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.
- Operated between September to April
- Subject to local weather conditions
- FULL REFUND IF TRIP CANNOT BE OPERATED
Note: We offer this activity to be built into your main itinerary and not as a standalone.
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.
