Cruise to the Three Glaciers
Today Enchanting Travels says that lanned for us is a nautical cruise to three of the areas most famous glaciers, the Upsala, named after a university, the Spegazzini and the north face of Perito Moreno glacier that we saw yesterday. It was advertised as a very long day and we were picked up at our hotel by Criolla Travel at 7:20 am to transport us to Puerto Bandara that was supposed to be 17 Km from the hotel. In reality, this is a typo and should be 47 Km from the hotel.
The driver got us there in time for an 8:30 am boarding with the cruise leaving at approximately 9 am. We had to follow him into a line where he purchased park entrance tickets for all that he transported. The cost was $500 pesos/person as it was yesterday. Before we left the bus, he handed us a boarding ticket for the catamaran. I do not know the cost of this navigation as we prepaid the travel agency for this activity. Searching online, I find the cost to be about $170 US/per person. The cruises do not go to the north face of Perito Moreno glacier, only to Upsula and Spegazzini. Our travel information is incorrect.
This cruise was packed with people and while seating is comfortable, many people have interior seats without a windown to look from. You are not allowed to be on deck until the viewing area is approached and then the boat stays there for 1/2 hour for photographs. The problem is the front of the boat can only admit about 50 people and many refuse to leave to allow other access for photos. This is an expensive cruise for such a horrible experience.
At the Upsula glacier, you can see it but the boat cannot approach it becuase the glacier face is hanging above the bottom of the lake. The face is about 1.5 miles across and at one time in the past, the entire face fell, creating a small tsunami wave. Therefore, the boats do not approach this glacier that is three times as large as Perito Moreno glacier. They do bring you close to a large blue iceberg for photo opportunities through the heads on many people.
(Pics)
Next the boat moves to the Spegazzini glacier that is the highest glacier in the national park. It is double the height of Perito Moreno but the face is smaller. The boat parks for 1/2 hour for pictures but we saw no calving during that time.
(Pics)
The boat then returns to port and you are returned to your hotel by about 3 pm.
I cannot in good faith recommend this excursion as it is too crowded and you really have to want to see a glacier to enjoy it. I think I would recommend just visiting Perito Moreno glacier and the boat ride in Torres del Paine if you go there as you get close to a glacier there as well. I would recommend you visit the Perito Moreno glacier and then depart for more exciting places.
Today Enchanting Travels says that lanned for us is a nautical cruise to three of the areas most famous glaciers, the Upsala, named after a university, the Spegazzini and the north face of Perito Moreno glacier that we saw yesterday. It was advertised as a very long day and we were picked up at our hotel by Criolla Travel at 7:20 am to transport us to Puerto Bandara that was supposed to be 17 Km from the hotel. In reality, this is a typo and should be 47 Km from the hotel.
The driver got us there in time for an 8:30 am boarding with the cruise leaving at approximately 9 am. We had to follow him into a line where he purchased park entrance tickets for all that he transported. The cost was $500 pesos/person as it was yesterday. Before we left the bus, he handed us a boarding ticket for the catamaran. I do not know the cost of this navigation as we prepaid the travel agency for this activity. Searching online, I find the cost to be about $170 US/per person. The cruises do not go to the north face of Perito Moreno glacier, only to Upsula and Spegazzini. Our travel information is incorrect.
This cruise was packed with people and while seating is comfortable, many people have interior seats without a windown to look from. You are not allowed to be on deck until the viewing area is approached and then the boat stays there for 1/2 hour for photographs. The problem is the front of the boat can only admit about 50 people and many refuse to leave to allow other access for photos. This is an expensive cruise for such a horrible experience.
At the Upsula glacier, you can see it but the boat cannot approach it becuase the glacier face is hanging above the bottom of the lake. The face is about 1.5 miles across and at one time in the past, the entire face fell, creating a small tsunami wave. Therefore, the boats do not approach this glacier that is three times as large as Perito Moreno glacier. They do bring you close to a large blue iceberg for photo opportunities through the heads on many people.
(Pics)
Next the boat moves to the Spegazzini glacier that is the highest glacier in the national park. It is double the height of Perito Moreno but the face is smaller. The boat parks for 1/2 hour for pictures but we saw no calving during that time.
(Pics)
The boat then returns to port and you are returned to your hotel by about 3 pm.
I cannot in good faith recommend this excursion as it is too crowded and you really have to want to see a glacier to enjoy it. I think I would recommend just visiting Perito Moreno glacier and the boat ride in Torres del Paine if you go there as you get close to a glacier there as well. I would recommend you visit the Perito Moreno glacier and then depart for more exciting places.
