El Calafate to Los Glaciares National Park - Perito Moreno Glacier Trek, El Calafate

Los Glaciares National Park, located in the Santa Cruz province of southern Argentina, covers nearly 1.5 million acres and is home to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. It's a Unesco World Heritage Site that draws hundreds of thousands of international visitors each year. They come to view some of the 47 glaciers found here, including the most epic of them all: Perito Moreno.

This glacier has a 250 square-km (96-square-mile) surface area with massive 60-meter-high walls that run five km (three miles) along the southwest arm of Lago Argentino. Staring at it from one of the many viewing platforms nearby, you can witness "calving," the awe-inspiring sight of ice breaking off the facade and crashing into the tranquil waters below. Every time ice hits the water a thundering crash reverberates in the ears. 

Believe it or not, this excursion involves trekking on top of Perito Moreno. It's a full-day trip walking over the ice while fully equipped with crampons and an ice ax. And while traversing this glacier is certainly an active adventure, it's perfectly safe as you'll be accompanied by certified bilingual guides. So enjoy crossing deep blue ice crevices and hiking over meltwater streams as you experience Perito Moreno up close.