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 and visit Estancia Cristina.

Estancia Cristina & Upsala Glacier Cruise

After pick-up at your hotel, we will drive for an hour to the quay at Punta Bandera. Then we will board a boat and set sail to Estancia Cristina on a 2.5-hour trip through the Upsala channel, approaching the glacier. Upon disembarking at Estancia Cristina, we will begin a medium-difficulty hike.

Accompanied by your guide, you will cross a Patagonian forest, observe Antarctic beech trees, and potentially see endemic birds. We will ascend to a viewpoint for a panoramic view of Lake Argentino.

Mid-tour, we will have a break at a local restaurant for lunch, consisting of two empanadas, a choice of main course (lamb casserole or pasta with pesto), a flan for dessert, and a drink (wine or soft drink) with coffee or tea. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available.

The hike continues uphill to the Perros waterfall, offering views of the Caterina River valley. We will visit the estancia's museum, chapel, water mill, and other points of interest.

Finally, we will take a boat back to Punta Bandera where a minibus will return us to El Calafate, arriving after approximately 12.5 hours.

Book without Transfers

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