Introduction

This is a full day excursion that offers great sights, a close-up look at Glacier Serrano breaking off into icebergs in a lagoon and an adventurous fast-speed zodiac trip upriver into Torres del Paine.

It also serves as a great alternative to get into Torres del Paine and sure beats the bus!

Description

So, at long last you will be coming to Patagonia, maybe your “once in a lifetime” trip? No doubt you have planned to walk the W Trek, or stay at a top-end, luxury lodge. In all cases, we are local specialists and can build you the itinerary of your dreams. However, there is one activity that a lot of people miss, and it is this one below that we will describe to you.

We offer you an alternative and exciting way to get to Torres del Paine from Puerto Natales.

For example, most people make their way from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine on the bus, or by private transfer. However, we offer you a chance to go up the Serrano river. In other words, a fresh way to get from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine as a full-day excursion that serves as a unique transfer service at the same time.

The trip can be divided into two parts. The first part is on board a catamaran, which, at times, can feel as though it is overcrowded, only because it caters for a large number of passengers. The second part is on the much smaller, and personal, fast-speed zodiac that races up river. We can also arrange for a rent a car and your luggage to be dropped at the end of the trip in Torres del Paine as well.

Most importantly, we can build this excursion into any Torres del Paine Itinerary we are arranging for you.

The Start

After embarkation, the catamaran will navigate along the fiord called Sound of Last Hope (“Seno de Ultima Esperanza”). Moreover, the navigational route passes by amazing geographical evidence of previous ice-ages and unbelievable-looking layers of rock sediment. That is to say, that these layers of rock have been contorted from the horizontal, bent into u-shapes and / or turned vertical from the sheer forces of nature. In addition to amazing rock formations, along the way there may be some cormorants and other birds to see, as well as a waterfall. This part of the trip, which lasts about 2hrs, gets interesting as it approaches the end of the fiord where the hanging glaciers of Balmaceda and Serrano can be seen.

We all know that global warming is affecting the entire planet. Consequently, there is no surprise to see that the Balmaceda glacier has retreated considerably over the past decade. As a result, it has revealed an orange-coloured, smooth rock surface that contrasts artistically with the blue hue of the glacier, and vivid green of the foliage either side. Therefore, although it is sad to see a retreating glacier, the combined natural colours of nature make for a wonderful picture. Talking of pictures, you will have photo opportunities everywhere you look. Therefore, please make sure you bring your camera or cel phone.

Closer to the Serrano glacier the catamaran will dock, and passengers encouraged to disembark. Most importantly, everyone will be able to walk through a native wood to a small lagoon, whereupon the Serrano glacier comes down from the mountain and breaks off into icebergs that float in the water. Consequently, this is an impressive, as well as a pretty spectacle.

Towards Torres del Paine National Park

During the re-embarkation process, those passengers who are not returning to Puerto Natales will get into zodiac dinghies. Most importantly, they will be handed wet-weather gear and life jackets. They will then be taken across the river delta to a Patagonian lodge for a typical Patagonian lunch. This is a very tranquil place facing the amazing white-blue Serrano glacier, with the slow-moving Serrano river passing by, birds chirping and surrounded by the natural flora. As a result, this is the ideal place to relax.

The Zodiac

After lunch passengers will get back into the zodiacs and start the fast-speed trip up the river Serrano and into the National Park Bernard O´Higgins, the park that borders Torres del Paine. The route is up river passing by the forested banks either side, and fauna that happen to be eating or watching from the river banks. Most importantly, towards the final 30mins of fast-speeding up river, if weather permits, you will see the cuernos of Torres del Paine in the distance, and its hanging glaciers. In other words, you will have made it to Torres del Paine.

Arrival is usually around 16:30hrs to the Serrano Sector. From this location there are wonderful views of the Torres del Paine central massif. Therefore, again, this is a great photo opportunity.

