Torres del Paine Serrano Zodiac

TDP to Puerto Natales

Operated between November to March

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.

Introduction to Torres del Paine Serrano Zodiac

The Torres del Paine Serrano zodiac is an activity excursion involving a ride in a fast-speed, hard-covered zodiac, rib boat that navigates up and down the River Serrano. Moreover, the trip is one of adventure. In addition, it also involves a traditional boat trip, but in one of the most amazing parts of Patagonia.

Seeing that the River Serrano is the river that meanders from Torres del Paine to the end of the Sound of Last Hope (the stretch of water beside which is the village of Puerto Natales), navigating along it offers a great alternative to get from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine as well as in reverse ie Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales. Note that bags will be transported apart and be handed to you at your destination.

Request here: request@experiencechile.org

Torres del Paine Serrano Zodiac

TDP to Puerto Natales

Logistics for the Route Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales

One

Assuming that we have arranged your itinerary, and therefore your accommodation in Torres del Paine (TDP), we will set up the transfer to get you from your hotel in TDP to the embarkation point at the jetty in Serrano village. However, this will require an early start, especially if your hotel is over the other side of te Park. For example, embarkation time is at 07:30hrs. Therefore, if you are staying at Hotel Las Torres, for example, you need to be ready for departure at the hotel at 06:00hrs. However, this is a good time to spot the wildlife of Torres del Paine.

Once at the Serrano village jetty, you will be handed wet weather gear that will go over your clothing as well as a life vest. In other words, you will be protected from spray from the river and the rain, if it is raining. Above all, you will also have the added safety of a life vest.

Two

After embarkation has been completed the zodiac will navigate down the Serrano River. However, after a short period you will need to disembark the zodiac and then walk through a nice, wooded area to then board a second zodiac to continue the journey.

Cuernos del Paine

Also, around this point, if you look back up the Serrano River, as long as the day is clear, you will see the enormous “Cuernos” de Paine. Therefore, you will be looking at the two big “horns” in the Torres del Paine Massif, which is, effectively, right back from where you started your navigation in the morning.

Three

Consequently, the route is going away from Torres del Paine, speeding along the river, passing by the riverbanks where the forest meets the river border, or animals stop and look, and mist graces the mountain tops. Moreover, after about 1hr, which passes quickly, you will see blobs of blue and white nestled in-between mountain peaks. In other words, glaciers. Above all, you will see the Serrano glacier.

Native Wood

At this point the zodiac will pull in and moor up for passengers to disembark. Here, you will have the option to walk through a lovely, native wood and to the lagoon the other side. Most importantly, at the far end of the lagoon is the Serrano Glacier coming down a gully from the summit, right down to the water’s edge. Therefore, in the lagoon are icebergs that have broken from the glacier. Consequently, the scene is very pretty. Therefore, please make sure you have a way to take some pictures.

After about an hour enjoying the view, passengers will return to the jetty and board the catamaran for the next navigation. In other words, from this point you will be enjoying a more traditional-style boat trip, but through stunning scenery.

Catamaran

The catamaran will “set sail” for the trip back to Puerto Natales along the Fiord of Last Hope. For those who make their way to the back (the stern) of the catamaran you will see clear evidence of Global warming. For example, the Balmaceda glacier, which used to come down to the water’s edge has receded greatly, to leave behind an almost “polished”, orange-colored rock base. Moreover, this orange rock, combined with the vivid green foliage of the trees either side, and with the blue hue of the glacier, together, form a beautiful picture.

On to Puerto Natales

As the navigation settles into its rhythm, each side of the fiord you will notice incredible rock formations. At first glance it is difficult to comprehend, but there are layers of sediment rock that used to be horizontal, but now are bent into “U” shapes or put into the vertical. For this reason, it is bewildering to imagine what forces were necessary to bend the rock in such a way. Consequently, with all this beauty around, please do not forget to bring a camara or cell phone, because there is a photo opportunity around every corner. As a result of bearing witness to such incredible geological forms, it becomes clear that Chile has endured many earthquakes in its history.

Patagonian Barbecue

After about an hour of navigation the catamaran will pull into a small bay area whereupon there is a rustic-looking, Patagonia farm building. In other words, this is an estancia and where you will have a Patagonian barbecue lunch. Including grilled-cooked chicken, pork, beef, potatoes and sausages. Most importantly, if you are a vegetarian you need to inform the staff before you eat and, ideally, let us know in advance.

Request here: request@experiencechile.org

Torres del Paine Serrano Zodiac

Clothes to Bring

Patagonia is “raw”, “rugged” and also at “the end of the World”, sandwiched between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Consequently, those visiting need to be prepared for any type of weather. Therefore, please pack clothing that you can put on and take off as you get cold and get hot.

For example, if you are participating in a trek, you will likely get hot, but when standing around you will get cold. For this reason, bring warm hats, gloves, waterproof top and hiking boots, as well as a pair of sunglasses. Most importantly, for the zodiac navigation you will be provided with all the wet weather gear you will need for the trip, which goes over your usual clothing. Therefore, you will have protection from any wet weather.

Comments from Clients

In our web site we have published in full and verbatim, a number of testimonials from clients. However, it is not physically possible to publish all the comments we have received over the years from all of our clients, but we do have a good selection. Therefore, should you wish to read about how clients have found our services please revert back to the testimonials in the web site. Meanwhile, here are just a few excerpts.

“One of the best things I have done, during my holiday in Patagonia”.

“As a result of having an extra day in Puerto Natales we could come out of TDP by the zodiac, and we loved it”.

“I wished I had included this trip when I was in Patagonia. Consequently, we missed a great experience”.

Included

In this itinerary we include the transfer from your hotel in Torres del Paine to the jetty in Serrano Village.  And, of course, the zodiac and catamaran navigations. Moreover, the park entrance ticket for Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, lunch and onward transfer in Puerto Natales.

Luggage

We understand that some clients will have a lot of luggage with them. For this reason, we have the logistics figured out. For example, we will arrange for your luggage to be taken to Torres del Paine (or Puerto Natales) and be there your arrival as long as we have booked the hotel for you. Therefore, there are a lot of advantages to having all your arrangements being handled by one company. In Conclusion, our aim is to make life easier for you, so you can enjoy your experiences and relax.

Request here: request@experiencechile.org