Description
Day 1:
El Calafate: Reception and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Free time to explore the town and the shores of beautiful Nimes Lagoon, or add an optional activity.
Day 2:
Perito Moreno Glacier: Some moments etch themselves into memory—not through words, but through silence. Among Patagonia’s most awe-inspiring excursions, the encounter with the Perito Moreno Glacier remains unequaled: towering, alive, and in constant motion, a monumental wall of ice that cracks, roars, collapses, and slowly rebuilds itself.
The full-day excursion begins in the morning, departing from El Calafate and tracing the shoreline of Bahía Redonda, the rounded bay of Lake Argentino. The journey reveals the solitary silhouette of Isla Solitaria floating in the water’s expanse. From there, the route enters the windswept Patagonian steppe, a vast landscape of ochres and silvers. Along the way, landmarks appear: Cerro Comisión (also known as Elephant Hill), the Centinela River, Cerro Frías, and traditional ranches like the well-known Estancia Alice. After crossing the Mitre River, the road enters Los Glaciares National Park.
The scenery shifts dramatically. The dry steppe gives way to lush forests of southern beech trees. In just a few miles, the environment transforms into a green, humid corridor of lengas, ñires, evergreen beech, and the brilliant red blooms of the notro.
One of the most iconic moments of the journey occurs at the Curva de los Suspiros—the “Sighs Curve”—named for the audible gasp that often escapes as the glacier appears for the first time in the distance.
Farther along, the road reaches the main viewpoint, where the entire 3-mile-wide face of the glacier comes into view. But the most intimate encounter happens at the walkways—a network of platforms and paths that bring visitors just a few hundred feet from the ice wall itself. Rising more than 200 feet above the lake’s surface, the glacier looms in silence, marked by deep blue crevices, translucent shadows, and jagged towers of frozen time. Every so often, a thunderous crack splits the air. A chunk of ice breaks free and crashes into the lake, sending ripples across the stillness.
The average time spent at the walkways is about two hours, allowing for unhurried exploration. Inside the national park, a visitor area offers food and refreshments, with privileged views of the glacier and surrounding peaks.
The experience reveals the glacier from a completely new perspective, highlighting its towering ice walls and the frequent calving of massive ice blocks, which break off with a thunderous noise and drift as deep-blue icebergs, passing just meters from the boat and coloring the water with their ancient hue.
The vessel, with a capacity of approximately 70 passengers, maintains a safe yet close distance as it navigates the entire southern front of the glacier.
Boarding takes place at Puerto Bajo de las Sombras, located 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) from the main Perito Moreno Glacier viewpoint.
Day 3:
A full day of navigation among Glaciers and icebergs, at the splendid Gourmet Glaciers Experience: 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.
Day 4:
After breakfast, transfer to the El Calafate airport to fly to Iguazú. In Puerto Iguazú, reception and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation and free time.
Day 5:
Argentine Waterfalls: An immersive journey into the lush subtropical rainforest of northern Argentina, where waterfalls plunge through jungle canyons in a spectacle of sound and mist—at the heart of it all, the majestic Iguazú Falls, recognized as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
The day begins with hotel pickup and transfer to the Iguazu National Park. Once inside the protected area, access to the main trails is aboard the Rainforest Train, an eco-friendly railway that winds through dense jungle and along the river. The train has two stops: Cataratas (Falls) and Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat). The latter, located at the far end of the circuit, leads to a newly built walkway—about 0.6 miles (1,000 meters) long—that weaves between islands and ends in panoramic balconies directly above the roaring Devil’s Throat. The path is flat and accessible, with no stairs.
From the Cataratas stop, two circuits branch out: the Upper Trail and the Lower Trail. While the order may vary, it’s typical to begin with the upper loop. Throughout the experience, a specialized guide accompanies the group, offering insights into the region’s flora, fauna, and topography.
Upper Trail
This elevated walkway spans 0.7 miles (1,100 meters) round-trip and includes no stairs. From above, it offers sweeping views of the main waterfalls and the lush river delta below, dotted with forested islands. It is the easiest of the park’s traditional circuits.
Lower Trail
A circular path of 0.75 miles (1,200 meters), this route offers close-up views of multiple falls from various angles: head-on, below, and sometimes right beside them. Adventurous visitors may even choose to step into the spray of the Bossetti Fall. This trail also ventures deeper into the jungle but includes numerous staircases—equivalent to climbing an eight-story building in total.
From this point, the optional Gran Aventura (Great Adventure) departs: a boat and jungle safari for those seeking a more adrenaline-fueled encounter. Participants rejoin the main group later at the park entrance.
Note: There is free time for a midday break. Visitors may stop for lunch at the park’s food court or bring their own meal.
Day 6:
Waterfalls on the Brazilian side: This outing is shorter than the Argentine side excursion, as the Brazilian park features a single panoramic trail that offers a sweeping frontal view of the entire Falls system.
From this vantage point, most of the Argentine waterfalls can be seen, along with a lateral view of the powerful Devil’s Throat. The four main waterfalls on the Brazilian side—Benjamín Constant, Deodoro, Floriano, and Santa María—are also visible along the trail.
Important Notes:
- Includes a lunch stop (meal not included).
- Entry requirements for Brazil differ from those in Argentina. Please check visa eligibility.
- Valid personal identification is required for border crossing and customs formalities.