Most importantly, we need to arrange your onward transfer to accommodation in Torres del Paine or back to Puerto Natales, which we will have booked for you. However, note that officially Serrano Sector is NOT in Torres del Paine, but literally on the border. Consequently, when you actually enter through an official Torres del Paine entrance you will need to pay the entrance fee, unless we have already arranged that for you previously.

Upon arrival to Torres del Paine we can either get you to your hotel in Torres del Paine or bring you back to Puerto Natales.

Considering that Patagonia is at “the end of the World”, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other side, the weather is often windy and very changeable. Consequently, visitors need to be prepared for any weather. For this reason please pack clothing that you can put on and take off as you get cold and get hot. After walking you will likely get hot, but when standing around you will get cold. Therefore, bring warm hats, gloves, waterproof top and hiking boots, as well as a pair of sunglasses. However, for the zodiac navigation you will be provided with all the wet weather gear you will need for the trip, and this goes over your usual clothing.

Comments from Clients

“One of the best things I have done, during my holiday in Patagonia”.

“As a result of having an extra day in Puerto Natales we could come out of TDP by the zodiac, and we loved it”

Our Opinion

This, without doubt, a brilliant way to get into or out of Torres del Paine. Therefore, ask us to include this activity in your itinerary during your time in Torres del Paine.

• We include in this itinerary the transport from Puerto Natales to Bories Jetty and onward transport to your hotel in Torres del Paine or back to Puerto Natales.
• Lunch is included.
• Wet weather gear is included.
• Moreover, we include the entrance ticket to Bernardo O’Higgins National Park.

Introduction

This is an ideal add-on to the rest of your Torres del Paine itinerary and will enable you to see another side of Patagonia from the water, as well as get close to an impressive glacier coming down from the snow-capped Andes into a lagoon.

As a result of our arranging your accommodation in Puerto Natales, we will organise to collect you from your hotel at around 07:30hrs. However, this time depends on which hotel we have you booked in to. Above all, the transfer to the small port called Bories, will only take five minutes to cover the 5km north from Natales centre.

EMBARKATION

After embarkation, the catamaran will navigate along the fiord called Sound of Last Hope (“Seno de Ultima Esperanza”). Moreover, the navigational route passes by amazing geographical evidence of previous ice-ages and unbelievable-looking layers of rock sediment. That is to say, that these layers of rock have been contorted from the horizontal, bent into u-shapes and / or turned vertical from the sheer forces of nature. In addition to amazing rock formations, along the way there may be some cormorants and other birds to see, as well as a waterfall. This part of the trip, which lasts about 2hrs, gets interesting as it approaches the end of the fiord where the hanging glaciers of Balmaceda and Serrano can be seen.

We all know that global warming is affecting the entire planet. Consequently, there is no surprise to see that the Balmaceda glacier has retreated considerably over the past decade. As a result, it has revealed an orange-coloured, smooth rock surface that contrasts artistically with the blue hue of the glacier, and vivid green of the foliage either side. Although it is sad to see a retreating glacier, the combined natural colours of nature make for a wonderful picture. Talking of pictures, you will have photo opportunities everywhere you look. Therefore, please make sure you bring your camera or cell phone.

THE GLACIER SERRANO

After about 2hrs of navigation along the fiord from Puerto Natales you will arrive to the base of the Glacier Serrano, whereupon the boat will dock. Once the catamaran has secured its mooring passengers will disembark. During the next two hours passengers will have the option of a short, 30-minute walk through a native woodland, and on to an area from where you can view the Glacier Serrano coming down from the mountain and into a lagoon.

Most importantly, the view of the glacier will be at close range, therefore this is also a great photo opportunity. Moreover, the catamaran staff capture some of the millennial ice to serve with whisky when you are back on board.

THE RETURN TO PUERTO NATALES

After the trek through the woods to see the Serrano Glacier, so after about 2hrs, passengers will board the waiting catamaran for the more serene navigation along the Fiord of Last Hope towards Puerto Natales. During this sector, millennial ice that the crew will have captured in the lagoon, will be served with whisky during the navigation. However, there will be stop at an estancia for a Patagonian lunch, and as a result of this you will enjoy a fine view of the beautiful, surrounding landscape. However, the lunch will be a Patagonian barbeque, meaning meat. Great for meat eaters, but, on the other hand, if you are a vegetarian please mention this early on.

