There are numerous other glaciers to see from El Calafate other than the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier. We offer a full day excursion on board a catamaran to visit some of the largest glaciers in the region including the Upsala, Onelli and Spegazzini glaciers. Considering that you will see multiple glaciers the tour is called “Rivers of Ice” and also the “All Glaciers Tour”.
- Pick-up from your hotel: 07:00hrs – 07:30hrs
- Embarkation: 08:30hrs
- Navigation on Board Boat: 9hrs covering around 108km
- Return to Port approx: 16:00hrs
- Return to Hotel approx: 17:00hrs
Description
This excursion is a long day, but an excellent way to see a number if impressive glaciers and icebergs as well as raw Patagonian scenery.
- After a 50km drive in the bus you will arrive at port “Punta Bandera” from where you will board a boat that navigates towards Upsala Glacier, the second largest of the three with a surface of 590km2 (the other two being the Onelli and Spegazzini glaciers), which is approximately three times the geographic-squared area covered by Buenos Aires city.
- The trip will navigate past the drifting icebergs in the northern arm of Lake Argentino, then continue to Onelli Bay where the Onelli, Bolados and Agassiz glaciers converge to create an incredibly large glacial frontier. One of the consequences of this is that there is often a high number of icebergs floating in this sector that have calved off from the main glaciers. As a result of so many icebergs it is not always possible to disembark as intended, but if it is possible to get off the boat there will be a short trek of about 800m through a forest to reach the Onelli Lagoon.
- After a lunch break the trip continues to see the Spegazzini hanging glacier.
- After viewing the Spegazzini glacier we return to port and arrive back in El Calafate late afternoon.
Backpack, outdoor trekking clothes (warm, water-proof and wind-breaker jacket, trekking pants (or trousers for the English), sturdy outdoor trekking boots, hat, sun glasses, lip balm, sun-screen cream, camera, water bottle and box lunch.
NOTE: Even if the day looks to be hot and sunny, it will be cold on the water and close to glaciers.
Included
- Pick-up and return transfer
Not Included
- National Park entrance fee
- Lunch (ask your hotel to prepare a box lunch)
Experience Chile will include this excursion in your Patagonian itinerary should you wish.