Description
This full-day journey aboard the María Turquesa Cruise blends two of southern Patagonia’s greatest pleasures: sailing among glaciers and enjoying refined cuisine surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
The experience begins early in the morning with a transfer to Punta Bandera, where boarding from the Private Port La Soledad takes place . The navigation unfolds across the vast expanse of Lake Argentino, offering a privileged perspective on the Los Glaciares National Park—a perspective both immersive and remarkably close to the ice.
The first sights appear after crossing Escuadra Bay and the Condoreras Wall: the Seco and Heim Glaciers, suspended from mountain slopes and peaks—so-called “hanging glaciers.” The cruise continues south toward the Spegazzini Channel, leading to the glacier of the same name. This towering ice front rises between 260 and 440 feet above lake level, allowing for an awe-inspiring close-up approach.
The next stop is Puesto de las Vacas, a calm bay nestled within the channel. Here, the captain cuts the engines to allow a brief, guided walk along the shore, led by the onboard team of naturalist guides.
Later, the cruise approaches the barrier of icebergs that blocks access to the Upsala Channel. The distant outlines of the Upsala and Bertacchi Glaciers can be admired from the deck. A Gourmet boxed lunch, with non-alcoholic beverages included, is served amid this striking scenery.
The journey then continues through the Iceberg Channel toward the northern face of the Perito Moreno Glacier, where the vessel stops to observe the dramatic calving of ice blocks crashing into the lake—a spectacle of sound, movement, and stillness.
Return to port is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. followed by the transfer back to El Calafate.
Note: When booking with us, guests may request for an upgrade to the VIP Premium Deck of the María Turquesa Cruise, an exclusive area with space for just 16 passengers. This option not only offers privacy but a full lunch with alcoholic beverages, plus complimentary cafeteria service throughout the navigation.