Full-Day Cruise to Upsala, Spegazzini & Moreno Glaciers – MarPatag

A glacier cruise in El Calafate is special because you see the ice field from the water, not just from a viewpoint. This one strings together three different glacier scenes, starting with Upsala and icebergs on Lake Argentino, then moving to the dramatic Spegazzini Channel, and finishing at Perito Moreno for the classic up-close moments.

I especially like how the schedule gives you real time for photos and views, not just a quick drive-by. I also like the mix of scenery, big icebergs at the start and taller, steeper glacier walls as the day goes on. One possible drawback: this is a cruise-style operation, so the onboard experience can include shops and upsells, which you may or may not enjoy.

Highlights: three glaciers, one long boat day

• Upsala’s icebergs right at the waterline: even with the glacier front farther away, the floating ice blocks create a wow-first-impression.
• Spegazzini’s steep cliffs and high glacier wall: expect close, deep-blue views of a glacier around 135 m high.
• Perito Moreno from the north face: the ship slows near the glacier front for photos and you can experience the constant calving.
• Perito Moreno walkways time: you get about 1 hour 30 minutes on balconies and trails overlooking the glacier.
• Big-day logistics that tend to run on time: the day is built around clear departure and arrival windows.
• Cruise extras are part of the package: plan your budget if you prefer to avoid onboard add-ons like photos or drinks.

The route: how this 10-hour cruise actually flows

This is a full-day glacier cruise based out of El Calafate. The tour duration is about 10 hours, and you start early. The first important timing detail: the activity start time is listed as 7:00 am, while hotel pickup begins at 7:30 am from selected accommodations.

Pickups are shared, and the route can take up to 30 minutes depending on where your hotel sits on the pickup list. The practical move is simple: be ready to go, and wait in your lobby about 10 minutes before pickup. The meeting point is Av. del Libertador 1265, Z9504 El Calafate.

What makes this itinerary work is that it keeps you on the water for long stretches. That matters because glacier visuals change fast. Light shifts, calving happens without warning, and icebergs drift. You are not rushing from one parking lot to another. You are watching the ice field from a moving viewpoint, which is a different kind of magic.

Also note: you’re in Los Glaciares National Park territory, and the park entry fee is listed as not included. Your cruise portion is organized as part of the day, but you should budget for the separate national park admission.

Morning on Lake Argentino: Upsala and its floating ice theater

Stop 1 is Glaciar Upsala with a viewpoint stop along Lake Argentino. You navigate along the North Arm of Lake Argentino, and the point is to admire wide panoramic views of the Upsala glacier and the massive icebergs floating in the surrounding waters.

Here’s the key reality check: the itinerary notes the glacier front is now distant due to natural retreat. That sounds like a downgrade, but it isn’t, because you’re still getting the best part from the boat perspective, the icebergs. Huge floes drifting in the water often look more three-dimensional from the ship, and you can photograph them with depth cues that you do not get from shore.

You’re scheduled for about 1 hour at this first stage, with admission included. That hour is typically where you set your expectations for the rest of the day: this is a long-form viewing experience, not a quick sightseeing sprint.

Tip: dress for cold and wind even if the morning looks pleasant. Lake days can feel crisp fast. Bring a layer you can keep on your body for the deck time.

Spegazzini Channel: steep walls, tall glacier views, and waterfall drama

Stop 2 shifts you into Glaciar Spegazzini, and the experience gets more dramatic. After sailing through the Spegazzini Channel, you reach the Spegazzini Glacier, described as the tallest in Los Glaciares National Park at approximately 135 m high.

The channel setting matters. You are surrounded by steep cliffs and waterfalls, and the ship approaches the glacier wall for a close-up view of the deep blue hues and cracking ice. That combination, towering height plus close approach, is why this stop is often a favorite.

Your time here is listed as about 2 hours, though the schedule lines show admission timing that can total around 3 hours for this segment. Either way, plan to settle in and take photos steadily rather than trying to grab everything in one burst.

How to think about Spegazzini: it’s not just about seeing a glacier. It’s about feeling how the ice interacts with the water. The closer the ship comes, the more you notice the texture changes, the creases, and the way light makes the glacier look alive.

Also, this part of the day tends to reward patience. If you rush to the rail and then disappear to warm up, you can miss one of those moments when ice fractures near your side of the ship.

Perito Moreno: Canal de los Témpanos, calving thrills, and walkway time

Stop 3 is the centerpiece, Perito Moreno. You sail through the Icebergs Channel, also called Canal de los Témpanos, where you’re surrounded by floating icebergs and turquoise water. From there, the ship continues to the north face of Perito Moreno.

This is where the glacier earns its fame. Perito Moreno is known for constant calving, meaning chunks break off and crash into the lake. The ship slows down near the glacier front so you have time for photos and to take in what the scale really looks like.

After the sailing visit, you disembark at Puerto Moreno and transfer to the walkways. The itinerary promises 1 hour 30 minutes exploring the balconies and trails with views over the glacier.

