THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Settle aboard the Maria Turquesa and cross Lake Argentino toward mighty ice walls—Upsala’s floes and Spegazzini’s 135‑meter face—punctuated by a short forest walk at Puesto de Las Vacas. This full‑day boat tour combines glacier viewing, wildlife spotting and concise natural-history interpretation.
Settle aboard the Maria Turquesa and cross Lake Argentino toward mighty ice walls—Upsala’s floes and Spegazzini’s 135‑meter face—punctuated by a short forest walk at Puesto de Las Vacas. This full‑day boat tour combines glacier viewing, wildlife spotting and concise natural-history interpretation.
Morning light cuts low across Lake Argentino as the Maria Turquesa pushes out of La Soledad private port, the hull ticking against floating blue-white sculptures. You move through narrow channels where water and ice negotiate the shoreline; after two hours the floating icefield widens and the Upsala Glacier appears on the horizon, roughly 15 km from the vessel, its tongues calving into the lake.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Gray Line Argentina · El Calafate, Santa Cruz
Morning light cuts low across Lake Argentino as the Maria Turquesa pushes out of La Soledad private port, the hull ticking against floating blue-white sculptures. You move through narrow channels where water and ice negotiate the shoreline; after two hours the floating icefield widens and the Upsala Glacier appears on the horizon, roughly 15 km from the vessel, its tongues calving into the lake.
This route threads the lake’s geologic story—wind-swept moraines, glacially carved channels and hanging glaciers that still cling to steep walls. The Spegazzini stands highest at about 135 meters above lake level, a slab of Patagonian ice that records millennia of snow and compression. Cultural traces appear too: settlers’ stalls and the sparse outbuildings at Puesto de Las Vacas during the guided 30-minute walk through Andean forest and pebble beaches, where lenga and ñire trees line the path.
Expect a mix of slow, contemplative watching and active exploration; boat time is long but punctuated by disembarkation, short walks, and photo stops. Guides cover flora, fauna and glacier dynamics in plain language.
Practicalities: the tour leaves from La Soledad (arrive by 8:00 if you don’t have transfers), lasts ≈11 hours, and can be cold and windy even in summer—layering and waterproof footwear are essential. Bring sun protection, a camera with spare batteries (the cold drains them), and plan for limited cellphone signal. Silence falls naturally when glaciers speak—the experience is as much listening as looking.
moderate.
11 hours.
Suitable for travelers in average physical condition; involves several hours aboard and short, easy guided walks (≈30 minutes) over uneven terrain.
The full excursion is approximately 11 hours (around 660 minutes); boarding at La Soledad port begins early—plan to arrive by 8:00 if you don’t have hotel transfers.
Yes—Spegazzini’s frontal wall (≈135 m above lake) and floating icebergs supply frequent calving sounds, though exact events are natural and cannot be guaranteed.
No—the 30‑minute guided walk at Puesto de Las Vacas is on easy trails and pebble beaches, suitable for most fitness levels; wear waterproof shoes.
A boxed gourmet lunch is offered if selected at booking; otherwise bring snacks—options may be limited while on the lake.
The Lake Argentino basin is carved by the Patagonian Ice Sheet; local estancias and early twentieth‑century settlers left small camps like the Stall of settlers seen near Puesto de Las Vacas.
This area is managed by Los Glaciares National Park—stay on designated paths, avoid leaving waste, and respect wildlife to limit human impact on fragile glacial and forest environments.
Gray Line Argentina operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Morning light cuts low across Lake Argentino as the Maria Turquesa pushes out of La Soledad private port, the hull ticking against floating blue-white sculptures. You move through narrow channels where water and ice negotiate the shoreline; after two hours the floating icefield widens and the Upsala Glacier appears on the horizon, roughly 15 km from the vessel, its tongues calving into the lake.
Morning light cuts low across Lake Argentino as the Maria Turquesa pushes out of La Soledad private port, the hull ticking against floating blue-white sculptures. You move through narrow channels where water and ice negotiate the shoreline; after two hours the floating icefield widens and the Upsala Glacier appears on the horizon, roughly 15 km from the vessel, its tongues calving into the lake.
This route threads the lake’s geologic story—wind-swept moraines, glacially carved channels and hanging glaciers that still cling to steep walls. The Spegazzini stands highest at about 135 meters above lake level, a slab of Patagonian ice that records millennia of snow and compression. Cultural traces appear too: settlers’ stalls and the sparse outbuildings at Puesto de Las Vacas during the guided 30-minute walk through Andean forest and pebble beaches, where lenga and ñire trees line the path.
Expect a mix of slow, contemplative watching and active exploration; boat time is long but punctuated by disembarkation, short walks, and photo stops. Guides cover flora, fauna and glacier dynamics in plain language.
Practicalities: the tour leaves from La Soledad (arrive by 8:00 if you don’t have transfers), lasts ≈11 hours, and can be cold and windy even in summer—layering and waterproof footwear are essential. Bring sun protection, a camera with spare batteries (the cold drains them), and plan for limited cellphone signal. Silence falls naturally when glaciers speak—the experience is as much listening as looking.