To plan a trip to El Calafate and the glaciers, decide in this order: how many days you have, what time of year you're traveling, which boat trips you want to take and when they depart, how you'll get to each port, the entrance fee to the National Park, and what clothes to pack. With those six decisions made, the rest of the trip will fall into place.
We've been sailing on Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma since 1980, and many of the inquiries we receive are from travelers planning their trips. Here's a list we recommend you review before buying anything.
1. Decide how many days you are going to stay
- A full day for the All Glaciers Navigation: 7 hours of navigation, about 10 hours with the transfer.
- If you want to visit El Chaltén and the Viedma Glacier, add another day to the Viedma Full Day Adventure (12 hours from El Calafate) or stay in El Chaltén.
- Allow half a day's margin upon arrival and another half day upon departure, in case of delays.
If you're unsure how many days to stay in El Calafate, we compare stays of different lengths. And if you only have one day, check out El Calafate in a day.
2. Choose the time of year and check the departure calendars
The calendar changes according to the season, and this is the point that most often disrupts plans when it is not reviewed in time:
| Excursion | Opening hours | September to April | May to August |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Glaciers Navigation | 8:30 a.m. to 16:00 p.m. (from April to August, 9:30 a.m. to 17:00 p.m.) | Daily departures | Every other day |
| Viedma Adventure | 10:30 - 14:30 | Daily departures | Every other day, plus Saturdays |
| Viedma Full Day Adventure | 7:30 - 19:30 | Daily departures | Every other day, plus Saturdays |
- If you are traveling between May and August, check the departure calendar before booking tickets and accommodation.
- To find out what each station offers, read on the best time to visit the glaciers.
3. Choose and book your cruises
- All Glaciers: five glaciers (Upsala, Seco, Heim, Peineta and Spegazzini) and landing at the Spegazzini Base, with walkways, viewpoints and the Spegazzini Refuge.
- Viedma Adventure: 4 hours on Lake Viedma from Puerto Bahía Túnel, 18 km from El Chaltén, with a walk to a viewpoint and a close approach to the Viedma Glacier, the largest in the Park.
- Optional: Refuge or Captain's Club menu at Todo Glaciares; Captain's Club at Aventura Viedma.
- Anticipation: During peak season, places fill up quickly. We can guide you. How far in advance should I book Todo Glaciares?.
- Conditions: Please read the exchange and cancellation policy before paying. We've summarized it in Cancellations and date changes, explained in simple terms.
4. Figure out how you get to each port
- Puerto Punta Bandera is 47 km from El Calafate: optional round trip transfer from your hotel or own car (the terminal has its own parking).
- Puerto Bahía Túnel is 18 km from El Chaltén: optional transfer, which departs from and returns to our offices in El Chaltén, or you can go on your own.
- In the Viedma Full Day Adventure, the bus picks you up from your accommodation in El Calafate.
- Allow yourself plenty of time: you must be present at the boarding time.
5. Park entrance and documentation
- Entrance to Los Glaciares National Park is not included in Todo Glaciares. Purchase it online at [website address]. pnlosglaciares.ar or at the National Parks offices at the Punta Bandera terminal.
- Save the booking and ticket confirmations on your phone, downloaded so you don't depend on the signal.
- If you are traveling with children, there is no minimum age: at Todo Glaciares children aged 0 to 5 years do not pay, and at Aventura Viedma, those aged 0 to 2 years do not pay.
- If someone in the group has reduced mobility, consult the guide to accessible glaciers: All Glaciers is 100% accessible.
6. Pack your suitcase
- Windproof and waterproof jacket, warm mid-layer and thermal first layer.
- Hat, gloves and neck warmer: on deck, facing the ice, it's cold even in summer.
- Closed and comfortable footwear for trails and walkways.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen, because of the reflection from the water and ice.
- Camera or cell phone with extra battery.
The complete list, in layers, is in what clothes to wear to glaciers.
Final check to plan your trip to El Calafate
- Dates of the confirmed sailings according to the departure schedule.
- Transfers to ports resolved.
- Park entrance purchased or planned.
- Chosen meal options.
- Layered coat ready.
- Climate policy understood: navigation is not suspended due to bad weather; in the event of an extraordinary episode, it is evaluated according to the case.
With the complete list, all that's left is to choose your date. Check availability and current rates on the All Glaciers Navigation page and, if you're going to El Chaltén, on the Viedma Adventure page.
FAQ
What should I book first on a trip to El Calafate?
It is advisable to first define the dates of the sailing trips according to the departure schedule, and then arrange accommodation and transfers around those days.
Is the entrance to the National Park included in the boat trip?
Not at Todo Glaciares. It must be purchased separately, online at pnlosglaciares.ar or at the National Parks offices at the Puerto Punta Bandera terminal.
Do the cruises depart every day?
From September to April, yes. From May to August, Todo Glaciares runs every other day and Aventura Viedma runs every other day plus Saturdays.
What happens if there is bad weather on the day of the sailing trip?
Sailing is not suspended due to bad weather; in the event of an extraordinary situation, the circumstances will be evaluated individually. If the trip is cancelled due to weather conditions or force majeure, a full refund will be issued.
