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Perito Moreno Glacier
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Upsala Glacier | The Patagonia experience most travelers miss

Included with some Perito Moreno Glacier tickets

Timings

Viewing platform overlooking Perito Moreno Glacier and turquoise lake, Patagonia, Argentina.

Upsala Glacier is one of the biggest highlights inside Los Glaciares National Park and a striking contrast to the more famous Perito Moreno. Remote, massive, and only accessible by boat, Glacier Upsala Argentina offers a quieter and more cinematic experience. On an Upsala Glacier tour, you’ll cruise past floating icebergs and dramatic ice walls surrounded by pristine Patagonian landscapes.

How to access the Upsala Glacier

Reaching Upsala Glacier takes you deeper into Los Glaciares National Park, well beyond the walkways and viewpoints of Perito Moreno. There are no trails or land access here; the only way to see Glacier Upsala Argentina is by boarding a boat that navigates the northern arm of Lago Argentino.

An Upsala Glacier tour is not included with standard Perito Moreno tickets, so make sure to choose a cruise itinerary that specifically lists the Upsala route.

Upsala Glacier in a nutshell

Tourists on a boat pointing at Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina.

Must-see highlights

  • An Upsala Glacier tour gives you front-row views of one of Patagonia’s largest and widest glaciers. Far bigger in surface area than Perito Moreno. 
  • The experience is all about scale: drifting past bright blue icebergs, navigating the wide northern arms of Lago Argentino, and witnessing the vast ice field feeding Glacier Upsala Argentina.

Unique facts

  • Upsala was one of the first glaciers in Patagonia studied for climate research and is named after Sweden’s Uppsala University, whose scientists led early expeditions here.

Things to know before booking Upsala Glacier tickets

  • Access to Upsala Glacier is not included with standard Perito Moreno tickets. To visit it, you’ll need to book a full-day Upsala navigation, as only these cruises travel into the remote northern arm of Lago Argentino where the glacier sits.
  • Both standard and premium cruises are available. Standard passengers have general seating and can add an optional packed lunch, while premium lounges offer cabin seating and a more elevated onboard 4-course dining experience.
  • You can add hotel transfers and Perito Moreno boardwalk access as upgrades, making logistics smoother if you’re short on time.
  • The Los Glaciares National Park entry fee is not included in any Upsala cruise ticket and must be purchased separately.
  • Since the experience is fully boat-based and involves several hours of navigation, it may not be suitable for those sensitive to long travel days. During peak months, Upsala itineraries sell out quickly; booking early is highly recommended.

Your Upsala Glacier ticket types explained

Does the Upsala Glacier ticket have to be purchased separately?Why go for it?Starting price

Full-day cruise

No

Covers three top glaciers

From ARS 243,128

Full-day premium cruise

No

Access to a premium lounge & cabin seating

From ARS 442,050

Exploring Upsala Glacier

Tourists photographing glaciers from a boat near Perito Moreno, Spegazzini, and Upsala.

Entering the Upsala Arm

As the boat heads north across Lago Argentino, the water gradually shifts to a milky turquoise color, a sign you’re entering the Upsala sector. The scenery feels wider and more open here, with snow-covered peaks framing the route long before the glacier appears.

Spegazzini Glacier between mountains in Patagonia, Argentina.

Spegazzini Glacier

The first major stop is Spegazzini Glacier, known for having the tallest ice wall in Los Glaciares National Park. Its towering face, narrow spires, and deep blue fractures make it one of the most dramatic early views on the route and a great preview of what’s ahead.

Cruise ship near Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers in Patagonia, Argentina.

The iceberg barrier

Before reaching Upsala Glacier, the cruise navigates through one of the most striking features of this journey: massive free-floating icebergs. Some are sharp and crystalline, others smooth and rounded from years of movement. It’s a rare look at how large blocks of ice break away and travel across the lake.

Spegazzini Glacier meeting the water with Peineta and Heim glaciers in the background, Argentina.

Tributary glaciers

As you sail further, you’ll pass the Heim and Peineta glaciers, two steep tributaries that feed the Upsala system. Their blue-white layers and rugged surface offer a textured contrast to Upsala’s wide, solid mass. They also give a sense of scale. These glaciers are impressive on their own, yet they’re only the “suppliers” feeding the main one.

