Argentina » Patagonia » El Calafate

El Calafate: Glaciers Cruise with Gourmet Lunch & Balconies

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.65 (326 reviews) 82% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/12

Duration11h

GroupUp to 200

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Sail Lago Argentino to Spegazzini Upsala Perito Moreno glaciers with lunch

You’ll sail from El Calafate across Lago Argentino to see Spegazzini, Upsala & Perito Moreno glaciers up close. Step ashore at Puesto Las Vacas for a short forest walk with your guide, then enjoy a gourmet lunch on board as you glide past ancient ice. There’s an option to visit Perito Moreno balconies too — bring your warmest jacket and let Patagonia surprise you.

11h

Step-by-step itinerary

Meet at local supplier's office
Board at La Soledad Private Port
Set sail on Lago Argentino
Visit Escuadra Bay and Muralla de Condoreras
See Seco, Heim, and Spegazzini Glaciers
Observe hanging glaciers Dry and Heim
Approach highest glacier in park
Disembark for guided walk at Puesto Las Vacas
Navigate Upsala Canal and view Upsala Glacier
Lunch on board
Navigate Canal de los Témpanos to Perito Moreno Glacier
View Northern face of Perito Moreno Glacier
Return to La Soledad and conclude tour

The Experience

We were already gliding across Lago Argentino before I realized how quiet it was out there — just the low hum of the Maria Turquesa Cruiser and a few gulls cutting through the cold air. Our guide, Martín, kept pointing out these pale blue icebergs drifting past, some shaped like animals if you squinted (someone swore they saw a sleeping dog). The wind bit at my cheeks when I leaned over the rail, but it felt good — sharp and clean. We passed Punta Avellaneda and squeezed through Boca del Diablo, which Martín called “the lake’s narrowest throat.” He said it like he’d told that story a hundred times but still liked it.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much on a glacier day trip from El Calafate, but somehow we did. At Puesto Las Vacas, we got off for a walk — boots crunching on frost, hands jammed in pockets. There was this moment where everyone just went quiet looking at the Spegazzini Glacier; even the kids stopped fidgeting. The guides shared stories about old cattle posts and pointed out tiny wildflowers poking through the moss. I tried to pronounce “Heim” like they did (definitely failed), and one of the crew just grinned at me in sympathy.

Lunch back on board was better than I’d guessed — warm bread, something cheesy and rich, local Malbec if you wanted it. I sat near a window and watched as we edged closer to Upsala Glacier, which honestly looked unreal up close. You could see cracks running deep into the ice, all these shades of blue I don’t have names for. Later we drifted toward Perito Moreno’s northern face; people pressed up against the glass or shuffled outside for photos, but after a while most just stared quietly. It’s weird how you can feel small and lucky at the same time.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off if selected, bilingual local guides throughout the cruise, all entry fees for Los Glaciares Park areas visited by boat, a gourmet lunch (classic box or premium four-course meal with wine), non-alcoholic drinks during navigation, plus guided walks ashore and plenty of time to watch glaciers from deck or balcony before returning in the evening.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Cruceros MarPatag