Glaciares Gourmet boat tour
The most popular boat ride in El Calafate. Visit the Perito Moreno, Heim, Seco, Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers.
Briefing
El Calafate Boat Tour to the Glaciers is the most complete boat tour you can do in Los Glaciares National Park.
You will sail Lake Argentino aboard a modern cruise ship and visit the Upsala, Spegazzini, Perito Moreno, Heim, and Seco glaciers. It is the only boat tour that allows you to visit the five main glaciers of the national park on the same day.
During the El Calafate Boat Tour, you will also take a one-hour walk through the forest in the Spegazzini Channel, on an island commonly known as Puesto de las Vacas. In addition, you will enjoy a delicious Patagonian meal on board.
The tour offers 3 different options:
1- Tour with pick up: includes boat tour and transfers from El Calafate (round trip).
2- Tour with pick up + Perito Moreno footbridges: includes the boat trip with transfer from El Calafate (round trip) and the visit to the Perito Moreno footbridges.
3- Tour without pick up: only includes the boat trip, not the transfers from El Calafate. You will have to go directly to the port in your vehicle.
Tour details
Included
- Boat tour
- Lunch with drinks and dessert
- Bilingual guide Spanish / English
- Round trip transfers from El Calafate (according to selected option)
Not included
- Entrance to Los Glaciares National Park
Important information
Remember that Mastercard is not accepted to purchase the entrance ticket to Los Glaciares National Park. You can pay with VISA card or in cash in Argentine pesos when you arrive at the park. Do not forget your ID, passport or identity card.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation! You can cancel this tour and you'll receive 100% refund of the amount paid if you cancel more than 48 hours in advance. After this time, or in case you do not show up, no refunds will be given.
Tour itinerary
El Calafate Boat Tour El Calafate - Los Glaciares National Park - Puerto La Soledad- El Calafate
Pick-up in El Calafate - Los Glaciares National Park
This tour offers the possibility to include the transfer from El Calafate.
If you select the pick-up option, the tour starts at 7:00 a.m. and you will be picked up at your accommodation. If you select the modality without pick-up, you will have to go by your own means to Puerto Privado La Soledad, located 47 kilometers from El Calafate.
At approximately 8:15 a.m. all passengers will be at the port and with the help of the guide you will buy the entrance ticket to Los Glaciares National Park, which is not included in the tour as there are different entrance options.
Puerto La Soledad
The adventure begins!
At 8:30 a.m., boarding begins on a large catamaran with four outdoor decks, so that you can comfortably observe the spectacular scenery of Lake Argentino. In addition, the boat has a VIP area with a private outdoor deck. To enjoy this area, you only have to select this extra when making your reservation.
Upsala Glacier and Canal
At 9 a.m. the catamaran departs and in a few minutes you will find the largest ice floes in the park, up to four times bigger than the ship itself!
Upsala is the second largest glacier in South America. The calving is so enormous, that for safety reasons the ship will not get within 10 kilometers of it, yet it will still look immense. You will see floating ice of such an intense blue color that it will seem illuminated.
Every time the catamaran approaches the wall of a glacier or a large block of ice, the captain will move the boat so that it can be seen perfectly from the inside as well as from any of the decks, so that you can enjoy them wherever you are.
Heim and Seco Glaciers
You will continue sailing and you will come across the curious hanging glaciers. These are the Heim and Seco glaciers, which are named so because of their hanging from the mountain without touching the water of Lake Argentino.
Las Vacas Post
Silence of engines. You will get off the boat at the Puesto de las Vacas and take a quiet walk coordinated by the team of guides.
El Puesto de las Vacas is an old Patagonian estancia located in the heart of the National Park. Here you will find horses, old houses, and other creations of the pioneers of Patagonia. Enjoy this experience while the guides explain the history of this unusual place.
Speggazzini Glacier - Lunch on board
The Speggazzini Glacier is impressive wherever you look. The part that overhangs the lake has a height of 425 feet (130 m). It is almost twice as high as the Perito Moreno Glacier. If the cold makes you hungry, this is your moment: lunch time! Get ready to taste a Patagonian lamb sandwich accompanied by baked vegetables.
If you choose the premium room as an extra, you will enjoy a special four-course menu: two starters, a main course, and dessert. In both cases, drinks are included during the meal. In the premium room, in addition, you have an open bar during the entire El Calafate Boat Tour.
Los Témpanos Channel - Disembarkation in Perito Moreno
Full belly, happy heart: the boat tour continues through the Canal de Los Témpanos until reaching the northern part of the Perito Moreno Glacier.
The Perito Moreno is an immense glacier that fascinates visitors with its activity, you will see the ice crack and when you least expect it, you will hear an incredible roar in the water.
From this point, two options are offered:
Option 1. Disembark at walkways
After sailing in front of the glacier wall, at approximately 3:30 the boat will approach a point where you will disembark to head to the Perito Moreno walkways. You will have approximately 2 hours to walk the walkways of the most famous glacier in the park and then return by minibus to El Calafate, where you will arrive at approximately 7:00 pm.
