Gourmet Glacier Cruise & Footbridges of Perito Moreno

Ice, forest, and one very long day. This 12-hour excursion gives you a broad look at Los Glaciares National Park, combining a premium cruise on Lago Argentino with the famous Perito Moreno walkways. I especially like the chance to see glaciers that are accessible only by boat, plus the short forest walk at Las Vacas Post. The main consideration is the length: with roughly three hours on the road, this is a full day from early morning to evening.

The route also makes good sense. You first see the remote Upsala and Spegazzini areas from the water, then finish at Perito Moreno Glacier, where footbridges provide close views of the ice walls. The only notable extra cost is the National Park entrance, which is not included, and poor weather can soften the views, as one wet-day experience showed.

Key points at a glance

• A boat-only view of Upsala Glacier: The cruise enters the Upsala Channel, where icebergs drift between you and one of the park’s largest glaciers.
• Spegazzini rises 135 meters above the lake: This is the highest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, and the boat gives you time to photograph its towering face.
• A 30-minute Patagonian forest walk: Las Vacas Post adds a quiet land-based break to an otherwise boat-heavy day.
• Perito Moreno comes last: You explore the glacier walkways after the cruise, when the ice walls are the grand finale rather than the opening act.
• Comfort matters on a 12-hour outing: The María Turquesa Cruise offers panoramic views, a clean vessel, and a calmer setting than a basic sightseeing boat.
• The park fee is extra: You can pay at the park in Argentine pesos or buy admission through the official National Parks website.

Why this route works so well

Many excursions from El Calafate make you choose between a boat trip and the Perito Moreno footbridges. This one combines both. That is its strongest feature, especially if you have only one full day available for Los Glaciares National Park.

The sequence is important. On the cruise, you see broad stretches of Lago Argentino, floating ice, distant glacier fronts, and hanging glaciers tucked into the mountains. At Perito Moreno, you switch to walking platforms and get a much closer view of the ice. The two settings feel different, so the day does not become one long series of similar glacier photographs.

I also like the range of scale. Upsala feels remote and expansive. The hanging glaciers in Spegazzini Channel look rough and steep. Spegazzini Glacier itself is all height and drama. Perito Moreno is more immediate, with its massive blue-white wall visible from several footbridge levels.

There is a practical tradeoff. You leave El Calafate around 7:00 AM and spend about 90 minutes reaching the port, then another 90 minutes returning. Add the cruise, the forest stop, and the footbridges, and you have little spare time. This is not a relaxed half-day outing. It is the day you reserve for the national park.

From El Calafate to Private Port La Soledad

Pickup is available from hotels with a reception, and you should be ready in the lobby from 7:00 AM. If you are staying in a short-term rental or another place without a reception, you receive a nearby meeting point instead.

The drive to Private Port La Soledad takes about 1.5 hours and covers roughly 47 kilometers after entering the park area. That road time is worth factoring into your decision. You gain access to a water route covering several glacier zones, but you will spend a substantial part of the day seated on a bus or coach.

Bring a passport or ID card, since those are listed among the required items. Wear closed-toe shoes that are comfortable for the boat and the forest path. Warm clothing is essential, even if the morning in El Calafate feels mild. Sunscreen is also useful because bright light reflecting from the ice can be harsh.

Large luggage and bags are not allowed, and high-heeled shoes are unsuitable. Cash is worth carrying for the park entrance and small purchases, although the exact payment arrangements can depend on the option you choose.

Sailing through Boca del Diablo

At Private Port La Soledad, you board the María Turquesa Cruise. The vessel is described as modern, with panoramic views, and the experience is built around seeing the scenery from the lake rather than rushing between short stops.

The first major water passage is Boca del Diablo, the narrowest section of Lago Argentino. This is a useful start because the boat moves from the port into the broader northern arm of the lake, setting up the glacier route ahead.

