This tour offers the possibility to book transfers from El Calafate. If you select the package with transfers, the tour starts at 7:00 a.m. and you will be picked up at your accommodations. If you select the package without transfers, you’ll have to arrive at Puerto Privado La Soledad independently. Puerto Privado La Soledad is located 29 miles (47 kilometers) from El Calafate and is about a 45-minute drive away. At approximately 8:15 a.m., all passengers will be at the port and with the assistance of your guide, everyone will buy the entrance ticket to Los Glaciares National Park. The entrance ticket is not included in the tour price due to the many entrance options.

The adventure begins! At 8:30 a.m., boarding begins. The large catamaran features four outdoor decks so that you can comfortably observe the spectacular scenery of Lake Argentino. In addition, the boat has a VIP area with a private outdoor deck, a bathroom, and includes a four-course meal. To enjoy the perks of VIP, just select this extra when booking your reservation.

At 9:00 a.m., the catamaran departs and in a few minutes you’ll be among the largest ice floes in the park, they can be up to four times bigger than the ship itself! Upsala is the second-largest glacier in South America. The calving (when large sheets of ice break off a glacier) is so enormous, that for its safety, the ship will not go within 6 miles (10 kilometers) of it, yet it will still appear to be immense. You will see floating ice with an intense blue color that almost seems illuminated. Every time the catamaran approaches the wall of a glacier or a large iceberg, the captain will maneuver the boat so that it can be seen from the inside as well as from any of the decks. They really do their best for you to enjoy the glaciers wherever you are on the boat.

As the boat continues across the lake, you’ll find some curious hanging glaciers. These are the Heim and Seco Glaciers, named for their hanging orientation (they appear to hang from the mountain without touching the waters of Lake Argentino).

As the silence of the engine reaches your ears you’ll be disembarking at Puesto de Las Vacas to take a quiet walk coordinated by a team of guides. El Puesto de Las Vacas is an old Patagonian "estancia" (an old residence) located in the heart of the National Park. Here you will find horses, old houses, and other creations left behind by the pioneers of Patagonia. Enjoy this experience while the guides explain the history of this unusual location.

The Speggazzini Glacier is impressive from any and every angle. The portion overhanging the lake reaches an astonishing height of 425 feet (130 m), almost twice as high as the Perito Moreno Glacier. If the cold makes you hungry, this is your moment to fill your belly: lunchtime! Get ready to taste a Patagonian lamb sandwich accompanied by baked vegetables and wash it all down with a refreshing drink (a vegetarian option is also available).

With a full belly and a happy heart the boat tour continues through the Canal de Los Témpanos. Destination: the northern portion of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Perito Moreno is an immense glacier that fascinates visitors with its activity (glaciers are often quite tranquil). You may get to see the ice crack and when you least expect it, hear an incredible roar as the ice chunks break off to fall into the depths of Lake Argentino.

From this point, two options are offered: OPTION 1 - Disembark at the Perito Moreno walkways: after sailing along the glacier wall, at about 3:30 p.m. the boat will approach a disembarking point and a guide will be waiting for you. You’ll have approximately two hours to enjoy the Perito Moreno walkways and viewpoints. After, you’ll return to El Calafate by shuttle bus with a 7:00 p.m. arrival time. OPTION 2 - Tour without disembarking: after sailing along the Perito Moreno Wall, the boat will return to Puerto Las Soledad and begin disembarking at 5:00 p.m. If you have selected the package with transfers, the shuttle bus will be waiting to take you back to your accommodations in El Calafate, where you will arrive in the city around 6:00 p.m., ready to rest after an unforgettable day enjoying the Gourmet Glaciers Tour. [If you have not selected the package with transfers, you’ll have to return to El Calafate by your own means.]