Estancia Cristina Mirador Del Glaciar Upsala

The only thing this excursion offered was a ride to the National Park. There was hardly any instructions, no information given about the park, the history, any interesting stories or anything else. The driver was not attentive to the needs of his passengers and was oblivious to the passengers he was transporting. The "Tour Guide" wasn't a guide at all! She didn't give us any history or any information at all about Estancia Cristina. She stayed on the bus the entire time. Big waste of money. The glaciers are worth seeing but I wouldn't book this excursion.

Definitely go to Perito Moreno glacier and do the boat excursion as a higher priority than this, but if you have the extra day and don't mind the very high price, this is worthwhile. The 4x4 trip and the Upsala glacier lookout point was awesome. The coordination of pickup from the hotel, boat with guides explaining what would happen once we landed, departure for various excursions as soon as we arrived, and return trip were all handled seamlessly. The lunch was only okay. It's unnecessary to provide a huge 3-course lunch that took far too long (over an hour and half) to serve. There was no excuse for it taking so long when everyone had the same food and they knew exactly when we would arrive with the guides radioing updates. The day trip from El Calafate is very long as it is, and nearly everyone on the boat returning to town agreed that they would much have preferred a lighter, faster lunch that took more like 45minutes and got us all back to town earlier. Because of how long the lunch service took, we had to rush through the history museum tour when many would have liked to spend an extra 15 minutes in there.

Fantastic experience with great guides and well organized. My best day in El Calafete. Between the selection of icebergs of views of various glaciers the lunch with great wine and a fantastic day.

This is a magical place! Great hiking options, horse back riding, and excellent food. The view from the rooms was amazing! The limited footprint and people make this a place where you can really decompress and get in touch with nature and youreself. Words cannot describe this place.

The full day boat trip 8:30AM to 6:30PM booking direct with Estancia Cristina is a not to be missed experience! We were blessed with beautiful weather all day. Not crowded, very professional, excellent and professional on the water and on the estancia. The lunch is amazing! This is a must do if you want a first class experience! Highly recommend! Scott & Beverly

Estancia Cristina is an absolutely amazing place and one of the most beautiful days we had in Patagonia. From the stunning scenery and breathtaking viewpoints, to the sense of history and remoteness, everything about this place feels special. The guides were super professional, knowledgeable, and passionate, making the experience both enriching and enjoyable. The 4x4 excursion and viewpoints were spectacular, the food was delicious and the overall atmosphere was one of peace, quiet, and timeless history. Being surrounded by glaciers, vast landscapes, and silence made the experience truly unforgettable. Highly recommended – a must-visit in Patagonia.

Such a great experience! Boat ride to view the glacier from a distance but up real close to huge icebergs, quick tour of the Estancia Cristina museum, and an amazing lunch in a beautiful setting. Then the highlight, a 4x4 drive and little hike to the viewpoint overlooking Upsala Glacier. Friendly staff and incredible views. Recommended.

My Honest Review of Estancia Cristina & Mirador del Glaciar Upsala Visiting Estancia Cristina and the Upsala Glacier viewpoint was easily one of the best experiences I had in Patagonia. If you enjoy a mix of nature, history, and adventure, this is definitely worth your time. The journey itself is part of the experience. The boat ride across Lago Argentino was stunning, passing through floating icebergs and getting glimpses of the glacier from the water. The scenery feels untouched and raw — it’s hard not to just sit quietly and take it all in. Once at Estancia Cristina, the 4x4 drive up to the Mirador del Glaciar Upsala was bumpy but exciting. The view from the top is absolutely breathtaking — a vast landscape of ice, mountains, and valleys. It’s not just the glacier itself, but the whole panorama that makes it special. It feels remote and wild in the best possible way. At the estancia, I really enjoyed learning about the history of the pioneers who settled there. It adds depth to the visit, making you appreciate how challenging life must have been in such an isolated place. A few tips: Dress for wind, cold, and sudden weather changes. The terrain is rugged — this isn’t a luxury tour, it’s more for nature lovers and adventurers. Bring snacks; lunch is included but basic. Final Thoughts: If you’re in El Calafate and want to see more than just the typical Perito Moreno tour, this is a unique and memorable day trip. It combines incredible landscapes, a bit of history, and the adventure of getting off the beaten path. ⭐ Rating: 5/5 — Highly recommended for nature lovers and photographers.

