Glacier Trips from Puerto Natales: The 11 Best Days on the Ice

1.3-Hour Scenic Boat Tour to Grey Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 283 reviews · 4 hours · from $120Our pick

From Hotel Lago Grey, walk about 3 kilometers across Grey Beach to the boat, then cruise Grey Lake for three hours toward the towering Grey Glacier. English and Spanish guides explain the scenery, while the crew positions the boat for clear views of blue ice, icebergs, and mountain peaks. A pisco sour is included.

“Stunning views of glaciers and the beautiful mountains. The boat goes very close to the glaciers on the grey lake. Unexpected expenses: The meeting point for the tour was inside torres del paine park & I had to arrange transportation via the hotel I stayed the day before. Don’t forget to bring your own food for lunch. Though the trip says its only for 3 hours, there’s almost 2 hour commute to Torres del Paine from my hotel & then another 30 minutes walk from shuttle drop off to the boat location within the park. I took the shared shuttle since it was specific for the grey glacier boat tour.…”

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2.Glacier Tour with Lunch & Whiskey Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 110 reviews · 10 hours · from $279

Set out from Puerto Natales or Puerto Bories for a full day on Ultima Esperanza Fjord. You will see Balmaceda Glacier from the boat, walk to Serrano Glacier in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, and finish with lunch and a whiskey aperitif served with ancient ice at Estancia Perales. Guides speak Spanish and English.

“Loved this day trip to visit the glaciers! Spectacular views and the lunch was incredible!”

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3.Day Trip to Perito Moreno Glacier Argentina

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 100 reviews · 16 hours · from $175

Travel from Puerto Natales across the Argentine border to Los Glaciares National Park and Perito Moreno Glacier. You get round-trip transport and a bilingual guide, with time for glacier viewpoints and an optional boat ride. Guides such as José, Silvia, and Cecilia have led recent departures, though the guide may join in El Calafate.

“Worth the long journey. The Perito Moreno Glacier was superbly majestic.”

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4.Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers Boat Tour and traditional lunch.

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 95 reviews · 10 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $256

Spend 10 to 11 hours sailing the Ultima Esperanza Fjord from Puerto Natales to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. Expect wildlife, waterfalls, a 40-minute forest walk, and a traditional ranch lunch with lamb, chicken, or a vegetarian option. The boat holds up to 150 people, so outdoor viewing spots can be limited.

“The day tour was really great! Beautiful sights glaciers wild animals waterfalls staff on board really nice and helpful good lunch with barbecue in a remote place! However I was shocked to realize that Viator cashed TWICE the price for the tour. A commission on the price is understandable but a 50% is outrageous . I strongly advise people to book their tours on site with locals there are lots of options. I will NEVER use Viator again it was not commercial and it was abusive.”

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5.Full-Day Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier (Natales)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $120Top rated

Leave Puerto Natales around 6:30 am for Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina. Cross the border, meet a bilingual guide in El Calafate, and spend about two hours at the glacier on the walkways or an optional boat trip. Expect a small group, Wi-Fi, hotel pickup, and a return around 10 pm.

“It's a long day, but if you don't have time to spend over in the Argentinian side of Patagonia, the glacier is beautiful and well worth a visit. I found the team at Transprint to be very helpful and communicative ahead of the event & the day went without a hitch”

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6.Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Sightseeing Cruise from Puerto Natales

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 48 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $271

You cruise three hours through Ultima Esperanza Fjord, watching waterfalls, cormorants, condors, and possible sea elephants before a guided walk in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. See Serrano Glacier up close, view Balmaceda Glacier from the boat, enjoy drinks with glacier ice, and eat an included lunch. The group can reach 120 people.

“Being out of the country left some communication problems, but we found the trip much cheaper than what we booked before leaving US. Their response was that the price match was only good if you communicated before the trip. Our party of 3 and the others on top deck didn't get instructions - they were all directed to those downstairs. Party of 2 from Australia made same observation. BEAUTIFUL scenery though!!!!”

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7.Horseback Riding to Dorotea Fjord Lookout

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 26 reviews · 4 hours · from $171

Ride for three hours with a Spanish-speaking local gaucho from Puerto Natales to Cerro Dorotea, near the Chile-Argentina border. You’ll cross native forests and meadows before reaching views over the city, Almirante Montt Gulf, and Última Esperanza Fjord. Transport, a safety briefing, and coffee with donuts are included.

“muy costoso para lo que fue. Al final me cambiaron el recorrido y me dijeron que visitariamos otro fiordo (lo vi mucho mejor desde el taxi que desde la ruta a caballo). La actitud del guía deja mucho por desear (con otros turistas fue grosero, y su forma de hablar cortante, al límite de lo irrespetuoso). Adicional a eso, allá les cobraron 90.000 pesos chilenos, no entiendo por qué terminé yo pagando mucho más. El guía decidió hacer la cabalgata un poco más corta y los otros también se quejaron al respecto con él, a lo que respondió que el clima no estaba muy bueno y había 2 turistas esperando…”

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8.Grey Glacier Navigation w/ Transport

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 18 reviews · from $276

Ride from Puerto Natales into Torres del Paine National Park, walk 35 minutes along Lake Grey, then board a catamaran for a three-hour cruise beside Grey Glacier. A bilingual English and Spanish guide accompanies you, and the $276 price includes hotel transport, the boat, and a pisco or calafate sour served with ancient ice.

“Everything was great, they arrived on time, the driver drove well, the tour guides were very professional, and the place was beautiful.”

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9.Grey Glacier Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 12 reviews · 10 hours · from $251

Travel from Puerto Natales to Hotel Lago Grey, walk through native forest, then sail across Grey Lake for about three hours. You will see floating icebergs, mountains, and the 20-meter ice walls of Grey Glacier. English and Spanish guides are available. Lunch is not included, and the sailing time is confirmed after booking.

“I enjoyed the beautiful view of the glacier it was mesmerizing. I also liked the unique touch of having some ice from the glacier in our welcome drinks.”

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10.3 Days in Patagonia. Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno and Balmaceda Glacier.

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5 reviews · 3 days · from $520

Travel from Puerto Natales through Torres del Paine, sail the Última Esperanza Fjord to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, then cross into Argentina for Perito Moreno. English and Spanish guides lead the three days, with transport included. Bring your passport, Argentine pesos, and patience for long road and border days.

“Loved the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers and Perito Moreno was amazing:”

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11.2 Days in Patagonia. Torres del Paine and Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier.

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 4 reviews · 2 days · from $360

Spend one day touring Torres del Paine National Park and Milodón Cave, then cruise the Última Esperanza Fjord to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers. English and Spanish guiding, hotel pickup for day one, lunch on the glacier cruise, and a pisco or whiskey aperitif with ancient ice are included. Expect long road hours and short walks rather than serious hiking.

“Il faut dissocier les deux activités. Autant la journée Balmaceda et Serrano mérite cinq étoiles et a été formidable. Autant la journée Torres del Paine a été désagréable. Malgré la gentillesse de la conductrice et de l’accompagnateur les conditions étaient compliquées. Le minibus était vieux et fatigué, sur des pistes défoncées. La climatisation ne fonctionnait pas. Je pense que le concept de cette activité est à revoir, beaucoup trop de kilomètres sur des pistes.”

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