Board at Punta Bandera and head into Lake Argentino’s North Arm, navigating the Upsala Channel among towering icebergs to stand before the 135m Spegazzini Glacier. This full‑day excursion pairs dramatic glacier views with an accessible refuge stop and regional cuisine.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step onto the gangway at Punta Bandera while lake spray threads cold light across the deck. The boat slips into the North Arm of Lake Argentino, Boca del Diablo receding as floes drift like slow, deliberate giants. Icebergs bob and grind, their blue interiors daring you closer; the Spegazzini Glacier waits ahead, a vertical wall more than 135 meters tall that seems to brood over the channel.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
10 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for people comfortable with a few short, uneven steps ashore and long periods standing on deck; minimal walking required.
Wildlife
History
Spegazzini Glacier lies within Los Glaciares National Park, part of the Patagonian ice field and named for naturalist Carlos Spegazzini; the park was later designated a UNESCO site for its glacial systems.
Conservation
Visitors must respect marked walkways and boat crew instructions—ice calving and fragile moraine demand distance and minimal footprint to protect glacial and shoreline habitats.
Reserve your spot on the Glaciers Navigation: The highest glacier in the world Spegazzini today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Dress in layers
Temperatures on the lake can be 5–15°C cooler than El Calafate with strong winds—bring a warm midlayer and a waterproof outer shell.
Bring seasickness remedies
Crossing the Upsala Channel can be choppy—take preventative medication or use acupressure bands if you’re prone to motion sickness.
Charge and protect camera gear
Cold drains batteries fast—carry spares in an inside pocket and use a waterproof case for spray and iceberg close-ups.
Buy park entrance before boarding
You’ll need a Los Glaciares National Park ticket; if you don’t have one staff will advise where to purchase before embarkation.
Insulated waterproof jacket
Keeps you warm and dry against wind-driven spray while on deck.
Sturdy, non-slip shoes
Required for safe movement on wet gangways and the refuge boardwalk.
Motion-sickness medication or bands
Helps prevent nausea during channel crossings and when approaching calving ice.
Spare camera batteries and waterproof case
Cold drains batteries quickly; a case protects gear from spray and shore winds.