Los Glaciares Cruises: Top Tours & Sailing Adventures Reviewed
Los Glaciares National Park, it seems, a Patagonian gem split between Argentina and Chile, holds a kind of special magnetism for those seeking dramatic landscapes and adventure. With towering mountains, vivid blue glaciers, and serene lakes, so the park delivers an unforgettable experience. To witness these icy giants, there’s hardly a better approach than a cruise or sailing tour. In this article, we’ll go through the five cruises and sailing adventures in Los Glaciares, that gives you a hand in picking the experience that fits you best.
1. Upsala Lake & Estancia Cristina Discovery Cruise
The Upsala Lake & Estancia Cristina Discovery Cruise, that might be just what you are looking for if history and nature both speak to you. This excursion, typically, starts with a boat trip on Upsala Lake. Icebergs of crazy forms, that have calved from the Upsala Glacier, dot the waters, it’s almost an early signal of the breathtaking sights ahead.
As you continue, the cruise heads to Estancia Cristina, a really historic sheep farm which offers a window into the pioneering life in Patagonia. Founded in 1914 by English immigrants, so the estancia features tours detailing the family’s story and the farm’s workings. That’s something many tourists tend to enjoy, judging by social media.
What’s Great: Apart from the Upsala Glacier view and sailing in this extraordinary body of water, the history you’ll take in during your Estancia visit tends to offer another layer to your adventure. Guests often find the guided tours very informative and it could be said that they paint an image of early 20th-century Patagonian rural living.
Things to keep in Mind: The weather is so unpredictable in Patagonia; always dress appropriately with layers. Some may find the historical aspect not what they wanted, but you shouldn’t worry, you’ll have something new to discover!
Read our full review: Upsala Lake & Estancia Cristina Discovery Cruise Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Estancia Cristina Cruise)
2. All Glaciers Cruise from El Calafate
The All Glaciers Cruise tends to start at Punta Bandera Port and sails across the northern arm of Lake Argentino. That opens up views of incredible glaciers. The highlight may be Spegazzini Glacier with its soaring ice walls, so it can rise from the waters.
The tour often includes sailing near other famous glaciers, just like the Upsala Glacier. However it is that the specific route can fluctuate due to weather and ice conditions, which in some respects helps show you the ever changing nature of this glacial environment. On-board commentary usually details each glacier’s formation, its environment, and any related trivia, so you can understand the history and nature surrounding the lake and glaciers.
What’s Great: It’s almost impossible to overstate how amazing seeing multiple glaciers in a single trip can be. That opportunity for breathtaking photos and viewing all the glaciers can easily please most nature enthusiasts.
Things to keep in Mind: So, be sure you book in advance because cruises, typically, get filled rather fast, most especially in the course of peak tourist season. Bring a camera, maybe with some extra batteries. You don’t want to lose out capturing awesome glaciers because your batteries ran out!
Read our full review: All Glaciers Cruise from El Calafate Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (All Glaciers Tour)
3. Perito Moreno Glacier Boat Trip
That Perito Moreno Glacier Boat Trip usually offers a somewhat close encounter with a really geological titan. The cruise approaches the southern face of the Perito Moreno Glacier, which extends over 3 miles in width and averages 240 feet tall. Seeing this gigantic wall of ice from the water, that brings a different perspective from the land viewpoints.
The boats are equipped for sightseers, like your like you’ll enjoy roomy decks for photo taking, no matter where your seats might be. So, too it’s almost that the regular departures every day allow visitors to organize the cruise to accommodate their specific schedule. That way, visitors can couple this adventure with seeing the viewpoints on land to get the full Perito Moreno experience.
What’s Great: Proximity. Being so close to the Perito Moreno Glacier is something you don’t easily forget. You could hear the cracking sounds of the glacier; that sounds can make your spine shiver! It’s absolutely the stuff of great memories!
Things to keep in Mind: Even if the boat ride is rather short, don’t disregard taking your windproof jacket. Conditions around glaciers might be chilly.
Read our full review: Perito Moreno Glacier Boat Trip Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Perito Moreno Boat Tour)
4. Ice Rivers Gourmet Cruise
That Ice Rivers Gourmet Cruise is an ideal decision, let’s say that your desire for beautiful vistas tends to be joined to fine cuisine. It’s almost like sailing through Lake Argentino, just like the All Glaciers Cruise, only with, typically, an emphasis on the on-board dining experience. Expect good meals, local wines, and excellent service that can surely heighten your sightseeing adventures.
This cruise often brings passengers by the major glaciers in the park, offering comparable views as the other tours, yet with the added luxury and care you would have expected. That route, the time allotted for viewing and the particular glaciers included will fluctuate according to that day’s weather.
What’s Great: That gourmet aspect, surely. Not that a good glacier view would hurt you, but what makes this excursion stand apart would be those meals and the wine paired, which you can find out what they have prepared for you on their website or from other people’s reviews. It brings extra flavor to your tour.
Things to keep in Mind: In the event that food is your main motivation, be certain your cruise itinerary lines up with dining times, that guarantees you could completely relish each dish while enjoying the glacier views. That detail can turn an OK gourmet cruise into one of the books.
Read our full review: Ice Rivers Gourmet Cruise Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Gourmet Glaciers Cruise)
5. Sailing Adventure to Viedma Glacier
That adventure towards the Viedma Glacier involves sailing on Lake Viedma. What differs between that and your usual tour lies in its character, so that means this lake tends to be less frequented by the typical tourist crowds, for the most part. What that implies would be an intimate experience, maybe perfect for seeing sights far from everyone else. The Viedma Glacier stands among the biggest in the Patagonian Ice Field.
That trip includes a closer investigation of the glacier front, also an option to go for a trek on the ice with crampons. In other words, this isn’t just viewing; that gives a hands on glacier travel experience! With guidance and security precautions, such trips suit travelers who seek to take an active position in Patagonia.
What’s Great: Hiking a glacier gets you brag rights for a very long time. You have the opportunity to stand on a blue ice and hear the crushing sound of an iceberg drifting by. Now, wouldn’t you want to boast on social media?
Things to keep in Mind: Ice trekking may not really be for everyone; should you have a health condition, make certain that the tour providers are okay to let you participate. As you would have guessed, weather can disrupt trekking trips. It might just take place, or could not.
Read our full review: Sailing Adventure to Viedma Glacier Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Viedma Glacier Trek)
Takeaways for Touring Los Glaciares National Park
- Glacier Variety: Each tour gives views of many glaciers, that each possesses a unique appeal in its own right.
- Activities: Think about your comfort in hiking on glaciers or riding the cruise if you have motion sickness.
- Book in Advance: Tours, in some respects, tend to get overbooked so make arrangements beforehand.
- Weather: The weather is fairly erratic, it’s almost vital that you bring the appropriate clothing to brave unpredictable shifts in the elements.
