What Glaciers to Visit in El Calafate Besides Perito Moreno

Undoubtedly, El Calafate is one of the most emblematic destinations in Argentine Patagonia, and its tourist visits are largely due to the international fame of the imposing Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the country's greatest natural attractions. But this Santa Cruz town, located on the shores of Lago Argentino, has much more to offer those wishing to explore the landscapes of ice. Beyond Perito Moreno, there are other spectacular glaciers that form part of Los Glaciares National Park and can be visited on boat excursions.

El Calafate, one of the most important cities in the province of Santa Cruz, is located about 2,700 kilometers from Buenos Aires and is the gateway to the largest continental ice field on the planet after Antarctica. Its location within the southern limit of Los Glaciares National Park makes it a strategic point for those wishing to tour the different faces of Patagonian ice.

Although Perito Moreno is the star of the park, it is not the only one deserving attention. Glaciers such as Spegazzini, Upsala, Seco, or Heim show other dimensions of this monumental landscape, and all can be discovered through organized experiences departing from the Punta Bandera port, about 50 kilometers from the urban center.

Beyond Perito Moreno: The Immense Glacial World of Lago Argentino

Lago Argentino is the largest lake of glacial origin in Argentina and the natural axis connecting the different arms and channels where the park's glaciers are located. From its waters, fed by the Andean thaws, depart most of the excursions allowing entry into the region's deepest and least traveled landscapes. Its characteristic turquoise color, a product of the sediments from stones dragged by the glaciers, changes tone depending on the light and time of day, creating a scenery inviting contemplation.

Navigating Lago Argentino is one of the best ways to understand the magnitude of this ecosystem. Boats set sail from Punta Bandera and traverse the North and Spegazzini channels, where some of the most impressive glaciers are found. During the journey, the landscape constantly transforms: snowy mountains, Patagonian forests, floating icebergs, and walls of ice emerging from the water with heights that can exceed 100 meters. Every curve of the lake offers a different face and, at the same time, a sense of scale difficult to compare with other places in the world.

Spegazzini Glacier

One of the most striking glaciers that can be visited from El Calafate is the Spegazzini. Located in the arm of the lake bearing its name, this glacier is distinguished by its height: its main wall reaches more than 130 meters, making it the highest in the park. From the boat, the view is overwhelming: an irregular wall of ice, with tones ranging from white to deep blue, rising against the mountains of the southern Andes.

Unlike Perito Moreno, the Spegazzini is a more stable glacier, without the frequent calvings characterizing the former. This makes it an ideal place for those seeking a calmer experience, where observation and the silence of the surroundings allow appreciation of every detail of the landscape.

Its environment is one of the most photogenic in the park: the water surface reflects the ice formations and snowy peaks in the background, and on clear days, the native vegetation bordering the lake shores can be distinguished.

One of the best ways to get to know it is through the private excursion "Spegazzini, Upsala and other glaciers by boat at sunset" organized by Best Calafate Tours. This program allows enjoying navigation in a more exclusive setting, with fewer passengers and personalized attention. The itinerary combines visiting the main glaciers of Lago Argentino with the special charm of sunset light, which tints the mountains gold and highlights the color contrasts in the ice. It is an ideal experience for those wanting to discover Patagonia from a more intimate and photographic perspective.

Upsala Glacier

The Upsala Glacier is the largest in Los Glaciares National Park, with a surface area exceeding 800 square kilometers. Its name comes from Uppsala University in Sweden, whose scientists were among the first to study it in the early 20th century. Although its main front has retreated in recent decades, its magnitude remains thrilling, and its surroundings are among the most beautiful in the region.

Direct access to its front wall is restricted due to frequent calvings and the presence of large icebergs and the natural conditions of the channel, but boat trips on Lago Argentino allow observing it from a safe distance. The image is completed with the intense turquoise color of the water reflecting the snowy mountains.

The Upsala is part of several excursions organized by Best Calafate Tours, among them, the private navigation "All Glaciers Navigation". The tour through the channels surrounding the Upsala is one of the most recommended for those seeking a complete experience, as it combines mountain landscapes, Andean forests, and the impressive sight of floating icebergs.

Seco and Heim Glaciers

There is still more. Among the great glaciers, on the same tours of Lago Argentino, two smaller but equally fascinating ones also stand out. Among them are the Seco Glacier and the Heim Glacier, two hanging formations descending from the mountain range and stopping before reaching the lake. Although they do not have the size or fame of Perito Moreno or Spegazzini, they offer a different look at the composition of glaciers and ice dynamics in the Patagonian region.

The Seco Glacier, for example, gets its name because currently it no longer reaches the water: its tongue of ice ends on the rocky slope, allowing observation of how glacial erosion shaped the landscape over thousands of years. The Heim, for its part, retains a more compact surface and an intense blue color standing out among the mountains.

Both can be observed during the "All Glaciers Navigation", a full-day excursion traversing the main arms of Lago Argentino with specialized guides.

Gourmet Experience Facing the Glaciers

If all these experiences captivate you but you are looking for a plus, there is a different alternative to explore the glaciers of El Calafate. With the "Glacier Navigation with Gourmet Experience" proposal, also organized by Best Calafate Tours, you will enjoy guided navigation on this beautiful turquoise lake while tasting a delicious multi-course menu and regional wine on board.

Thus, while eating delicious Patagonian dishes, passengers can observe through panoramic windows how the Spegazzini, Upsala, and Seco glaciers succeed one another.

This type of excursion is designed for those seeking a more relaxed experience, without large groups or rigid schedules. The navigation usually lasts several hours and allows taking advantage of the route calmly, with the possibility of making strategic stops to take photos and contemplate the landscape more leisurely.

In addition to the gastronomic proposal, the tour includes explanations from expert guides detailing the geological history of the glaciers, the park's flora and fauna, and the conservation measures applied to protect this unique environment.

The gourmet experience is also a way of understanding how tourism in El Calafate has shifted towards higher quality and sustainability proposals, where comfort and environmental education coexist in balance with nature.

Navigating Perito Moreno

Although Perito Moreno is the most famous glacier in the park and the main reason thousands of travelers arrive in El Calafate each year, few know that it is possible to experience it from a different perspective: the water. The private excursion "Perito Moreno Glacier: Private Boat Tour and Walkways" by Best Calafate Tours combines two complementary experiences. First, exclusive navigation approaching the south face of the glacier, where passengers can hear the creaking of the ice and have a privileged view of the calvings falling into the lake. Then, a visit to the viewpoint walkways, from where a panoramic view of the glacier in all its splendor is obtained.

How to Plan Your Visit to the Glaciers of El Calafate

The best time to visit the glaciers of El Calafate is between October and March, when days are longer, temperatures more pleasant, and weather conditions more stable for navigation. During the Patagonian summer, average temperatures are around 15 degrees Celsius (59°F), although the wind can be strong and nights cold. In winter, some excursions are suspended due to weather conditions, although snowy landscapes offer a different attraction.

It is advisable to book excursions in advance, especially during the high season (December to February), when demand is higher. It is also convenient to bring layered clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a camera or cell phone with good battery: glaciers change constantly and every minute offers a different image.

For those wishing a more complete experience in El Calafate, it is possible to combine navigation with other activities in the area, such as ice trekking, horseback riding, or visits to Patagonian estancias.