Glaciers deserve a slow, comfy day. This boat tour from El Calafate is built around five glacier views from Lake Argentino, with plenty of deck space (and an inside view option for cold spells). I also like that the day includes a lunch set-up on the boat plus time at Perito Moreno’s walkways, so you’re not just staring out a window all day.

One thing to keep in mind: the “gourmet” label can set expectations too high for some people, since the lunch is mainly a box-style meal (with a premium upgrade offering a bigger food-and-drinks setup).

Key things to know before you go

• Four open-air decks on a spacious catamaran, plus seating options to stay warm
• VIP upgrade option with a private outdoor deck for better viewing comfort
• Five-glacier route from Upsala to Spegazzini, then Heim/Seco and finally Perito Moreno
• Park entrance isn’t included, so budget for Los Glaciares National Park separately
• Two Perito Moreno styles: walk the trails (recommended) or stay on the boat longer
• Max group size of 50, which helps keep the day feeling organized

The big idea: why this glacier cruise feels worth the price

A glacier day can get expensive fast—taxis, park fees, boat tickets, and food all add up. What makes this tour stand out for value is that you’re paying for a full catamaran cruise plus guided time at multiple glacier zones, with transfers and meals depending on the booking option.

From $245 per person, you’re getting a large portion of the day already handled: pickup (if you choose it), boat transportation, a guide in Spanish and English, and a lunch service onboard. The one major “extra cost” you should plan for is the Los Glaciares National Park entrance ticket, which is not included. If you arrive expecting a simple all-in-one deal, that’s where some budget plans get surprised.

Also, the word gourmet shows up a lot in Patagonia marketing. The practical truth: you’ll get a solid meal service, but it’s still a boat day. If you’re the kind of person who needs a restaurant-style sit-down menu to feel satisfied, you might want to think about the premium meal option—or accept that this is more about glacier time than fine dining.

How the day runs from El Calafate to the boat

The tour timing is straightforward and designed to get you to the water early enough for the best light and the least rush.

If you choose the pickup option, the day starts around 7:00 a.m. with collection from your accommodation in El Calafate. If you choose without pickup, you’ll handle getting yourself to Puerto Privado La Soledad, about 29 miles (47 km) from town.

By about 8:15 a.m., you’re at the port. Your guide helps you purchase the Los Glaciares National Park entrance ticket (again: that fee is separate). From there, the boarding process starts so the cruise can leave on schedule.

This early start matters more than you might think. The boat day is long—listed at 10 to 12 hours—and you’ll want your energy for deck time, photo time, and (if you choose it) walking the Perito Moreno trails later in the day.

Boarding on a catamaran: decks, wind, and a VIP upgrade

At 8:30 a.m., boarding begins on a spacious catamaran with four open-air decks. That layout is a big deal. You’re not stuck shoulder-to-shoulder in one viewing lane. Instead, you can move to where you have a clear sightline to the glaciers as the captain positions the boat.

The boat also includes an inside option with large windows. This is your best friend on cold or windy stretches. One of the most consistent bits of advice from real-world experience is simple: plan to enjoy the deck views when conditions are good, then retreat inside when the air turns punchy.

If you want extra comfort, there’s also a VIP section with a private outdoor deck. The catch: you only get that experience if you select the VIP upgrade when booking. On a day like this, comfort directly affects how long you’ll stay outside for the views.

Los Glaciares National Park entry: the one thing you must pay separately

This tour includes guidance and access through the day, but the park entrance ticket is not included in the tour price. Your guide helps you buy it once you’re at the port.

Why I treat this as important: if you don’t account for it, your budget can feel off at the last minute. If you do account for it, the rest of the day feels like what you paid for—boat time, guide support, and glacier viewing.

It also helps you understand what you’re really buying. You’re not just taking a boat on a random lake. You’re entering a protected area where glacier access and navigation rules exist for safety—and your day follows those rules.

