access to a different side of Perito Moreno, plus the logistics of reaching the port, crossing the lake, returning to the bus, and visiting the walkways. For someone who wants one organized day with several glacier viewpoints, that package may be worthwhile.

The value is weaker if you mainly want the standard walkways. In that case, a simpler park visit may provide enough glacier scenery for less money. Blue Safari makes the most sense for you if the hike and close boat approach are the reason for going.

Bring Argentine pesos or a Visa card for the park entrance. Mastercard is not accepted for that payment, and you must carry your DNI, passport, or identity card. Since the park fee is extra, budget for it before departure rather than treating the advertised price as the final total.

Guides, group size, and the operator question

Good guiding is especially important on a day with several transfers. You need clear instructions at the port, useful explanations during the walk, and help staying on schedule before the walkways.

Camila and Eduardo were praised for their work at the glacier, while the bus guide was described as well prepared and able to answer questions. That personal touch can turn a beautiful but confusing day into a much better one. If your guide gives useful explanations, a tip is appropriate in the local custom, even though it is not included in the price.

The maximum group size is 40 people. That is manageable, but do not expect the quiet pace of a private guide. You may be walking with people at different speeds, and the group must follow the same schedule for the boat and bus.

There is also an important booking caution. A separate ice-trekking reservation made months ahead was canceled only two weeks before departure because the operator said no space remained. That complaint concerned another activity, not the Blue Safari itinerary itself, but it raises a fair concern about confirmation procedures. I would contact Patagonia Dreams before your cancellation deadline and ask them to confirm the exact activity, date, pickup point, and boat space. For the most direct confirmation, booking with Hielo & Aventura may be worth considering.

Fitness, age limits, and what to pack

The official age limits are clear: children under 6 and people over 70 cannot participate. Everyone else should have moderate physical fitness.

The route includes sand, stones, stairs, and 1.5 kilometers of walking. Wear shoes with good grip and bring clothing suitable for changing weather. The supplied details do not specify a gear list, so I would avoid assuming that equipment is provided.

You should bring:

• Passport, DNI, or identity card for the park entrance
• Argentine pesos or a Visa card for the park fee
• Lunch and drinks from El Calafate
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A camera, while leaving time to watch rather than only photograph

Because the experience depends on good weather, your plans should allow some flexibility. If poor weather cancels the activity, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy Blue Safari most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want more than a bus ride to the standard viewing decks. The hike and boat approach add real variety, and you get to see the glacier from shore, water, and panoramic walkways in one day.

It suits active adults who can manage uneven ground and stairs but do not want a technical ice expedition. It also works well for first-time visitors with only one full day available for Perito Moreno, since transport and the main activities are arranged together.

I would hesitate if you dislike group schedules, need a slow and fully accessible route, or are mainly interested in walking on the glacier. I would also compare the price carefully if you have already planned separate transport to the park.

The experience has received an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 from 13 ratings. The strongest praise centers on the glacier itself, the clear explanations from the guides, and the appeal of getting close by boat. The main warning concerns the reliability of the booking company, not the natural experience.

Should you book Blue Safari?

Book it if you want a full day built around close contact with Perito Moreno Glacier without taking an ice-trekking course. The combination of Lake Rico, the south-side hike, the near-wall boat ride, and two hours at the walkways gives you more variety than a standard viewing visit.

Before paying, confirm your reservation directly, check the pickup arrangement, and add the park entrance and packed lunch to your budget. If those conditions work for you, Blue Safari offers a memorable and active way to meet one of Patagonia’s great natural sights.

FAQ

How long does Blue Safari last?

The experience lasts approximately 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip pickup is included for central El Calafate accommodations with a reception desk. If you stay in a temporary rental or a property without reception, you will receive a nearby meeting point.

How long is the boat ride?

The boat crossing of Lake Rico takes about 20 minutes. A second sailing near the glacier’s south wall also takes about 20 minutes.

How long is the hike?

The hike covers about 1.5 kilometers and takes approximately 1.5 hours, including time to stop near the glacier.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. You can bring lunch from El Calafate for the time at the walkways.

Is the national park entrance included?

No. The entrance to Los Glaciares National Park is separate from the tour price.

How can I pay the park entrance?

You can pay in cash or with a Visa card in Argentine pesos when you arrive at the park. Mastercard is not accepted. Bring your DNI, passport, or identity card.

Can children and older adults join?

Children under 6 and people over 70 cannot participate. Participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness.