Introduction
The southwestern side of Chile is comprised of thousands of islands whereupon the Pacific Ocean is tamed into a network of an equal number of sea channels, inlets and fiords.
Navigating through this part of the world offers an opportunity to enter pristine locations, pass by islands where man has never set foot; see ancient, native forests that have only known wildlife to share its land base; view snow-covered, volcano cones and the blue hue of glaciers that slowly make their way down from their Andean summits to meet the Pacific waters edge.
Among all this incredible, natural beauty, are dolphins, whales, and many birds, all going about their natural life.
Therefore, a passage through this unspoilt wilderness is a gift, and one that should be savoured if you are lucky enough to witness it.
The Skorpios II Ship
Please follow this link for more information and pictures of the Skorpios II ship.
The per person cost will depend on the type of cabin you select and the date of departure.
Please follow this link to the Skorpios Chonos Itinerary dates and cabin costs.
The distance covered by the Chonos cruise will be approximately 1,288km. Departing from the southern lake city of Puerto Montt the route will pass by the rural island of Chiloe and through the channels, inlets and fiords of the western, Patagonian archipelago.
One of the highlights will be when the ship enters the San Rafael lagoon where the enormous glacial face of the San Rafael Glacier is exposed as the glacier comes down from the southern Andes and meets the waters of the lagoon. Here, the millennial ice is broken into icebergs floating in the lagoon.
Near to Laguna San Rafael the navigation will stop off at Puerto Aguirre, a tiny village set in the heart of Patagonian nature.
Fixed Day Departures Skorpios II Chonos Route (Sept – May):
Departs Puerto Montt on a SATURDAY, returns on a Friday.
Click on map for larger image
Other destinations included on this trip are visits to the Conejos islet and the Chiloe Island fishing villages of Quemchi and Dalcahue.
Another noteworthy experience will be when the ship docks at Quitralco whereupon passengers will have the option to bathe in hot, thermal springs and hike through the forest.
During the voyage there will also be many opportunities to see birds and marine wildlife.
During the Chonos Navigation there will be numerous sights to see, however, what follows is a summary of some of the key places of interest.
Quemchi
Quemchi is a small fishing village on the eastern coast of Chiloe Island where there is an artisan centre, cafes and historical house of the Chilean writer Francisco Coloane.
Puerto Aguirre & Islote Barrientos
Here there is a rain forest full of native, Patagonian trees, where there is an opportunity to trek through the natural, temperate jungle. Also, on this leg of the voyage the ship will launch smaller boats in order to get closer to the Islote Barrientos, which is home to numerous sea birds.
San Rafael Glacier
One of the highlights of Chile, let alone this cruise. The San Rafael Glacier comes down off the northern Patagonia Ice Cap and breaks off into icebergs in the San Rafael Lagoon. Considering how large the glacial face extends left to right, this spectacle is considered to be one of the best glaciers to see.
Quitralco & Thermal Hot Springs
Chile is a country of constant volcanic activity and even in Patagonia there are volcanoes. This means that under the ground there will often be thermally-heated water that surfaces. Here passengers will be able to get into their bathing suites and bathe in water that is high in natural minerals, and that has been heated by underground, volcanic activity.
Magallanes Penguins Islote Conejos
Throughout the Patagonian coast there are places where penguins like to breed and congregate. During the navigation the ship will visit Islote Conejos where there is a colony of Magallanes Penguins.
Puerto Montt - Glacier San Rafael – Puerto Montt
Dep Sat 12:00hrs / Return Thurs 10:00hrs
Check-In Information
Check-in: At the Skorpios terminal located at Camino Chinquihue km. 6, Puerto Montt on the Friday.
Apart from the stipulated number of nights in the cruise booking, there is an option for an extra first night on board the ship prior to departure the next day. This will enable passengers to relax and be ready, on the ship well in time for the departure the next day. Dinner is served on board.
Please mention that you want this extra first night in your reservation request to us.
Summary of Itinerary (full itinerary further below)
Day 0 (as extra day):
Optional additional night for an additional cost. Boarding from 18:00 hrs.
Day 1:
(official start): Set sail at 12:00hrs from the Skorpios terminal in Puerto Montt heading to Chiloe Island.
Day 2:
Navigation through the Moraleda and Ferronave channels with visits to various places. Anchoring at 10:00 p.m. approximately in Caleta Quesahuen or Punta Leopardos, 20 miles from the San Rafael Glacier.
Day 3:
07:30 hrs. The ship heads to San Rafael lagoon. At 16:00 hrs. the trip continues to the Quitralco Fjord
Day 4:
Docked at Quitralco. After having breakfast, passengers will be able to take thermal baths at 32° and 38°C, in indoor or outdoor pools and hike through the trails of the place. Set sail for Chiloé.
Day 5:
Arriving at 11:00 hrs. to Islote Conejos, located in the Queilen channel. 16:30 hrs. Arrival in Dalcahue, Chiloe Island. 23:00 hrs. Heading to Puerto Montt.
Day 6:
08:00 hrs. Breakfast while docked at the Skorpios Terminal. 09:00 hrs. Disembarkation.
Full Itinerary (information supplied by Skorpios)
Friday (for those who elected to have the extra, first night on board):
Boarding from 18:00 hrs. Includes accommodation in the same cabin of your cruise, welcome cocktail, full dinner; includes wines, drinks, spirits, and American buffet breakfast.
Saturday:
12:00 hrs. Set sail from Terminal Skorpios in Puerto Montt. Navigation through the Llanquihue archipelago. Sighting of the city of Calbuco. Gulf of Ancud. 16:30 hrs. Landfall in Quemchi, on the island of Chiloé. Disembark in boats in this picturesque Chilote town, where you can visit its artisan centre, its streets and cafes, as well as the house-museum of the Chilean writer Francisco Coloane. 18:30 hrs. We continue south through the Chiloé archipelago, crossing the Corcovado Gulf at midnight.
Sunday:
08:00 hrs. Navigation through the Moraleda and Ferronave channels. Arrival to Puerto Aguirre at 11:00 hrs. Disembark in this fishing village nestled in the Chonos archipelago, we walk through its streets, viewpoints and the path of a typical rain forest of the region. 13:30 hrs. Navigation through the Ferronave, Pilcomayo and Casma pass channels. 16:00 hrs. Arrival at Islote Barrientos. Here we will disembark in boats stealthily approaching this group of rocky islands and be able to visit this place where there is the largest number of seabirds in the Aysén region to see birds such as Imperial and Lila Cormorants, Austral and Dominican Gulls, accompanied by Sea lions. of two hairs that are on the rocks or in the sea. 17:00 hrs. Set sail for the south, anchoring at 10:00 p.m. approximately in Caleta Quesahuen or Punta Leopardos, 20 miles from the San Rafael Glacier.
Monday (San Rafael Glacier):
07:30 hrs. The ship crosses the San Rafael Rada and the Témpanos Canal. 09:00 hrs. Enter the Lagoon and anchor 2 km from the Glacier. Excursion in motorboats between multi-coloured icebergs if the weather permits. 14:30 hrs. The ship is approaching the Glacier. 16:00 hrs. Set sail for the Quitralco Fjord
Tuesday:
08:00 hrs. Docked at the Quitralco dock. After having breakfast, passengers will be able to take thermal baths at 32 ° and 38 ° C, in indoor or outdoor pools and hike through the trails of the place. If the weather allows it, excursions are made in motorboats through the interior of the Fjord. 17:00 hrs. Set sail for Chiloé, navigating through the Moraleda and Pérez Norte channels.
Wednesday:
00:15hrs the ship navigates through the Leucayec Channel, crossing the Gulf of Corcovado at around 05:30hrs. In this area it is often, but not always, possible to see Blue, and maybe Humpback whales. The navigational route continues along the south-eastern coast of Chiloe Island, arriving at 11:00hrs to the Conejos Islet, located in the Queilen Channel. Here passengers can disembark to enjoy an excursion in motorboats to get closer to the small island where there are Magallanic Penguins and numerous varieties of birds. At 13:00hrs the ship will navigate between the islets of Lemuy and Chelin, arriving to Dalcahue at around 16:30hrs. Here there is an interesting, local handicraft market and historic church to visit. At 23:00hrs the ship will set sail to Puerto Montt and on board there will be the Captain’s dinner to mark the final night of the cruise.
Thursday:
08:00 hrs. Breakfast will be served while docked at the Skorpios Terminal in Puerto Montt. Then, at 09:00 hrs. disembarkation and transfer of passengers will take place.
Note: The program and schedules may vary depending on weather conditions or force majeure. Likewise, the disembarkation and duration will depend on the authorization of the ship's captain, who will evaluate the safety and ice conditions of each place. The hours of talks and activities of the guides will be indicated in navigation.
