Gourmet Glacier Cruise & Footbridges of Perito Moreno

Perito Moreno is the headline, but the best part of this long day is seeing several glaciers from the water before reaching Argentina’s most famous ice wall. The María Turquesa Cruise carries you through narrow channels and past icebergs that roads cannot reach, then gives you time at the Perito Moreno walkways.

I like the mix of boat time and walking, especially the quiet 30-minute forest route at Las Vacas Post. I also like that the boat reaches Spegazzini Glacier, the highest in Los Glaciares National Park at 135 meters above the lake. The main drawback is the schedule: 12 hours is a full day, and the national park entrance fee is extra.

The tour suits you best if you want a broad introduction to the park in one outing. Guides such as Daniela, Maxi, and Jorge have been praised for clear explanations, punctual transfers, and friendly service. Rain can limit distant views, so pack for changeable weather and keep expectations flexible.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different glacier experiences: See Upsala from a distance, pass hanging glaciers in the Spegazzini Channel, and finish beside Perito Moreno.
• The boat reaches sights roads cannot: Upsala, Dry, Heim Sur, and Peineta glaciers are viewed from the water.
• Spegazzini rises 135 meters above the lake: It is the highest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park.
• A 30-minute forest walk breaks up the cruise: Las Vacas Post adds a short guided walk and quiet shore views.
• Perito Moreno is visited on foot: Check that your chosen booking includes the footbridges, and consider the lunch box option if you do not want to organize food.
• The $276 price covers a lot, but not everything: Transport, guide, cruise, forest walk, and glacier access are included, while the national park entrance fee is separate.

Why the cruise adds more than the Perito Moreno visit

Many people come to El Calafate mainly to see Perito Moreno Glacier. You can reach its famous walkways by road, but this cruise gives you a wider sense of Los Glaciares National Park before the grand finale.

The water route shows how large and varied the park is. You pass giant icebergs, distant glacier fronts, and smaller ice formations hanging from the mountains. Some of these sights are visible only by boat, which gives the day more substance than a simple transfer to a viewpoint.

The María Turquesa is a modern cruise with clean facilities, a detail that matters on a 12-hour outing. You can watch the scenery from the boat rather than spending the whole day outdoors, useful when wind or rain moves through the park. The lake was calm during one outing, with no motion sickness, but conditions can change, so anyone sensitive to boat movement should still prepare sensibly.

The boat is not just transportation. The route through Boca del Diablo and the two glacier channels is the core of the experience. I would choose this trip over a basic Perito Moreno bus excursion if you want variety and are willing to give up a full day.

The early ride from El Calafate to Puerto La Soledad

Pickup begins from 7:00 AM at hotels with a reception. If you are staying in a short-term rental or a property without a reception desk, you receive a nearby meeting point instead. Be ready early, since the drive to the port takes about 1.5 hours.

The road covers roughly 47 kilometers to Private Port La Soledad. This transfer makes the day long, but it also puts you at a less ordinary departure point than the standard road approach to Perito Moreno.

Once you enter Los Glaciares National Park, the focus shifts from road travel to Lake Argentino. The park entrance fee is not included. You can pay at the park in Argentine pesos or buy the ticket through the official National Parks website. Keep cash available, since the tour information specifically recommends it.

Boca del Diablo and the Upsala Channel

From the port, the boat heads through Boca del Diablo, described as the narrowest part of Lake Argentino. It is a fitting opening to the cruise because the route quickly feels enclosed by water and mountain scenery.

The boat then continues toward the North Arm and into the Upsala Channel. Here, huge icebergs float between you and the distant Upsala Glacier. Upsala is one of the largest glaciers in the park, but the view is from the boat rather than from a landing beside the ice.

That distinction matters. You do not get the same close approach as at Perito Moreno, but the icebergs give you a strong sense of scale. The captain can show the glacier from different angles, and the boat allows time for photographs rather than one quick pass.

Bring a warm layer even if El Calafate is mild when you leave. Open-air viewing near the ice can feel much colder, and sunscreen is still necessary because bright light reflects off the water and ice.

The Spegazzini Channel and its hanging glaciers

The cruise continues through the Spegazzini Channel, where the scenery becomes more rugged. You pass Dry, Heim Sur, and Peineta glaciers, which hang from the mountain slopes rather than spreading across the lake in the same broad form as Perito Moreno.

This section rewards patience. You may want to stay outside with your camera, but the boat’s interior gives you a useful break from the cold. I like this part because it offers several smaller glacier views before the much larger Spegazzini stop.

The channel also shows why a boat trip is valuable here. A road-based tour cannot provide this sequence of ice formations, and the glacier fronts appear in changing positions as the cruise moves along the water.

Las Vacas Post and the 30-minute forest walk

At Las Vacas Post, you leave the boat for a guided 30-minute walk through Patagonian forest. This is not the main glacier viewpoint, but it is an important change of pace after several hours on the lake.

The walk gives you shore-level views and a chance to stretch your legs. The setting is described as postcard-worthy, but the real appeal is its quiet contrast with the open water and towering ice. If you enjoy a little walking but do not want a demanding trek, this short guided route is a useful part of the day.

Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. High heels are not allowed, and warm clothing remains sensible even during the walk. The route is short, but you should still be prepared for uneven outdoor conditions rather than treating it like a stroll through a town park.

After the walk, you return to the cruise and continue toward Spegazzini Glacier.

