Two Glaciers Great Vespignani Glacier

Two Glaciers
Great Vespignani Glacier

Make the most of every minute of your trip to El Chaltén exploring and sailing the northern sector of Los Glaciares National Park, the Lago del Desierto Provincial Reserve and the Great Vespignani Glacier area. Includes an optional visit to Huemul Glacier.

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~9 hours (With Transfer) Moderate Difficulty Lake Navigation 2 Glaciers (Vespignani + Huemul) Oct 8 – Apr 8 · Except Wednesdays
The most comprehensive experience

Two Glaciers
Great Vespignani Glacier & Huemul Glacier

Discover the wild northern sector of Los Glaciares National Park and Lago del Desierto. Sail pristine glacial waters, hike through ancient native Andean-Patagonian forests on self-guided trails at the Great Vespignani Glacier Reserve, and enjoy time at Punta Sur with panoramic views of Huemul Glacier.

Lake Navigation
Huemul & Crestón glaciers
3 Marked Trails
Green, Yellow and Red
Optional Huemul Glacier
Hike to Huemul Lagoon
Hot Beverage Included
At the reserve dome

With Transfer · Full Day (08:00 AM to 05:30 PM)

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08:00 AM
Start of Journey: El Chaltén – Punta Sur
Pick up from accommodations (07:30 to 08:00 AM) · 37 km along Route 41 Duration: 1:30 hrs
10:00 AM
Boat Departure to Vespignani Glacier Reserve
Scenic lake cruise with views of Huemul and Crestón glaciers Duration: 20 min
10:30 AM
Disembarkation & Activity in Vespignani Glacier Area
Self-guided trekking along marked trails and hot beverage in the dome Duration: 3 hours
01:30 PM
Boat Departure back to Punta Sur
Panoramic return sail across the lake towards Punta Sur Pier Duration: 20 min
02:00 PM
Activity in Punta Sur Area
Coastal walking trails / Optional ascent to Huemul Glacier & Lagoon Duration: 2 hours
04:00 PM
Return Shuttle: Punta Sur – El Chaltén
Scenic road transfer returning to El Chaltén around 05:30 PM Duration: 1:30 hrs
Door-to-Door Service: Includes pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or accommodation in El Chaltén.

Without Transfer · Meeting at Punta Sur Pier (09:45 AM to 02:00 PM)

Buy Ticket
09:45 AM
Check-in at Punta Sur Pier
Boarding pass check and pre-embarkation at Lago del Desierto Arrive 15 min early
10:00 AM
Boat Departure to Vespignani Glacier Reserve
Lake navigation across emerald waters with views of glaciers Duration: 20 min
10:30 AM
Free Activity in Vespignani Glacier Reserve
3 hours of self-guided trekking on marked trails and refreshment in the dome Duration: 3 hours
01:30 PM
Boat Departure back to Punta Sur
Scenic return navigation to Punta Sur Pier Duration: 20 min
02:00 PM
Disembarkation at Punta Sur — End of Service
The excursion finishes at Punta Sur Pier. You may continue exploring the area on your own.
Ideal for travelers with their own vehicle: Arrive 15 min before departure (09:45 AM). The service finishes at Punta Sur Pier, 37 km from El Chaltén along Provincial Route 41.
Two Glaciers Great Vespignani Glacier
Vespignani Glacier Reserve Pier Great Vespignani Glacier
Gallery

Two Glaciers in Pictures

Map and Excursion Route

Overview of the road transfer and boat cruise across Lago del Desierto and Great Vespignani Glacier Reserve (click to enlarge):

Excursion Diagram Lago del Desierto

Detailed Program

We depart from our meeting point in El Chaltén, traveling the 37 km that separate us from Lago del Desierto along a scenic gravel road, following the picturesque Río de las Vueltas valley.

During the trip, our crew shares local geographical and historical insights, stopping at key panoramic viewpoints along the way.

From Punta Sur Pier we embark on a 20-minute boat cruise with vistas of the Huemul and Crestón glaciers, disembarking at the Great Vespignani Glacier Reserve. Supervised by on-site reserve staff for your safety, you will have 3 full hours to hike any or all of the THREE designated trails, clearly marked according to elevation and difficulty.

After enjoying a warm beverage and snack inside the reserve dome, we re-embark to return to Punta Sur Pier. Upon arrival, you'll have free time to explore the coastal trails overlooking Huemul Glacier or undertake the hike up to Huemul Glacier & Lagoon (approx. 2 hours round-trip, extra local entrance fee). At the scheduled time, our shuttle transfers us back to El Chaltén.

Trails at Great Vespignani Glacier:
🟢
The Green Trail An easy interpretative nature walk with zero elevation gain of only 800 meters total. Winding through the native beech forest and lakeshore, it features an accessible viewpoint facing the Great Glacier.
🟡
The Yellow Trail With an elevation gain of just 50 meters over 1 km, a gentle slope leads in 30 minutes to a prominent panoramic viewpoint overlooking the hanging glacier.
🔴
The Red Trail With an elevation gain of 200 meters and 2 km round trip, it reaches the foot of the glacier in approximately 1 hour at a steady pace, opening an extraordinary high-altitude view of the north face of Mount Fitz Roy.

Included Services

Round-trip road transfer from El Chaltén to Lago del Desierto
Boat cruise across Lago del Desierto
3 hours of activity in the Vespignani Glacier area
Hot beverage & refreshment at the reserve dome
Note: In the "Without Transfer" modality, the check-in and meeting point is directly at Punta Sur Pier (Lago del Desierto).

Operating Season

Operating Season
From October 8th to April 8th
Frequency
Daily, except Wednesdays
Passenger Minimum
No passenger minimum required

Cancellation Policies

CONDITIONS:
  • If cancellation occurs more than 24 hours prior to the service date, no penalty fees apply.
  • If cancellation occurs within 24 hours of the service date, a 100% cancellation charge applies.

For services provided by third-party partner companies to Receptivo Chaltén guests that may be cancelled or altered for any reason, cancellation and refund policies adhere directly to the third-party operator's terms. The same policy applies to applicable discounts.

Note: these cancellation terms apply to all transfer and activities in the Lago del Desierto area (Great Vespignani Glacier Reserve).

Important Information

Guidelines, Recommendations & Meeting Points

Guidelines

  • Suitable for all audiences
  • Not recommended for people with reduced mobility
  • Schedule may vary due to operational or weather conditions

What to Bring

  • Trekking footwear and pants
  • Warm waterproof jacket
  • Water bottle
  • Packed lunch / box lunch

Meeting Points

  • If traveling with our shuttle: We pick you up directly from your accommodation in El Chaltén.
  • If traveling in your own vehicle: Please arrive at Punta Sur Pier 15 min before the scheduled boat departure.
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