Service was impeccable, food delicious, guides knowledgeable, and scenery unparalleled. We hiked to well above Upsala, viewed prehistoric fossils, enjoyed a lovely waterfall and retreated to lovely casitas,

Simply GREAT! Best decision to go to estancia Cristina and do the 4x4 They will pick you up from your hotel, the boat trip is easy, yes 2 hours, but the views are fantastic, you get coffee and pastries and the boat has WiFi. Estancia Cristina! What a place! You cannot miss the 4x4 or the long treking. The will take you with this truck on a road that is really rough. When you get there, a little hike and you will see 3 glaciers, with a scenery that cannot be more PATAGONIA. Back to the estancia you will enjoy a great lunch!!! With wine!! And after that a visit to the estancia museum! And all of this with SUPERB GUIDES!! Thank you Brenda, Timo and Mati!!

We absolutely loved our stay at Estancia Cristina. The boat ride over, the welcoming staff, the horseback rides, the hikes, the views, the rooms, the food... all were over-the-top great. A total highlight of my family (2 adults + 2 children)'s time in Patagonia. This was a splurge experience for us, and I'm so glad that we made the decision to do it. We stayed 2 nights and were able to pack a lot of activities into the time there, though we would have loved to stay longer if we could. If the estancia ia an option for you, book it!

For best gourmet lunch with a cruise, this is it! Great 6k hike but there is a 14k if you want longer. Primarily focused on Upsala glacier. Great staff and hospitality.

The estancia at the ends of the earth. Wonderful place to visit, to stay, to walk and also to visit the famous Upsala Glacier. Great history to the place, bringing one back to the efforts to populate one of the loneliest but most beautiful places on earth.

Excellent if long day. Views of the Upsala glacier and icebergs by boat and from land stunning. Beautiful lunch with great service. Guides very knowledgeable and personable. Would highly

7 family members spent three days and two nights at Estancia Cristina and can't rave enough about it! The entire staff was welcoming, charming and helpful. Our meals were fabulous and our excursions were well organized and accurately described. Of course sublime scenery is a given!

Even though the Upsala glacier was fascinating, the tour itself felt way too long. Between the 2+ hour boat ride on the way there and the 1+ hour boat ride back plus the transport to and from the meeting point, it ended up being 12 hours. The time at the Estancia which included a very average lunch and a tour felt too long and we would have preferred this tour to be 1/2 as long as it was

My wife and I stayed for two nights at Estancia Cristina with our daughters (age 23 & 20). Part of a Backroads organised trip we went on the waterfall hike, the fossil canyon hike and the horseback riding excursion. We also experienced the field of icebergs on the way to the estancia. I am writing this review to recommend this place and the experiences it offers to anyone visiting Patagonia. Martin the manager, Mauro the head guide and all the staff take enormous pride in delivering a first class hospitality experience in one of the most remote places on the planet. One family member in our party has extremely severe, life threatening food allergies to multiple complex ingredients. The kitchen staff and restaurant staff looked after us in the most professional and careful manner that made us feel reassured and safe in a place many hours from medical assistance. An unforgettable trip of a lifetime.

It was a fun navigation in Lago Argentino to see the Upsala Glacier & huge floating icebergs. Great hike and Amazing gourmet lunch.

An incredible 1st trip of the season with the Estancia Cristina team. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and very attentive. The boat trip was superb with stunning views. Once at the estancia we had a 4 x 4 trip up the mountain and then a short walk to a viewing area for the Upsala glacier. The views were absolutely stunning and we were fortunate enough to see many condors. The 4 x 4 driver was incredibly talented at navigating the lumpy bumpy road. Once back at the farm we enjoyed a fabulous lunch with wine and an informative tour of the museum. Thank you to all of the Estancia Cristina team. You delivered an unforgettable 1st trip of the season and we were delighted to be part of it! Viki & Andy

The setting was surpassed only by the staff. The natural beauty speaks for itself but the level of service was amazing. I wish I could remember all of the names but Brenda (Pocket) and Balin (horseback guide) are among the stand outs. Brenda at one point t saw from a distance that my friend and ai had gotten off the path and ran to catch us and save us from ourselves.

