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Spend a night aboard the Santa Cruz, gliding into the arms of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field to watch Spegazzini and Upsala glaciers up close. This 48‑hour luxury cruise combines guided shore visits, gourmet meals, and a deluxe cabin stay with intimate glacier viewing.
Spend a night aboard the Santa Cruz, gliding into the arms of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field to watch Spegazzini and Upsala glaciers up close. This 48‑hour luxury cruise combines guided shore visits, gourmet meals, and a deluxe cabin stay with intimate glacier viewing.
Board the Santa Cruz as dusk thins over Lake Argentino and the water turns pewter; the vessel slips away from Punta Bandera and a horizon of ice begins to grow. Nights here are quiet enough that the hull’s whisper seems loud, and the cliffs of blue ice loom like slow-moving architecture. Dawn finds you at a glacier face, the daylight making ridges and crevasses pop into relief.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Signature Tours · El Calafate, Santa Cruz
Board the Santa Cruz as dusk thins over Lake Argentino and the water turns pewter; the vessel slips away from Punta Bandera and a horizon of ice begins to grow. Nights here are quiet enough that the hull’s whisper seems loud, and the cliffs of blue ice loom like slow-moving architecture. Dawn finds you at a glacier face, the daylight making ridges and crevasses pop into relief.
These waters drain the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, feeding giants like Spegazzini and Upsala — glaciers that carve fjord-like arms into the lake. The shoreline bears human marks too: Tehuelche routes and later pioneer posts such as Puesto de las Vacas remind you this was once a remote outpost for gauchos and explorers. Local estancias, museums, and the small port at Bahía Tranquila frame a cultural layer to the raw geology.
Practically: this is a two-day, 48-hour small-ship cruise with an overnight in a deluxe cabin. Check-in and departure are late afternoon (check-in ~5:45 PM, sail ~6:00 PM) with an afternoon return the next day. Routes vary by weather and captain’s decision; expect guided shore visits, viewpoint walks to Spegazzini, and extended glacier watching at Upsala Arm.
Prepare for cold, wind, and bright reflections: layered, waterproof outerwear, non-slip shoes, and motion-sickness remedies are smart. Cameras and binoculars reward patient watching; keep movement slow on deck when ice is near. Note medical limits (not recommended for certain heart, spinal, or pregnancy conditions) and that national park fees are included. When the ice groans or calves, it feels less like spectacle and more like a conversation the landscape is intent on having.
easy.
48 hours.
Minimal fitness required—able to board vessel and walk short guided shore trails.
This is a roughly 48‑hour overnight cruise; check-in is typically around 5:45 PM with departure near 6:00 PM and return to Puerto La Soledad in the mid‑afternoon the following day.
Yes—gourmet meals (dinner, breakfast, lunch) and national park entrance fees are included, along with some drinks during meals as specified.
The cruise involves boarding a ship and guided shore walks; it’s considered easy but not ideal for those with severe mobility limitations—discuss specific needs with the operator in advance.
Yes, routes and disembark points are subject to the captain’s decision and weather conditions for safety; itineraries may be adjusted accordingly.
The region has long been home to the Tehuelche (Aonikenk) people and later 19th–20th century pioneers and estancias that shaped modern El Calafate’s culture.
Glacier retreat is ongoing; operators work within national park rules—stay on designated paths, avoid disturbing wildlife, and limit single‑use plastics where possible.
Signature Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Board the Santa Cruz as dusk thins over Lake Argentino and the water turns pewter; the vessel slips away from Punta Bandera and a horizon of ice begins to grow. Nights here are quiet enough that the hull’s whisper seems loud, and the cliffs of blue ice loom like slow-moving architecture. Dawn finds you at a glacier face, the daylight making ridges and crevasses pop into relief.
Board the Santa Cruz as dusk thins over Lake Argentino and the water turns pewter; the vessel slips away from Punta Bandera and a horizon of ice begins to grow. Nights here are quiet enough that the hull’s whisper seems loud, and the cliffs of blue ice loom like slow-moving architecture. Dawn finds you at a glacier face, the daylight making ridges and crevasses pop into relief.
These waters drain the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, feeding giants like Spegazzini and Upsala — glaciers that carve fjord-like arms into the lake. The shoreline bears human marks too: Tehuelche routes and later pioneer posts such as Puesto de las Vacas remind you this was once a remote outpost for gauchos and explorers. Local estancias, museums, and the small port at Bahía Tranquila frame a cultural layer to the raw geology.
Practically: this is a two-day, 48-hour small-ship cruise with an overnight in a deluxe cabin. Check-in and departure are late afternoon (check-in ~5:45 PM, sail ~6:00 PM) with an afternoon return the next day. Routes vary by weather and captain’s decision; expect guided shore visits, viewpoint walks to Spegazzini, and extended glacier watching at Upsala Arm.
Prepare for cold, wind, and bright reflections: layered, waterproof outerwear, non-slip shoes, and motion-sickness remedies are smart. Cameras and binoculars reward patient watching; keep movement slow on deck when ice is near. Note medical limits (not recommended for certain heart, spinal, or pregnancy conditions) and that national park fees are included. When the ice groans or calves, it feels less like spectacle and more like a conversation the landscape is intent on having.