Once everyone has finished lunch and got back on board the navigation will continue to Puerto Natales, arriving around 17:00hrs. Therefore, we will transfer you to your hotel.

In conclusion, you will have had an exhilarating day and one more Patagonia experience to remember.

As with everywhere you will go in Patagonia, the only constant is the changeable weather. For this reason, the typical saying is that you can have four seasons in one day. Consequently, the weather is unpredictable and can change during the day. For this reason, please bring clothing that you can put on and take off as you get cold and get hot, such as after a walk. Also bring warm hats, gloves, waterproof top and hiking boots, as well as a pair of sunglasses.

Consider including this activity in your itinerary during your time in Torres del Paine.

Introduction

This is an opportunity to enjoy an adventurous ride up a steep-side mountain (Doretea) and get a panoramic view over Puerto Natales and the surround area.

Description

The robust 8 x 8-wheel drive truck makes its way through the streets of Puerto Natales until it reaches the track where it starts its climb up the steep-side Dorotea mountain.

Upon arrival to the viewpoint the passengers will disembark to enjoy a short walk to see local flora and maybe some fossils. The fossils are evidence that the entire area was, at one time in history, submerged under sea water.

From the high 600m altitude the view is impressive taking in the village of Puerto Natales in its entirety as well as the channels and fiords. Also, in the far distance it is possible to see some of the Serrano and Balmaceda glaciers at the end of the fiord of last hope.

The guide will talk about the history behind Puerto Natales, its geology, how the hills and mountains were formed as well as show some of the marine fossils from the area.

Transport in an 8 x 8 vehicle, guide, a hot drink.

Introduction

If you are relaxing in Puerto Natales or have a few hours to kill, a visit to the Milodon cave is well worth a visit. This is a spacious cave that penetrates a couple of hundred metres into conglomerate rock. Formed millions of years in the past, the cave is called the “Milodon” after a prehistoric creature whose bones were found in the cave. There is a sculpture of the creature that stands near the entrance.

Conglomerate rock is comprised of millions of pebbles and small stones that were brought down with the river or rivers and deposited over millions of years, layer over layer, to be mixed with sediment and compressed with considerable force into a kind of natural concrete.

Description

The caves that were formed here are a result of waves from a lake or sea that gradually penetrated the rock creating an indentation. Over time the indentation became a hole, and the hole grew larger and larger until one day, when the water receded, a cave was left. Considering that the caves were ideal, natural protection from the elements they were used by indigenous people and animals as places to shelter.

The site was declared an Historical Monument in 1968 by the Chilean Ministry of Education. However, in 1993 it was categorized as a Natural Historical Monument, incorporated into the “Sistema Natural de Areas Silvestres Protegidas” (SNASPE), which basically means it is part of the Network of Protected Natural Wildlife Areas. It has an official area of 189.5 hectares. Within this protected area are four interesting areas. These are: “La Silla del Diablo” (the Devil’s chair), a small cave, a medium-sized cave and the large, Milodon cave. It is also the start of a trek that goes north, past the caves and up to the top of the conglomerate rock where there are other historical caves and a panoramic view over Laguna Sofia.

How to Get to the Milodon Cave?

The cave is situated 25km from Puerto Natales village centre. If you are driving out from Puerto Natales you need to take the road north that passes by the fiord, which is actually the Ruta 9. Continue on this road for 16.9km until you get to a crossing where you turn left (it will be sign-posted to Milodon Cave as well as Torres del Paine).

You will now be on a road, which is officially the Y-290. Continue on this road for about 8km and you will arrive to the car park and entrance point for the Milodon cave. There will be a CONAF park entry hut where you will need to buy an entrance ticket.