The Vinciguerra Glacier trek is the outing for walkers who want ice and alpine scenery without the very long days of the hardest routes. A guide collects you in town, drives to the start of the trail and leads you in along a path that crosses forest, wet meadow and bog before climbing toward the mountain bowl that holds the glacier. At the head of the valley sits the Tempanos Lagoon, a glacial lake whose name means icebergs, because blocks of ice calve from the glacier and float in the milky blue water. The tour we link to, with a premium lagoon section, is one of the most popular treks in Ushuaia, with a very high rating from several hundred travellers. The day runs about seven and a half hours, with a lunch stop beside the water, and the walking is moderate to demanding rather than extreme. Boots with good grip matter, because parts of the trail are wet and rocky. The scenery is the real draw: sharp peaks, hanging ice, waterfalls in the spring melt and the sound of the glacier creaking above the lagoon. The trek runs in the warmer months and in the snow season in a different form, so ask the operator about conditions for your dates.
Know what to look for as you walk. The lower part of the route passes through lenga and ñire beech forest, where beaver dams have flooded sections of the trail and guides pick the driest line. Higher up the vegetation thins to tundra, and the valley opens onto moraine and rock, the debris the glacier pushed in front of it as it retreated.
The Tempanos Lagoon owes its colour to glacial flour, fine rock ground by ice, and the floating icebergs change shape from day to day. Guides explain the retreat of the glacier and why the lake is so cold, and they set a safe distance from the shoreline and the ice.
Compared with other hikes, this one sits in the middle of the range. It is longer and wilder than the Martial Glacier hike, shorter than the Ojo del Albino day, and a very different landscape from the Laguna Esmeralda trek, which ends at a turquoise lake without a glacier.
If you have time for only one glacier hike, many travellers choose this one for the combination of ice, lagoon and a manageable day. Small groups are the norm, which helps with the pace and with spotting birds such as the Andean condor or the austral parakeet.
Practical points
Wear waterproof walking boots, three layers and a hat and gloves, and take a packed lunch if it is not included. A pair of trekking poles helps on the wet sections. Check the minimum age and fitness notes on the booking page, and plan for changeable weather.
Tours run in small groups and fill in the busy months, so reserve a few days ahead in the southern summer. If the weather is poor on your chosen day, ask the operator about moving the date rather than walking in low cloud, because the views are the point.
What to expect
The experience
A guided trek from the trailhead through forest and bog to the Vinciguerra Glacier and the Tempanos Lagoon, with a lunch stop by the water.
Best time
The warmer months give the easiest trails and long daylight; snow changes the route in the cooler months, so confirm before you book.
How long
Around seven and a half hours including the drive and a moderate to demanding walk.
Tips
Wear waterproof boots with grip, bring poles if you use them, keep your distance from the lake edge and carry a packed lunch unless it is included.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Hikers who want a glacier and floating ice in one manageable day.
- Families
- Suits teenagers and active families if the operator allows their age; not for small children.
- Couples
- A memorable shared day with a dramatic lunch spot beside the iceberg lake.
- Pair with
- A relaxed Beagle Channel cruise the next day to rest your legs.
- Time needed
- One full day.
Good questions
What are the Tempanos?+
Tempanos means icebergs. The lagoon is fed by the glacier, and blocks of ice break off and float in the water.
How hard is the trek?+
It is moderate to demanding, with wet and rocky ground and a day of around seven and a half hours. You need reasonable fitness but not mountaineering skills.
Is lunch included?+
Check the inclusions on the booking page. Bring water and snacks in any case.
Which glacier hike should I choose?+
Vinciguerra is the balanced choice, with ice and a lagoon in a single manageable day. The Ojo del Albino is longer and harder, and the Martial Glacier is shorter and easier.
What if it rains?+
Treks usually run in light rain, but guides will change the route or move the date in dangerous conditions. Bring a proper waterproof shell.
