Ushuaia: Vinciguerra Glacier Trek & Floe Lagoon

What happens when you climb into a glacier that's reshaping itself every season?

You trek 14 kilometers through Patagonian forest and protected wetlands, climb for three hours to a turquoise floe lagoon, and stand in front of a retreating glacier that looks different every season. Equipment, transport, meals, and insurance are all included, so you show up ready to move.

Step-by-step itinerary

Vinciguerra Glacier Trekking and Lagoon Visit

• Start walk in Andorra Valley
• Walk through peat bog and border river
• Enter native Andean Patagonian forest
• Climb steep slopes and flat sections
• Maintain constant pace during 3-hour climb
• Reach floe lagoon with glacier view
• Observe changing ice formations and landscape
• In summer, do mini glacier trek with crampons

The experience

Ushuaia sits at the bottom of Argentina, and from there you drive into Andorra Valley where the walk actually begins. The first part isn't steep at all. You move through peat bog and along the river, walking through RAMSAR-protected wetlands that most people never see. Your guide reads the landscape as you go, pointing out how the forest itself holds stories from decades back, when loggers worked these slopes. It's the kind of detail that makes the place feel less like a postcard and more like somewhere real that's been through things.

The climb takes about two and a half hours, and it's the part where you need to stay steady. Steep sections mix with flatter stretches, and depending on when you go, the trail could be dry, muddy, or snow-covered. That's not a bug, it's the whole point. You're given trekking poles, a helmet, and crampons or snowshoes depending on the season, so the technical side is handled. The 14-kilometer round trip is medium difficulty, which means you don't need to be an athlete, but you do need the fitness to keep a constant pace without stopping every five minutes.

Once you crest the climb, the floe lagoon opens up. The glacier sits in the background, and here's the thing nobody tells you: it's always different. Because it's retreating, the ice formations shift constantly. In winter, the caves inside the glacier create something almost unreal: turquoise and white mixing in ways that don't look like they should exist. Come spring or summer, the whole landscape transforms again as snow melts and the glacier's front wall reveals itself in full. The water and ice create these celestial tones that photographers spend hours trying to capture and still can't quite get right. You'll spend time here, not rushing through.

Your day includes private transport from Ushuaia, all the technical gear, a helmet, accident insurance, and food: an alfajor and cereal bar on the way up, a sandwich at the top, hot drinks to warm you after. Nothing gets left to chance or to your own packing list. The only real constraint is fitness: this isn't a walk, it's a climb with weather that changes fast and terrain that demands attention. If you've got spinal issues, are pregnant, or have cardiovascular concerns, this one isn't the right fit.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation to and from Ushuaia, all technical equipment (crampons, snowshoes, helmet, trekking poles), accident insurance, snacks and a hot drink during the climb, a sandwich lunch at the lagoon, and a guide who reads the landscape and paces the group.

Information

Lasts 7h 30m, runs every day at 07:30, from US$ 140 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish, in groups of up to 7 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 7 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish and SpanishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 35 pickup points.

AgesAdult (18 to 55 years) · Youth (15 to 17 years) · Child (12 to 14 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by TAUN USHUAIA

Is this one for you?Book this if you're fit enough for a steady 3-hour climb and want to see a glacier that's actively changing. The physical demand is what makes a full day at the floe lagoon possible, and the seasonal shifts mean no two visits look the same.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 17 years); Child (12 to 14 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How difficult is the Vinciguerra Glacier trek?

Medium difficulty. It's a 3-hour climb with steep and flat sections mixed together. You need good fitness and the ability to maintain a steady pace, but you don't need to be an athlete.

What's included in the trek?

Private transport from Ushuaia, crampons or snowshoes, helmet, trekking poles, accident insurance, snacks (alfajor, cereal bar, fruit), hot drinks, and a sandwich lunch.

How long is the full day?

It's a full-day activity. The trek itself is 14 kilometers round trip with about 3 hours of climbing, plus time at the lagoon and transport to and from Ushuaia.

When is the best time to visit the glacier?

Winter offers ice caves with a magical appearance. Spring and summer show the glacier's front wall and turquoise lagoon as snow melts, with the landscape changing daily. Each season looks different.

Do I need my own equipment?

No. Crampons, snowshoes, helmet, and trekking poles are all provided based on seasonal conditions.

Who shouldn't do this trek?

It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health.

Is the glacier accessible year-round?

Yes, but access changes by season. In winter and spring, ice caves are visited. In summer, when snow melts, a mini glacier trek with crampons is done instead, as cave interiors become unstable.

How far is Ushuaia from the trailhead?

The trek begins in Andorra Valley. Private transport is included from Ushuaia to the start point.