Perito Moreno boat tour from El Calafate: Glaciares Gourmet

Lake Argentino is the star here. From a roomy catamaran, you watch icebergs drift past and approach five glaciers, including the towering Spegazzini and restless Perito Moreno. I especially like the captain’s careful positioning, which gives both indoor and outdoor passengers good views, and the chance to combine a boat cruise with the Perito Moreno boardwalks in one long day.

I also like the choice of a regular or VIP outdoor deck, plus bilingual guiding in Spanish and English. The catch is the food. At $245 per person, the word gourmet sets a high bar, and the included meal is a respectable box lunch rather than a restaurant-style feast. The national park entrance fee is also extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Five glaciers in one cruise: See Upsala, Heim, Seco, Spegazzini, and Perito Moreno from Lake Argentino.
• Perito Moreno walkways are optional: Choose disembarkation for about two hours on shore, a smart choice if you are not doing another Perito Moreno excursion.
• A full-day outing: Pick-up starts around 7:00 a.m., with return to El Calafate roughly between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.
• The boat has indoor and outdoor space: Four open-air decks, large windows, and a VIP private outdoor deck help you handle cold or wind.
• Lunch is included, but expectations matter: The standard meal is a sandwich-style box lunch with sides, dessert, and drinks. Premium adds a four-course meal and open bar.
• The park fee is separate: Your guide helps you buy the Los Glaciares National Park entrance ticket at the port.

Why this cruise works so well from El Calafate

Many excursions from El Calafate focus on one famous wall of ice. Glaciares Gourmet takes a broader approach. You spend most of the day on Lake Argentino, covering a wide stretch of the national park and viewing several very different glaciers from the water.

That variety gives the day its value. Upsala is enormous and remote. Spegazzini rises dramatically above the lake. Perito Moreno brings the sound and movement of falling ice. Heim and Seco cling to the mountainside, offering a quieter lesson in how glaciers occupy high valleys.

The boat carries a maximum of 50 people, which is not a small private sailing trip, but it is manageable for a large catamaran. You can move between indoor seating and the decks, and the captain turns the boat so people on different sides get a useful look at the ice.

The main trade-off is time. This is a 10 to 12 hour day, with early pick-up, long stretches on the boat, a shore stop, lunch, and the return journey. If you prefer short outings or want plenty of free time in El Calafate, this may feel drawn out. If you want to see several glaciers in one shot, the long day makes sense.

The early start from El Calafate

With hotel pick-up, the day begins around 7:00 a.m. Your transport takes you from El Calafate to Puerto Privado La Soledad, about 47 kilometers away. By approximately 8:15 a.m., passengers are at the port, where the guide assists with the Los Glaciares National Park entrance ticket.

That park fee is not part of the $245 tour price, so include it in your budget. The guide support at the port is useful, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the payment process or the local park arrangements.

You can also book without transport. In that case, you must reach Puerto Privado La Soledad on your own and arrange your return. The transfer option is worth considering because the outing ends late and the port is well outside El Calafate.

Confirmation is normally issued when you book. If you reserve within three days of departure, confirmation can take up to 48 hours and depends on space. Since the tour is often reserved weeks ahead, booking around six weeks before your chosen date is sensible during busy periods.

Boarding a catamaran on Lake Argentino

Boarding begins around 8:30 a.m., with departure at 9:00. The catamaran has four open-air decks, large windows, and indoor areas where you can get out of the wind.

Patagonia can be cold on the water even when El Calafate feels mild. Bring layers, gloves, and a waterproof outer layer. The open decks offer the best feeling of the lake and the clearest photographs, but you may not want to stay outside for the entire cruise.

The VIP upgrade provides a private outdoor deck. That can be worthwhile if you care about having a dedicated viewing area. It does not turn the cruise into a private boat trip, and it does not mean you walk on a glacier. The boat views remain the main event.

One practical point is to board promptly. The boat has plenty of room, but seating can become awkward when groups reserve or hold places. Arriving early gives you a better chance of finding a comfortable spot and makes it easier to move around as the day unfolds.

