THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Sail Lake Argentino past walls of ice to reach Upsala and the 135 m Spegazzini Glacier, then step ashore for forest viewpoints and the Spegazzini Refuge. This full-day Ríos de Hielo boat tour pairs wildlife and glacier spectacle with short, accessible hikes.
Sail Lake Argentino past walls of ice to reach Upsala and the 135 m Spegazzini Glacier, then step ashore for forest viewpoints and the Spegazzini Refuge. This full-day Ríos de Hielo boat tour pairs wildlife and glacier spectacle with short, accessible hikes.
The catamaran slips from Punta Bandera into Lake Argentino, blue-white slabs grinding and tumbling around the hull as the captain threads channels toward towering ice. Wind pins your jacket to your skin; glacier breath—cold, mineral-rich—pushes across the deck. For much of the day the lake dares you forward, offering abrupt walls of ice and quiet coves where bergs squat like small, ancient buildings.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Nautilus Viajes · El Calafate, Santa Cruz
The catamaran slips from Punta Bandera into Lake Argentino, blue-white slabs grinding and tumbling around the hull as the captain threads channels toward towering ice. Wind pins your jacket to your skin; glacier breath—cold, mineral-rich—pushes across the deck. For much of the day the lake dares you forward, offering abrupt walls of ice and quiet coves where bergs squat like small, ancient buildings.
This route cuts into the eastern edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the source of Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers. Upsala drains a vast ice plateau and spawns an iceberg barrage; Spegazzini rises to roughly 135 meters where it meets the water. The Bay of Glaciers has been traveled by gauchos and later by scientific parties studying glacial retreat and lake dynamics; today the area is protected inside Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO site with strict access rules.
Expect open-water navigation between ice-choked channels, guided landings and a short, easy 300 m shore walk through lenga forest to the recently opened Spegazzini Refuge. The hike offers panoramic viewpoints of the bay and a rare close-up of a glacier face.
Practical notes: dress in windproof layers, bring waterproof shoes with good grip for wet, rocky shorelines, and binoculars for wildlife and iceberg details. Weather shifts fast—timing of landings depends on captain and conditions. Park entrance fee is separate; plan for 6–8 hours from hotel pick-up. Respect marked paths, carry out waste, and keep distance from ice edges—glacier calving is unpredictable but spectacular.
No—entrance to Los Glaciares National Park is paid separately upon arrival at the park access point.
The itinerary notes wheelchair-accessible transport and some accessibility, but the 300 m shoreline path and refuge access may be uneven; check with the operator for specific support needs.
Tours can be modified or canceled for safety at the captain’s discretion; the operator will contact you if conditions force a change.
Children are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap if infants; confirm age and safety requirements with the operator when booking.
Nautilus Viajes operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The catamaran slips from Punta Bandera into Lake Argentino, blue-white slabs grinding and tumbling around the hull as the captain threads channels toward towering ice. Wind pins your jacket to your skin; glacier breath—cold, mineral-rich—pushes across the deck. For much of the day the lake dares you forward, offering abrupt walls of ice and quiet coves where bergs squat like small, ancient buildings.
The catamaran slips from Punta Bandera into Lake Argentino, blue-white slabs grinding and tumbling around the hull as the captain threads channels toward towering ice. Wind pins your jacket to your skin; glacier breath—cold, mineral-rich—pushes across the deck. For much of the day the lake dares you forward, offering abrupt walls of ice and quiet coves where bergs squat like small, ancient buildings.
This route cuts into the eastern edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the source of Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers. Upsala drains a vast ice plateau and spawns an iceberg barrage; Spegazzini rises to roughly 135 meters where it meets the water. The Bay of Glaciers has been traveled by gauchos and later by scientific parties studying glacial retreat and lake dynamics; today the area is protected inside Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO site with strict access rules.
Expect open-water navigation between ice-choked channels, guided landings and a short, easy 300 m shore walk through lenga forest to the recently opened Spegazzini Refuge. The hike offers panoramic viewpoints of the bay and a rare close-up of a glacier face.
Practical notes: dress in windproof layers, bring waterproof shoes with good grip for wet, rocky shorelines, and binoculars for wildlife and iceberg details. Weather shifts fast—timing of landings depends on captain and conditions. Park entrance fee is separate; plan for 6–8 hours from hotel pick-up. Respect marked paths, carry out waste, and keep distance from ice edges—glacier calving is unpredictable but spectacular.