A cruise is especially valuable here because several glaciers are not reached by the standard road journey to Perito Moreno. You can sit inside if the weather turns rough, then move toward viewing areas when the ice comes into sight. The ship’s cleanliness and the friendly crew were singled out in the feedback, which matters on a long day when you may spend hours aboard.

Lake conditions can vary, but one passenger who worried about motion sickness found the water very calm. That is encouraging, though nobody can promise identical conditions on every departure. If you are sensitive to movement, stay prepared and choose a position that lets you look toward the horizon.

Upsala Channel and the distant glacier

The cruise continues through the Upsala Channel, where large icebergs are the main attraction. You may see enormous blocks of ice floating between the boat and the distant Upsala Glacier, one of the largest in the park.

This part of the journey rewards patience. The glacier may not feel as close or visually immediate as Perito Moreno, but the open water and drifting ice give you a sense of scale. You are looking into a broad, remote area rather than at one carefully framed wall.

The boat allows time to view the icebergs from different angles. That detail is important for photography because the shape and color of an iceberg change as the boat turns. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend every minute behind it. The shifting water, exposed rock, and distant glacier work best when you take them in as one scene.

Spegazzini Channel and the Las Vacas walk

The route then enters Spegazzini Channel, where you see hanging glaciers including Dry, Heim Sur, and Peineta. These are not presented as the main finale, but they add variety to the cruise. Instead of one huge front at water level, you get ice clinging to steep mountain walls.

The short stop at Las Vacas Post is a welcome change of pace. You leave the boat for a guided 30-minute walk through Patagonian forest, with views suited to photographs and a quieter sense of place. The walk is brief rather than strenuous, but comfortable shoes still matter because the tour specifically requires them.

I like this stop because it breaks up the day without taking you far from the glacier route. After hours of lake views, walking among trees gives your eyes a rest. It also lets you experience the park as more than ice and water.

Do not expect a long hike. Thirty minutes is enough for a taste of the forest, not a serious trek. If you want an outing centered on extended walking, this tour will not provide that. Its strength is variety and access, not trail mileage.

Spegazzini Glacier, the day’s tallest wall

Back aboard the María Turquesa, you continue toward Spegazzini Glacier. At 135 meters, or about 440 feet, above the lake, it is identified as the highest glacier in the national park.

This is one of the clearest reasons to choose the cruise. You can appreciate the glacier’s height from the water, where the full face is easier to frame. The setting is quiet and dramatic, with the glacier rising above the lake rather than appearing as a small feature at the end of a trail.

Allow time for several views as the boat approaches and turns. The glacier’s scale can be hard to judge in a single photograph, so include the boat, water, or nearby mountains in some images. That gives you a better sense of proportion later.

The cruise portion is not just transportation to Perito Moreno. Upsala Channel and Spegazzini Channel are the core of the day, and Spegazzini is likely the point when you most appreciate having chosen a boat-based excursion.

Perito Moreno footbridges as the grand finale

The final major stop is Perito Moreno Glacier. You disembark and explore the walkways, gaining views of its ice walls from different balconies and platforms.

This arrangement works well. You have already seen remote glaciers from the lake, so the walkways provide a close, land-based contrast. You can pause, take photographs, and watch the glacier from several angles instead of seeing it only from a single roadside viewpoint.

One of the most memorable possibilities is hearing or seeing a section of ice break away. A large piece fell during one visit, but that kind of event cannot be scheduled. The glacier may remain quiet while you are there, and the view is still worthwhile without a dramatic calving.

The footbridges also make this portion easier to personalize. You can focus on the broad panorama, study the ice wall, or simply find a viewing point and wait. The excursion gives about an hour of guided park time in the listed schedule, though the exact division of time may depend on the day’s operations and selected option.

If close glacier access is your main reason for coming to El Calafate, pay attention when booking. The Perito Moreno footbridges are included only if that option is selected. The description also lists a lunch box as optional, so check your chosen package rather than assuming food is included.

