All Glaciers: Upsala and Spegazzini Navigation with Landing

• About the tour

  All Glaciers Itinerary

  The day begins with the search for passengers who opted for the transfer option, taking them to the Punta Bandera Port, located within the Los Glaciares National Park, 45 km from El Calafate.

  Pick-up by the hotel

  Arrival at the Port and Boarding

  Visit to the Upsala Glacier

  Visit to the Spegazzini Glacier

  Landing at Spegazzini Refuge

  Earth Exploration

  Return to El Calafate

  Included in the Tour

  Optional transfer service

  Glacier boarding and viewing

  The journey begins in Puerto Punta Bandera, sailing along the North Arm of Lake Argentino. Passing through the Boca del Diablo (Devil's Mouth), the vessel heads towards the majestic Upsala and Spegazzini Channels, revealing the impressive Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers at the end of each channel, respectively. The Upsala Glacier, the largest in Lake Argentino, and the Spegazzini Glacier, the tallest, will leave you in awe. In addition to the imposing icebergs of various shapes, you will also admire the Seco, Heim Sur, and Peineta Glaciers on this unique voyage.

  Landing at Spegazzini Refuge

  During your landing at Glacier Bay, you'll explore a trail that winds through the forest, offering spectacular views of the Spegazzini Glacier. At the end of the trail, you'll reach the Spegazzini Refuge, where you can explore freely and bring your own food.

  Transfer options

  With transfer: We will pick up the passenger from their hotel and return them to the same location at the end of the tour. If you are not staying at a hotel or hostel, a convenient meeting point will be assigned. Without transfer: Passengers must arrive at Punta Bandera Port at the indicated time. The option to add transfer is available more than 7 days in advance of the chosen date.

  What is the Upsala Glacier?

  The Upsala Glacier It is the largest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, with a surface area of 765 km² This makes it the third largest glacier in South America (only surpassed by Pio XI in Chile and Viedma in Argentina). During the All Glaciers cruise, you'll approach its 60-meter-high ice front, sailing among blue icebergs the size of cars and houses that are constantly calving from its walls.

  Dimensions and characteristics of the Upsala Glacier

  The Upsala Glacier descends from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field —the third largest freshwater reserve on the planet after Antarctica and Greenland— traveling 53 kilometers until it flows into Lake Argentino. Its front measures approximately 4 kilometers wide, forming a continuous wall of ice 60 meters above the water and another 40 meters submerged below the surface.

  Unfortunately, like many Patagonian glaciers, the Upsala is experiencing accelerated retreat: studies of Argentine Institute of Snow Science, Glaciology and Environmental Sciences (IANIGLA) They document that its front receded approximately 3.2 kilometers between 2000 and 2020, at a rate of 160 meters per year. This retreat is visible in the large number of floating icebergs you will find during the navigation, evidence of the glacier's active fragmentation process.

  

  How do you visit the Upsala Glacier?

  The Upsala Glacier It is only accessible via navigation from Puerto Punta Bandera, as there are no roads or walkways leading to it. The All Glaciers excursion sails along the Upsala Channel for approximately one hour, approaching within 500 meters of the glacier front when ice conditions allow.

  Sailing through the Upsala Channel is a unique experience: the catamaran zigzags between icebergs of varying sizes and shades of blue, some with whimsical shapes sculpted by the water and sun. It's common to hear the cracking and roaring sounds of ice calving, which occur several times an hour, especially on sunny days.

  Best time to visit: The ideal season is October to March (Austral spring and summer), when the Upsala Channel has a lower concentration of icebergs and allows navigation closer to the ice front. During the Patagonian winter (June to August), the channel may be partially blocked by ice, limiting access.

  Why is it called Uppsala? The name comes from the Uppsala University in Sweden, The institution that financed the first scientific expeditions to explore glaciers in this region of Patagonia in 1908. The Swedish geographer Carl Skottsberg named the glacier after his university.

  What is the Spegazzini Glacier?

  The Spegazzini Glacier It is the highest glacier in all of Argentine Patagonia, with ice walls that rise up to 135 meters above water level —equivalent to a 45-story building—. Unlike the Perito Moreno or the Upsala, which can only be viewed from boats or distant walkways, the Spegazzini allows you to disembark at its base and walk it from multiple land-based viewpoints.

  Dimensions and characteristics of the Spegazzini Glacier

  The Spegazzini Glacier, named after the Italian botanist Carlos Spegazzini who explored Patagonia at the end of the 19th century, covers an area of approximately 66 km² and descends from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field to the Spegazzini Arm of Lake Argentino. Its front is a width of 1.5 kilometers and in some places it reaches depths of up to 200 meters underwater, creating an impressive volume of ice.

  Unlike other glaciers in the region that are in accelerated retreat, the Spegazzini remains relatively stableIn the last 20 years, it has receded less than 100 meters, a significantly slower rate compared to Lake Upsala or Lake Uppsala. This stability is attributed to its geographical orientation and the particular microclimate of the valley where it is located.

  To give you an idea of its height: when you sail past the Spegazzini, the ice walls are like stacking 13 buses stacked one on top of the other. The feeling of smallness in front of this mass of ice is one of the most memorable experiences of the tour.

  

  How do you visit the Spegazzini Glacier?

