The ice is the headline, but the boat ride is the trick. This 5-glacier catamaran day from El Calafate is built around big views from Lake Argentino, with multiple chances to see calving ice and hanging glaciers.

What I like most is the amount of time you get on the water plus the way the captain keeps views working for everyone, not just one side of the boat. I also like that you can choose a Perito Moreno walkways stop (or stay onboard), depending on how much hiking you want. The one consideration: the tour price does not include your Los Glaciares National Park entrance ticket, and some people find the included lunch more box-lunch than gourmet.

Key highlights and what to plan for

• Five glacier stops in one day with big-picture variety (Upsala, Seco/Heim, Spegazzini, and Perito Moreno)
• Catamaran with four open-air decks plus an optional VIP upgrade for easier viewing
• Captain maneuvering for photo angles as you approach ice walls and large ice blocks
• Two Perito Moreno options: walk the trails from the dock or stay on the boat
• Lunch options tied to your booking level (standard lamb sandwich box vs. premium multi-course and open bar)
• National Park entry is extra even though the rest of the tour is handled

Getting to Puerto La Soledad: the start of your Perito Moreno day

Most people do this as a classic El Calafate day trip, and the easiest version includes hotel transfers. If you pick up from your accommodation, expect the tour to start at 7:00 a.m., with you heading toward Puerto Bandera and the SOLITUDE area where the boat departs.

If you choose no pickup, you’ll need to make your own way to Puerto Privado La Soledad, about 29 miles (47 km) from El Calafate. That’s doable, but I’d only do it if you’re comfortable handling local transport on your own, because you still need to be at the port by 8:15 a.m. to get your park entrance ticket sorted with help from your guide.

Either way, the key fact is this: Los Glaciares National Park entrance is not included in the tour price. Your guide helps you purchase the ticket once you arrive at the port, so you’re not scrambling alone.

The catamaran experience: deck space, wind, and VIP viewing

The boat part of this tour matters, because glaciers don’t politely sit still. You board at 8:30 a.m. for a ride on a spacious catamaran with four open-air decks, so you’re not stuck shoulder-to-shoulder in one cramped viewing area. There’s also a VIP section with a private outdoor deck if you choose the upgrade while booking.

One practical thing I’d plan for: weather on the water can be breezy. Some reviews call out that the deck can get windy, but the upside is that you can also view from inside using the boat’s large windows. That means you can step out for views and then warm up and reposition without losing the glacier show.

The boat leaves promptly at 9:00 a.m., and from the start you’re in open-water mode—meaning you’re settling in for a long day where your job is to keep your eyes on the ice.

Upsala Glacier at the 10-kilometer safety distance

This is where the day shifts from pretty scenery to full-on glacier spectacle. After departure, you reach the park’s massive ice fields, and you’ll spend about 3 hours around the Upsala area.

Upsala is described as the second largest glacier in South America, and the calving is intense. For safety reasons, the boat won’t come closer than 10 kilometers. That sounds like a limitation, but the result is kind of mind-bending: even from that distance, the glacier still looks enormous, and you get a sense of scale that makes photos feel small.

The captain’s job here is important. As you near glacier walls and larger chunks of ice, the boat is maneuvered so passengers can get good views from both inside and the decks. It’s one of those details that makes the tour feel “organized,” because you’re not just hoping for the best angle.

Hanging glaciers at Glaciar Seco and Heim: ice that clings

Next comes the stop built for the detail-minded eye. At Glaciar Seco, you get around 1 hour to watch hanging glaciers, including Heim and Seco, clinging to the mountainside without touching the surface of Lake Argentino below.

This part of the route is a nice change of pace from the biggest, most obvious ice front you’re already seeing. You’re still on a boat and still chasing the best angles, but the glacier shape is different: you’re looking at ice that’s attached high up, like frozen strain against gravity.

I’d use this time to slow down and look. When you’re moving fast through “the main attraction,” it’s easy to miss the weird forms that make these glaciers scientifically interesting and visually strange.

El Puesto de Las Vacas: a ranch break inside the park

After you’ve been mostly on the water, you get a calmer, grounded stop: El Puesto de Las Vacas (also called the cow stall). It’s a historic Patagonian cattle ranch in the National Park, and you’ll spend about 1 hour on a guided walk.

You’ll see horses, old buildings, and artifacts tied to early Patagonia settlers. This stop also acts like a reset for your body. Boat days can be tiring, even when you’re comfortable, so this is a good chance to stretch your legs, take a breath, and hear the story of the land beyond glaciers.

If you want the day to feel balanced, this ranch walk helps. If you’re only here for glacier hiking, treat it as a short cultural intermission, not the main event.

Spegazzini Glacier plus lunch: when the cold builds an appetite

Now you reach Glaciar Spegazzini, a favorite for many because it looks dramatic from nearly every direction. The info provided here is eye-catching: the section hanging over the lake rises up to about 425 ft (130 m), nearly twice the height of Perito Moreno.

You’ll get about 2 hours in this stop area, and lunch happens here as well. The standard plan is a delicious Patagonian lamb sandwich with baked vegetables, served as a lunchbox-style meal, with drinks included. There’s also a premium option that turns it into a four-course meal (two appetizers, a main dish, dessert) and adds an open bar throughout the entire El Calafate boat portion.