Spegazzini Glacier, the day’s highest wall of ice

Spegazzini Glacier rises 135 meters, or about 440 feet, above the lake. That makes it the highest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park and one of the tour’s most striking sights.

The boat pauses so you can take photographs and look closely at the glacier front. Unlike Upsala, which is viewed at a distance through the channel, Spegazzini feels like a dedicated stop. The scale can be hard to judge in photographs, so use nearby ice and the boat for perspective.

This is also a calm point in the day. You are surrounded by ice, water, and steep mountain scenery, with no town noise or road traffic. The glacier may be the most impressive feature before Perito Moreno, particularly if you prefer a more remote setting.

Weather affects this section. Rain and low cloud can soften or hide distant views. One outing had rain for much of the day, yet the passengers still got photographs and later enjoyed clearer conditions at Perito Moreno. That is a good reason to pack waterproof clothing and not judge the entire excursion by the morning weather.

Arriving at Perito Moreno’s footbridges

The final major stop is Perito Moreno Glacier. You disembark and spend time at the walkways, where a network of balconies provides different angles on the glacier’s immense ice face.

This is the closest and most flexible glacier viewing of the day. You can move between viewpoints, stop for photos, and watch the wall for movement. Ice calving is never guaranteed, but one outing included the sight of a large piece breaking away, a powerful reminder that this is an active glacier rather than a frozen sculpture.

The walkways are the reason I would strongly consider adding the footbridge option if it is not already included in your booking. Seeing Perito Moreno from the boat is not the same as standing on land with several viewing levels in front of you. Check the selected option carefully, since the details say footbridge access is included only if that option is chosen.

You should also note the time balance. The cruise takes up most of the day, so your visit to the walkways comes late. That is not a flaw, but it means you will probably be tired by then. The payoff is substantial: you finish beside the most famous glacier in the park instead of seeing it only from a passing boat.

Food, guides, and the $276 question

At $276 per person, this is a premium-priced day trip. The value depends on how much of Los Glaciares National Park you want to cover in one go.

The price includes hotel pickup, the return bus ride, a guide, the glacier cruise, the 30-minute forest walk, and the Perito Moreno walkway visit when the correct option is selected. A lunch box is available if you choose that option. The park entrance fee remains separate, so add it to your real budget.

I see good value here for someone who would otherwise book separate transport and a cruise. You get the Upsala Channel, the Spegazzini Channel, Las Vacas Post, Spegazzini Glacier, and Perito Moreno in one organized day. If your priority is simply spending a long time at Perito Moreno, a shorter road tour may suit you better and cost less.

The lunch box is worth considering for convenience. A particularly positive detail is that it was found to be tasty and good value, but you should confirm that your chosen package includes it. If not, do not assume food is covered.

The guides work in Spanish and English. Daniela received specific praise for helping keep the day organized, while Maxi and bus driver Jorge were singled out for their teamwork during the walkway portion. Those details matter on a day with several transfers and timed stops.

What to pack for a long glacier day

Keep your packing simple. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so bring a small day bag rather than a full suitcase.

Pack:

• Passport or ID card
• Warm layers
• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• Rain protection if available

The advice to bring both warm clothing and sunscreen is not overkill. Ice, water, wind, and bright sun can appear in the same hour. Comfortable shoes matter for the forest walk and the Perito Moreno balconies.

If you are staying somewhere without a reception, confirm the pickup meeting point in advance. The transfer is included only from accommodations with a reception or from the nearby meeting point supplied by the operator.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want one full day covering the major glacier sights around El Calafate. It suits first-time visitors who prefer an organized outing, families who want a range of scenery, and solo visitors who would rather not arrange remote transport and boat tickets separately.

It is also a good choice if Upsala and Spegazzini matter to you. These are not minor extras. The cruise is the only part of this day that brings you to several views unavailable by road.

You may want another option if you dislike early starts, long bus rides, or a fixed schedule. Twelve hours is demanding, and weather can reduce the clarity of the views. You should also reconsider it if Perito Moreno alone is your goal, since a shorter visit may give you more time at that one glacier.

Should you book the Gourmet Glacier Cruise?

Book this tour if you want the broadest glacier day from El Calafate and value comfort, guided transport, and the chance to see ice from the lake. The combination of the Upsala Channel, Spegazzini Glacier, a short forest walk, and Perito Moreno’s footbridges makes the $276 cost easier to justify, though the park fee and optional lunch add to the final bill.

Before paying, confirm two details: that your package includes the Perito Moreno footbridges and whether it includes the lunch box. Then prepare for cold, sun, rain, and a long return ride. If you can accept that pace, this is a strong way to see the park’s major glacier sights in one carefully planned day.

FAQ

How long is the Gourmet Glacier Cruise and Footbridges of Perito Moreno?

The experience lasts 12 hours, including approximately 1.5 hours by bus each way between El Calafate and the port area.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from accommodations in El Calafate that have a reception. If your accommodation is a short-term rental or has no reception, you receive a nearby departure meeting point.

What languages are available for the guided tour?

The live guide service is available in Spanish and English.

Is the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee included?

No. The park entrance fee is not included in the tour price. You can buy the ticket at the park in Argentine pesos or use the official National Parks website.

Does the tour include the Perito Moreno footbridges?

The footbridges are included if you select the appropriate option when booking. Check your chosen package before paying.

Is lunch included?

A lunch box is included only if you select that option. It is not automatically included in every package.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, warm clothing, comfortable closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, and cash. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to hold a place without paying immediately.