Navigations through the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Glaciers of Lake Argentino
The five navigations on Lake Argentino, plus the excursions that include boat or kayak.
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. From El Calafate there are five sailing routes that feature the ship as the main attraction — facing the Perito Moreno, to the Uppsala and to Spegazzini — and other excursions that combine sailing with trekking or kayaking, on Mayo Sound, Lake Viedma, Lake del Desierto, and the Santa Cruz River. Here they all are, and below is a comparison of the five main ones.
Todo Glaciares
The most comprehensive boat trip to Upsala and Spegazzini on Lake Argentino: giant icebergs and a two-hour landing at Spegazzini Base. Full day, suitable for all ages.
Glaciares Gourmet
A day cruise on Lake Argentino, sailing past the Upsala, Spegazzini, and Perito Moreno glaciers, with a gourmet lunch on board. The premium version of a glacier day trip.
Blue Safari
A full day up close to the glacier: sailing along the south face of the Perito Moreno Glacier, disembarking, and hiking through the coastal forest until you can touch the ice with your hands. Suitable for ages 6 to 70.
Viedma Adventure
Explore the imposing Viedma Glacier with navigation on the lake, trekking in Cabo de Hornos, unique views and an unforgettable experience in El Chaltén.
Moreno Spirit
Navigation through the Canal de los Témpanos to contemplate the north face of the Perito Moreno from the water.
Safari Nautico
Navigation along the Brazo Rico of Lake Argentino. Surprise yourself with the privileged views of the south face of the glacier.
Perito Moreno Kayak Experience
Paddle a kayak in silence in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier and get within meters of its ice towers. No prior paddling experience necessary, equipment and guides provided. Ages 14 and up.
May Spirit Trek
Sail and hike in the Seno Mayo of Lake Argentino. An experience that combines lake landscapes, glacier sightings and rainforests.
Darwin Experience
Full day tour combining trekiking and kayaking on the Santa Cruz River, reliving Charles Darwin's journey in Patagonia.
Spirit of Glaciers
An exclusive expedition that combines navigation, night on board and gourmet cuisine, surrounded by glaciers and unique Patagonian landscapes.
El Chaltén + Lago del Desierto
Tour to Lago del Desierto with navigation and trekking to Vespignani Glacier. Enjoy unique landscapes and incredible views of Mount Fitz Roy.
The 5 voyages, compared
| Navigation | Duration | It leaves | What glaciers do you see? | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moreno Spirit | 1 hour of navigation | Puerto Moreno (walkway area) | Perito Moreno — north face, through the Canal de los Témpanos | $80,000 ARS |
| Nautical Safari | 1 hour of navigation | Puerto Bajo de las Sombras | Perito Moreno — south face, via the Brazo Rico | $80,000 ARS |
| Blue Safari | 8 hours (full day) | Puerto Bajo de las Sombras | Perito Moreno — navigation + landing, coastal forest and you touch the ice | $140,000 ARS |
| Todo Glaciares | 9 hours (full day) | Punta Bandera Port | Uppsala y Spegazzini, with landing and trail | $240,000 ARS |
| Glaciares Gourmet | 10 hours (full day) | Punta Bandera Port | Upsala, Spegazzini and Perito Moreno, with gourmet lunch on board | $270,000 ARS |
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.
The three most chosen
⛴️ Nautical Safari
1 hour via Brazo Rico · South face of Perito Moreno · Can be combined with the walkways
🧊 Blue Safari
Full day · Sailing + landing · You touch the ice · From 6 to 70 years old
🚢 All Glaciers
9 am · Upsala and Spegazzini · 2 hours of disembarkation at Spegazzini Base · All ages
Other excursions with sailing
In addition to the five above, there are excursions where the boat or kayak is part of a longer day trip. These are also listed:
- May Spirit Trek: Navigation through the Mayo Sound, disembarkation at Toro Bay, and about 2 hours of trekking through the Andean forest, plus the Perito Moreno Glacier walkways. An 8-hour day trip, suitable for ages 6 and up.
- Perito Moreno Kayak Experience: Paddling up the glacier face in a dry suit with guides, no prior experience necessary. From age 14, half-day or full-day options available.
- Darwin Experience: Full day of trekking and kayaking on the Santa Cruz River, following the route Charles Darwin traveled in 1834. From age 12.
- Viedma Adventure: Navigation across Lake Viedma to the face of the Viedma Glacier, with trekking at Cape Horn. Departs from El Chaltén.
- El Chaltén + Lago del Desierto: Sailing on Lake Desert and hiking to Vespignani Glacier, with Fitz Roy in the background. A long day trip from El Calafate.
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 $80,000 ARS per person (Nautical Safari, 1 hour on the Brazo Rico). Full-day excursions range from $140,000 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 2-hour stop at Spegazzini Base for lunch and a walk along a trail overlooking the iceberg channel.
From which port do the ships depart?
Buses to Perito Moreno leave from the glacier area, within the National Park: the Nautical Safari and the Blue Safari from Puerto Bajo de las Sombras, and the Moreno Spirit From the port in the boardwalk area. Full-day trips to Uppsala and Spegazzini (Todo Glaciares y Glaciares GourmetThey depart from Puerto Punta Bandera, 47 km from El Calafate. In all cases, the transfer from your hotel is included or optional depending on the excursion.
What is the difference between Moreno Spirit and Safari Náutico?
The face of the glacier. The Nautical Safari Navigate the south face via the Brazo Rico, from Puerto Bajo de las Sombras. Moreno Spirit Explore the north face through the Iceberg Channel, the area where the rupture occurs. Both tours last one hour, have no age restrictions, and can be combined with the day of boardwalking.
Is the short navigation option better, or the All Glaciers route?
They are different experiences: the short one complements your day of catwalks by showing you the Perito Moreno from the water; Todo Glaciares It's a full day dedicated to seeing glaciers that you can't see 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.
Are there any boat trips that don't leave Lake Argentino?
Yeah. Viedma Adventure sail across Lake Viedma in front of the Viedma Glacier and El Chaltén + Lago del Desierto cross the Desert Lake towards the Vespignani Glacier, both in the area of El Chaltén. Darwin Experience, Instead, it's kayaking on the Santa Cruz River.
Is it possible to get seasick on a catamaran?
The catamarans are double-hulled and very stable, but on windy days Lake Argentino can get choppy. If you're sensitive to motion sickness, take a sedative half an hour before boarding. The interior cabins are enclosed and heated, so you can always go below deck.