What you'll see on the All Glaciers tour: the Devil's Mouth gorge, icebergs and the face of the Upsala Glacier, the Dry Glacier hanging from the mountain, the Heim Glacier, the Peineta Glacier, and the Spegazzini Glacier, the highest in the park. Afterwards, we'll disembark at the Spegazzini Base, with its trails, walkways, viewpoints, and the Refuge overlooking three glaciers.
We've been navigating Lake Argentino since 1980, when we were the first lake concession granted by the National Parks Administration. This is the route our crew takes every day during the season, described section by section so you know what to look for and when to go on deck.
Before setting sail: the Puerto Punta Bandera terminal
The day begins at Puerto Punta Bandera, 47 km from El Calafate. The terminal is ours: 350 m² covered and heated, with restrooms, a first-aid station, private parking, and ticket windows. There are also two booths there where National Parks sells park entrance tickets, which are not included in the tour; if you want to skip the line, you can buy them beforehand at pnlosglaciares.ar.
Access is 100% accessible: the pier has an elevator and the ramps are level. If you want to know how to get there and how much time to allow, we detail it in our guide to getting to Puerto Punta Bandera.
Devil's Mouth: the passage to the north arm
Shortly after leaving the lake, it narrows into a natural strait we call the Devil's Mouth. This is the gateway to the northern arm of Lake Argentino and the first moment the landscape changes scale: the shores draw closer, the slopes become steeper, and the water takes on that milky turquoise color from the glacial sediment. It's worth being out of the water for this section; we explain it in detail in the article about the Devil's Mouth.
Icebergs and Upsala Glacier: the most photographed stretch
Beyond the strait, icebergs calving from the Upsala Glacier begin to appear. Some are small and white; others are the size of a building and display an intense blue on their newly exposed faces. They change every day: the wind and currents move them, they turn over, they break apart. No vessel ever sees the same ice field twice.
In the background appears the Upsala Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in South America. Its surface area is 765 km², larger than the city of Buenos Aires. What is visible from the ship is only its face; the rest extends into the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The captain determines the approach distance based on the amount of floating ice present that day, because safety takes precedence over the photograph.
Dry Glacier and Heim Glacier: two different ways to descend the mountain
On the way to Glacier Bay, we passed by the Dry Glacier, a hanging glacier: it descends the mountainside but ends before reaching the water. It's a good example of how the slope and snowpack determine how far a glacier extends, and we explain this in our article on what a hanging glacier is.
Further along, the Heim Glacier appears, smaller but very close to the coast, which allows you to appreciate details of its surface that in larger glaciers are lost in the distance.
Spegazzini Glacier: the highest in the Park
The highlight of the voyage is the Spegazzini Glacier face, with walls up to 135 meters high above the lake. It is the tallest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. From the outer deck, you can see the crevasses, the blue hues of the compacted ice, and, with luck, a calving event that hits the water with a crash heard seconds later.
| Glacier | What distinguishes it | what to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Uppsala | 765 km², one of the largest in South America | The icebergs it releases and the breadth of its forehead |
| Dry | Hanging glacier, it does not reach the water | The tongue of ice suspended on the hillside |
| Home | Smaller size, very close to the coast | Textures and cracks up close |
| Spegazzini | The tallest in the Park, walls up to 135 m | The height of the front and the landslides |
On land: Spegazzini Base, walkways and Refuge
The voyage ends with a landing at Spegazzini Base, in the northern sector of Lake Argentino, within Glacier Bay. It is only accessible by water. A floating dock allows you to disembark without steps, and from there the walking tour begins.
- Trails with interpretive stations about glaciology, history, fauna and flora, among the Patagonian Andean forest.
- Catwalks from 350 meters along the lake shore to the De Agostini Lookout, inaugurated in December 2024.
- A new viewpoint, added in March 2025, closer to the glacier and higher than the De Agostini.
- The Spegazzini Refuge, opened in 2019: main hall of 280 m² with window overlooking the glacier and terrace of 120 m², plus market and boutique.
From the Base, you can see three glaciers at once: Spegazzini, Heim, and Peineta. If you've booked the Refuge Menu, it's time to sit by the window; if you're traveling with Captain's Club, you have your own 80 m² lounge with a terrace.
How to make the most of every leg of the All Glaciers navigation
- I went out on deck at the Devil's Mouth and in the ice field: these are the sections with the most changes in scenery.
- Bring layers and a windbreaker; on deck, near the ice, the wind chill makes it feel low even in summer.
- Save battery for the Spegazzini and the Base viewpoints.
- The onboard cafeteria operates while sailing, so there's no need to carry food.
The boat trip lasts 7 hours, or about 10 hours including the transfer from El Calafate. The schedule is from 8:30 AM to 16:00 PM (from April to August, departures are one hour later, from 9:30 AM to 17:00 PM). There are daily departures from September to April and every other day from May to August; please check the departure schedule.
Reserve your spot in front of the glaciers
If you'd like to see these glaciers in a single day, including a landing, check availability and current rates on the All Glaciers Navigation website . There you can also add the transfer, the Refuge Menu, or the Captain's Club.
FAQ
Which glaciers can be seen in All Glaciers?
Five glaciers are visible: the Upsala and its icebergs, the Seco, the Heim, the Peineta, and the Spegazzini. The Peineta can be seen from Glacier Bay and from the viewpoints at Spegazzini Base.
Are you getting off the boat in Todo Glaciares?
Yes. The navigation includes disembarking at the Spegazzini Base, with interpretive trails, 350-meter walkways, viewpoints, and the Spegazzini Refuge.
How long does the All Glaciers cruise last?
The boat trip lasts 7 hours. If you book a transfer from El Calafate, the total day trip will take around 10 hours.
Is the entrance to the National Park included?
No. The entrance fee to Los Glaciares National Park is purchased separately, online at pnlosglaciares.ar or at the National Parks offices at the Punta Bandera terminal.
Is all of Glaciares accessible to wheelchairs?
Yes. It is 100% accessible: elevator at the Punta Bandera dock, level ramps, floating dock at the Spegazzini Base and adapted restrooms on boats and at the Refuge.