  The Spegazzini Glacier is visited on the All Glaciers tour with a 2-hour landing at Spegazzini Base, an experience that combines sailing close to the glacier's face with a land hike through the Patagonian Andean forest.

  The tour includes: First, the catamaran approaches to within about 500 meters of the glacier's face, allowing you to appreciate the full magnitude of its vertical walls. Then you disembark at Spegazzini Bay From here begins a 600-meter trail with wooden walkways that winds through centuries-old lenga and ñire trees. The trail is easy and equipped with safety railings, making it accessible to all ages.

  During the hike you will reach three panoramic viewpoints Located at different heights, each one offers unique perspectives of the glacier: from the first viewpoint you can see the entire 1.5 km front, the second viewpoint allows you to appreciate the glacial valley and how the ice descends from the mountains, and the third viewpoint —the highest— offers 360° views of the Spegazzini Arm and the surrounding snowy peaks.

  At the end of the trail you will reach Spegazzini Refuge, A modern log building with a full cafeteria where you can have lunch (hot and cold options), use restrooms, charge devices, and buy souvenirs. Many visitors bring their own food and enjoy lunch with a view of the glacier from the refuge's terraces.

  Recommendation: Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip (hiking boots are ideal) as the trail can have wet sections. Bring a windbreaker even in summer, because near the glacier the temperature drops 5-8°C compared to the rest of the lake.

  Uppsala vs Spegazzini: What's the difference?

  Although both glaciers are part of the same Patagonian glacial system, their characteristics are remarkably different and complementary:

  The Upsala Glacier: Extent and Icebergs

  Uppsala is the giant on the surface With its 765 km² (almost 12 times larger than Spegazzini), it forms a river of ice 53 kilometers long. Its 4-kilometer-wide front is the most extensive ice wall in the park, although its height of 60 meters is modest compared to other glaciers. The distinctive feature of the Upsala is the giant blue icebergs which it produces continuously: on an average day you will see 5 to 10 calving events per hour, creating a navigable field of icebergs that makes you feel like you are in Antarctica.

  The Spegazzini Glacier: Altitude and Landing

  The Spegazzini is the champion in vertical height with walls up to 135 meters high, more than twice the height of Upsala. Its face is narrower (1.5 km) but forms an impressive wall that rises like an ice skyscraper. The great advantage of Spegazzini is that allows disembarkationFor two hours you'll hike along trails with ground-level viewpoints, an experience impossible on Mount Upsala. Its rockfalls are less frequent but more spectacular when they occur, as they fall from greater heights.

  The advantage of All Glaciers: It's the only tour that includes a landing in front of the Spegazzini Glacier, as well as sailing past the imposing Upsala Glacier. While other excursions such as Gourmet Glaciers They also visit both glaciers in the same day; only Todo Glaciares allows you to get off the boat and walk with panoramic views of the Spegazzini, the tallest glacier in the National Park, while also enjoying the sailing in front of the Upsala, the largest.

  Optionally, choose the Captain's Club experience, which includes a special deck with an open bar, coffee service, unlimited drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and a three-course menu. Enjoy a unique panoramic view, preferred seating on the ship, and personalized attention from a host and guide throughout the tour.

  Reserve Captain's Club!
• Info to keep in mind

  Discover the Adventure in El Calafate with our Exclusive Tour

  • Tour Details

    Duration

    9 hours (hotel pick-up times may vary by 1 hour).

    Difficulty level

    Half.

    Age

    Tour suitable for all ages.

    For bookings for sailing trips with minors (ages 3-16), please send a photo of their ID and state your relationship to them. Attach the document to our email address info@calafate.tours.
  • Recommendations

    To make the most of your day in Patagonia, we recommend bringing:

    • Clothing: Comfortable, warm clothing in layers (onion style). The weather can change quickly.
    • Footwear: Trekking shoes or closed, comfortable shoes for walking on the trails.
    • Protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat, even on cloudy days.
    • Food and Drink: You can bring your own food and drinks to enjoy during the day.
    • Camera: Don't forget your camera or cell phone to capture unforgettable landscapes!
  • Includes
    • Full-day boat trip on Lake Argentino.
    • Visit to the walls of the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers.
    • Landing at Spegazzini Base.
    • Bilingual guide (Spanish/English) on board.
  • Does not include
    • Entrance to Los Glaciares National Park, you must choose the option the Puerto Punta Bandera access portal. Get your ticket in advance here.
    • Lunch and drinks not included.
    • Unspecified extras.

    This tour requires the entrance to Los Glaciares National Park (not included). If you visit the park two consecutive days, you can get 50% discount on your second deposit presenting your ticket from the previous day. For 3-4 day itineraries, the Flexipass 3 days saves up to $45.000 vs. buying daily tickets.

  • Climatic Conditions
    • The excursion normally takes place despite adverse weather conditions such as rain or wind. Patagonia is known for its changeable weather. The tour will only be canceled in the event of extreme conditions that prevent safe navigation, a decision that will be made by the captain.
  • Cancellation and rescheduling policy

    We understand that plans may change. We offer the following options:

    • Free Cancellation: You can cancel your booking free of charge up to 72 hours before the start of the tour.
    • Rescheduling: Subject to availability, you can request a date change with a minimum of 72 hours' notice.
    • Within 72 hours: No refunds will be given for cancellations or no-shows.