As part of our Argentina tour we chose to stay one night here as we wanted to experience an estancia. It is approx.3 hours to reach the Estancia after pick up by mini bus and then the catamaran across the lake. The good bits; The scenery on the boat trip is amazing The scenery at the Estancia is incredible, literally off grid in the middle of nowhere. The food during our stay was incredible and well presented All the staff were great, really helpful and friendly The not so good: One of the beds in our room had some mould probably due to humidity throughout the season but when we pointed this out clean bedding was provided but the mattress was just turned over. It wasn’t clear what activities we could do prior to our stay and I wish we had known before. On the website there was fishing, horseback riding, trekking etc but when we arrived we were not offered all of these It’s a very long day after your night stop, activities start at 8.30am and you’re not back until early afternoon and the boat leaves at 5pm meaning you don’t reach El Calafate until 8pm in the evening - something to consider if you have early flights out the next day. We enjoyed the experience but felt planning of activities could be better. and there would be more choice of activities for those staying

We took a boat to the estancia, passing icebergs and the Upsal Glacier on the way. Then we had a beautiful horseback ride through a valley, crossing streams on horseback and lunching at a little house next to Lake Pearson. Our guides, Roberto and Vicente, were knowledgeable, friendly, and great asado preparers. A day I will never forget.

The most beautiful place on earth. The accommodations were lovely. Heaven. Magnificent scenery, hiking, history

Everything was awesome. The staff was professional and the trip was well organized. The lunch was amazing and exceeded expectations. Overall everything was great and would highly recommend.

I have nothing but great things to say about this excursion. The shuttle bus ride was fine (no issues - about 45 min). The boat ride was fun - meet new people by sitting with strangers inside and then head outside as you approach 2 key icebergs and pose for tons of photos - what's there not to like. It's a big catamaran - no sea sickness to speak of. Delightful croissants and some standard coffee/tea options, along with 2 bathrooms. The boat captain was generous with our time around the icebergs to allow for all the photo taking that the entire boat could take. Then comes time on the ranch. First, all of the staff are excellent - bilingual, super courteous, knew their stuff cold, constantly looking out after guests. I had low expectations for the museum but it was really fascinating to learn the history of the ranch (who knew it was British settlers). The meal in the restaurant, as many have mentioned, was delightful - great lamb and nice Patagonian malbec. The drive to the lookout was the real excursion bit. The guides collude by telling you it's a 15 min drive but it's more like 50 and it's true offroad 4x4 that needs to be done by a professional. You will absolutely getting shaken and stirred on this part. The last bit is a 15 min walk (uphill) to the lookout. We a moderately cloudy but clear day but the entire glacier was in full view. We also had a pair of condor flying around above us. The winds starting to pick up (probably 40 kmph) so you would tear up if exposed. But the view, while distant, is still something to take in and makes the adventure all the more worth it. Strike up a conversation with your offroading companions and it makes the trip go by faster. All in all, an exquisite day and would recommend to anyone. BTW - we had friends that were staying overnight at Estancia and ran into them at lunch - they too had nothing but rave reviews for the place (and other hiking options).

Incredible views, very friendly staff, top class food for such as remote place. We went for a day trip but i would really recommend staying overnight for the full experience.

It was a nice day on the lake and the mini-hike to the glacier view point. However, it was too much time and money to have a far, far away view of the glacier. Also did not appreciate the guides explaining stuff for 10 minutes in Spanish and 1 minute in English.. Seems to be the general approach in the area: charge the same (probably higher) fee to non-Spanish speakers but provide much less service.

This visit was really an incredible experience! Everybody should visit this place! The first part is amazingly itself, with the boat going through the ice. Then, the amazing view with the 4x4 and little trekking to see the Upsala Glacier! Then, the lunch with amazing food and service. The staff is great! The tour at the museum and the place outside is really really amazing! I would like to have a compliment for Brenda, an amazing guide that don’t miss any detail!

A well organized & informative tour. Starting with the collection from our hotel, the information shared on the drive to the port, the boat trip across and our time at the estancia. The guides were informative, professional & engaging. The meal was hearty & very tasting. Just to be aware that you do not see the glacier or any part there of on the Clsssic Tour option.

