Navigations through the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Glaciers of Lake Argentino

Seeing glaciers from the water is another dimension: 60-meter-high ice walls, icebergs the size of buildings, and calving events that reverberate in the lake. In El Calafate, there are five boat trips to do it — from one-hour excursions in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier to full-day cruises among the icebergs of the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers. Here we compare them so you can choose the one that's right for you.

The 5 voyages, compared

Short navigation or full day?

I chose a short one (Moreno Spirit or Nautical Safari) If your plan for the day is to visit the Perito Moreno footbridges And if you want to add the glacier seen from the water: in one hour you sail in front of the ice wall and return to the viewpoints. I chose a full day If you want to see the giants that can't be seen from land: the Uppsala (the largest in the park) and the Spegazzini (the highest, with walls up to 135 meters high) can only be reached by navigating the North Arm of Lake Argentino. Blue Safari It's the perfect middle ground: a full day dedicated to Perito Moreno, with a stop to walk through the forest and touch the ice with your hands.

What can you see from the catamaran

Short trips take you within meters of the Perito Moreno Glacier's face: 60 meters of ice rising from the water, deep blue crevasses, and—with luck—a live calving event. On full-day excursions, you sail among drifting icebergs the size of houses, each a different shade of blue depending on the ice's density, until you're face-to-face with the Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers. Bring a waterproof and windproof jacket, even in summer (it's quite windy on deck), sunglasses, and a fully charged phone: you'll take more photos than you think. All boats have heated interior cabins.

How to book

All trips are booked online with immediate confirmation: you choose the date on each trip's page and pay in pesos by card. Spaces for full-day trips—especially those—are limited. Todo Glaciares — They sell out weeks in advance during peak season (December to March). Keep in mind that the entrance to Los Glaciares National Park It is purchased separately, and the trips are subject to lake conditions: if the Prefecture suspends the departure, we will reschedule or refund the full amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a trip through the Perito Moreno glacier cost?

The short boat trip in front of the glacier costs from $64,000 ARS per person (Nautical Safari, 1 hour on the Brazo Rico). Full-day excursions range from $120,000 ARS (Blue Safari) to $270,000 ARS (Gourmet Glaciers with lunch on board). National Park entrance fees are separate.

How long does the All Glaciers cruise last?

The complete excursion lasts 9 hours from El Calafate, door to door. The boat trip itself travels along the North Arm of Lake Argentino, visiting the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers, with a stop for lunch and a walk along a trail overlooking the iceberg channel.

From which port do the ships depart?

The tours to Perito Moreno Glacier depart from the glacier area within the National Park: the Safari Náutico and Safari Azul from Puerto Bajo de las Sombras, and the Moreno Spirit from the port near the boardwalks. Full-day tours to Upsala and Spegazzini (Todo Glaciares and Glaciares Gourmet) depart from Puerto Punta Bandera, 47 km from El Calafate. In all cases, transportation from your hotel is included or optional depending on the excursion.

Is the short navigation option better, or the All Glaciers route?

These are distinct experiences: the short tour complements your day of walkways by showing you the Perito Moreno Glacier from the water; the "All Glaciers" tour is a full day dedicated to the glaciers that can't be seen any other way—the Upsala and the Spegazzini—sailing among giant icebergs. If you only have one day, do the walkways + short boat trip; if you have two, add the "All Glaciers" tour: it's the most popular combination.