Hello! I'm going to share my experience here since the thread seems a bit quiet. I just returned from El Calafate, where I did the Mini-Trekking excursion on the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Todo Glaciares navigation to see the Spegazzini and Upsala glaciers.
The Mini-Trekking excursion needs to be booked well in advance because spots fill up quickly. I booked mine 20 days in advance and almost missed out because there was only availability for the last day I was in Calafate. The only company that offers this excursion is Hielo y Aventura. You can book it through their website (
https://www.hieloyaventura.com/) or through certified agencies like Patagonia Chic and Patagonia Dreams. They all sell it at the same price since Hielo y Aventura offers discounts to wholesalers so they can sell it at the same price (check before buying).
The excursion departs from Puerto Bajo las Sombras in the National Park (80 km from Calafate). Before reaching the port, you'll arrive at the park entrance gate, where park rangers will collect the entrance fee based on age, nationality, or senior status. They'll ask for this fee again at the port to verify payment, and it's valid for two more days, offering a 50% discount if you need to return for another excursion or to continue exploring.
Our group thoroughly enjoyed the Mini-Trekking excursion. We departed by boat or catamaran, depending on the group, for about 20 minutes to cross the channel. After an introductory talk, we walked to the domes where they fitted us with crampons, about an hour along the lake shore, getting closer to the glacier.
There, friendly guides fitted us with crampons, and the boat group divided into small groups of 10 or 12 members. We began ascending the glacier along paths already marked by the guides. Each group was accompanied by two guides. It seemed challenging at first, but the crampons provided excellent traction, and the guides set a good pace, making occasional stops to explain fascinating things about the glacier and allowing us to catch our breath if needed. We ascended in some parts, walked on flat terrain in others, and even entered a crevice, which was a lucky find as the routes are adapted based on what the glacier offers since it continually changes. The glacier walk lasted approximately an hour, and it was very enjoyable and surprising. It's a circular walk that returns to the starting point. After removing the crampons, we began the return walk to the boat, but this time, instead of along the stone shoreline, we walked through the forest above on a wooden walkway among beautiful trees, taking about 40 minutes.
Then, we returned to the port by boat. In total, it took about 4 hours; we departed at 3:00 pm and returned a few minutes before 7:00 pm.
A friend of ours did the Safari Azul because she didn't feel comfortable walking on the ice, although she regretted it afterward. The excursion is essentially the same, except she got closer to the glacier ice but didn't walk on it, and she arrived half an hour before us at the port.
Other people we met later did the Safari Azul because they couldn't book the Mini-Trekking in advance. So, the Safari Azul is the alternative to the Mini-Trekking, the closest option if the Mini-Trekking isn't available.
The walkways with views of the Perito Moreno Glacier are about 5 km further from Puerto Bajo las Sombras. Since they're in the same direction and about an hour from Calafate, you can plan to visit them on the same day.
We reached there by rental car (we rented one in Calafate), parked in the parking lot, and then took a free bus to the walkways to save some walking distance.
Where the bus drops you off, there's a spacious, enclosed, heated area with tables, chairs, microwaves, and bathrooms where you can comfortably eat your own food. There's also a kiosk-style shop selling some groceries, drinks, and souvenirs.
