Glacier Hikes Worth Flying For: Our Top 9

1.Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking Tour and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 805 reviews · 5 - 11 hours · from $396Our pick

This full-day Perito Moreno outing combines a boat crossing, about an hour on the glacier with crampons, forest walking, and the famous boardwalks. Guides such as Mariana, Marcelo, Nicolas, and Lucia have been praised for clear explanations and calm support. Transport from El Calafate may be added, and the national park fee is extra.

“I had an amazing time on the Perito Moreno Glacier trekking tour! The weather was beautiful for most of the day, with just a little light rain here and there—nothing that took away from the experience. The glacier itself is absolutely breathtaking, and getting to walk on it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and fun, and the entire staff was warm, organized, and made everyone feel safe and comfortable. From the boat ride to the trek and all the little details in between, everything was well-run and exceeded my expectations. I would 100% recommend this tour to anyone visiting El Calafate. Truly a 10/10…”

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2.Skaftafell Glacier Hike – Small Group Trek on Vatnajökull

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 158 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $168Top rated

Spend about five hours hiking Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, on uneven trails and blue ice. Your certified guide leads a group of up to 12, explains Iceland’s geology, fits your crampons and safety gear, and takes you by 4x4 bus from Skaftafell to the glacier. Expect a real uphill hike, not a short walk on flat ice.

“We are lucky enough to have visited some special places, this experience rates up there with the best of them. Difficult to put into words how spectacular a glacier is up close. Our guide Uri was fantastic very knowledgeable and was so enthusiastic. At all times he was extremely conscious of our wellbeing and safety. You will be on your feet for over 5 hours walking up steep uneven terrain in crampons. We felt as though we had done a full days skiing at the end. You do need a reasonable level of fitness and flexibility. The aching limps are a small price to pay for this wonderful trip. We…”

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3.Trekking to Vinciguerra glacier and Tempanos lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 127 reviews · 8 hours · from $149

Join Arpon Trekking for an eight-hour, small-group hike from Ushuaia to Vinciguerra Glacier and Los Tempanos Lagoon. You will cross forest, river valleys, mud, snow, and high mountain ground over 14 km. English and Spanish guides, hotel transfers, lunch, poles, and crampons when needed are included. Guides have included Mauro, Luca, Nicholas, and Leo.

“Great hike and great guide (Nicholas). Only two of us and they said they’d have done the tour even if just one person booked it. Enjoyed this considerably more than my tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park the day before”

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4.Small group Trekking to Vinciguerra Glacier and Témpanos Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $149

Trek from Ushuaia through Fuegian forest to Témpanos Lagoon and Vinciguerra Glacier with a guide such as Gisela, Violeta, Leo, or Marissa. The 8-hour trip covers steep, muddy, rocky ground, includes transport, lunch, snacks, and trekking gear when needed, and suits fit hikers ready for changing weather.

“Hiking to the glacier was amazing. Such a beautiful hike, the guide was amazing and went above and beyond. Packed us soup and coffee/tea for the top. We weren’t able to go into the glacier cave because it was unsafe due to the melt but still very pretty.”

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5.Laka Glacier Trek with Manu Adventures India

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $74Best value

This private three-day trek from Bhagsu Nag climbs through Triund to Laka Got Glacier, around 3,300 meters. Guides including Manu, Ranji, Ranu, and Shivam handle camp support, meals, and route guidance, while ponies may carry the gear. You will camp twice, walk at a steady pace, and may find snow for photos and snowman building.

“Excellent experience. We had lots of fun. It is a beautiful walk with incredible views throughout the journey. Manu and the crew are super friendly, accommodating and professional. We were looked after with amazing meals and warm camping Read more”

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6.Matanuska Glacier Adventure Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 6 hours · from $225

Walk deep into the Matanuska Glacier with NOVA Alaska Guides on a six-hour trek for up to four guests per guide. You need to handle six or more miles, uneven ice, and steep climbs. Guides such as Thomas and Betsy may tailor the route to your group, with rappelling sometimes included.

“The guide was very informative and friendly. Made sure all the folks in the group enjoyed the hike. The rappelling with the hike is added fun.”

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7.Matanuska Glacier Ice Fall Trek

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $299

Leave Anchorage at 7:00 am for a guided three-hour trek on Matanuska Glacier. Your guide handles the route and teaches you how to walk on ice while you see crevasses, seracs, and blue ice. Morgan, Arthur, and Albert have led or supported recent outings. Gear, snacks, water, and transport are included.

“Arthur was a great tour guide and driver. He is very knowledgeable about all things Alaska. The handoff of mica tours for the ice trek was seamless. Highly recommend.”

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8.Glacier Cruise & Trekking at Estancia Cristina

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 5 reviews · 12 hours · from $342

You’ll leave central El Calafate at 7:00 AM, cruise Lago Argentino among icebergs toward the distant Upsala Glacier, then visit Estancia Cristina. A guide leads a 30-minute walk to the Caterina River and chapel, with time for the former shearing shed museum, lunch, and the ranch grounds. English, Spanish, and Portuguese support is available.

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9.Matanuska Glacier Adventure Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $225

Join NOVA Alaska Guides near Glacier View for a demanding six-hour trek across Matanuska Glacier. You’ll hike more than six miles, use crampons, and may rappel into a crevasse before climbing out with hand ropes. No prior glacier experience is needed, but solid fitness is essential. Groups are limited to a guide-to-client ratio of 1:4.

“As an active below knee amputee, I kept my expectations low, as hiking and repelling down a glacier is definitely far beyond anything I have tried in 15 years. Our guide Ben, was amazing. Ben called me approximately two weeks before our trip to discuss my abilities and any challenges that I thought I may experience. By the time the call was over, I was confident that Ben would provide an excellent experience. On the day of the hike, Ben and I spoke prior to check-in. We went over equipment and expectations. As an avid hiker, we both agreed the hiking part would be easy, it was the unknown repelling…”

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