*Howlanders TIP:
The landing option is highly recommended for travelers who are not going to do another tour in the Perito Moreno such as the Minitrekking.
Option 2. Tour without disembarkation
After sailing in front of the Perito Moreno wall, you will continue sailing back to Puerto Las Soledad, where you will disembark at 5:00 pm. If you have selected the option with pick-up, the minibus will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation in El Calafate, where you will arrive in the city around 6:00 p.m., ready to rest after an unforgettable day enjoying the Gourmet Glaciers tour.
In case you have not selected the option with pick-up, you will have to return by your own means to El Calafate.
What to bring to Glaciares Gourmet boat tour
- Original passport (the same one you used to book the tour)
- Trekking boots or slippers (Waterproof and thick-soled preferred)
- Sunglasses
- Hat or cap
- Gloves
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Raincoat or waterproof poncho
- Waterproof jacket
- Comfortable and warm clothing
- Long trousers (waterproof or mountain trousers preferred)
- Medium backpack
- Food and snacks
- Water bottle
Where does the tour Glaciares Gourmet boat tour start
The city of El Calafate is located 3,000 km from Buenos Aires, and 325 km from the city of Río Gallegos, capital of the province of Santa Cruz. The airport has direct daily connections with Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Bariloche, Trelew, Cordoba and Rosario. Several airlines operate this route, being Aerolineas Argentinas the most frequent one. From Howlanders we also recommend you to check LADE airline.
If you want to arrive by land you can do it by bus. The trip between Buenos Aires and El Calafate takes about 36 hours. From Río Gallegos, the trip takes 4 hours. If you come from Puerto Natales we recommend you to take a bus that arrives to El Calafate in about five hours or hire a private service with us. Finally, if you are traveling from Ushuaia, please check the waiting times due to the crossing of the Strait of Magellan or stopover in Rio Gallegos.
Questions & Answers
Is it advisable to include disembarkation in the walkways?
If you are going to do another excursion the next day, such as minitrekking or simply the view of the footbridges, no, since you will be in the same place twice. If, on the other hand, you are not going to go to the Perito Moreno footbridges doing another activity, we recommend it, it is a must.Is the entrance fee to Los Glaciares National Park included?
The entrance fee to the National Park is not included in the tour. This is because you can buy the type of entrance fee that best suits your plans. Remember to bring Argentine pesos, because the entrance fee is paid at the National Park in local currency. Don't worry, your guide will help you buy the entrance fee on the day of the tour.Will I be picked up at my accommodation in El Calafate?
Only if you select this option. Pick-up is included in any accommodation located in El Calafate. If, on the other hand, you are staying in an Airbnb or an accommodation without reception, you will not be picked up. In that case, a meeting point in downtown El Calafate will be indicated.If I book the extra Perito Moreno landing, will I return at the same time to El Calafate?
Whether you book the landing or not, you will arrive between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in El Calafate.What is the Glaciares Gourmet vessel like?
The vessel has two lounges (one located on the main deck with a capacity of 180 passengers and the other on the first deck with a capacity of 16 passengers). You will only be able to access the exclusive deck if you include the "Premium Lounge" extra in your reservation.What advantages do I have if I contract the "Premium Lounge" extra?
A small room located at the front of the second floor, with a private terrace with privileged views, private bathroom, and a 4-course meal, a luxury to live a TOP experience!Is the Glaciers Gourmet tour adapted for people with reduced mobility?
Yes, Glaciares Gourmet Experience is suitable for people with reduced mobility.How is the food on board?
In the traditional lounge, you will eat a lamb, chicken, or vegetarian sandwich, very well prepared, with garnish, a drink, and a typical dessert. It is very tasty, and eating a hot (and hearty) sandwich along with a wine or a soft drink and a good dessert seems to us to be a great choice. If you choose the "Premium Room", you will have a four-course meal (two starters, a main course, and dessert).Are there vegetarian and celiac options for lunch?
Yes, there are vegetarian and celiac options. Just mention it in the comment section that you will find during the booking process, and you will enjoy a menu according to your needs. If you prefer, you can also bring snacks on board.Why do you recommend Glaciares Gourmet?
This is undoubtedly the classic sailing excursion if you visit El Calafate. Embarking, you will see glaciers that you could not see from land, and you will have a very complete panorama of Los Glaciares National Park. If you want to get to know the park in depth, this is your tour.
Glaciares Gourmet boat tour tour reviews with Howlanders
Other tours that might interest you from Argentina
Minitrekking Perito Moreno
Perito Moreno Kayak Tour
Boat tour Mayo Spirit Trek
Other travelers also booked
Torres del Paine W Trek tour (Patagonia)
W trek circuit in Torres del Paine (short version)
Iguazu Waterfalls Argentina Side
