The main glaciers of El Calafate are within the Los Glaciares National Park: Upsala, Spegazzini, Seco, Heim and Peineta in the North Arm of Lake Argentino, which can be seen by boat; the Viedma, the largest in the Park, in Lake Viedma; and the Perito Moreno, which can be visited from the public walkways of the Park.
We've been navigating among these glaciers since 1980. The park protects 47 major glaciers that descend from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and each one has a distinct character. This is a guide to understanding what they are and what each one looks like.
Quick map of the glaciers of El Calafate
| Glacier | Where is | What distinguishes it | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uppsala | North Arm of Lake Argentino | 765 km², one of the largest in South America | Sailing (All Glaciers) |
| Spegazzini | Glacier Bay | The tallest in the Park: walls up to 135 m | Sailing and from Spegazzini Base |
| Dry | Brazo Norte | Hanging glacier: does not reach the water | Sailing (All Glaciers) |
| Home | Glacier Bay | Neighbor of Spegazzini | Sailing and from Spegazzini Base |
| Comb | Glacier Bay | This completes the trio visible from the Base | From Spegazzini Base |
| Viedma | Lake Viedma, near El Chaltén | The largest in the Park | Sailing (Viedma Adventure) |
| Perito Moreno Glacier | Southern section of the Park | the best known | From the public walkways of the Park |
Upsala Glacier: the giant of the North Arm
The Upsala Glacier covers 765 km², an area larger than the city of Buenos Aires, and is one of the largest glaciers in South America. Even before reaching its face, the journey itself is impressive: the North Arm of Lake Argentino is often strewn with icebergs calved from the glacier, their shapes and shades of blue changing daily. It is also one of the glaciers that has retreated the most in recent decades, a fact we discussed in our article on the retreat of the Upsala Glacier.
Spegazzini Glacier: the highest in the Park
Spegazzini Glacier boasts walls up to 135 meters high above the lake, the tallest in the park. It's first viewed from a boat, where its sheer verticality is truly apparent, and then from land: at Spegazzini Base, on the northern shore of Lake Argentino, trails and walkways lead to the De Agostini Lookout and a newer, higher viewpoint closer to the glacier. The Spegazzini Refuge features a picture window that looks directly onto the ice.
Dry Glacier: the hanging glacier
El Seco is unlike any other: it's a hanging glacier, suspended on the mountainside and never reaching the water. From the boat, you can clearly see how it forms and why its tongue ends on the rock. We've dedicated a separate article to it: Seco Glacier, the hanging glacier.
Heim and Peineta glaciers: neighbors of the Spegazzini
In Glacier Bay, Spegazzini is not alone. Heim appears during the voyage and, together with Peineta, completes the landscape visible from Spegazzini Base: three glaciers in view from a single vantage point, surrounded by Andean Patagonian forest. From the terrace of the Captain's Club lounge at the Refuge, both Spegazzini and Heim are visible.
Viedma Glacier: the largest in the Park
The Viedma Glacier is the largest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park and the largest in Argentina. It's located on Lake Viedma, in the northern part of the park, near El Chaltén. You can see it on the Viedma Adventure , a 4-hour boat trip from Puerto Bahía Túnel that includes a hike to a viewpoint overlooking Iceberg Bay and a close-up view of the glacier's face. If you're staying in El Calafate, the Viedma Full Day Adventure combines this with a visit to El Chaltén and a stop at the La Leona rest stop, making it a 12-hour excursion.
Perito Moreno Glacier: the most well known
The Perito Moreno Glacier is located in the southern part of the park and is the most famous glacier in the region. It can be visited from the public walkways that the National Park has built facing its face. It is not included in our boat tours: the "Todo Glaciares" tour covers the North Arm of Lake Argentino, including the Upsala, Seco, Heim, Spegazzini, and Peineta glaciers.
Which of El Calafate's glaciers can be seen on a boat trip?
With the All Glaciers Navigation tour, you'll see five of the glaciers on this list in a single day: a 7-hour boat trip (approximately 10 hours total including transfers) that passes by the Devil's Mouth, the icebergs and the face of the Upsala, Seco, Heim, and Spegazzini glaciers, with a stop at Spegazzini Base to view Spegazzini, Heim, and Peineta glaciers from land. To include the Viedma glacier, combining it with the Viedma Adventure tour or its Full Day version completes the park's map.
If you want to do both on the same trip, check out our 4-day itinerary with Todo Glaciares and Aventura Viedma.
Choose your glaciers
Each glacier tells a different story: the immensity of the Upsala, the height of the Spegazzini, the unique character of the Seco, the vastness of the Viedma. Check availability and current rates on the All Glaciers Navigation page.
FAQ
What are the main glaciers in El Calafate?
The most prominent glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park are Upsala, Spegazzini, Seco, Heim, Peineta, Viedma and Perito Moreno.
Which glaciers can be seen on the All Glaciers Navigation?
Upsala (and its icebergs), Seco, Heim, and Spegazzini during the voyage, and Spegazzini, Heim, and Peineta from Spegazzini Base. Perito Moreno is not part of the route.
Which is the highest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park?
The Spegazzini Glacier, with walls up to 135 meters above the lake.
Which is the largest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park?
The Viedma Glacier, on Lake Viedma, near El Chaltén. You can sail to its face on the Viedma Adventure.
What is the size of the Upsala Glacier?
The Upsala Glacier covers 765 km², larger than the City of Buenos Aires, and is one of the largest glaciers in South America.
