Description
Estancia Cristina Discovery combines sailing to the Upsala Glacier area with a day in the countryside at the historic Estancia Cristina. This experience allows you to enjoy unique views of the glacier from the famous Upsala Viewpoint, tour the estancia’s lands in 4×4 vehicles, and visit its Museo Costumbrista (Museum of Local Traditions), being the only excursion in El Calafate that offers a close-up view of the Upsala Glacier’s front face.
If you book the tour with transfer from El Calafate, the service includes pick-up at hotels starting at 7:30 a.m., and then heading to Puerto de la Cruz in Punta Bandera, 47 km from the city. For those who choose to go directly to the port, check-in will be at 8:30 a.m.. The boat sets sail at 9:00 a.m., sailing through the North Arm of Lago Argentino to the Upsala Channel, from where you can see the western front of the glacier, surrounded by impressive icebergs. The navigation continues through the Cristina Channel until arriving at the estancia.
After the sailing, there is a guided tour of the Museo Costumbrista followed by lunch in the estancia’s restaurant. Afterwards, the 4×4 adventure to the Upsala Glacier Viewpoint begins, covering 9.5 km with a difference in altitude of 550 meters. Upon arrival at the Continental Ice Refuge, there is a 15-minute walk on glacial erosion terrain to the viewpoint, with privileged views of the eastern front of the Upsala Glacier, Lake Guillermo, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and the Andes Mountains.
Finally, you return in 4×4 to the estancia’s main house for a short walk before boarding again to Puerto de Punta Bandera, arriving in El Calafate around 8:00 p.m., after having experienced the only excursion in Los Glaciares National Park that allows you to get close to the Upsala Glacier.
Includes
- Navigation
- Transfer (optional)
- Bilingual guide
- 4×4 tour
- Visit to the Upsala Viewpoint
- Lunch
Does not include
- National Park entrance fee
Useful information
- Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (with transfer) / 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (without transfer)
- Difficulty: Low
