Skorpios San Rafael Glacier

Skorpios Patagonia

Chonos Cruise Itinerary

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.

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.

Optional Extra First Night on Board – Puerto Montt

Check-in from 18:00hrs. However, for an extra cost, you can also stay on board and enjoy a welcome cocktail, dinner and accommodation in the same cabin that you will be in during your cruise.

Saturday: Day 1 – Departure

12:00hrs Departure from the Skorpios terminal in Puerto Montt and heading towards Calbuco village via the Llanquihue archipelago, then on to Quemchi on the island of Chiloe, where there will be a shore landing to see this picturesque village. Following this excursion the ship will continue its course across the Corcovado Gulf during the night heading towards the Chilean mainland archipelago.

Sunday Day 2 – Puerto Aguirre

At 11:00hrs passengers can disembark for a shore landing to see Puerto Aguirre, a tiny fishing village as well as hike through a rain forest. At 13:30hrs, the cruise will continue south, through the channels called Ferronave, Pilcomayo and Casma arriving at 16:00hrs to a group of islets called Barrientos. Here there are thousands of marine birds to see. After a brief time in this area the cruise will continue on to Caleta Quesahuen or Punta Leopardos, which is about 32km (20 miles) from the Glacier San Rafael.

Monday Day 3 – San Rafael Glacier

Today is the day when the ship arrives to the bay where the huge San Rafael Glacier meets its end. At 07:30hrs will set sail to the Glacier, arriving to the sea lagoon at 09:00hrs at a point which is 2km from the glacier face. Only if the weather conditions allow, passengers will be given the opportunity to get into zodiacs that will then navigate near to icebergs. At around 14:30hrs the ship will get closer to the actual glacier and then after a period allowing all passengers to look in awe at the massive river of ice in front of them, the vessel will set sail towards Quitralco Fiord.

Tuesday Day 4 – Quitralco

After sailing overnight, the ship will dock at Quiltralco pier at around 08:00hrs in the morning. After breakfast passengers will have the option to bathe in the natural, open-air thermal springs and / or hike in the nearby woods. In addition, if local climatic conditions allow, passengers will be able to embark in the smaller, zodiac boats to explore further into the fiord. At 17:00hrs, the ship will once again set sail and head towards the island of Chiloe via the channels of Moraleda and Perez Norte.

Wednesday: Day 5 – Chiloe

Today the cruise is heading to the island of Chiloe, navigating through the Leucayec channel and on to crossing the Golf of Corcovado. In this area it is sometimes possible to see Blue Whales. The cruise will arrive to the coastal area fo Chileno Island, in particular the Conejos Islet, where there will be an opportunity to disembark into the smaller zodiacs to get closer to the islands where there are penguins as well as numerous birds. The navigation will continue and at around 16:30hrs, arriving to Dalcahue for a shore landing to see the church and artesanal market. Then, at 23:00hrs and after the captain’s farewell dinner, the ship will continue towards Puerto Montt.

Thursday: Day 6 – Puerto Montt

At 08:00hrs the ship will arrive back to Puerto Montt port. After breakfast, passengers will be asked to disembark the ship at 09:00hrs.

Important

NOTE: All the excursions, shore landings and activities mentioned will go ahead as long as the weather permits. In the event that weather conditions do not allow for some or all mentioned activities and excursions Skorpios cannot be held responsible.