Minitrekking or Big Ice at Perito Moreno: differences, requirements and prices
Quick answer: The minitrekking is the short walk (about 60 minutes on the ice, moderate difficulty, minimum age of 8); the Big Ice is the long day (about 3 hours on the ice, 12 km, high difficulty, minimum age of 18). The data comes from the Nomades listings of November 5, 2026 and the Big Ice price is higher.
Updated November 4, 2026.
Side-by-side comparison
| Minitrekking | Big Ice | |
|---|---|---|
| Total duration | 9 hours (08:00 to 17:00) | 12 hours (07:00 to 19:00) |
| Time on the ice | Approx. 1 hour | Approx. 3 hours, 12 km |
| Difficulty | Moderate, no previous experience | High, for good physical condition and trekking experience |
| Age | Minimum 8 years; not for people over 65 | Minimum 18 years; not for people over 50 |
| Not allowed | Knee problems, limb prosthesis, pregnancy | Knee problems, limb prosthesis, pregnancy |
| Includes | Guide, crampons, shared transfer | Bilingual guide, crampons, boat ride, shared transfer |
| Not included | Park entry and meals | Park entry and meals |
| Season | All year | September to April |
| Reference price per adult | US$ 322 | US$ 405 |
Conditions from the Nomades listings checked on November 5, 2026; other operators' conditions may differ. Prices are the site's reference prices, checked on November 4, 2026.
Which one to choose
Minitrekking: if it is your first time on a glacier, you travel with someone under 18 or over 50, or you want a shorter day. Big Ice: if you are in good physical shape, have trekked before and want to spend several hours on the ice. If you have knee problems, are pregnant or use a limb prosthesis, neither is an option according to Nomades; the walkways or the boat are alternatives without walking on the ice (see the Perito Moreno guide).
Park entry
Neither includes entry to Los Glaciares National Park: the General daily pass rate is ARS $50,000 since June 1, 2026, according to the National Parks. Nomades recommends buying the entry ticket online one day in advance on the official sales site.
The tours on the list
| Tour | Place | Reference price |
|---|---|---|
| Perito Moreno mini-trek | El Calafate | from US$ 322 |
| Big Ice on Perito Moreno + boat | El Calafate | US$ 405 |
| Boat to Perito Moreno's south face | El Calafate | US$ 51 |
| Perito Moreno Glacier tour | El Calafate | from US$ 55 |
Per-adult reference prices, converted from reais and checked on the partners' pages on November 4, 2026. They may change.
What we do not know
Other operators and blogs cite different age ranges and durations. The Nomades minitrekking listing also shows inconsistent data (for example, 1 hour and 1.5 hours on the ice), which is why we write "approx.". Always confirm the conditions with the operator before you book.
Quick questions
What is the minimum age for the minitrekking?
Nomades states 8 years as the minimum and does not allow the minitrekking for people over 65. Other operators may set different limits.
How long does the Big Ice last?
The Nomades listing states 12 hours in total (07:00 to 19:00) and about 3 hours of walking on the ice, over a 12 km route.
Is park entry included?
No, in neither one according to Nomades. The park's General rate is ARS $50,000 per day since June 1, 2026 (National Parks).
Which one is cheaper?
The minitrekking: US$ 322 reference price against US$ 405 for the Big Ice with a boat.