Food, comfort, and the Glaciarium mention

The lunch box is optional, but one person found it tasty and good value. That makes it a sensible add-on if you prefer not to organize food for a day spent away from town. Since the excursion lasts 12 hours, having lunch arranged can save time and avoid relying on whatever is available during the outing.

The cruise itself is a strong comfort point. The ship has been praised for being clean, and the crew for being friendly. That may sound basic, but cleanliness, indoor shelter, and clear viewing areas matter when you are on the water for much of a long Patagonian day.

The experience also highlights the Glaciarium Museum in El Calafate. The supplied schedule does not specify a separate museum stop or how much time is allocated there, so confirm this detail before booking if the museum is important to you. Do not assume it replaces the glacier visit or is automatically a timed part of the cruise route.

Price and overall value at $276

At $276 per person, this is not a budget excursion. The value depends on how much you want to cover in one day. You are paying for hotel pickup, transport to the port, a guided boat trip through several glacier areas, a forest walk, and access to the Perito Moreno walkways when that option is selected.

Compared with booking separate glacier activities, the combined route can make financial sense if you want both the remote boat scenery and the famous glacier platforms. It also removes the need to coordinate transport between El Calafate, the port, and the park.

The park entrance is not included, so add that cost to your planning. You can pay at the park in Argentine pesos or purchase admission through the official National Parks website. The tour price also varies by selected extras, so check whether your booking includes the footbridges and lunch box.

The high rating of 4.7 from 102 bookings fits the tour’s strongest qualities: good organization, punctual pickup, clean boat, helpful guides, and a route with several different glacier views. Still, good organization cannot control the weather. Rain reduced the scenery for one full-day departure, although the clouds cleared at Perito Moreno and the ice remained impressive.

Who should book this excursion?

I would choose this tour if you have one full day in El Calafate and want the widest possible introduction to the park. It suits first-time visitors, photographers who want varied viewpoints, families, and solo travelers who prefer an organized day with English or Spanish guidance.

The tour is also a good fit if you want to see Upsala and Spegazzini from the water rather than limiting your visit to Perito Moreno. The 30-minute walk adds a little movement without changing the trip into a hiking tour.

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts, long transfers, or full-day group outings. The weather can also affect the cruise views, and there is no guarantee of seeing a glacier calve. If your priority is only Perito Moreno, a simpler footbridge visit may be enough.

The guide can make a real difference. Daniela received specific praise, while Maxi and bus driver Jorge were remembered as an effective team during the footbridge portion. English and Spanish guiding are available, so confirm your preferred language when checking departure details.

Final call: book it for range, not speed

Book this excursion if you want one carefully packed day covering boat-only glaciers, a forest walk, Spegazzini’s 135-meter ice wall, and Perito Moreno’s footbridges. The route gives you a useful sense of how varied Los Glaciares National Park can be.

Skip it if you want a slow visit, extended hiking, or a cheaper outing focused only on Perito Moreno. For most visitors with limited time, though, the combination is the point. Add the park fee, choose the footbridge option, bring warm layers, and accept that Patagonia may serve you sun, rain, or both before dinner.

FAQ

How long does the excursion last?

The activity lasts 12 hours, including transport from El Calafate, the cruise, the forest walk, the park visit, and the return journey.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup takes place from 7:00 AM. You should be waiting at your hotel reception.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup is included for accommodations with a reception. If you stay in a short-term rental or a property without a reception, you receive a nearby meeting point.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

Is the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee included?

No. The park entrance is not included in the tour price.

How can I pay the park entrance fee?

You can buy the ticket at the park using Argentine pesos, or purchase it through the official National Parks website.

Is the boat cruise included?

Yes, the María Turquesa glacier cruise is included.

Is the Perito Moreno footbridge visit included?

The footbridges are included if you select that option when booking. Check your selected package carefully.

Is lunch included?

A lunch box is available only if you select that option. It is not automatically included in every booking.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, comfortable closed-toe shoes, warm clothing, sunscreen, and cash. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.