Estancia Cristina & Upsala Glacier Cruise

See the Upsala Glacier up close on this boat ride around the Los Glaciares National Park. You can also hike through the Patagonian forests, visit Estancia Cristina, and enjoy a jeep ride.

Estancia Cristina & Upsala Glacier Cruise

After hotel pickups, a one-hour drive will take you to the quay at Punta Bandera.

You will board a boat and set sail to Estancia Cristina on a 2.5-hour trip through the Upsala channel, approaching the glacier. After disembarking, a medium-difficulty hike begins.

Your guide will lead you through a Patagonian forest, where you can observe Antarctic beech trees and endemic birds, ascending to a viewpoint of Lake Argentino.

A meal break will include two empanadas, a choice of main course (lamb casserole or pasta with pesto), flan, a drink (wine or soft drink), and coffee or tea. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

The hike continues uphill to the Perros waterfall, with views of the Caterina River valley. A visit to the estancia's museum, chapel, and water mill will follow.

After the tour, a boat will return to Punta Bandera, where a minibus will take you back to El Calafate, arriving after approximately 12.5 hours.

Book without Transfers

If you prefer to travel to Estancia Cristina independently, you can book without transfers. Meet your guide at the pier at Estancia, located at Punta Bandera, at 8:15 am. The return boat will drop you off at 7 pm.