See the Upsala Glacier up close on this boat ride around the Los Glaciares National Park. You can also hike through the Patagonian forests, get in touch with life at Estancia Cristina and even go for a jeep ride!
Estancia Cristina & Upsala Glacier Cruise
Ready for a day full of Patagonian nature and icy landscapes? After picking you up at your hotels at the scheduled time, we'll set off on an hour's drive to the quay at Punta Bandera.
Then we'll hop on board a boat and set sail to Estancia Cristina. We'll cruise down the Upsala channel on a 2.5-hour boat trip, approaching the magnificent glacier. After disembarking at Estancia Cristina, we'll start a medium-difficulty hike through the area.
Accompanied by your guide, you'll cross a Patagonian forest, spotting numerous Antarctic beech trees and, probably, several species of endemic birds. We'll ascend until we reach a viewpoint from where we'll have a panoramic view of Lake Argentino.
Halfway through the tour, we'll take a break at a local restaurant to refuel with a lunch that includes two empanadas, a main course (a choice between lamb casserole or pasta with pesto), a flan for dessert, a glass of wine or a soft drink and coffee or tea. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available.
The route will continue uphill with one goal in mind: to reach the Perros waterfall. You'll be amazed by the waterfall and the high view of the Caterina River valley. We'll then enter the estancia's museum to learn a little more about rural life in this region. We'll also visit the chapel, the water mill and other points of interest.
Finally, we'll take a boat to the port of Punta Bandera, where a minibus will be waiting to take us back to El Calafate. We'll arrive at the hotels after around 12.5 hours together.
Book without Transfers
Do you want to travel to Estancia Cristina yourself? You can book without transfers. If you do, you'll have to meet your guide at the pier at the Estancia, located at Punta Bandera, at 8:15 am. On the return journey, the boat will drop you back off at the quay at 7 pm.
