Perito Moreno boat tour from El Calafate: Glaciares Gourmet

Perito Moreno is only part of this day on the water. You also reach the huge Upsala Glacier, see the towering Spegazzini Glacier, pass hanging ice on Heim and Seco, and watch icebergs drift across Lake Argentino. Five glaciers in one outing is the big draw.

I like the roomy catamaran, with four open-air decks and large windows inside. I also like the option to get off at Perito Moreno and spend about two hours on its boardwalks, a useful extra if you are not booking a separate glacier walk. The catch is the name: the standard meal is a lunchbox, and several passengers found it ordinary rather than gourmet.

Key points before you book

• Five major glaciers in one day: Upsala, Heim, Seco, Spegazzini, and Perito Moreno all appear on the route.
• A long but varied outing: Expect roughly 10 to 12 hours, including transport, cruising, lunch, and the optional walk.
• Best add-on: Choose disembarkation at Perito Moreno if you will not visit the boardwalks another day.
• Bring warm layers: Open decks offer the best photos, but wind on Lake Argentino can be strong.
• Lunch is the weak link: The standard option includes sandwiches, sides, dessert, and drinks, but expectations should stay modest.
• Park entry costs extra: The Los Glaciares National Park admission fee is not included in the $245 tour price.

Five glaciers, one very full day

This is a sightseeing cruise for seeing scale. You spend much of the day on Lake Argentino, moving through wide channels filled with floating ice and backed by mountains. The catamaran does not take you onto a glacier, and this is not a trekking trip. Its strength is the number of viewpoints you get in one outing.

The boat carries a maximum of 50 passengers and has four open-air decks. You can also sit inside beside large windows, which matters when the wind picks up or the cold becomes tiring. A VIP section with a private outdoor deck is available as an upgrade, but the standard boat already gives you several places to see the ice.

The captain turns the vessel so both sides get views when the boat approaches an ice wall or a large floating block. That is a useful detail, since no one wants to spend a full day stuck on the wrong side of the boat. Still, open seating can become competitive, especially if you board late or find many seats reserved.

The 7:00 a.m. start from El Calafate

With hotel pickup, the day begins around 7:00 a.m. in El Calafate. You then travel about 47 kilometers to Puerto Privado La Soledad, also called Puerto La Soledad in the tour details. By about 8:15 a.m., everyone should be at the port.

If you choose the no-transfer option, you must make your own way to the port. This can save money or suit anyone with a car, but it removes the simplest part of the day. Check the exact meeting instructions carefully, since the port is well outside central El Calafate.

The national park admission ticket is purchased with help from the guide at the port, but it is not part of the $245 price. Allow for that extra cost when comparing this tour with other boat trips.

Boarding begins at about 8:30 a.m., with departure scheduled for 9:00. I would arrive ready to board rather than treating the early period as spare time. A late start can mean poor seat choices and less room to move around the decks.

Upsala Glacier and the first ice fields

Within minutes of leaving the port, the boat reaches broad fields of ice. Floating blocks can appear enormous beside the ship, and the open water gives you a sense of how much ice is moving through this part of the park.

Upsala is the second largest glacier in South America. The boat stays roughly 10 kilometers away because large calvings can send powerful waves across the water. That distance does not make the glacier unimportant. Its size is the point, and even from far away you can see why the captain keeps a safe margin.

This section lasts about three hours. That is a substantial portion of the day, so you should be comfortable with long stretches of viewing from the boat. The upside is time to watch changing ice shapes, mountain walls, and the blue-white color of the glacier. The downside is that the trip can feel slow if you prefer active walking to scenic cruising.

Heim and Seco, ice hanging above the lake

As the boat continues, Heim and Seco offer a different kind of glacier view. These are hanging glaciers, clinging to the mountain slopes without reaching Lake Argentino.

They are a good reminder that not all glacier scenery is about a vertical wall dropping into the water. You look upward instead, following the ice across the mountain. This part takes about an hour and helps break up the longer cruise to the main stops.

There is no major walk here, so the appeal depends on your interest in natural details and the guide’s explanation. If you want nonstop close approaches to glacier fronts, this quieter section may feel less dramatic. If you like seeing how ice occupies different parts of the mountains, it adds useful variety.

A short walk at El Puesto de Las Vacas

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

You may see horses, old buildings, and objects connected with early settlers. This is not a strenuous hike. It is a pause on land, with fresh air and a look at the human side of Patagonia rather than another glacier viewpoint.

I can see why some people appreciate this break from the boat. After several hours of cruising, even a short walk helps. I can also see why others find it expendable, especially if they are eager to reach Perito Moreno or dislike a 10 to 12 hour day. The stop adds character, but it also adds time.

Spegazzini Glacier and the lunch question

Spegazzini is one of the most striking stops. Its ice rises as much as 130 meters above the lake, nearly twice the height of Perito Moreno’s visible wall according to the tour information. The height is what makes this glacier special, and the boat offers several angles as it approaches.

Lunch is served around this part of the trip. The standard package includes a Patagonian lamb sandwich, baked vegetables, drinks, and dessert. Some passengers found the lunch filling and tasty, while others said the sandwich and coffee did not deserve the word gourmet. I would treat it as a practical meal included in a full-day excursion, not as a restaurant experience.

The premium option includes two appetizers, a main course, dessert, drinks, and an open bar during the boat trip. If the meal matters to you, this is the package to consider. If food is secondary, the standard lunch should be enough, but do not pay extra solely because of the title Glaciares Gourmet unless you want the upgraded menu and drinks.

