El Calafate: Gourmet Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers

Icebergs turn a boat ride into a full day of discovery. This 11-hour cruise from El Calafate takes you across Lake Argentino toward the towering walls of Spegazzini and Upsala glaciers, with time on land at Puesto de Las Vacas and wide views from the Herminita Peninsula. I like the long sailing route, which gives you more time to watch the ice change color and shape, and I like the comfortable Maria Turquesa Cruise, with air conditioning and a classic lounge. The main drawback is the price: at $275 per person, you still need to pay the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee separately.

This is a strong choice if you want to see several glaciers in one day without trekking. The boat gets close to floating ice, the included route reaches places that are not easily visited by road, and a gourmet box lunch can make the long day easier. Weather matters, though. On one outing, Upsala was hidden by cloud, a useful reminder that Patagonia sets the schedule more often than you do.

Key points to know before you book

• Two major glacier areas in one cruise: The route includes Spegazzini Glacier, Upsala Canal, the Herminita Peninsula, and a view of Perito Moreno Glacier.
• A long sailing day: Boarding is at 9:00 a.m., with roughly 11 hours from El Calafate and back.
• Maria Turquesa Cruise: You travel in an air-conditioned boat with a classic lounge area and room to watch the ice from the water.
• A short shore walk: At Puesto de Las Vacas, guides lead a walk past an old settler stall while pointing out local plants and animals.
• Lunch depends on the option selected: The gourmet box lunch is not automatically included in every booking.
• Extra park fee: Los Glaciares National Park charges ARS 45,000 per person, and Mastercard is not accepted for that fee.

Why this glacier cruise is worth a full day

El Calafate is famous for its ice, but the best views are not all found at a roadside lookout. Some glaciers reach directly into Lake Argentino, where their blue walls rise above open water and broken ice. A boat lets you see the scale from below, then carries you into channels where icebergs drift in many shapes.

I like this format because it gives you more than one postcard view. You spend hours watching the water, the mountains, and the ice shift around you. That sounds simple, but the slow pace is part of the pleasure. A glacier cruise rewards patience. One minute you may see a small pale floe, and later a huge block with deep blue streaks appears beside the boat.

The tour also adds a short land visit. That matters because an entire day on a boat can feel repetitive, even when the scenery is excellent. The stop at Puesto de Las Vacas gives you a chance to walk, stretch your legs, and see traces of earlier settlement.

The day is long, and the schedule is shaped by weather and navigation. If you want a quick glacier visit, this is not the right outing. If you want a broad look at Argentina’s glacial lake country, the extended route makes sense.

From El Calafate to Punta Bandera at 9:00 a.m.

If you select hotel transfer, the day begins with pickup in El Calafate. Some hotels do not fall on the regular pickup routes. In that case, the operator provides a nearby meeting location, and you need to wait in the lobby of the assigned hotel.

The boat leaves from Private Port La Soledad at Punta Bandera, also identified as the Marpatag Cruise Port. Boarding is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. The drive from town is part of the overall day, so you should expect an early start and a late return.

If you arrange your own transport, check the exact meeting instructions carefully. The activity ends back at the port, not at a separate attraction in town. For many people, hotel pickup is worth selecting simply because it removes one more transfer from an already full day.

Bring your confirmation with you on your phone. The ticket is mobile, and confirmation is provided at booking. You should also bring layers, since temperatures can change between the port, the boat deck, and the open water.

Crossing Boca del Diablo toward Spegazzini Glacier

The cruise begins aboard the Maria Turquesa, heading northwest past Punta Avellaneda and Boca del Diablo. Boca del Diablo is the narrowest passage in this part of the lake, measuring about 800 meters across. The narrowing of the water gives this section a clear sense of movement as the boat enters the glacier channels.

The first major sailing period lasts about two hours. During this time, the icebergs gradually become more frequent. You may see small fragments close to the boat, followed by larger pieces with sharp edges, rounded tops, or blue interiors.

