Upsala Glacier & Estancia Cristina by Upsala Explorer
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This boat excursion (13 hours) leaves El Calafate early in the morning. The first stretch to Puerto Bandera is done by bus. There you board the catamaran, crossing the north inlet of lake Argentino to the Upsala glacier, which is the biggest of all the glaciers in the national park. While sailing, you can see strange shaped icebergs floating in the lake. They have a beautiful variety of colours, which go from brilliant white to deep turquoise and sapphire blues. After approximately 2.5 hours, the boat stops about 600 metres from the edge of the glacier. The glacier is 50km long and 9km wide and at the edge of the lake, large chunks of ice crash into the water, surfacing to become icebergs. This is the moment when you can enjoy and be impressed by the immensity of the surroundings in the area and hear the far off creaking of the falling blocks of ice. What you see is only a part of the giant glacier, whose bottom lies down to 300m under the waterline on the ground. Guides on board explain (in different languages) all about the different kind of glaciers you see on the trip. After crossing the lake, the intrepid explorers are welcomed by the guides at the estancia Cristina. The estancia is still synonymous for unspoilt natural beauty. From here, the valley exploration starts and you can go for a guided walk. You will discover marvelous landscapes and untouched nature. Lunch will be served at an ?Asador? (typical restaurant) of the estancia. In the afternoon, a guided tour around the estancia will explain a little of its fascinating history. On your return, a delicious tea will be waiting, over which everyone can share the excitement and experiences of their day. The boat will then take you back across the lake to Puerto Banderas. |
