Your Patagonia experience in one place
El Calafate

Estancia Cristina: Upsala Discovery

$ 350,000ARS
Free transfer from airport
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Estancia Cristina: Upsala Discovery
Estancia Cristina: Upsala Discovery
The Estancia Cristina: Upsala Discovery excursion is ideal if you want to combine navigation, adventure, and glacial landscapes in one of the most special corners of Patagonia. During the tour, you’ll sail across Lake Argentino toward the Upsala Glacier area and reach Estancia Cristina, where a 4x4 adventure along mountain trails begins. The journey will take you to the Upsala Glacier Viewpoint, offering panoramic views of the glacier’s eastern face, Lake Guillermo, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and the Andes. An experience to discover the vastness of the glacial landscape from unique perspectives.
Map Estancia Cristina: Upsala Discovery

Price

Start at the port
Start at your hotel
Adult12+ years
$ 350,000ARS
Child3 to 11 years
$ 245,000ARS
Infant0 to 2 years
Free
StartEnd
8:30 am7:00 pm
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start
Navigation in front of the Upsala Glacier
4x4 visit to the Upsala Glacier Viewpoint
Family style lunch menu to share
Guide throughout the navigation and visit to the ranch
Access ticket to Los Glaciares National Park
-

Optionals

Transfer from your hotel to the port
$ 80,000ARS
Trekking boots
$ 29,600ARS
Recommended

Availability

1 / 2
Visit to Upsala Viewpoint
Visit to Upsala Viewpoint
Included
Navigation in front of Upsala Glacier
Navigation in front of Upsala Glacier
Included
4x4 tour in the estancia
4x4 tour in the estancia
Included
Lunch and visit to the historical museum
Lunch and visit to the historical museum
Included

Food

Family style lunch menu to share
Included
Lunch at Estancia Cristina restaurant with starter, main course, dessert and drinks in family style.

Good to know

It is recommended to bring warm clothes, waterproof jacket and pants, trekking boots, gloves, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
When booking this tour,
we'll give you a free airport transfer to your hotel

Description

Description
Upsala Glacier + Estancia Cristina + 4x4 Upsala Viewpoint + Museum.

Estancia Cristina Upsala Discovery is a tour in El Calafate that combines a boat ride to the Upsala Glacier area, departing from the Port of Punta Bandera, with a visit to Estancia Cristina. You will enjoy unique views of the Upsala Glacier from the famous viewpoint of the estancia, you will visit in 4x4 vehicles the surroundings and also visit its historic museum. This is the only tour in El Calafate that allows you to observe closely the Upsala Glacier front, its spectacular size and the glaciers that feed it.

If you book the tour with transfer from El Calafate, we will pick you up at 7:30 a.m. at your hotel to then head to Port de la Cruz located in Punta Bandera and at 47 km from El Calafate. If you book the tour departing from the Port of Punta Bandera, you must get there at 8:30 a.m.

The boat departs at 9:00 a.m. sailing the North Arm of Lake Argentino until reaching the Upsala Canal, from where you can see the western front of the glacier in the distance, surrounded by huge icebergs of various shapes. You will enjoy a boat tour between icebergs and imposing mountainous landscapes to then sail the Cristina Canal until you arrive at the estancia.

When you get to Estancia Cristina and disembark, you will take a guided tour to the Costumbrista Museum, which is a former shearing shed, and then have lunch at the estancia restaurant. After lunch, the adventure begins on a 4x4 journey to the famous Viewpoint of the Upsala Glacier, on a 9.5 km route with an unevenness of 550 meters above sea level.

Upon arrival at the Continental Ice Shelter in 4x4s, a 15-minute walk is undertaken on glacial erosion terrain in the direction of the viewpoint while you have privileged views of the Eastern front of the Upsala Glacier and the glaciers that support it, Lake Guillermo , Southern Patagonian Ice and the Andes Mountains.

Finally, you return to Estancia Cristina on 4x4s where, after a walk through the old part of the estancia, you will embark again to head towards Port of Punta Bandera. You will arrive in El Calafate at 8:00 p.m. having made the only tour in Los Glaciares National Park that still offers close views of the Upsala Glacier.

Itinerary

7:30
Pick-up at hotel
47 km distance
8:30
Boarding in port
Boat tour in front of Upsala Glacier
Arrival at Estancia Cristina
4x4 tour
Visit to the Upsala Viewpoint
Visit to the museum of the estancia
19:00
Return to the port
Return to El Calafate
20:00
Drop off at hotel
Included Activities
Optional ActivitiesTimings, order, and activities may vary based on the day's organization

What Sets This Tour Apart From ...?

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Estancia Cristina: Upsala Classic
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Estancia Cristina: Horseback Riding
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Estancia Cristina: Upsala Trekking

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover the questions other travelers also had before booking.
How far from the Upsala Glacier does the boat sail?
The boat sails for an approximate distance of 12 kilometers from the front of the Upsala Glacier depending on several factors such as the amount of time floating in the water, the navigation conditions and the current regulations of the National Parks Administration.
What type of terrain is used with the 4x4 vehicles?
During the 4x4 tour, there are some sections with exposure to heights and steep views typical of the mountain environment. Although the road is suitable for this activity, it is not recommended for people who suffer from vertigo or who feel uncomfortable in areas with steep inclines and exposed views of the void.
What is the capacity of 4x4 vehicles?
The number of passengers per vehicle depends on the unit assigned for the route, with a capacity between 12 and 22 passengers per vehicle.
What is the hike like on terrain of glacial erosion?
The hike is uphill with a moderate incline. While the trek requires a basic level of physical exertion, it is not considered technically difficult for most visitors.
Is the experience canceled due to bad weather?
The excursion normally takes place under most weather conditions. However, it may be suspended or modified in exceptional situations such as heavy snowfall that prevents safe vehicle passage.
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