The "All Glaciers" tour is a 7-hour boat trip from El Calafate that visits five glaciers, including the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers, with a stop at Spegazzini Base. The "Viedma Adventure" tour lasts 4 hours, departs from El Chaltén, and focuses on the Viedma Glacier, the largest in Argentina, with a short hike to a viewpoint. Choose based on your base and available time.
We operate both cruises and know them inside and out: the All Glaciers cruise on Lake Argentino and the Viedma Adventure cruise on Lake Viedma. Only Patagonia has been sailing these waters since 1980, and this comparison answers the question we hear most often in our offices in El Calafate and El Chaltén.
All Glaciers or Viedma Adventure: the fundamental difference
These are excursions with different approaches. The "Todo Glaciares" tour is a long day of sailing, covering a wide area: it crosses the Devil's Mouth, passes through the icebergs of the North Arm, and goes in front of the Upsala, Spegazzini, Seco, Heim, and Peineta glaciers. The "Aventura Viedma" tour is a half-day excursion, more focused on a single point: the face of the Viedma Glacier and the view of the Iceberg Bay from land.
In other words: Todo Glaciares shows you a variety of glaciers and lake landscapes; Aventura Viedma leaves you free time during the day, ideal if you are in El Chaltén to walk its trails.
Comparison chart
| All Glaciers | Viedma Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Base | El Calafate | El Chaltén |
| Port of departure | Punta Bandera (47 km from El Calafate) | Tunnel Bay (18 km from El Chaltén) |
| Duration | 7 hours of navigation | 4 hours (10:30 to 14:30) |
| glaciers | Uppsala, Spegazzini, Seco, Heim and Peineta | Viedma |
| Ground time | Spegazzini Base: Shelter and 350m walkways to the De Agostini Viewpoint | Easy hike to the Iceberg Bay viewpoint |
| Lunch time | Onboard cafeteria; Optional Shelter Menu | Snack on board included |
| Accessibility | 100% accessible (elevator, ramps, adapted restrooms) | It is not 100% accessible |
| Adult | $330.000 | $175.000 |
| Minors | 6 to 16 years: $264.000 | 3 to 12 years: $87.500 |
| Free | 0 to 5 years | 0 to 2 years |
Prices valid from October 2026 to March 2027, subject to change; please confirm when booking. National Park entrance fee is not included in either price.
When is it convenient to visit All Glaciers?
- If you base yourself in El Calafate and you want the most complete tour of Lake Argentino.
- If you are interested in large glaciers: Upsala is one of the largest in South America, covering 765 km², and Spegazzini is the tallest in the park, with walls up to 135 m high.
- If you are traveling with someone with reduced mobility: The boat and shelter are adapted. We detail this in Glaciers accessible by wheelchair.
- If you want a full day sorted, with food, disembarkation and time to explore Spegazzini Base.
To see the route in detail, read What to see in Todo Glaciares: the route section by section.
When is the Viedma Adventure worthwhile?
- If you are staying in El Chaltén: The port is 18 km from the town and the excursion ends at 14:30 pm, with the afternoon free.
- If you want to see the largest glacier in the country and go for a walk instead of spending the day on board.
- If you're traveling on a tight budget: The adult rate is almost half that of Todo Glaciares.
- If you want a light day between treksbecause the walk to the viewpoint is of low difficulty.
If you're in El Calafate and don't plan to stay overnight in El Chaltén, there's the Viedma Full Day Adventure , a 12-hour tour including bus transportation. We compare this option with the classic Viedma Adventure or Viedma Full Day Adventure: which one is right for you?
How to decide in three questions
- Where are you going to sleep? If it's El Calafate, Todo Glaciares is the natural choice; if it's El Chaltén, Aventura Viedma. If you haven't decided yet, it can help. El Calafate or El Chaltén? Where to base yourself depending on your trip.
- How much time do you have? With only one day off, Todo Glaciares makes the most of the entire day. With limited time in El Chaltén, the four hours at Viedma leave room for another activity.
- Who's traveling? For people with reduced mobility, Todo Glaciares is the one that is fully accessible. For young children, please check the age ranges in the table.
And if your trip allows, you don't have to choose: many travelers do both. In our 4-Day Itinerary in El Calafate: All Glaciers and Viedma, we suggest how to combine them.
FAQ
Does all of Glaciares pass through the Viedma Glacier?
No. Todo Glaciares navigates Lake Argentino; the Viedma Glacier is in Lake Viedma and is visited with the Viedma Adventure or the Full Day tour.
Which of the two is longer?
The All Glaciers tour includes 7 hours of sailing. The Viedma Adventure tour lasts 4 hours, from 10:30 to 14:30.
Which one is better for people with reduced mobility?
The All Glaciers tour is 100% accessible with elevators, ramps, and adapted restrooms on the boat and in the refuge. The Viedma Adventure includes a hike and is not fully accessible.
Is it possible to do the Viedma Adventure from El Calafate?
Yes, with the Viedma Full Day Adventure, which includes round-trip bus transportation from El Calafate and a visit to El Chaltén.