One practical point to understand: access to the walkways is tied to an optional service called Descenso en Puerto Moreno para acceder a pasarelas, priced at $85 per person. The info is clear that if you want to access the Perito Moreno walkways, you must book that optional service at the same time you purchase the tour, and you cannot add it later after the reservation is confirmed.

So, if Perito Moreno walkways are your top priority, do the extra checkout step immediately. If they are not, you still get the glacier experience from the water, but your time on the ground may be different.

After the walkway time, you return to El Calafate by bus.

What you get for the price, and where the extra costs can pop up

The price is $345 per person for this full-day cruise. For a glacier day in this region, that number buys you the big-ticket parts: transfer to and from Puerto Bandera and navigation on Argentine Lake, plus the structured glacier stops and the onboard guiding.

But you should budget for a few add-ons and fees that are not included:

• Parque Nacional Los Glaciares admission fee is listed as ARS 45,000 per person.
• Optional Box Lunch is $45 per person.
• Optional Descenso en Puerto Moreno para acceder a pasarelas is $85 per person.

This is the part where your expectations matter. If you want a day that feels like pure sightseeing, keep an eye on onboard extras. One negative experience described the day as cruise-style rather than a straightforward land tour, with efforts to sell things onboard, including photo packages and drinks served using ice from an iceberg. That same criticism also pointed to gift shop time and restaurant-style upsells.

On the flip side, positive feedback highlights punctual departures and excellent condition of the transport and the boat, plus guides who kept the day moving. In other words, you’re paying for organization and access to the water routes, not for a no-frills, no-sales approach.

My take on value: this is a solid buy if you want the glacier field seen from multiple angles in one day, and you’re comfortable with a cruise-day vibe. It’s less ideal if you strongly dislike photo sales, onboard shops, or anything that feels like a captive sales floor.

Getting the most out of your deck time

This kind of day is all about timing your posture. You’re moving through different glacier zones and water conditions, and the best photos often happen during the slow approach and near the moments when the ship changes speed.

A few practical ways to make it smoother:

• Plan to stay warm and ready for the deck. If you go inside each time you feel cold, you can miss the close-up approach moments.
• Have your camera settings ready before the ship reaches the glacier face. Calving is not scheduled, and the best shots are quick.
• If you’re traveling with someone less mobile, be realistic about walking the stairs and finding a good rail spot. This is a boat day with a shore segment at the end.

Also, this is offered in English, and there is a maximum of 200 travelers per departure. That size matters. It’s not a tiny private boat, so your experience will be a shared one. Still, the pace is designed around fixed stops, which helps everyone stay oriented.

Who should book this cruise, and who might prefer something else

This tour is a great fit if you:

• want a full glacier day without bouncing between multiple distant viewpoints all by yourself
• enjoy being on the water and watching icebergs drift and rearrange the scene
• are okay with a planned schedule and a cruise-like flow

It might not be the best match if you:

• dislike onboard gift shops, photo package pitches, or frequent upselling
• want a pure, mostly quiet nature walk experience at Perito Moreno (in that case, confirm what ground access you’re paying for, especially the optional pasarelas descent)

If you are coming from El Calafate and have only one day to do glaciers, this itinerary is one of the most efficient ways to cover more than just Perito Moreno.

Quick notes that affect your day

Weather can change everything here. The experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor and the cruise is canceled, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Also, the operation depends on a minimum number of travelers. If the minimum isn’t met, you will be offered an alternative date or experience, or a full refund.

Finally, this is a regular shared service pickup. That means you should assume some waiting and possible slight changes in pickup order. If you’re the type who hates uncertainty in the morning, set your expectations early and build a buffer.

Should you book MarPatag for Upsala, Spegazzini, and Perito Moreno?

I’d book it if you want the classic El Calafate glacier experience but also want variety. Upsala’s icebergs, Spegazzini’s towering wall, and Perito Moreno’s calving spectacle are three different moods, and doing them in one day is the whole point.

I would pause and compare if you care most about avoiding onboard selling. If that drives you crazy, plan to skip photo packages and any optional drinks. Treat it like a viewing day where you pay attention to the scenery, not the commercial extras.

And one final decision rule: if Perito Moreno walkways are non-negotiable for you, book the optional Descenso en Puerto Moreno para acceder a pasarelas right when you book the tour, because you cannot add it later once confirmed.

If you want, tell me your travel dates and whether Perito Moreno walkways are your priority. I can help you figure out what to budget and what to choose at checkout.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is Av. del Libertador 1265, Z9504 El Calafate, Santa Cruz, Argentina. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does pickup start?

Hotel pickup starts at 7:30 a.m. from selected accommodations in El Calafate. You should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is approximately 10 hours.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes transfer to and from Puerto Bandera and navigation on Argentine Lake.

Are Los Glaciares National Park admission fees included?

No. Parque Nacional Los Glaciares admission fees are listed as not included, at ARS 45,000.00 per person.

Is the Perito Moreno walkway access included?

Time at the walkways is part of the plan, but access to the pasarelas requires the optional Descenso en Puerto Moreno para acceder a pasarelas. This optional service must be booked at the same time as the tour purchase.

Is box lunch included?

No. Box lunch is optional and costs $45.00 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.