Glaciers Navigation: Exploring Upsala & Spegazzini, World's Highest Glaciers in El Calafate

Experience the awe-inspiring Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers in El Calafate. Navigate through icebergs, hike in the forest, and enjoy breathtaking views of the glaciers and Glacier Bay.

Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • El Calafate - El Calafate, llamado popularmente «Calafate», es una ciudad ubicada en la ribera meridional del lago Argentino, en la región de la Patagonia, en la provincia de Santa Cruz, Argentina, a unos 80 km del glaciar Perito Moreno. Es la cabecera del departamento Lago Argentino.
What's Included
  • Classic Option: Celiac or vegetarian menu available
  • VIP Option: 3-step menu at Spegazzini Base
  • Navigation through Upsala Glacier
  • Pick up and drop off to all downtown Calafate hotels
  • Captain Club Option: 3-course menu with Patagonian lamb
  • Classic Option: Lunch with starter, main course, and dessert
  • Captain Club Option: Drinks with/without alcohol and gastronomy during navigation
  • Comfortable boats navigating the North Arm of Lake Argentino
  • Descent at Spegazzini Base in front of the Glacier
  • Captain VIP Option: Preferential cabin with guide and host
  • SUNSET option from November to March with 11:00 AM pick up
  • Departures every day from September to April
  • Navigation through North Arm of Lake Argentino
  • Navigation through Spegazzini Glacier
What's Not Included
  • National Parque entrance fee
  • MAY- JUNE - JULY - AUGUST: EVEN DAYS DEPARTURES ONLY
Additional Information

Once aboard our comfortable boats, we will navigate through the Boca del Diablo and head towards the Upsala Channel. Here, you will experience the unparalleled sensation of sailing among icebergs, some of very large size, that have broken off from the Upsala Glacier. It’s truly a wonderful and unique experience!

Next, we will navigate towards the Spegazzini Channel, which offers unique views of incredible hanging glaciers such as the Seco Glacier, the Heim Sur Glacier, and the Peineta Glacier, all of which are the prelude to the main spectacle: the impressive Spegazzini Glacier. The largest of them all, it awaits you with a majestic view standing over 135 meters high.

To crown this moment, we will disembark at Base Spegazzini right in front of the glacier to enjoy our modern Spegazzini Refuge, which is equipped with all the services you need during your day. This will allow you to live truly unique moments with its stunning panoramic views