Upsala Glacier with icebergs in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina.

Upsala Glacier

The highlight of the journey is the panoramic view of Glacier Upsala Argentina. Unlike Perito Moreno’s vertical wall, Upsala stretches broad and horizontal, almost like a frozen river meeting the horizon. Its width, rather than its height, is what makes it unforgettable. From here, you can observe drift ice, crevasses, and layers formed by centuries of snowfall, a reminder of Patagonia’s living, shifting landscape.

Cruise boats in front of Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Toward the end of the navigation, you’ll approach Perito Moreno, the most iconic glacier in the park. Here, the route shifts from wide landscapes to a close-up encounter with its towering ice wall, thunderous cracks, and deep-blue crevasses, a powerful finish to the journey.

Know before you go

Tourists boarding a boat on Lake Argentino for Perito Moreno, Spegazzini, and Upsala exploration.
  • Cruises that include Upsala Glacier typically start boarding around 8am, with departure shortly after. Depending on your ticket type, the full experience lasts 8–12 hours.
  • Shorter itineraries (8–9 hrs): Navigation only and lunch. 
  • Longer itineraries (10–12 hrs): Include hotel transfers and time at Perito Moreno boardwalks.
  • Timings may shift slightly based on weather and lake conditions.
  • Upsala lies in the northern arm of Lago Argentino and can only be reached by boat. All cruises depart from Puerto La Soledad, about one hour from El Calafate. 
  • There’s a national park checkpoint at the port, so arriving 45–60 minutes early is recommended. There are no walking paths, road access points, or public transport options. 
  • If you’re not driving, choose round-trip hotel transfers for convenience.
Tourist photographing Perito Moreno Glacier from a cruise boat in Argentina.
  • Patagonian weather can shift from sunshine to icy winds within minutes, so dress in layers and bring a windproof jacket, gloves, and sunglasses, as the glare off the ice can be intense. 
  • If you’re booking the standard cruise, consider adding the boxed lunch or bringing snacks. You’ll be on the water for several hours. 
  • Premium passengers enjoy a plated lunch and panoramic seating, making it easier to relax and enjoy the scenery without competing for viewpoints.
  • Binoculars are a surprisingly helpful addition, especially when spotting cracks, blue ice layers, or watching for condors and other wildlife along the cliffs. 
  • And finally, if you’re visiting in peak season (Nov–Feb), board early to get the seating and deck spot you prefer.
Tourists on cruise deck viewing Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina.
  • Standard cruise decks are generally accessible for visitors with mobility challenges, but premium seating is located on an upper floor accessible only by stairs. 
  • There are no landing points during the Upsala navigation, and the experience is entirely boat-based.

Frequently asked questions about Upsala Glacier

Is Upsala Glacier included in standard Perito Moreno tickets?

No. Upsala Glacier access requires a full-day cruise ticket. The standard Perito Moreno entry only covers viewpoints and boardwalks.

How long does an Upsala Glacier tour take?

Most cruises last 8–12 hours, depending on your ticket type, weather conditions, and whether transfers or boardwalk time are included.

Do I need to book Upsala Glacier tours in advance?

Yes. Tours often sell out during peak season, especially premium cruise seating and transfer-included options.

Are Upsala Glacier tours kid-friendly?

Yes, children can join, but long sailing hours and cold wind exposure may be tiring for younger travelers.

Is the Upsala Glacier cruise accessible?

Standard cruise decks are generally accessible. Premium seating is upstairs and only reachable via stairs.

Do cruises include food, or should I bring my own?

Standard tickets include an optional lunch box. Premium tickets include a plated meal. Bringing snacks is recommended.

Can I see Upsala Glacier from land or viewpoints?

No. The glacier can only be seen by boat due to its remote location inside the northern arm of Lago Argentino.

What should I wear on the cruise?

Layered clothing, a windproof jacket, gloves, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes. Weather changes quickly, and upper decks can be cold.

Does the Upsala Glacier tour include Spegazzini or Perito Moreno?

Yes, the full-day cruise itineraries include Spegazzini and end with Perito Moreno.