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Chile
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Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region
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Última Esperanza
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Puerto Natales
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Tours & Activities
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Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Sightseeing Cruise from Puerto Natales
1 day
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About this activity
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Puerto Natales, Natales, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region, Chile
Your experience begins with pick up at the agreed time from your Hotel located nearby the urban zone of Puerto Natales. After pick up, we will begin to board our navigation to meet incredible landscapes from the Patagonia, glaciers, fjords and amazing wildlife we can appreciate during our trip to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. Climb aboard the boat and begin your cruise northwest through Ultima Esperanza Fjord, or ‘Final Hope Fjord,' an inlet bridging Eberhard Fjord and Balmaceda Mountain. The fjord was named by Spanish explorer Juan Ladrillero, who hoped that crossing the sound would take him to the Strait of Magellan. Instead he arrived to find sheer walls of ice blocking his path.
Stop At: Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, Chile
Today, your captain is at the helm for three hours to reach the same glaciers that thwarted Ladrillero. Enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or juice on deck. For something with an extra kick, sip a glass of whiskey or pisco sour mixed with ice broken off from Serrano glacier.
Pass by forests and waterfalls trickling down green hills, and scan the sky for condors. As the boat hugs the coastline, spot dozens of cormorants on rocky outcrops that might be spreading their wings or stretching their slim graceful necks to a soundtrack of ducks and geese squawking nearby. Sea elephants may even lumber out of caves to lounge under the sun.
When you reach the eastern face of Balmaceda Mountain, 6,676 feet (2,035 meters) high, see mists swirling around the ice-capped summit. Disembark for an easy hour-long hike through the forests of Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. Follow your guide to an overlook mere steps away from Serrano glacier — a wide frozen river of ice cascading down a crevice between hills. Then trek to the western side of Balmaceda Mountain and capture views of the massive hanging glacier. Here, sapphire- and turquoise-tinted floes deluge the rocky terrain and end at a lake.
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Stop At: Estancia Perales, Torres del Paine National Park, Natales, Región de Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena, Chile
Head to local lodging at a traditional cattle ranch, where you’ll tuck into a Magellanic lunch of generous portions, typically featuring a rich savory stew and roasted lamb. (Vegetarian meal available upon request.)
Sample Lunch Menu (subject to change):
• Carbonada (traditional hearty soup with meat and vegetables)
• Roast lamb with potatoes
• Salad
• Dessert
• Wine, soft drinks, water
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Pass By: Puerto Natales, Natales, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region, Chile
Finally, with your appetite for delightful sights and food satiated, climb aboard your boat for a speedy 90-minute return ride to Puerto Natales. Enjoy the landscapes during your return trip!
When we arrive to the port, you will take the bus or minivan which will be dropping you off directly at your Hotel in Puerto Natales.
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This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Puerto Natales, Natales, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region, Chile
Your experience begins with pick up at the agreed time from your Hotel located nearby the urban zone of Puerto Natales. After pick up, we will begin to board our navigation to meet incredible landscapes from the Patagonia, glaciers, fjords and amazing wildlife we can appreciate during our trip to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. Climb aboard the boat and begin your cruise northwest through Ultima Esperanza Fjord, or ‘Final Hope Fjord,' an inlet bridging Eberhard Fjord and Balmaceda Mountain. The fjord was named by Spanish explorer Juan Ladrillero, who hoped that crossing the sound would take him to the Strait of Magellan. Instead he arrived to find sheer walls of ice blocking his path.
Stop At: Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, Chile
Today, your captain is at the helm for three hours to reach the same glaciers that thwarted Ladrillero. Enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or juice on deck. For something with an extra kick, sip a glass of whiskey or pisco sour mixed with ice broken off from Serrano glacier.
Pass by forests and waterfalls trickling down green hills, and scan the sky for condors. As the boat hugs the coastline, spot dozens of cormorants on rocky outcrops that might be spreading their wings or stretching their slim graceful necks to a soundtrack of ducks and geese squawking nearby. Sea elephants may even lumber out of caves to lounge under the sun.
When you reach the eastern face of Balmaceda Mountain, 6,676 feet (2,035 meters) high, see mists swirling around the ice-capped summit. Disembark for an easy hour-long hike through the forests of Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. Follow your guide to an overlook mere steps away from Serrano glacier — a wide frozen river of ice cascading down a crevice between hills. Then trek to the western side of Balmaceda Mountain and capture views of the massive hanging glacier. Here, sapphire- and turquoise-tinted floes deluge the rocky terrain and end at a lake.
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Stop At: Estancia Perales, Torres del Paine National Park, Natales, Región de Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena, Chile
Head to local lodging at a traditional cattle ranch, where you’ll tuck into a Magellanic lunch of generous portions, typically featuring a rich savory stew and roasted lamb. (Vegetarian meal available upon request.)
Sample Lunch Menu (subject to change):
• Carbonada (traditional hearty soup with meat and vegetables)
• Roast lamb with potatoes
• Salad
• Dessert
• Wine, soft drinks, water
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Pass By: Puerto Natales, Natales, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region, Chile
Finally, with your appetite for delightful sights and food satiated, climb aboard your boat for a speedy 90-minute return ride to Puerto Natales. Enjoy the landscapes during your return trip!
When we arrive to the port, you will take the bus or minivan which will be dropping you off directly at your Hotel in Puerto Natales.
Included
- Boat tour
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Coffee/tea, juice, whiskey or pisco sour
- Snacks
- Lunch
Not included
- Gratuities
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Minimum age to drink alcohol is 18 years
- It is recommended that your wear comfortable clothes and trekking shoes and bring a jacket or sweater, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking and at time of travel for all participants
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
Features
Tourism
90%
Cultural
55%
Original
35%
Aquatic
15%
Reviews
Well organised tour. The glacier was amazing. The lunch at the cattle ranch on way back was fabulous. Highly recommend this tour. Suitable for children as well. Dont miss it!!
This was a less crazy adventure for me as most of the day is on the boat. Saw lots of wildlife and the glaciers were amazing.
I booked the English tour with my friend from Zurich. The driver who picked us up from the hotel was extremely unwelcoming, not even saying hi to us and he barely spoke any english. Upon arrival at the pier none of the people in the group were briefed what will follow up next. The bus door got opened and we had to figure out which boat is ours. However, on a positive note the boat crew was very friendly and spoke good english. After we finished exploring the glacier we were taken to another village where we had a nice lunch in a local restaurant. When we finally arrived back to Puerto Natales the same bus driver kept chatting with the rest of the local people at the pier and we stood in the bus for 30 minutes, without any explanation. No need to mention that me and my friend got dropped at the hotel last. We did book other cheaper trips to Torres Del Paine, which were a lot more entertaining so i wouldn't say that this one is a good value for money.
Very professional. Pickup at right time from hotel. Excellent English speaking guides. Coffee, biscuits on the boat added to the charm!
This tour was amazing!