Upsala Glacier: huge scale, and why the boat stays farther out

The cruise leaves promptly at 9:00 a.m. and quickly gets into glacier territory.

Upsala Glacier is the second largest glacier in South America, and it’s so massive that calving events create real safety concerns. For that reason, the boat won’t come closer than ten kilometers. Even at a distance like that, it looks enormous—because it is enormous.

Here’s what I like about how the viewing is handled: the captain maneuvers the boat so passengers get good sightlines both inside and on the decks. You’re not guessing where to stand. You can watch the glacier wall approach, then reposition for the best angle when the boat turns.

One more practical point: expect the biggest visuals to come with the most patience. Upsala’s awe isn’t about a quick close-up; it’s about absorbing scale and movement from a safer vantage.

Hanging glaciers: Heim and Seco on the way to Spegazzini

After Upsala, you’ll see hanging glaciers—ice that clings to the mountainside without touching Lake Argentino below. Heim and Seco are part of this story, and the effect is striking because you’re looking at ice that feels suspended, not grounded.

This segment is also a helpful change of pace. Instead of focusing only on one dominant face, you’re seeing multiple ice shapes and forms as the boat navigates. It’s a good time to take a breath, check your photos, and warm up inside when the deck air gets too sharp.

El Puesto de Las Vacas: a calm walk with Patagonia cattle-ranch history

Not every glacier cruise has time that isn’t purely icy. This one includes a stop at El Puesto de Las Vacas, also called the Cow Stall, where you disembark for about an hour.

What you get here is a guided walk in a historic Patagonian cattle ranch setting inside the park area. You’ll see horses, old buildings, and artifacts left by early settlers, then get background from the tour team.

This stop is valuable even for people who think they signed up only for glaciers. It breaks the day into a different sensory mode—less motion, more air, more texture under your feet. It also gives your brain a rest from constant “look at the ice!” mode.

Spegazzini Glacier and lunch: when food is part of the glacier rhythm

Spegazzini Glacier is next, and it’s easy to see why it gets attention. The hanging section rises up to 425 ft (130 m)—nearly twice the height of Perito Moreno. From the boat, it’s impressive from multiple angles, not just one.

Then lunch hits right around this point. You’ll be served a Patagonian lamb sandwich with baked vegetables as part of the standard meal. If you choose the premium option, the meal becomes a four-course experience: two appetizers, a main dish, and dessert. Drinks are included either way, but premium adds an open bar throughout the tour.

This is where the “gourmet” word can be misunderstood. For me, the cleanest way to set expectations is:

• Standard option = a plated lunchbox style meal service on a boat.
• Premium option = a more formal multi-course setup plus more drink freedom.

Neither is wrong. They’re just different experiences. If you’re deciding between them, think about what you care about: glacier time vs meal ceremony.

Toward Perito Moreno: cracking ice and that famous roar

After Spegazzini, the boat heads toward the canal area toward the northern edge of Perito Moreno. The cruise continues through the Canal de los Témpanos, and you may notice the soundscape changing as you approach active ice zones.

Perito Moreno is massive and constantly moving. From the boat, you can witness ice cracking and hear the roar as chunks break off and crash into Lake Argentino.

This part is often the emotional peak of the day. It’s not just visual. It feels physical—like the glacier is alive and nearby. Just remember: you’re still watching from a safety distance, so you get the event without stepping into danger.

Your Perito Moreno choice: walkways or stay onboard

Once you cruise alongside Perito Moreno, you have two distinct options.

Option 1: Disembark at Perito Moreno and walk the trails

The boat arrives at a dock around 3:30 p.m., and then you’ll explore Perito Moreno’s walkways for about two hours. This is the part I usually recommend because walking changes everything. You get different angles of the glacier wall and a better sense of scale when you’re on solid ground.

After your time on the paths, you return to El Calafate by shuttle bus and arrive in town around 7:00 p.m. It also fits well if you’re not planning other Perito Moreno add-on tours like minitrekking, since this gives you real trail time.

