Puerto Raul Marin Balmaceda, Carretera Austral, Patagonia, Chile
Introduction
Located: 218km South from Puyuhuapi and 79km west from Coyhaique.
Puerto Chacabuco is also about 15km south from Puerto Aysen. Considering its geographical location, at the eastern end of the Aysen fiord, it is well protected from the natural elements.
It is the place from where the catamaran operates to take people to see the large San Rafael Glacier.
Brief details
- Open: Year-round
- Area: 4,305,683 acres
- Climate: Rainy and temperate; polar at altitude
- Rainfall: 120 to 200 inches annually
- Ecosystem: Evergreen forest, high-mountain forest, and periglacial shrubland
- Founded: June 17, 1967
Can't Miss
- Walk across the Exploradores Glacier.
- Drive Route X-78, which reaches the park 32 miles west of Puerto Tranquilo and offers gorgeous views of forests, rivers, dozens of waterfalls, hanging glaciers, and snowy peaks.
- Take Route X-78 to Monte San Valentín (12,830 feet above sea level), the highest peak in Patagonia.
- Cross Laguna San Rafael in boat to see the glacier and observe icefalls.
- Visit Lake Los Leones, via the valley that shares its name.
- Parques en la Región de Magallanes
San Rafael Glacier
The San Rafael Glacier comes down from the Northern Ice Field where it breaks off into sizeable icebergs that float in a sea-water lagoon. The glacial face is extremely high and quite wide. The catamaran that navigates from Puerto Chacabuco to the glacier takes a few hours to get to there, then, of course the same time back, therefore it is a long day. Snacks are served on board and once at the glacial face there is a decent amount of close-viewing time permitted. One of the additional benefits from this trip is the slow navigation through the quiet and picturesque channels, passing small and large uninhabited, forested islands.
Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael
San Rafael’s magnificent landscapes are a mosaic of fjords, channels, islands, inlets, and ice. Declared a Biosphere Reserve, the park is the main port of entry to Chile’s Northern Icefields. The San Rafael Glacier attracts visitors from all over the world, who set out from Puerto Chacabuco or Puerto Tranquilo to admire its vast, untouched horizons and its biodiversity. Charles Darwin, Fitz Roy, and Alberto de Agostini are just a few of the historical figures who have helped spread the word about this wonderful hidden corner of Aysén.
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