Ice does not look the same from one piece to the next. Some blocks are white and chalky. Others show blue bands, gray shadows, or greenish tones. Bright daylight can make the colors appear stronger, but cloud can also give the ice a darker, more dramatic look.

The boat is air-conditioned, which gives you a more comfortable place to warm up or cool down. The classic lounge area is useful during the longer crossing, though you will likely want to move between indoor and outdoor viewing spots. The best place changes as the boat turns, so staying flexible helps.

The crew has been praised for friendly service and quick attention. Guides also provide explanations during the route. I would still treat the boat as a shared public space, not a private charter. The maximum group size is 100 people, so popular viewing areas may be busy.

Puesto de Las Vacas and the old settler stall

Near Spegazzini Glacier, the boat reaches Puesto de Las Vacas in Spegazzini Canal Bay. You disembark here for a guided walk, with views of an old stall connected to earlier settlers in the area.

This is not a demanding trek. The available information describes it as a coordinated walk led by the tour team, with attention to local plants and animals. You should still wear trekking shoes or boots, since the recommended clothing includes trekking gear and the ground may not be as easy as a paved town path.

I like this stop because it adds human scale to a day dominated by ice. The abandoned structure gives you a small clue about life in a remote place, while the guide’s comments about flora and fauna help you notice details that are easy to miss from the boat.

Do not expect a long independent hike. The stop is part of a carefully timed cruise, and you need to follow the guide’s instructions. The reward is not distance covered. It is the chance to step ashore in the Spegazzini area and see the surroundings from a different angle.

Facing the tall ice wall of Spegazzini Glacier

Spegazzini is one of the major visual moments of the cruise. The approach is announced by a growing field of icebergs, then the glacier appears ahead as a broad wall of ice meeting the water.

From the boat, you get a front-facing view rather than a view from a high roadside platform. That low angle helps you understand the height of the ice. It also places the floating pieces in the foreground, so the glacier feels connected to the entire lake rather than isolated behind a railing.

The boat’s extended route is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You are not simply brought near the glacier, given a few minutes for photos, and rushed away. The longer sailing time gives you room to watch the scene and wait for a good opening between icebergs.

Calving is possible at these glaciers, but it is never promised. One outing included the sight of ice breaking from Perito Moreno, while another had Upsala hidden by poor conditions. Keep your camera ready, but do not judge the day only by whether a large piece of ice falls.

Upsala Canal and the Herminita Peninsula

After the Spegazzini area, the route continues into Upsala Canal and toward the Herminita Peninsula, the point permitted by National Parks regulations for the panoramic glacier view. This section brings a different kind of drama. Instead of focusing only on a nearby ice wall, you look across open water and ice toward the glacier area.

Upsala is known here through its canal and the floating ice that gathers along the route. The icebergs can be enormous, and their distance from the boat may change with conditions. The water route is the reason this excursion offers something you cannot get from a normal road transfer.

The Herminita Peninsula view is also where weather can affect the experience most sharply. Cloud may cover the glacier completely, as happened on one trip. That is not a failure of the boat or crew, but it is a real risk you should accept before paying for a non-refundable excursion.

If you are visiting Patagonia during a short stay, this uncertainty can be frustrating. Still, the cruise does not depend on a single viewpoint. Even with a poor view of Upsala, you have the Spegazzini section, the icebergs, the shore walk, and the return route.

The Perito Moreno view on the return

The return includes sailing toward the iceberg channel for a view of Perito Moreno Glacier before heading back to La Soledad port. This is a useful addition if you are trying to see as much glacial scenery as possible in one day.

Perito Moreno is often the glacier people associate most closely with El Calafate, so seeing it from the water complements a separate visit to its viewing walkways or a trekking excursion. The cruise does not replace a land visit, since the perspective is different and the time at the glacier is limited.

You may witness a calving event, but no schedule can arrange one. The best approach is to listen for sudden cracks and keep watching the ice front when the boat is in position. A smaller break can be just as interesting as a major collapse, especially when it sends ripples across the water.