This section takes about two hours, including the glacier viewing and meal. You can eat inside and return to the decks when the captain lines up a good view.

Perito Moreno from the water and from land

After lunch, the boat enters the Canal de Los Témpanos and heads toward the northern edge of Perito Moreno. This is the glacier most people associate with El Calafate, and the boat gives you a direct view of its front from Lake Argentino.

Perito Moreno is active. You might hear cracking before you see anything happen, then watch a section of ice break away and fall into the lake. The sound can be more impressive than the size of the falling ice, because it carries across the water.

You have two choices here. The better choice for most people is to disembark at around 3:30 p.m. and spend about two hours on the Perito Moreno boardwalks. A shuttle then returns you to El Calafate, arriving around 7:00 p.m.

The boardwalks provide views from land that the boat cannot match. You see the glacier from different heights and angles, and you can walk instead of spending the entire afternoon aboard. If you do not plan to book a separate Perito Moreno activity, I strongly favor this option.

The other choice is to stay aboard. The captain turns back after cruising along the glacier face, and you return to Puerto La Soledad around 5:00 p.m. With transfers, you should reach El Calafate around 6:00 p.m. This version is shorter and simpler, but you lose the land-based views. Also, the upgrade does not mean walking on the ice. No option described here puts you directly on the glacier.

Comfort, seating, and getting the best views

The boat is comfortable enough for a long day, with indoor seating, large windows, and multiple outdoor decks. You can move inside when the wind becomes unpleasant, then head outside when the boat nears a glacier.

The main practical issue is seating. Some seats may be reserved, and arriving late can leave a family or group split up. I would board promptly and settle in before the boat fills. Once underway, keep moving between indoor and outdoor areas rather than treating one seat as your permanent base.

The commentary is offered in Spanish and English. The guide explains the geology and origins of the glaciers, but the sound system and speaking speed may make it hard to follow from every location. Stand or sit near a speaker if the explanations matter to you.

Dress for wind, not just the temperature in El Calafate. You will want warm layers, and a waterproof outer layer is sensible around spray and floating ice. The best photographs often come from outside, but the best place to stay comfortable may be inside.

Is $245 good value?

At $245 per person, this is an expensive day. The price includes the boat, a professional Spanish and English guide, the standard lunch, drinks, dessert, and hotel transfers if you select that option. It does not include the national park admission fee, and premium food, VIP seating, or other upgrades may cost more.

The value comes from combining five glacier areas in one organized outing. Booking separate boat trips to see Upsala, Spegazzini, and Perito Moreno could take more time and create more transport work. The captain’s positioning also matters, since the boat turns to give both sides a view.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is simply Perito Moreno. A shorter visit focused on the glacier and boardwalks may suit you better. It is also a weaker value if you expect a high-end dining experience from the standard meal.

I see this as a good choice for a first full day in the park, especially if you want breadth rather than a single close-up experience. If you have several days in El Calafate, pair it with a separate Perito Moreno walking activity for a fuller picture.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want a comfortable way to see a wide range of ice and do not mind a long day. The indoor seating, large windows, organized transfers, and moderate group size make it easier than arranging several pieces yourself.

It also suits anyone who wants both sightseeing and a short walk. Choosing the Perito Moreno disembarkation gives the day a better rhythm: boat, shore, glacier, then a shuttle home.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, need a fast-moving schedule, or care strongly about fine dining. The quiet stops and long cruising periods are part of the experience. So is the possibility of wind, crowded seating, and an ordinary lunch.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Confirmation is normally immediate, though bookings made within three days may take up to 48 hours and remain subject to availability.

Should you book Glaciares Gourmet?

Book it if you want to see five glacier areas from Lake Argentino in one day, value a well-organized boat, and plan to add the Perito Moreno boardwalks. Choose transfers if you do not have a reliable way to reach Puerto La Soledad, and choose the disembarkation option unless you already have another Perito Moreno visit planned.

Skip it if your priority is walking on ice, a short itinerary, or a truly gourmet meal. The standard lunch is serviceable, not luxurious, and the boat tour does not include glacier trekking. For the right person, though, this is an impressive overview of Patagonia’s ice, with enough variety to make the long day worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the Glaciares Gourmet tour last?

The full experience takes approximately 10 to 12 hours, depending on the option you choose and the return arrangements.

Does the tour include pickup from El Calafate?

Yes, hotel transfers from El Calafate are included if you select the pickup option when booking. Pickup begins around 7:00 a.m.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from Puerto Privado La Soledad, also called Puerto La Soledad, in Santa Cruz Province. The port is about 47 kilometers from El Calafate.

Is the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee included?

No. The national park admission ticket is not included in the tour price. The guide helps passengers purchase it at the port.

Which glaciers can you see?

The route includes Upsala, Heim, Seco, Spegazzini, and Perito Moreno glaciers.

Can you walk on Perito Moreno Glacier?

No. The disembarkation option takes you to the Perito Moreno walkways, not onto the glacier itself.

What lunch is included?

The standard package includes a Patagonian lamb sandwich, baked vegetables, drinks, and dessert. The premium option includes two appetizers, a main course, dessert, drinks, and an open bar.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. A professional guide provides the activities in Spanish and English.

Can you stay on the boat instead of getting off at Perito Moreno?

Yes. You can choose the option without disembarkation and return by boat to Puerto La Soledad, arriving around 5:00 p.m.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted.