Gourmet Glacier Cruise & Footbridges of Perito Moreno

A wall of blue-white ice rising 135 meters above Lake Argentino is the great payoff here, but the real strength of this day is the variety. You move from a comfortable María Turquesa cruise to a quiet forest path, then finish at the famous Perito Moreno Glacier on foot.

I like the chance to see glaciers that are not reachable by road, especially Upsala and Spegazzini. I also like the way the final Perito Moreno footbridges give you time to leave the boat behind and view the glacier from several land-based angles. The catch is the length: this is a 12-hour day, with about three hours spent on the bus, and the national park admission is not included.

Key points at a glance

• Three major glacier areas in one day: Sail past Upsala, the hanging glaciers of Spegazzini Channel, and Perito Moreno.
• Spegazzini reaches 135 meters above the lake: This is the highest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park.
• A 30-minute forest walk breaks up the boat ride: Las Vacas Post offers a short, guided walk with views across the channel.
• Perito Moreno is explored from the footbridges: The final stop gives you close views of its tall ice wall from land.
• The boat is a strong part of the experience: The María Turquesa offers panoramic viewing and a comfortable base between stops.
• Budget for two extra costs: Park admission is separate, and the lunch box is included only with the selected option.

Why this glacier day works so well

Los Glaciares National Park can feel scattered across a huge area, and that is part of its appeal. The glaciers are not lined up beside one easy viewpoint. Some are best seen from a boat, some from a walkway, and some only from a distance across the water.

This excursion handles that problem neatly. You do not spend the entire day at one overlook. Instead, you see large ice fields and floating ice from Lake Argentino, walk through Patagonian forest, and then reach Perito Moreno for the grand finale.

The boat-and-footbridge combination is the main reason I would consider this tour instead of a simple bus trip to Perito Moreno. Upsala and Spegazzini are important parts of the park, but a road visit cannot reach them. Perito Moreno, by contrast, is the glacier you explore from land, where the network of balconies helps you understand its scale.

At $276 per person, this is not a cheap day out. Still, the price covers hotel pickup, the full cruise, a guide, the forest walk, and access to the Perito Moreno walkways. You are paying for a long, carefully connected day rather than a single boat ride. The value is strongest if you want to see several famous glacier areas and have only one free day for the park.

From El Calafate to Private Port La Soledad

Pickup begins from 7:00 AM at hotels with a reception. Be ready in the lobby, since the transfer is not arranged directly from short-term rentals or accommodations without reception. In that case, you receive a nearby meeting point.

The drive to Private Port La Soledad takes about 1.5 hours and covers roughly 47 kilometers after entering the park area. This is practical rather than glamorous transport, but it gives you a simple start: sit back, keep your warm clothing handy, and let the guide handle the morning details.

You should not treat the bus ride as wasted time. This is a large national park, and the road transfer is what connects the port, the cruise, and Perito Moreno in one day. Still, anyone who dislikes long excursions should be realistic. You leave early and return to El Calafate after dark or close to it, depending on the day’s timing.

At the port, you board the María Turquesa. The ship is described as modern, clean, and comfortable, with broad viewing opportunities. That matters because you will want to move between indoor comfort and outdoor decks as the weather changes.

Boca del Diablo and the North Arm

The boat begins through Boca del Diablo, the narrowest part of Lake Argentino. The name sounds theatrical, but the useful point is its shape: this passage leads the boat from the open lake toward the northern sections where the glacier views begin to build.

The cruise is a good choice for people who want more than a quick photo stop. You have time to look for ice in the water, listen to explanations in Spanish or English, and see how the scale of the lake changes as the route narrows into different channels.

Weather can make a big difference. On a clear day, distant ice fronts and snow-covered mountains should have sharper outlines. On a rainy day, the views may be muted, as happened on one departure, though Perito Moreno still offered a strong finish when the clouds broke. Bring warm layers and sunscreen, even if the morning begins gray.

Lake Argentino is often calm enough for a pleasant ride. One departure found the water so smooth that motion sickness was not a problem. That is not a guarantee, but the cruise is still a better match for people who want time on the water without the rougher feel of an ocean excursion.

Upsala Channel and its floating ice

The route continues into the Upsala Channel, where you look toward Upsala Glacier, one of the largest in the park. Depending on conditions and the boat’s route, you may see substantial icebergs scattered across the water between you and the distant glacier.

This section is less about one dramatic wall of ice and more about scale. The glacier can appear far away, with icebergs acting as the foreground. That distance is part of the lesson: glaciers are not always a single blue cliff beside the boat. Some are broad, remote ice systems feeding the lake.

The boat has room to let you see the ice from more than one angle. That is useful for photography, since an iceberg can look completely different when viewed from the side than when framed against the glacier behind it.

Your guide’s explanations add context to what could otherwise become a string of pretty views. English and Spanish are available, and past departures have included guides such as Daniela. Because guide assignments can change, do not book based on a particular person, but expect live guidance in both listed languages.

Spegazzini Channel and the highest glacier

The Spegazzini Channel is the visual high point of the cruise for many people. Here, the route passes hanging glaciers including Dry, Heim Sur, and Peineta. Their position high on the mountain slopes gives this part of the trip a different character from the broad, distant view of Upsala.

Then comes Spegazzini Glacier, the highest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. Its ice rises about 135 meters, or 440 feet, above the lake. That figure is easy to repeat and hard to picture until you are looking at the ice wall from the water.

This stop rewards patience. You will want to take photos, but leave time to watch the glacier without a camera in your hand. The boat provides a peaceful place to absorb the scale, and the water gives you an unobstructed view that is difficult to get from land.

The cruise portion is also where this tour earns much of its price. Two major glacier areas, Upsala and Spegazzini, are visible only by boat on this route. A bus-only excursion to Perito Moreno cannot give you that wider sense of the park.

A short walk at Las Vacas Post

The boat stops at Las Vacas Post, also listed in the schedule as Las Vacas, for a guided 30-minute walk through Patagonian forest. This is not a demanding trek. It is a short change of pace after several hours on the water.

The path gives you postcard-style views across the channel and lets you experience the park at ground level. I like this stop because it prevents the day from becoming one long sequence of deck photos and announcements. You get to stretch your legs, breathe colder forest air, and see the surrounding setting from a fixed viewpoint.

Wear proper closed-toe shoes with a comfortable sole. The instructions specifically call for comfortable shoes and warm clothing, and that advice applies even more once you leave the boat. High heels are not allowed, and large bags or luggage should stay behind.

The walk is brief, so do not expect a full hiking experience. Its value is variety, not distance. If you want a serious trek across ice or a long mountain route, this is not that kind of excursion.

Perito Moreno and the footbridge finale

After returning to the boat, the route continues toward Perito Moreno Glacier. Here you leave the ship and explore the famous network of walkways overlooking the ice.

This is where the day shifts from broad views to closer observation. The footbridges let you choose different angles and elevations, so you can study the glacier’s vertical face, the lake in front of it, and the surrounding slopes. You are not simply stepping off a bus, taking one picture, and leaving.

The walkways are also the best place to wait for the glacier’s famous movement. Ice can crack, shift, or calve into the water, though nobody can promise that you will see a major fall. One departure caught a large section breaking away after the rain eased, which shows why a little patience can pay off.

Your time here is especially valuable if you choose the footbridge option. The cruise brings you close to glaciers by water, but the walkways let you compare that experience with a stable land viewpoint. You can move at your own pace while still following the day’s schedule.

The final stop is not entirely weatherproof. Rain and low cloud can flatten the views, and the walkways may feel exposed in cold conditions. Bring a waterproof outer layer, not just a sweater. Sunscreen matters too, since cloud cover can change quickly and reflected light from the ice is strong.

Lunch, comfort, and what you need to bring

A lunch box is available only if you choose that option. One departure found the box tasty and good value, but you should check the exact booking choice rather than assume food is included. The supplied details do not promise a restaurant meal.

Cash is listed among the items to bring, which is sensible for purchases and the separate park admission. You can buy the Los Glaciares National Park ticket on arrival in Argentine pesos, or purchase it through the official National Parks website before the trip.

Pack light. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so bring only what you need for the day. I would carry:

• Passport or ID card
• Warm layers
• Waterproof outer layer
• Comfortable closed-toe shoes
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• A small day bag, if permitted by the operator

The park entrance fee is not included in the $276 price. That is the main cost detail to add before comparing this tour with other glacier trips.

Who should book this 12-hour excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad first look at Los Glaciares National Park and prefer a planned day with transport included. It suits people who value variety: a scenic bus ride, a comfortable boat, distant and close glacier views, a forest walk, and Perito Moreno’s walkways.

Families and solo visitors can both fit comfortably into the format. The forest walk is only 30 minutes, and the cruise gives you a place to rest between viewing stops. Guides and drivers have been praised for keeping the day on time, with Maxi and Jorge specifically associated with one well-run footbridge transfer.

I would think twice if you want a quiet, flexible day with no fixed schedule. The early pickup, long duration, and coordinated transfers leave little room to linger beyond the planned stops. It is also not the right choice if your main goal is a serious hike.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your El Calafate plans are still shifting, but you still need to check the departure time and selected options before booking.

Should you book the María Turquesa glacier cruise?

Book this tour if you want to see more than Perito Moreno and are willing to commit a full day. The strongest reasons are the access to Upsala and Spegazzini by boat, the striking 135-meter ice wall of Spegazzini, and the final land-based visit to Perito Moreno.

Skip it if you only want the famous glacier and would rather spend less time in transit. In that case, a shorter Perito Moreno outing may suit you better. But if you want the most varied single-day introduction to the park, this is a well-planned choice, with the separate park fee and optional lunch as the main extras to remember.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts 12 hours, including transportation from El Calafate, the cruise, the forest walk, the Perito Moreno visit, and the return transfer.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup takes place from hotels in El Calafate with a reception, beginning from 7:00 AM. If your accommodation has no reception, you will be given a nearby meeting point.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Spanish and English.

Is the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee included?

No. You must pay the park entrance separately, either on arrival in Argentine pesos or through the official National Parks website.

Is lunch included?

A lunch box is included only if you select the option that includes it. It is not part of every booking.

How long is the forest walk?

The guided walk at Las Vacas Post lasts 30 minutes.

Can I visit the Perito Moreno footbridges?

Yes, the experience includes a visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier walkways. The footbridges option should be selected when booking if it is presented as an optional choice.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable closed-toe shoes, warm clothing, sunscreen, and cash. High-heeled shoes, luggage, and large bags are not allowed.