Upsala Glacier and the floating ice

The first major glacier sight is Upsala. The surrounding ice fields can look several times larger than the ship, and the scale is hard to grasp until you see the ice stretching across the lake.

Upsala is the second-largest glacier in South America. Because large pieces can break away with force, the boat stays about 10 kilometers from its front. That distance may sound disappointing, but the glacier remains huge from the water. Its blue-white ice often appears almost lit from within.

Do not expect a steady approach right up to the glacier wall here. The captain is balancing safety with visibility. When the boat reaches a promising stretch of ice or a large iceberg, it maneuvers so passengers on different decks can see it.

This is one of the strongest parts of the cruise for scale and color. It is less about one dramatic crack of falling ice and more about the size of the ice field, the floating blocks, and the silence around them.

Heim and Seco, glaciers above the water

As the boat crosses Lake Argentino, you see Heim and Seco glaciers hanging on the mountainside. They do not reach the lake surface, so their form differs from the broad glacier fronts viewed later.

This portion of the route is quieter. It rewards you for looking up rather than only scanning the water for icebergs. The glaciers show how ice can occupy steep mountain terrain without ending in a dramatic wall at the shoreline.

The guides provide commentary in Spanish and English throughout the activities. Audio clarity can vary depending on where you sit and how close you are to the speaker, so move nearer when an explanation begins if the sound is hard to follow.

El Puesto de Las Vacas and the short walk

The boat stops at El Puesto de Las Vacas, or The Cow Stall, a former Patagonian cattle ranch inside the national park. You leave the boat for a calm guided walk of about an hour.

You see horses, old buildings, and objects connected with early settlement in Patagonia. It is a useful change of pace after several hours on the lake. The fresh air and firm ground also give you a chance to stretch your legs.

I would not book this cruise solely for the walk. The glaciers are the reason to come, and some people may find this stop less exciting than the ice. Still, it adds a human layer to a day otherwise focused on geology and weather.

For families and anyone who finds a full day on a boat tiring, this break helps. For visitors who want the shortest possible route to Perito Moreno, it adds time and may feel unnecessary.

Spegazzini Glacier and the lunch question

Spegazzini is one of the most impressive sights of the day. Its section above the lake reaches about 130 meters, or 425 feet, making it close to twice the height of Perito Moreno’s visible wall.

The boat gives you time to look from several angles. This is an excellent moment to use the outdoor decks, then return inside when the wind becomes too sharp.

Lunch is served during this part of the cruise. The standard offering is a gourmet lunchbox with a sandwich, baked vegetables or other sides, drinks, and dessert. Some people find it filling and perfectly acceptable. Others expect much more from the word gourmet and are disappointed by the sandwich and coffee.

That difference in expectation matters. At this price, the food is not the main reason to book. Treat lunch as a practical meal that keeps you going through a long day, not as a fine-dining experience.

The premium option changes the meal considerably. It includes two appetizers, a main course, dessert, and an open bar for the boat tour. If the food and drinks matter greatly to you, check the exact upgrade and cost before paying. The premium package still does not include walking on the ice.

Perito Moreno from the water

After lunch, the boat travels through the Canal de los Témpanos toward the northern edge of Perito Moreno Glacier. This is the glacier most people already know from photographs, but seeing its wall from Lake Argentino gives you a different view than the famous southern boardwalks.

Perito Moreno is active. You may hear a sharp crack before you see anything happen, then watch a block of ice fall into the lake. The sound can arrive after the movement, making the moment feel larger than the visual event itself.

The boat cruises along the glacier front and then reaches the key decision of the day. You either disembark for the walkways or remain aboard and return directly to Puerto La Soledad.

Why I recommend disembarking at Perito Moreno

If you are not doing a separate Perito Moreno hike or minitrekking outing, choose the disembarkation option. You get about two hours to explore the boardwalk paths before taking a shuttle back toward El Calafate.

The walkways provide a different scale and viewpoint. From the boat, you see the glacier as a wall across the water. From land, you can stop at several viewing levels and watch the ice front from a more stable, extended perspective.

