Glaciers are nature’s frozen wonders, captivating travelers with their vast beauty. These massive ice sheets play a key role in our planet’s ecosystem, and their melting due to climate change is a growing concern. Some of the world’s most famous glaciers not only offer stunning landscapes but also attract adventurous travelers. Here, we highlight the top six glaciers, sharing details about their size, visitor numbers, ice loss each year, and how close tourists can get to them.

One of these glaciers will be part of our tour, giving you the chance to experience it firsthand. Read on for more details.

The largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier is a massive and active ice flow in Alaska, known for its frequent and dramatic calving events that attract many cruise passengers each year.

Height: Hubbard Glacier stands at an impressive 1,200 feet (365 meters) above sea level, with a thickness of over 400 meters (1,300 feet).

Tourist Visits: Although remote, Hubbard Glacier draws visitors from Alaskan cruises, attracting around 100,000 people annually.

Melting Rate: As a tidewater glacier, Hubbard experiences a significant amount of calving (where chunks of ice break off). The glacier has been advancing in recent years, but it still loses a substantial volume of ice, with around 2-3 meters of ice loss annually due to calving.

Access: Hubbard Glacier is often viewed from cruise ships as it is located in a more remote area of southeastern Alaska, in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Tourists can get very close, often within a few miles of the glacier, providing an unforgettable view of its massive ice face from the comfort of a boat or cruise liner.

Why It's Special: Hubbard is the largest tidewater glacier in North America and is known for its dramatic calving events, making it one of the most active glaciers on the planet.

Part of the larger Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, Sólheimajökull is a favorite destination for tourists visiting Iceland. It’s a perfect spot for glacier hiking and ice climbing, and it offers an up-close view of the effects of climate change on Iceland’s glaciers.

Height: At around 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level, Sólheimajökull is a part of the much larger Mýrdalsjökull ice cap.

Tourist Visits: Sólheimajökull sees over 150,000 visitors each year, thanks to its proximity to popular Icelandic sites like the Golden Circle and the Black Sand Beach.

Melting Rate: Iceland’s glaciers are retreating rapidly due to climate change, and Sólheimajökull is no exception. The glacier has been retreating by an average of 30-40 meters per year in the past few decades, with some years seeing more than 100 meters lost.

Access: One of the most accessible glaciers in Iceland, tourists can get within a short walk of the ice. Ice climbing, glacier hiking, and snowmobile tours are common, allowing people to explore the glacier’s surface with guides. Visitors can hike to the glacier edge and even walk on the ice with proper equipment.

Why It's Special: Due to its proximity to Iceland’s iconic sites and ease of access, Sólheimajökull is a popular destination for those wishing to experience a glacier up close without long treks or complicated logistics.

Iceland’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, is not only vast but also rich in volcanic activity. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers travelers the chance to explore ice caves, hike on its glaciers, and experience the surrounding dramatic landscapes.

Height: Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe by volume, stands at around 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) at its highest point.

Tourist Visits: Approximately 100,000-150,000 people visit Vatnajökull annually, drawn by its vast size and the surrounding national park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Melting Rate: Vatnajökull has lost significant mass in recent decades. It melts at an average rate of around 3-4 meters of thickness per year, which is indicative of its ongoing retreat due to rising temperatures in Iceland.

Access: Visitors can approach Vatnajökull from several directions, with various guided tours available for glacier hikes, ice caving, and snowmobiling. The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, located at the glacier's edge, allows visitors to take boat tours among icebergs, providing a stunning view of the glacier.

Why It's Special: Vatnajökull is not just a glacier but a vast ice cap that covers about 8% of Iceland’s landmass, encompassing glaciers, volcanoes, and ice caves. Its surrounding environment is rich in geothermal activity, waterfalls, and dramatic landscapes.

Seller Glacier is part of the Greenland Ice Sheet, one of the largest and most important glaciers in the world. Its calving events and rapid retreat make it a focal point of scientific study and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those visiting Greenland.

Height: Seller Glacier is part of the Greenland Ice Sheet, with an elevation ranging from about 1,500 meters (4,920 feet) at the summit to nearly sea level at the glacier's terminus.

Tourist Visits: Greenland is not as frequented by tourists as some other destinations, but Seller Glacier, being accessible by boat or helicopter, attracts a small number of visitors each year, mainly between 5,000 to 10,000.

Melting Rate: The Greenland Ice Sheet is losing ice at an alarming rate, with glaciers like Seller shedding thousands of tons of ice annually. In recent years, melting has been estimated at around 100-150 billion tons per year for the entire ice sheet, with individual glaciers losing 2-5 meters of ice thickness annually.

Access: Seller Glacier is primarily visited by adventurers and scientists, but tourists can take helicopter tours or small boat expeditions to get a close view of the glacier’s dramatic calving events.

Why It's Special: Seller Glacier is one of the most active glaciers in Greenland, contributing significantly to sea level rise. Its sheer size and constant movement make it a fascinating subject for scientific study and an unforgettable sight for those able to visit.

The Bering Glacier, located in the southeastern part of Alaska, is the largest glacier in the United States by volume and one of the largest in North America. It spans over 2,000 square miles (5,180 square kilometers) and has been significantly affected by climate change, experiencing substantial retreat in recent decades.

Height: The Bering Glacier rises up to 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) at its highest point, with much of its ice flow extending through deep valleys and reaching sea level.

Tourist Visits: Due to its remote location in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Bering Glacier does not attract large numbers of tourists. It is mostly visited by scientific expeditions and adventure travelers, with only a few hundred visitors each year.

Melting Rate: The Bering Glacier is retreating rapidly, losing significant ice volume each year. It has receded by several miles over the past few decades, with some estimates suggesting a loss of up to 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) in certain areas annually.

Access: Accessing the Bering Glacier requires specialized trips, often involving small aircraft or boats to navigate its remote location. Once on-site, visitors can explore the glacier by hiking or on guided tours.

Why It's Special: Bering Glacier's vast size and dramatic retreat make it a critical site for studying glacial dynamics and the effects of global warming. Its size and remote beauty also make it an intriguing destination for adventurous travelers and researchers alike.

Perito Moreno is one of the most famous glaciers in Patagonia, known for its stunning beauty and dramatic calving events. Unlike many glaciers, Perito Moreno is advancing, offering visitors a rare glimpse of ice flow dynamics.

Height: Approximately 250 meters (820 feet) above sea level, with about 70 meters (230 feet) of ice visible above the waterline.

Tourist Visits: Around 200,000 to 250,000 visitors annually.

Melting Rate: Perito Moreno has been considered stable compared to other glaciers, though it still experiences periods of advance and retreat. The glacier loses an average of 2-3 meters of ice annually, especially in the warmer summer months.

Access: Visitors can get very close to the glacier. The Perito Moreno is part of the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina, and tourists can walk along designated viewing platforms, some as close as 200 meters from the glacier face. For the more adventurous, ice trekking tours are also available, allowing tourists to walk directly on the glacier with crampons.

Why It's Special: Perito Moreno is one of the few glaciers in the world that is still advancing, making it a rare phenomenon. The glacier’s spectacular ice falls, as chunks of ice collapse into the turquoise waters below, create a memorable experience for every visitor.

For those looking to experience these natural wonders, we’re excited to offer a special opportunity during our tour from February 25 to March 5.

You’ll visit the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina, where you can witness its unique advancing ice flow. It’s a rare, unforgettable experience!

For more information visit our website.