Los Glaciares Tours: Top 5 Unmissable Park Experiences

Planning a trip down to Patagonia, that very special region shared by Argentina and Chile? A major highlight that just cannot be skipped is, without a doubt, Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. This place, established way back in 1937, protects a vast area of mountains, forests, and, most spectacularly, glaciers, so that people get to marvel at them. Now, thinking of paying it a visit? Here are what I reckon are the top 5 tours, sightseeing options, and cruises to make your experience genuinely memorable.

1. Perito Moreno Glacier Big Ice Trekking

The Perito Moreno Glacier is, perhaps, the star of Los Glaciares National Park, often considered its crown jewel. There are, sure, plenty of ways to view this amazing ice formation – from the walkways on land, that let you witness the glacier calving (huge chunks of ice detaching and crashing into the water), and on boat trips which offer close encounters, so it is almost like being personal with its towering icy face. But, really, if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you might like to check out the “Big Ice” trekking tour. It is rather exciting.

What’s so great about it: First, you cruise across Argentino Lake, that incredibly stunning, still-water lake. After that, you get fitted with crampons – those spiky things you attach to your boots that make walking on ice a bit easier. The adventure has now started: you’re walking directly onto the glacier’s surface. That feeling, it’s one for the memory books. Guides lead you across the ice, explaining its formations and the area’s interesting geology. So you actually get a solid science lesson as part of all the icy fun!

Things you may need to know: This adventure is actually pretty strenuous, so it does call for reasonable fitness. The minimum age is around 18, and there are some upper age limits too, tending to be around 50, basically for safety. Make reservations early because, frankly, the Big Ice trek tours usually sell out. Make sure you’re prepared with proper hiking gear, plus layers, seeing as the weather could be rather erratic. And don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses – the glare off the ice could really get to you.

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2. Upsala & Spegazzini Glacier Cruise

Another absolutely stunning way to see Los Glaciares National Park, as an option, is via a cruise on Argentino Lake, often described as magnificent, that has routes heading toward the Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers. This option tends to offer a distinct perspective, a different look at the park, and it is less physically demanding, mostly suitable for a wide range of travelers, arguably, those who’d actually prefer a less strenuous kind of sightseeing.

What’s so great about it: These cruises often include stops at several different vantage points and, just maybe, even a landing at a remote spot so you can explore on foot for a bit. The Spegazzini Glacier actually stands quite tall, with incredibly high ice walls – which make for dramatic photos. And then, the Upsala Glacier, in a way, is enormous, despite its steady retreat; there’s also icebergs of just amazing colors all around you. The boat also typically slips quietly through ice-filled waters so everyone gets those amazing, iconic photo opportunities. These boat trips may sometimes feature an onboard narration explaining the geology, wildlife, and history behind Los Glaciares, so it adds that bit of educational flair to the experience, you know.

Things you may need to know: Cruise durations may differ slightly; they’re frequently full-day affairs, so setting aside sufficient time is just what you might need. Keep an eye on weather forecasts since trips may just get adjusted due to conditions. Bring along binoculars, a telephoto lens, or just a decent zoom camera. Really, the extra reach seriously lets you pick out animals, landscape details, and patterns up in the glacial ice which are very cool to see.

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3. Minitrekking on Perito Moreno Glacier

For something which provides that “on-the-ice” vibe from the Big Ice Trek, yet with a little less required physical exertion, consider the Minitrekking experience right on the Perito Moreno Glacier, perhaps not so surprisingly. So too, it offers what folks sometimes refer to as an intermediate difficulty between plain sightseeing platforms versus strenuous multi-hour ice hikes. People who want something hands-on without all-day commitment find this a good middle ground.

What’s so great about it: Like its beefier Big Ice sibling, it too kicks off with a brief boat trip from the mainland that lets folks actually access the western face of the glacier. You’re, arguably, kitted out with crampons at that point, after which, you typically hike for just under two hours all across the surface of the ice. That gives people lots of time to take photos of ice caves and sinkholes. Very, very stunning. Professional guides share ecological points of interest throughout as well.

Things you may need to know: This mini-trek tends to be okay for reasonably fit folks between the ages of, give or take, 10 and 65, roughly. Like with Big Ice tours, book as early as possible! The tour availability fills up so quick. Remember your layers, and think about waterproof outer garments. Pack your lunch too, for the experience really gets to a better conclusion when there’s some leisure to be found once the icy bit wraps up.

Read our full review: Minitrekking on Perito Moreno Glacier Full Review and Details

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4. Kayaking on Argentino Lake

If you really dig that sense of adventure – with a really up-close experience, then seriously think about kayaking on Argentino Lake. Paddling between icebergs that may come in shades of intense blue, with glacial walls sort of towering above you, just really does put the park on display differently from all the traditional perspectives that people tend to consider. This can feel, to some, a truly special sort of immersion within Patagonia’s icy heart.

What’s so great about it: These kayaking adventures regularly launch either near Perito Moreno, or they tend to start up by some of the quieter, less-visited parts of the lake’s arms. Groups tend to stay smaller – perhaps that intimate quality seriously matters to folks! Usually you will get dry suits, arguably an absolutely key point to be able to resist the icy waters. Often, guides explain iceberg forming, patterns of erosion, local conditions; yet, there are few things so, too it’s almost magical when one simply glides and takes in that glacial landscape right around them!

Things you may need to know: Prior kayaking background could well come in handy. However, a fair number of tour outfits offer intro sessions just before putting their clients out, arguably allowing almost everyone to feel comfortable giving it a shot. Double check age as well as fitness guidelines beforehand. Booking ahead seriously matters, in light of small group sizes, because that helps manage kayak and safety kit requirements better, for everyone’s ease of mind.

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5. Estancia Cristina Discovery Tour

To blend some insight into Patagonian ranch life in with views that almost no one ever overlooks – Los Glaciares itself, give a solid look toward what folks often just call the Estancia Cristina tour. Situated in a somewhat remote spot reachable almost only via boat ride, this historic sheep farm provides all of you an interesting look back to an early-20th-century existence set inside totally jaw-dropping scenery, for the most part.

What’s so great about it: Usually tour packages do consist of sailing across Argentino Lake, where visitors learn a great deal about the estancia, visit its interesting historical museum at the buildings on the property and, so too it’s almost unbelievable, go by 4×4 up into spots for awesome glacial outlooks, too it’s almost unreal. Usually you will get to witness the Upsala Glacier just looming in the distance along with views from practically untouched mountain environments, in fact! This blends scenery with that peek back through history; really there may not be any greater combinations than something so great.

Things you may need to know: It could get windy; often, it seriously just happens without almost anyone expecting. So wear layers; it would arguably seem like second nature anyway, at these latitudes! Because the boat transportation may often shift due weather concerns and whatnot, double-checking trip plans one day out generally proves fairly savvy just to circumvent unpleasant news when the sailing time starts showing its face over on your watch or somewhere around there at least…

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