Despite the high price tag, this day trip is worth the money. It is well organized; the service and amenities were excellent and the experiences are one of a kind. The first part of the day is a cruise near the Upsala glacier and navigating in close proximity to ice bergs floating in Lago Argentino. That is followed by one of the adventure tours at Estancia Cristina. We chose the 4x4 track to view the glaciers: amazing views, but be aware that it is about 90 minutes inside the vehicle. The lunch at the Estancia was a gourmet experience. The whole Estancia Cristina team made everything first class.

This was an amazing trip. We sailed up the Upsala channel of Lake Argentino where we saw huge icebergs . We then arrived at Estancia Cristina . We had a lovely guide Augustine who took us trekking to the beautiful falls with amazing views. Lunch was delicious and the tour of the ranch was very interesting . Well worth it

If there is one activity that summed up the whole experience of patagonia for us it was the day we spent visiting Estancia Cristina. The upfront close up encounter of the iceberg was the highlight of our trip!. The beautiful rainbow that accompanied us throughout the sail up to the preserve was a predictor of beautiful the day was going to be! We chose the classic option of hiking to water falls once on the preserve and we were treated to the best views of the entire aerial view of the area from the high vantage point. It was followed by Lunch in the restaurant, who whipped up this incredible vegetarian/ vegan meal at moments notice. Overall the day was magical!

Extremely well organized and tour guides were super informative and professional. The park, house, museum, and restaurant options were great. You must see/experience this if traveling to El Calafate. We didn’t care for the bus ride much though. They crammed as many people as they could so if you’re concerned about Covid you absolutely need to hire a private transfer. Don’t make this keep you though from experiencing the actual tour.

Reminiscing about our great stay at Estancia Christina in March 2019. It started with a great boat tour of Lake Argentina and the many glaciers around it and the many ice bergs in it. We were then dropped off in this remote location of Estania Christna to enjoy the peaceful accommodations and their great meals. The first afternoon we went horseback riding, the next couple of days we went hiking. The guides were great and the scenery fantastic. If you can’t afford to stay at least take their boat tour and hike through Fossil Canyon.

Thoroughly enjoyed our full day trip to Estancia Christina. The weather helped as we had such wonderful views on the boat and after the 4x4 ride to the viewpoint of Upsala glacier. The discovery part of our tour about the historical side of this Estancia was really interesting. We chose to take a packed lunch after reading previous reviews and were pleased we had as we didn’t want to spend 2500pesos each on the meal. The organisation of this trip is very good with plenty of staff to help/guide you .

The boat ride revealed some magnificient sights and iceburgs but be prepared for rough "seas"; the 4x4 trek on dirt roads to the summit was harrowing but so worth it since few actually make the trip; the historic tour of the Estancia lent a "real" aspect to the hardships endured by the Master family. Overall, a terrific whole-day experience not to be missed. Enjoy a relaxing meal when you arrive--its wholesome but don't expect 5-star cuisine. Sorry to see earlier reviewers missed the point of this excursion since this is not a day-trip for luxury seekers or those not willing to put up with some walking over rocky uneven terrain in gusty winds! Super-friendly staff on property and on-boat.

As remote as it could be, Estancia Christina gives you real Patagonian experience. Dress warm for the boat !

My family and I enjoyed the view from the viewpoint, but keep in mind the trip from El Calafate is 1 hour by bus, 2.5-3 hours on boat and another 1 hour in the 4x4 just to get there. The historical museum after lunch is not very interesting. I wish we got to go back to the city sooner. It's a good option if you don't mind sitting in a boat for a long time. Most of the day was spent traveling.

Imagine to spend the day sailing between icebergs with amazing landscapes, then get into a 4x4 to go up in the mountain to enjoy the magnificent lookout of the Upsala Glacier or walk in a valley full of fosils... well, you can make this a reality taking the tour to Estancia Cristina! Highly recommended!

The trip was outstanding. Views up close to the ice burgs was fun. Boat ride was rough because of the high winds. The views to the Upsala were great but distant. Beautiful ride up in the 4x4 to the lookout. It would be nice to get additional information on the lunch possibilities before going. Lunch was great, but more than we would normally eat or spend on a lunch. Lots of food and wine, cost was $80 USD. It would have been nice to have a lighter lunch option available at the Estancia. Some people brought there own lunches. The 4x4 had a check engine light on the whole way, so going along steep cliffs and sharp drop offs seemed a bit risky. If they posted more information on the lunch options on the web site, and fixed the truck it would get 5 stars.