The day ends when the boat returns to Private Port La Soledad. If you use the transfer option, your return to El Calafate follows the port arrival.

What to eat and what to pack

A gourmet box lunch is available only when you select the option that includes it. Check your booking details before departure, since the headline description refers to lunch but the inclusions make clear that it depends on the package.

Food is especially useful on this trip because the cruise lasts most of the day. If lunch is not included in your option, confirm what you need to arrange before leaving El Calafate. Do not assume that every fare includes the same meal service.

Pack for wind and cold, even if the forecast looks mild. Recommended items include:

• Hat for cold weather
• First layer and fleece
• Trekking pants
• Warm jacket and windbreaker
• Gloves and thermal socks
• Trekking boots
• Sunglasses and sunscreen

The advice is practical. Bright glare from ice and water can be tiring, and wind on an open deck can feel much colder than the temperature in town. Dress in layers so you can adjust without giving up your viewing spot.

Is $275 a fair price?

At $275 per person, this is a premium day trip. The value comes from the length of the boat route, access to the Upsala and Spegazzini areas, the guided shore stop, and the chance to see Perito Moreno from the water as well.

The price needs a careful check because not every extra is included. The Los Glaciares National Park entry fee is ARS 45,000 per person, and Mastercard is not accepted for that payment. Hotel transfer and the gourmet box lunch are included only if you select those options.

For someone who wants a single, organized day with several glacier views, the cost may be reasonable. You are paying for transport, boat access, crew service, and a route that cannot be copied by simply driving to a lookout.

For someone on a tight budget, the price is harder to justify. You might prefer a shorter excursion or a land-based visit to Perito Moreno. This cruise makes the most sense when the water route itself is the main goal.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see glaciers from the water, prefer a comfortable boat to a strenuous trek, and have one full day available in El Calafate. It also suits people who enjoy changing scenery and do not mind several hours of navigation.

The tour works well as a companion to a Perito Moreno trekking experience. A trek gives you close contact with the ice on foot, while this cruise gives you broad views of icebergs, glacier fronts, and channels.

I would be cautious if you dislike long boat rides, need a guaranteed clear view, or have very little time in the region. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation or reduced visibility. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons, so check the forecast and your schedule before committing.

FAQ

How long does the glacier cruise take?

The experience lasts approximately 11 hours, including transport from El Calafate when that option is selected.

What time does boarding begin?

Boarding is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. at Private Port La Soledad in Punta Bandera.

Which glaciers can I see?

The route includes Spegazzini Glacier, the Upsala Canal and glacier area, and a view of Perito Moreno Glacier on the return.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and return are included only if you select that option. Some El Calafate hotels are outside the regular pickup routes, in which case you receive a nearby pickup location.

Is lunch included?

A gourmet box lunch is included only with the option that specifically includes it.

Is the National Park entrance fee included?

No. The Los Glaciares National Park fee is ARS 45,000 per person. Mastercard is not accepted for this payment.

What boat will I travel on?

You travel aboard the Maria Turquesa Cruise, which has air conditioning and a classic lounge area.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 100 people.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Visibility at a glacier can still be reduced by cloud even when the cruise operates.

Should you book the Gourmet Upsala and Spegazzini Glacier tour?

Book it if you want a full day of glacier scenery, value a long cruise among icebergs, and like the convenience of an organized outing. The best parts are the extended navigation, the tall ice wall at Spegazzini, the guided stop at Puesto de Las Vacas, and the Herminita Peninsula viewpoint.

Skip it if you need a low-cost activity, want a guaranteed view of Upsala, or prefer spending more time on foot. Also budget for the separate park fee and confirm the lunch and transfer options before paying.

For the right kind of visitor, this is one of El Calafate’s strongest water-based excursions. Patagonia supplies the ice, but your patience, warm clothing, and willingness to accept changing weather will shape the day.