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Bajo de las Sombras · Shore path

Blue Safari, beside the ice instead of on it

A boat, a shore path to the south face and time on the walkways, for ages 6 to 70.

This trip
Blue Safari, boat and shore path to the south face
Hielo y Aventura Blue Safari, boat and shore path to the south face
  • 3 to 9 hours, depending on the option
  • Age limit: 6 to 70
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start
★ 4.9 (120) from $117
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The Blue Safari fills the gap between a boat trip and an ice trek. Hielo y Aventura crosses the Brazo Rico from Bajo de las Sombras, and from the landing a path of about 1.5 km follows the shore to the south face, where you can put a hand on the glacier. You do not walk on the ice or wear crampons, which is why its age window is wider than that of the ice treks: 6 to 70.

Book the Blue Safari

Each card lists port, ice face, age limit, season and what the listing says about the park fee. Open it for the full details.

Blue Safari, boat and shore path to the south face
Hielo y Aventura

Blue Safari, boat and shore path to the south face

Close enough to touch the ice, without crampons and without walking on the glacier.

  • Duration: 3 to 9 hours, depending on the option
  • Port: Puerto Bajo de las Sombras
  • Ice face or route: South face, reached on a 1.5 km shore path
  • Hotel pickup: Hotel pickup in El Calafate
  • Age limit: 6 to 70
  • Park fee: Not included

✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from $117 ★ 4.9 (120 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full trip details

About this trip

The boat crosses the Brazo Rico, then a path of about 1.5 km along the shore leads to the south face, close enough to put a hand on the ice. This is not an ice trek: you stay beside the glacier, not on it.

The day also plans about two hours on the walkways. The operator does not take guests under 6 or over 70.

Facts from the product page on the booking platform and the operators’ own information, checked in October 2026.

One step shorter, one step further

The Safari Náutico keeps you on the boat for an hour; the Minitrekking puts you on the ice with crampons from age 8. Both leave from the same pier.

Safari Náutico, one hour in front of the south face
Hielo y Aventura

Safari Náutico, one hour in front of the south face

The classic short boat trip, run by the operator that also runs the ice treks.

  • Duration: About 1 hour on the boat
  • Port: Puerto Bajo de las Sombras
  • Ice face or route: South face of the Perito Moreno
  • Season: Year-round
  • Hotel pickup: Not clear: a transfer to the park is listed, hotel pickup is not
  • Age limit: Not stated
  • Park fee: Not included

✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from $67 ★ 4.6 (13 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full trip details

About this trip

Hielo y Aventura sails from its own pier at Bajo de las Sombras on route 11, about 7 km before the glacier, across the Brazo Rico to the south face of the Perito Moreno. The boat spends about an hour in front of the ice.

The listing names a transfer to the national park but no hotel pickup, so check how you reach the pier. Reviewers mention other passengers blocking the best photo spots on deck.

Know before you go

  • Departures listed by the local tourism portal include 10:00, 11:30, 13:00 and 14:30
  • The park entrance is not included; buy the pass online or pay at the gate on the way to the pier

Facts from the product page on the booking platform and the operators’ own information, checked in October 2026.

Minitrekking on the Perito Moreno with crampons
Hielo y Aventura

Minitrekking on the Perito Moreno with crampons

Sold by Hielo y Aventura, the company that runs the Minitrekking.

  • Duration: 4.5 to 10 hours, depending on the option
  • Port: Puerto Bajo de las Sombras
  • Ice face or route: Guided ice walk on the glacier, with crampons
  • Season: Sources differ; main season October to April
  • Hotel pickup: Hotel pickup in El Calafate
  • Age limit: 8 to 65, no exceptions
  • Park fee: Not included

✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from $330 ★ 4.8 (33 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full trip details

About this trip

Hielo y Aventura runs the Minitrekking: a boat from Bajo de las Sombras across the Brazo Rico, then a guided walk on the glacier with crampons.

The age window of 8 to 65 is applied without exceptions. Guests aged 8 to 17 need written permission from their parents, and every guest fills in a medical form.

Know before you go

  • Medical form required for every participant
  • Ages 8 to 17 only with written parental permission

Facts from the product page on the booking platform and the operators’ own information, checked in October 2026.

Who the Blue Safari suits

Families with children aged 6 or 7, who are too young for the Minitrekking, and travellers between 66 and 70, who are past its upper limit, are the obvious group. It also suits anyone who wants to stand at the ice without the effort and the medical form of a trek. If you expect a real hike, look elsewhere: one reviewer had hoped for a longer walk.

From hotel to the south face

Hotel pickup in El Calafate is included. The day runs from about three to nine hours depending on the option, and it plans around two hours on the walkways as well as the boat and the shore path. The park entrance is not included; you pass the gate on the drive in, so buy the pass beforehand or pay at the gate.

Language on the bus

A reviewer found that the guide on the bus spoke no English, which made the commentary on the way frustrating, even though the activity itself went well. If English commentary matters to you, check the language options on the booking page before you pay.

Blue Safari, Safari Náutico or Minitrekking

TripAgesClosest to the icePickup
Safari NáuticoNot statedFrom the boatNot clear
Blue Safari6 to 70Hand on the iceHotel pickup
Minitrekking8 to 65On the glacierHotel pickup

All three are run by Hielo y Aventura and leave from its pier at Bajo de las Sombras. The Safari Náutico is the only one of them that sails all year.

Reviews from the Blue Safari

Reviewers value being close to the glacier and the organised transport. Both three-star reviews point to expectations: a longer walk than the shore path offers, and English commentary on the bus.

“This was the best adventure you could take. Not only did they take care of everything with transportation but the amount of knowledge of nature wonder was excellent”
Johnny · United States · May 2026 Blue Safari · Hielo y Aventura
“Fair for the price but I expected a longer walking and a variety of drinks.”
Verified traveler · Argentina · March 2026 Blue Safari · Hielo y Aventura
“Everything was fine and we enjoyed the activity but our bus tour guide could not speak english!! It was extremely frustrating! …”
Carolee · United States · February 2026 Blue Safari · Hielo y Aventura

Reviews by travellers after their day on the lake, from GetYourGuide.

FAQ

Do you walk on the glacier on the Blue Safari?

No. A shore path of about 1.5 km leads to the south face, close enough to touch the ice, but you stay beside the glacier. Walking on it with crampons is the Minitrekking.

What is the age limit for the Blue Safari?

6 to 70, wider than the 8 to 65 of the Minitrekking and the 18 to 50 of Big Ice.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup in El Calafate is included. The day also plans about two hours on the walkways.

Is the park fee included in the Blue Safari?

No. The listing puts the national park entrance under not included. Buy the pass online or pay at the gate.

Related on this site

Safari Náutico

One hour on the boat in front of the south face.

Minitrekking or Big Ice

The two treks on the ice and their age limits.

All boat trips compared

From the one-hour boats to the full-day cruises.

Compare the Blue Safari with every other trip

Ice face, duration and age limit across the lake.

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