Here’s the reality check part, based on the feedback people gave. Several reviews are very happy with the comfort, organization, and overall day. But a few note that the included lunch isn’t always what they expected from the word gourmet, especially when they compare it to a full restaurant meal. One person called out sandwich-and-coffee quality as a letdown.

So, how I’d frame it for you: this is a glacier tour first. Food is included and generally appreciated, but if you’re a food-obsessed planner expecting fine dining, the premium meal option is the safer bet.

Canal de los Témpanos and Perito Moreno: choose your walk vs stay onboard

You’ll cruise onward through Canal de los Témpanos toward the northern edge of Perito Moreno, with time during the route to see cracking ice and hear that powerful sound when chunks break off and crash into the depths of Lake Argentino.

At this point, you have the big decision: do you disembark at Perito Moreno or stay onboard for the whole cruise?

Option 1: disembark for Perito Moreno walkways

If you want the classic Perito Moreno feel on foot, this is the option. The boat docks around 3:30 p.m., and you’ll get about 2 hours to walk the Perito Moreno trails from the visitor walkways area, then return to El Calafate by shuttle bus. Arrival is around 7:00 p.m. in town.

This is especially worth it if you’re not planning another Perito Moreno experience like Minitrekking. For many people, walkways are the way to complete the picture without needing a separate hiking add-on.

Option 2: stay onboard without disembarking

If you prefer a more relaxed end to the day, you can keep it simple. After cruising alongside Perito Moreno, the captain turns the boat around and you disembark around 5:00 p.m. Back in El Calafate, the timing depends on whether you selected transfers: with transfers, you return around 6:00 p.m. If you didn’t select transfers, you’ll need to arrange your own ride back.

This option can be ideal if you hate being rushed or you’d rather save energy for dinner in town. But if you want the best “I’m really here” moment, the walkways option is usually the move.

Price and value: what you’re actually paying for

At $245 per person, this is not a budget tour, and it shouldn’t pretend to be. You’re paying for a full-day boat itinerary across multiple glacier viewing zones, plus guides in Spanish and English, plus onboard time on a catamaran that’s designed for viewing from multiple decks.

Here’s the value logic I’d use: you’re getting access to the glacier views from the water at several different scale types in one long day. That’s the main cost driver. The included lunch is a bonus, not the core product.

Now the two things that can change how satisfied you feel:

• Park entrance ticket is separate. The tour price handles the boat and activities, but Los Glaciares National Park entry is not included, so your total day spend will be higher once you add it.
• Food expectations. If you expect restaurant-level gourmet, you might feel disappointed because the standard lunch is essentially a box-style meal. If you choose the premium package, you’re adding a four-course structure and open bar, which is a clearer match for a “treat myself” mindset.

Also keep in mind a common comment theme: the boat can feel crowded, and reserved seating may not always match what people expected when they booked. If you’re sensitive to seating comfort, I’d show up early at the port and be ready to grab a good viewing spot quickly.

Who this tour fits best in El Calafate

This tour is a strong match for you if:

• You want multiple glaciers in one day without driving between viewpoints
• You like watching glaciers from the water with a guide handling the pacing
• You want a flexible plan at the end with Perito Moreno walkways or no walk

It’s also a good option for couples and families because the itinerary mixes boat time, a short guided walk at the ranch, and a lunch stop that breaks the day up.

I’d think twice if:

• You only care about being on glacier ice. A boat-and-walkways day won’t replace a dedicated glacier hiking tour.
• You know you’re picky about food. The lunch is included, but quality seems to land in the acceptable-to-good range for many, not universal five-star gourmet for all.

The group size cap of 50 travelers helps keep things from feeling like a cattle car, though the boat can still feel busy during peak sightseeing moments.

Should you book the Glaciares Gourmet Perito Moreno boat tour?

If your top goal is a classic El Calafate day where you see the big glacier names from the best angle—on the water with proper timing—this is a book-worthy choice. You get a well-structured route with five glaciers, guided narration in Spanish and English, and an end-of-day decision that works whether you want to walk or just relax.

Just don’t buy this expecting fine-dining perfection. Plan your budget for the Los Glaciares National Park entrance ticket, dress for wind and cold on the decks, and choose the premium meal option if food is part of what you want to enjoy.

If you want the most complete Perito Moreno experience, pair this with an ice-focused add-on later. But as a first big glacier day from El Calafate, this tour hits the target.

FAQ

Do I need to pay for Los Glaciares National Park entry on this tour?

Yes. The tour includes help purchasing your entrance ticket to Los Glaciares National Park at the port, but the park entrance is not included in the tour price.

What time does pickup usually start from El Calafate?

If you select the pickup option, the tour begins with pickup at 7:00 a.m. You should plan to be at the port by 8:15 a.m.

How long is the boat tour day?

The full experience runs about 10 to 12 hours, depending on the day’s schedule and which Perito Moreno option you choose.

What’s included for meals, and what is different with the premium option?

A standard booking includes a lunchbox with drinks and dessert. The premium option upgrades lunch to a four-course meal and includes an open bar during the tour.

Can I get off at Perito Moreno and walk the trails?

Yes, you can choose an option that includes disembarking at Perito Moreno walkways for about two hours to explore the trails. There is also an option where you stay onboard and disembark later.

Is cancellation free?

The experience allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance of the start time for a full refund.