Full Day Upsala Explorer with Estancia Cristina

Cost: $128.00
Tour Length: Full Day
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate

Upsala is the Park´s largest glacier and offers the perfect gateway to the huge Ice Cape, the origin of the areas 47-ice flows. The glacier is 50 km long and 9 km wide at the lakes edge where large chunks crash into the water, surfacing to become icebergs.

An early start takes explorer to the tiny port of Puerto Bandera, where they board a 75 passengers comfortable modern catamaran for 1,45 min cruise on Lago Argentino. The navigation enters the Channel leading to Estancia CRISTINA, surrounded by towering ice -capped mountains and glowing ice-blue bergs floating in the lake.

After crossing the lake (allowing for great close up views of the Upsala glacier) the explorer (participants) meet the guides at Estancia Cristina. From here participants may choose to travel by UNIMOG (specially adapted off-road vehicles) to the only piece of land overlooking the Upsala Glacier, from where the view is spectacular or enjoy a 5 / 6 hour horse ride (easy). Lunch is included (delicious Patagonian lamb barbecue for the Unimog group and box-lunch for the riders).

Those joining the Unimog ride can enjoy an afternoon hike to a nearby lagoon and a tour around the estancia to learn about its fascinating history.

It includes: Breakfast, Lunch, tea, tickets and transportation to/from El Calafate to the pier.


A note on the Estancia: This huge estancia (30000 ha) was established in 1918. Originally dedicated to sheep breeding (25000 species) it is only accessible by boat, which allowed it to be kept as one of the most pristine places in Patagonia.

Suggested clothing: Apply to the layers system due to the unpredictable changes of the weather. A windbreaker should be part of the outfit as well as trekking shoes.

This tour is available daily.

If you prefer to have a private guide, there is a $33 per person supplement.

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