This is not a walk on the glacier. It is a visit to the Perito Moreno viewing paths. That distinction is important, especially if you are comparing this with a minitrekking trip.

The shore option also breaks up the long boat day. After hours on the lake, walking gives you a physical reset. The return to El Calafate is later, around 7:00 p.m., but the extra time usually earns its keep.

If you select the no-disembarkation option, the boat returns to Puerto La Soledad and you leave around 5:00 p.m. With included transfers, you reach El Calafate around 6:00 p.m. Without transfers, you must arrange your own ride from the port.

Is $245 good value?

The price is high for a day excursion, but the tour includes a lot of transport and activity. You get the boat cruise, views of five glaciers, a bilingual guide, the short ranch walk, lunch, drinks, dessert, and hotel transfers if selected.

The value is strongest if your time in El Calafate is limited and you want one organized day covering several glaciers. Booking separate transport and boat arrangements could be inconvenient, and the captain’s positioning gives you a good chance of seeing the ice from either side.

The value is weaker if you mainly want Perito Moreno. A shorter outing focused on the glacier and its boardwalks may suit you better. The same is true if you are paying premium prices mainly for an exceptional meal. The standard lunch is serviceable, not luxurious.

Remember to add the national park entrance fee. Also check the transfer and disembarkation selections carefully. Those choices affect both the end time and the ease of getting back to town.

Who should choose Glaciares Gourmet?

I would recommend it to you if you want breadth: several glaciers, icebergs, a comfortable boat, and Perito Moreno in one day. It suits families, couples, and first-time visitors who prefer an organized outing rather than piecing together transport.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy scenery from a boat but want occasional access to indoor seating. The four decks and large windows let you adjust to wind and cold.

I would hesitate if you dislike long excursions, have little patience for group seating, or want an intimate meal. A maximum of 50 people is reasonable, but this is still a shared cruise. The walk at El Puesto de Las Vacas may also feel like extra time if your only goal is glacier viewing.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this boat tour?

Book Glaciares Gourmet if seeing five glaciers matters more to you than having a short, simple day. Choose hotel transfers and Perito Moreno disembarkation, and consider the VIP deck if open-air viewing is a priority.

Go in with realistic food expectations. The cruise, ice, guides, and organization are the real value. If you want the best overall introduction to the glaciers around El Calafate, this is a strong choice. If you want glacier walking, a quiet boat, or a gourmet restaurant meal, choose a different outing or add another Perito Moreno experience.

FAQ

How long does the Glaciares Gourmet tour last?

The full experience takes approximately 10 to 12 hours. With transfers and Perito Moreno disembarkation, the day begins around 7:00 a.m. and can end in El Calafate around 7:00 p.m.

Does the tour include hotel pick-up in El Calafate?

Hotel transfers are included only if you select the pick-up option when booking. Without that option, you must reach Puerto Privado La Soledad yourself.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Cruise Port Marpatag, Puerto Bandera, also referred to as Puerto Privado La Soledad, in Santa Cruz Province.

Is the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee included?

No. The park entrance ticket is not included in the tour price. A guide helps you purchase it at the port.

Which glaciers can I see?

The cruise visits or views Upsala, Heim, Seco, Spegazzini, and Perito Moreno glaciers.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The standard package includes a lunchbox with drinks and dessert. The listed meal includes a sandwich and sides, while the premium option adds two appetizers, a main course, dessert, and an open bar.

Can I walk on Perito Moreno Glacier?

No. The Perito Moreno option takes you to the glacier viewing walkways. Walking on the ice requires a separate activity such as minitrekking.

How much time do I get at the Perito Moreno walkways?

If you select disembarkation, you have about two hours to explore the paths before returning by shuttle bus.

What happens if I do not disembark at Perito Moreno?

The boat returns to Puerto La Soledad, where you leave around 5:00 p.m. If you booked transfers, a shuttle takes you back to El Calafate, arriving around 6:00 p.m.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum group size of 50 people.