  • We set sail from Punta Bandera Port, 47km from the city of El Calafate. When you arrive, we will welcome you in our warm boarding terminal. Our experienced team will tell you how to carry out the pre-boarding process, to begin your best experience on glaciers. If at this time, you still do not have the entrance to Los Glaciares National Park, we will tell you where you can buy it. At all times we will be providing you with the best service so that you live an unforgettable moment and can dedicate yourself to enjoying every detail of the experience.
  • Once on board our comfortable boats, the tour begins by navigating the North Arm of Lake Argentino, crossing the Boca del Diablo, heading towards the Upsala Canal to experience the unique sensation of navigating among icebergs, some of them very large, that They come off the Upsala Glacier. A truly wonderful and unique experience! Then, we will sail towards the Spegazzini Channel, which will offer you unique views of incredible hanging glaciers such as the Dry Glacier, the South Heim Glacier and the Peineta Glacier, which are the prelude to the biggest show: the imposing Spegazzini Glacier. The largest of all, which awaits you to offer you a majestic view with its height of more than 135 meters.
  • And to crown that moment, we will descend at the Spegazzini Base right in front of the Glacier, to enjoy our modern Spegazzini Shelter, which has all the services you need during your day and that will allow you to experience truly unique moments, with its dazzling panoramic views. Optionally, you can taste exquisite regional menus with variants for all tastes.
  • This service is non-refundable for cancellations made within 4 days in advance of the service date. However, if you need to change your booking, such as adjusting the number of participants, changing the date, or requesting a refundable cancellation, we can accommodate your request as long as it’s made at least 4 days before the service date
  • Shelter Menu •Classic Option ENTRANCE MAIN meat pie Guanaco goulash DESSERT Black and white chocolate mousse INCLUDES 1 non-alcoholic drink + 1 infusion
  • Classic Option 2 Suitable for Celiac STARTERS Salad (lettuce, tomato, carrot and egg) MAIN CASSEROLE Lamb casserole DESSERT White and dark chocolate mousse INCLUDES 1 non-alcoholic drink + 1 infusion
  • Vegetarian Option START Vegetable empanada MAIN Lentil and vegetable casserole DESSERT Black and white chocolate mousse INCLUDES 1 non-alcoholic drink + 1 infusion
  • VIP Cabin Captain Option Menu: ENTRANCE Patagonian Picada 1) Guanaco goulash with mashed potato and leek 2) Chicken curry with rice 3) Patagonian lamb casserole 4) Lentil stew 5) Vegetable wok with oriental style rice (*choose one option) DESSERT Black and white chocolate mousse with cocoa ground DRINKS Infusions, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks included
  • Option Captain Club VIP: The service will be provided both on board and at the Spegazzini Refuge in our exclusive lounge, with views of the Spegazzini Glacier and Glacier Bay. Location in a preferential cabin on board with a Carlains guide and host exclusive, drinks with/without alcohol and gastronomy.
  • CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES To improve your experience, we recommend that you wear comfortable shoes, a coat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and don’t forget to bring your camera or cell phone (on board and on land we have 220 volt power).
  • CAPITAN VIP OPTION: Regarding the number of people in the VIP cabin: The number of people in the VIP Cabin will depend on the boat that is scheduled that day, and this will depend on the number of people that will do the tour that day. We have boats where the VIP cabin is for 16 people, another where the VIP cabin is for 28 people and another where the VIP cabin is for 40 people.
  • Captain’s Club offers you a personalized service, which includes seating in a preferential cabin for enhanced comfort and privacy. A guide and a host will assist you throughout the entire journey
  • Vip Otion: You will also have an exclusive food and beverage service (with and without alcohol) throughout the experience. And when you make the descent at the Spegazzini Base, a spectacular 3-step menu will be waiting for you that will be the ideal complement to this adventure.
  • From November to March you can choose the option SUNSET with pick up 11.00 AM
  • MARCH -APRIL: DAILY DEPARTURES / MAY- JUNE - JULY - AUGUST: EVEN DAYS DEPARTURES ONLY
  • We have implemented a 100% accessible infrastructure that ensures no limitations. We offer access ramps, an elevator at the Punta Bandera pier, a floating dock for disembarkation at Base Spegazzini, and adapted restrooms on our boats and at the Spegazzini Refuge. Our trails and viewpoints are also fully accessible.
Location
El Calafate
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.3
(8 Ratings)
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1 star
Mariagraziaz707
Jan 30, 2024
TREATED LIKE VIPS - Our agency had booked the sailing with VIP lounge accommodation so the treatment was perfect. At the refuge we ate well with good service. Of course you can see the Upsala glacier as you pass by but you can enjoy the Spegazzini very well and skirting the Chilean Andes was very beautiful
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vivianag295
Oct 15, 2023
It's not worth it - I do not recommend it. The Upsala glacier can barely be seen from afar. The spegazzini is visible and impressive but it is too much and uncomfortable to travel to get there. The boat is full of people, they fill it to the brim, the seats are 4 so you are cramped, uncomfortable seats. If you go out to the bow, it is very difficult to take a photo because the photographers are selling their service, the food in the shelter is expensive and the service is terrible. The view of the glaciers is beautiful, but the experience is bad. I would not return nor do I recommend it, one of the most expensive tours and with terrible service. In addition, 1 engine broke, we were stranded for 1 hour in the middle of nowhere and we arrived at the shelter 1.30 hours later, without an apology, without a glass of water for attention. Although they continued selling the photography service insistently.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leticiaa370
Dec 2, 2022
Do not waste your money - Tourist trap. Horrible. You go in a boat full of people, sitting in chairs like in a bus. Crouded. If you sit in the middle, you can barely see anything (besides, they force you to go on the same seat on the way back). It was the worst experience i had in patagonia. I would rather go twice to Perito moreno’s platform than do this boat ever again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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