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Sail to the San Rafael glacier aboard the Skorpios II | Photo credit: Skorpios Cruises
Drift past gorgeous scenery on the Chilean fjords
See islands packed with penguins in the Chilean fjords | Photo credit: Skorpios Cruises
See the stilted houses of Chiloe Island, Chile
Spot whales in the Chilean fjords | Photo credit: Skorpios Cruises
Visit beautiful villages along the Chilean fjords
Sail past cool blue icebergs in the Chilean fjords
Eat delicious meals cooked by local chefs | Photo credit: Skorpios Cruises
From: Puerto Montt
To: Puerto Montt
£1,505
See more ideas for: Chile
Discover the Chilean fjords on this cruise on board the Skorpios II from Puerto Montt to San Rafael Glacier. This is a unique opportunity for an up-close encounter with the northern Patagonian ice field, its wildlife, people and natural wonders – many of which are accessible only by boat.
Sail through Chile’s archipelagos, channels and gulfs, making boat trips by motorboat and disembarking by zodiac, looking out for whales, penguins and more. At the southern tip of the journey, you’ll reach the spectacular San Raphael Lagoon and glacier, where you’ll see towering blue walls of ice and hear nature’s soundtrack as ice crashes off the glacier, thundering into the lagoon.
Skorpios Cruises have 40 years’ experience cruising the Chilean Fjords and their expert guides will ensure you have a once in a lifetime experience combining adventure with the comfort of an all-inclusive package.
This Chile itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements, please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream trip.
Today you’ll board your cruise at the Skorpios Terminal in Puerto Montt, and sailing will start at noon. Your journey begins by sailing through the Llanquihue archipelago to the Gulf of Ancud, before arriving at Quemchi on Chiloe Island midway through the afternoon.
Leaving the ship, you’ll disembark by zodiac boat to visit this picturesque Chilote village including its handicraft market, coffee shops and the museum of the Chilean writer Francisco Coloane. In the early evening, you’ll continue sailing South through the Archipelago of Chiloe and Corcovado Gulf.
Today you will continue the navigation through the Moraleda and Ferronave channels and you’ll arrive at the fishing village of Puerto Aguirre mid-morning. Disembark here with the opportunity to visit the village and take a walk through Patagonian rainforest typical of the region.
This afternoon, you’ll continue sailing through the Ferronave, Pilcomayo and Costa channels, until you reach Punta Pescadores. Here you’ll disembark on the shingle beach and take a guided walk to experience the natural environment, its plants and animals. This evening, the Skorpios will make its way further south until you reach Caleta Quesahuen or Punta Leopardos, where you’ll set anchor – just 20 nautical miles from the San Rafael Glacier.
This morning you’ll cruise into San Rafael Lagoon and the ship will set anchor before the glacier. Weather permitting, you’ll board the zodiacs and take an excursion among multicoloured icebergs up close. In the afternoon, the ship will cruise even closer to the glacier and you’ll see incredible ice floes, drifts and blue ice walls. Listen to the soundtrack of nature at its most dramatic; the thundering crashes can be heard as ice breaks off the glacier face and tumbles into the lagoon – a truly mesmerising experience. After some time at the lagoon, the Skorpius will set sail for the Quitralco Fjord where it will anchor.
After breakfast, the ship will berth at Berth at the pier of Quitralco and you can relax with a visit to some indoor and outdoor hot spring baths where the water temperature is at 32ºC to 38º. If the weather allows, you’ll take a boat trip through the inside of the fjord. In the late afternoon, the ship will sail towards Chiloe, navigating through the Moraleda and Perez Norte channels.
This morning, you will sail through Leucayec channel with a partial view of Melinka in the Chono’s archipelago – a shelter for fearsome pirates in past times. Further along the route, you will cross the Corcovado Gulf and if you’re lucky, you may spot humpback and blue whales.
You’ll continue sailing along the eastern coast of Chiloe Island, arriving at Conejos Islet at the Queilén channel, a great place to spot native wildlife. Here you’ll disembark by zodiac boat to see Magellanic penguins, sea lions and dolphins! This afternoon, you’ll arrive at Dalcahue where you will disembark and visit the charming town.
Back on the ship, you can look forward to the Captain’s dinner and farewell party whilst the Skorpios makes its way north towards Puerto Montt.
Breakfast will be served this morning, and after this, you will disembark.
This 5 night cruise operates between mid-September and the end of April and departs Puerto Montt weekly, on a Saturday, returning on Thursday.
This itinerary is purely a suggestion and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests, and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.
Five nights in a cabin on the Acropolis deck of the Skorpios II on an all-inclusive policy. The vessel was built in 1988 and completely remodelled and renovated in 2008. It is 70 metres long and 10 metres wide with 53 cabins distributed in 5 decks, all equipped with private facilities, plasma TV, low beds and vested with fine native woods. There are also the main dining room, a lounge and a bar onboard.
Skorpios Cruises is a family business and a pioneer of cruise tourism in Chile with 40 years of experience. They also offer a 4 days/3 nights cruise to the Southern Ice Field onboard the sister vessel, Skorpios III. This journey sails from Puerto Natales and offers 2 departure per week.
