Upsala Glacier | El Calafate

Upsala Glacier – Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

Upsala Glacier is one of the most prominent and breathtaking glaciers in Argentina, located within Los Glaciares National Park in the Patagonia region. It is renowned for its size, beauty, and the incredible ice formations that make it a highlight for visitors exploring the area. The glacier is a part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, one of the largest ice fields in the world, and it is situated along the western edge of Lago Argentino, the largest lake in the region.

General Information

• Location: Upsala Glacier is located in Los Glaciares National Park, approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) from El Calafate, Argentina. It is one of the most famous glaciers in the Patagonian region and a major attraction for tourists visiting Lago Argentino.
• Size: Upsala Glacier spans approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) in length, making it one of the largest glaciers in Argentina. Its width varies, but it can be up to 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) wide in some sections.
• Access: The glacier is accessible primarily by boat tours that depart from El Calafate and navigate through the waters of Lago Argentino. These boat tours offer stunning views of the glacier and surrounding landscapes.
• Glacier Type: Upsala is a tidewater glacier, meaning it flows down into the lake, where it calvings into the water. This results in massive icebergs breaking off from the glacier, floating in the lake, and creating a dramatic and ever-changing landscape.

Key Highlights & Attractions

1. Scenic Boat Tours

• One of the most popular ways to visit Upsala Glacier is by taking a boat tour from El Calafate across Lago Argentino. The boat ride offers magnificent views of the glacier, as well as surrounding icebergs, mountains, and forests.
• The boat tours typically depart from Puerto Bandera, which is located around 30 kilometers (18 miles) from El Calafate. The boat cruises along the Bajo de las Sombras channel, providing spectacular views of the Upsala Glacier as it rises dramatically in the distance.
• As the boat approaches the glacier, visitors can witness the grandeur of the massive ice sheet, its towering blue ice walls, and the impressive icebergs that have calved off the glacier and drift in the waters of the lake.

2. Iceberg Viewing

• One of the most dramatic aspects of visiting Upsala Glacier is the opportunity to see icebergs floating in Lago Argentino. The glacier calves off massive chunks of ice into the water, which slowly break up into smaller pieces and drift across the lake. The sight of these floating icebergs, with their brilliant blue hues, is an awe-inspiring experience.
• These icebergs vary in size, and their colors range from milky whites to deep blues, creating a stunning visual contrast with the surrounding landscape. Depending on the time of year and the glacier’s activity, the number of icebergs and their size can vary.

3. Upsala Glacier Lookout

• The Upsala Glacier Lookout is a popular viewpoint located along the shores of Lago Argentino. This lookout offers an incredible view of the glacier, the icebergs, and the surrounding wilderness. It is one of the best places to take photographs and to marvel at the scale and beauty of the glacier.
• Some boat tours also include a stop at the lookout point, giving passengers the chance to disembark and view the glacier from land.

4. Glacial Activity and Environmental Changes

• Upsala Glacier is notable for its retreating ice mass, which has been shrinking over the past century. This retreat is part of the larger trend of glacial melt in Patagonia due to climate change, and it serves as an important environmental indicator.
• The glacier’s rapid retreat has caused it to calve more frequently, contributing to the formation of larger and more icebergs, and it has also exposed more of the lakefront, which has had significant ecological impacts. Visitors can learn about these changes through educational material available during tours, and they can witness firsthand the dramatic landscape that results from the ongoing retreat.

5. Ice Treks and Excursions

• Glacier trekking is available in the surrounding areas of the Los Glaciares National Park, although it is not directly offered on Upsala Glacier itself. The nearest option for glacier trekking is on the Perito Moreno Glacier, which offers guided trekking tours across the glacier’s ice surface.
• However, visitors can often combine their boat trips with other excursions in the area, such as trekking to nearby glaciers or exploring other natural wonders within the national park.

How to Get There

• By Boat: The most popular way to access Upsala Glacier is by boat. Tours depart from Puerto Bandera (located near El Calafate) and navigate across Lago Argentino toward the glacier. The boat ride offers incredible scenic views of the surrounding area and is an experience in itself.
• By Road: Upsala Glacier is located within Los Glaciares National Park, and while there are no direct roads to the glacier, visitors can reach nearby locations, such as the Laguna Nimez Reserve or Perito Moreno Glacier, and then take a boat from Puerto Bandera for the full experience.
• By Plane: Some tour operators also offer scenic flights over the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, providing a bird's-eye view of Upsala Glacier as well as other glaciers in the area. These flights are especially popular for those who want to capture aerial views of the glaciers and their surroundings.

Best Time to Visit

• Summer (December – March): The best time to visit Upsala Glacier is during the Patagonian summer, when the weather is milder and the boat tours are in full operation. This is the high season for tourism in the region, so it’s advisable to book tours in advance.
• Autumn (April – May): Early autumn can also be a good time to visit, as the weather is still relatively mild, and there are fewer tourists. The changing colors of the landscape also add to the beauty of the surroundings.
• Winter (June – September): Winter can be cold, and while it’s still possible to visit the glacier, fewer boat tours operate during this season. However, if you’re looking for a quieter and more serene experience, visiting in winter can provide a more peaceful atmosphere, with the snow-covered landscape offering a different view of the glacier.
• Spring (October – November): Spring is another excellent time to visit, with the weather beginning to warm up and fewer crowds than during the summer months. The flora around the glacier begins to bloom, adding vibrancy to the landscape.

Conclusion

Upsala Glacier is one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring natural wonders in Argentina, offering visitors a unique chance to experience the raw beauty of the Patagonian wilderness. Whether you choose to take a scenic boat ride, enjoy the views from the lookout, or simply marvel at the icebergs floating in Lago Argentino, the glacier provides a stunning and unforgettable experience. Its combination of dramatic landscapes, environmental significance, and natural beauty makes Upsala Glacier a must-see destination for travelers exploring the region.