We drove to the dock in our rental car which takes less than an hour from El Calafate. It takes 3 hours to get to the estancia but because of the weather (no wind and bright sunshine) that is time well spend with great views all around. We hardly used the comfortable seats on board as we were on deck most of the time. Just off the boat we were split in groups depending on the booked activity. We boarded a big 4x4 for a bumpy trip up the mountain for a (magnificent) view of Upsala glacier. We had plenty of time for pictures. After lunch at the restaurant there's a visit to the museum and a small tour of the grounds before getting back on the boat for a 2 hour return trip. It's a long day but well worth the effort.

About 45 minute drive from El Clafate and then warm welcome from the crew of the tour boat. Very informative guide who was fluent in English and Italian - explained everything very well. Free coffee and croissants on board! Weather was extremely good - no wind, clear blue sky and warm sun-shine (think we were unusually lucky). Beautiful photo opportunities of Lake Argentino, small icebergs and the glacier. Bumpy, exhilirating 4 by 4 trip to a view point to look at the stunning Upsala glacier. Good lunch and extremely informative tour of small museum. The guide's enthusiasm and pride in the Estancia and its history shone through! The setting of the Estancia is so peaceful and beautiful and so far away from the 'rat-race' of big cities. The whole day from El Calfate and back took about 13 hours.....but well worth the time and the cost! Highly reccommend.

I didn't really know what to expect, as visiting an estancia (a ranch) wan't on my top priorities and was afraid it would be a waist of time after visiting the majestic El Calafate the previous day, but I came back GLAD I took the risk! Such an amazing experience. From the wonderful cruise that takes you down the canal to see the BEAUTIFUL Upsala glacier to the visit of Estancia Cristina. Everything was well planned and so beautiful. So many breathtaking views! The lunch was delicious and beautifully served. All the personnel/ guides/ drivers and sailors, were exceptional. There was a photographer on board who was very nice and thought us some tricks. All in all, a perfect day trip that you shouldn't miss!

<p>Pros: Sailing past Icebergs the size of houses.</p> <p>Cons: Saw Upsala Glacier from very far away. Was surprised to not get even remotely close, maybe a mile away? Most of the tour is time at the Estancia. While the Estancia is interesting, it is not worth the money, especially when lunch is not included and very expensive. Would have liked to sail more around the glacier and surrounding areas. The hike to the waterfall was easy and although allowed 3 hours for the hike, we arrived there within 45 minutes. So lots of down time. The boat seating is comfortable, but viewing areas outside are limited. It often felt cramped and people were constantly fighting for positions at the rails to take photos. Boat had a professional photographer that would put you in poses and have photos for purchase on the ride home.</p>

Even someone who knows quite a bit about glaciers, geology and mountains would be impressed by this trip. It's organised in a very professional way, I learned a lot of things, the guide was extremely good and prepared, safety was on a high level even for elderly people. The presentation of the history of the station is also very well made, the food at the canteen was delicious. These people have made the best possible of the place. Thanks! Highly recommended.

<p>We were fortunate with no wind and hence a calm lake. Otherwise the 3 hour boat trip to Estancia Cristina would have been rough. A good experience overall.</p>

<p>What a great tour... different than Perito Mereno for sure.</p> <p>Would have liked to get closer to the glacier on the boat, but walking up the hill and seeing the top of it with the clear, blue lake was amazing and made this a great tour. So cold at the top and windy - but the views were gorgeous!</p> <p>The 4x4 ride was so interesting - and not what I was expecting but was better... crawled up the high mountain to the camp base for the glacier...</p> <p>Long day... but great time!</p>

The pictures on the booking sites don't do justice. I almost didn't go. Check my instagram : @travel__kit Pros: Gorgeous and magical, worth the price you'll pay. Diverse activities in one day. Free coffee and tea on the cruise. Enough time to take pics at the Upsala lookout. Cons: The restaurant food wasn't up to scratch and expensive. But the dining experience / ambience is awesome.

<p>It was very nice, we had a great local tour guide and the all experience was lovely</p>