The Todo Glaciares cruise on Lago Argentino is the second most important excursion from El Calafate after the Perito Moreno. This full-day tour takes you by boat through the northern arm of Lago Argentino, the largest lake in Patagonia, to see three awe-inspiring glaciers that form part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the third-largest freshwater reserve on Earth.
Upsala Glacier: the hidden giant
The Upsala Glacier is the largest in Argentina and the third largest in South America, covering 765 km² with a 4 km wide front. Unlike the advancing Perito Moreno, Upsala has retreated significantly in recent decades — a visible testimony to climate change. The boat approaches its front, where building-sized ice blocks float as icebergs in the turquoise lake waters.
Spegazzini Glacier: the tallest walls
The Spegazzini Glacier has the highest walls in the park, reaching up to 135 metres above the water level (double the height of Perito Moreno). The boat approaches within a few hundred metres of its front, allowing you to appreciate the sheer magnitude of these blue ice walls that rise like frozen skyscrapers.
Iceberg Channel
One of the most spectacular parts of the cruise is sailing through the Iceberg Channel, where the boat navigates between icebergs of every size and shape that have broken off from the glaciers. Some display intense blue tones, others are snow-white, and some show dark bands of sediment. The landscape feels like the Antarctic.
The full tour lasts approximately 8-9 hours and costs from USD 198. The VIP version with gourmet lunch on board costs USD 346. Departures are early morning from Puerto Bandera, 45 km from El Calafate.
