El Calafate Boat Tour to the Glaciers

Pick-up in El Calafate - Los Glaciares National Park

El Calafate Boat Tour begins with pick-up at your hotel in El Calafate. Depending on the location of the hotel, you will be picked up from 7:00 a.m. onwards. Once the group is assembled, you will head to Los Glaciares National Park. 

After 29.2 miles (47 km) of road, you will arrive at the park. With the help of the guide, you will buy the entrance ticket to Los Glaciares National Park, as there are different types.

Puerto La Soledad

Once inside the park, you will go to the private port of La Soledad, where the adventure begins!

You will embark on a large catamaran that has four outdoor decks to 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 you make your reservation.

Upsala Glacier and Canal

You will encounter 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 detachments are so huge, that for safety reasons the ship will not get closer than 6.2 miles (10 km) from it, even so, it will be immense. You will see floating ice of such an intense blue color that it will seem illuminated. 

Every time the catamaran approaches a glacier wall or a large block of ice, the captain will move the boat so that it can be perfectly appreciated both from the inside and from any of the decks so that you can enjoy them wherever you are.

Heim and Seco Glaciers

You will continue navigating 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.

If you choose the extra "Disembark at the Perito Moreno Footbridges", you will have an hour and a half to walk the footbridges of the most famous glacier in the park and then return by minibus to El Calafate.

*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.

End of El Calafate Boat Tour

All good things come to an end. If you do not disembark at Perito Moreno, you will remain on the ship until you reach La Soledad port again. 

Once at the port, if you have chosen the option with transportation to El Calafate, the minibus will be waiting to take you back to your hotel. You will arrive in the city around 7:00 p.m., ready to rest after an unforgettable day enjoying the boat tour.