Option 2: Tour without disembarkation

If you choose not to walk, the boat turns and heads back, and you’ll disembark around 5:00 p.m. If your booking includes transfers, a shuttle brings you back to your accommodation in El Calafate around 6:00 p.m.

This option can make sense if you hate timed walking, have limited mobility, or just want the simpler “stay on the boat, keep watching” experience. But if you want the full Perito Moreno feel, the walkways option usually provides the best payoff.

Comfort tips that actually matter on glacier days

A glacier cruise has two enemies: wind and temperature swings. You can’t control either, but you can plan for them.

• Bring layering basics. Even if the sun is bright, the deck air can turn sharp quickly.
• Use the inside viewing windows as your comfort backup. It’s a real plus when the boat is moving into colder stretches.
• Keep your day organized around viewing windows. When the captain positions the boat, don’t spend that time digging for your jacket.
• If you’re sensitive to motion, pick your seating early and stay put when the captain maneuvers. You’ll enjoy the best sightlines without constantly shifting.

Also, keep an eye on your photography. The captain’s adjustments help everyone see. Still, you’ll get clearer shots when you’re ready and positioned rather than scrambling.

Who this tour fits best

This tour is a strong match if you want:

• A single-day, high-impact route to see multiple glaciers without hopping between different tours
• A mix of boat views and a walk at Perito Moreno
• A guided day with Spanish and English commentary
• An experience that stays organized with a group cap of up to 50 people

It’s also a decent family option because it’s built around comfort and time planning, not extreme hikes. If you’re traveling with older relatives or you want a day that’s visually intense but physically manageable, the Perito Moreno walkways option is a good compromise.

Where it may not fit perfectly: if you’re very food-focused and need a restaurant-level gourmet experience, the standard lunch may feel more basic than the marketing suggests. In that case, either choose the premium meal option or mentally label this as glacier-first, meal-second.

Should you book this Perito Moreno Glaciers Gourmet tour?

If your main goal is to see five glaciers in one day from the water, plus get meaningful time at Perito Moreno, I think this is a smart booking. The boat format is efficient, the viewing is set up for multiple sightlines, and the day has enough variety to keep it from feeling repetitive.

I’d book it if:

• You want a full glacier lineup without separate planning
• You’re open to deck time with an inside warm-up plan
• You’ll pick the Perito Moreno walkways option for the best “this is real” scale

I’d hesitate or adjust expectations if:

• You’re very strict about gourmet dining. The standard lunch is a box-style meal, while premium is the path to a more elaborate setup.
• You dislike long days. It’s a 10–12 hour experience, so bring stamina (and layers).

If you’re arriving in El Calafate with one “big glacier day” on your mind, this one delivers the goods—just don’t treat the lunch like a five-star restaurant, and you’ll enjoy the day for what it is: a powerful window into Patagonia ice.

FAQ

Is the entrance ticket to Los Glaciares National Park included?

No. You’ll need to buy the park entrance ticket separately at the port. Your guide helps you with this during the morning.

What time does the tour start if I choose hotel pickup?

Pickup is around 7:00 a.m. If you choose no pickup, you’ll make your own way to Puerto Privado La Soledad.

How many glaciers does the boat tour visit?

The route is designed around five glaciers viewed from the boat, ending at the Perito Moreno area.

Can I choose to get off the boat at Perito Moreno?

Yes. You can choose a walkways option where you disembark for about two hours on the Perito Moreno trails, or a no-disembarkation option where you stay on the boat and return earlier.

Is there a VIP upgrade?

Yes. There’s a VIP section with a private outdoor deck, but you only get it if you choose the VIP upgrade when booking.

What is lunch like on the tour?

Lunch includes a Patagonian lamb sandwich with baked vegetables as the standard option, and it comes with drinks and dessert. The premium option includes a four-course meal and an open bar.

How long is the tour?

It’s listed at about 10 to 12 hours.

How does cancellation work?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.