• Expedition Cruising Patagonia, MS Skorpios

Skorpios Cruising "Kaweskar Route"

5 days Expedition Cruising through the Southern Patagonian Icefield

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS 

  • 5 days / 4 nights expedition cruising from/to Puerto Natales
  • Magellanic fjords and channels in the southern Patagonian Icefield of Chile
  • Fjordo de las Montanas (Fjords of the Mountains)
  • Multi-coloured ice-floes
  • Observe the varied Patagonian flora and fauna in all its natural glory

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TRIP DESCRIPTION

Setting sail aboard the MS Skorpios III from October to April from the Skorpios Terminal in the city of Puerto Natales, locates 2,500 km south of Santiago, which can be accessed by air from Punta Arenas or by land from Argentina, starting this 4-night, 5-day sea voyage to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field following the Kaweskar route, sailing 505 miles to visit the largest number of glaciers in this region: Guilliard, Amalia, El Brujo (the Warlock), and the glaciers of Calvo, Bernal, and Herman fjords. About 15 glaciers where we will perform activities such as sightseeing, contemplation, walks to their fronts and moraines navigating between colored icebergs in expedition boats such as Capitán Constantino (Captain Constantine) during which we can observe the varied flora and fauna of Patagonia, still in a wild and virgin state, such as elephant seals in the Guardramiro fjord.

Duration

5 days from/to Puerto Natales

Activity
  • 4 days cruising
Lodging
  • 4 nights double cabin
Meals
  • 4x breakfast
  • 4x lunch
  • 4x dinner
Price

from 2.520 USD

ITINERARY Skorpios Cruising "Kaweskar Route"

Day 1: Departure from Puerto Natales

10.30 a.m. Start of embarkment / Passenger reception. 1 p.m. Departure from Skorpios terminal. Safety speech about the vessel. 2 p.m. Lunch. Navigation in the Almirante Montt Gulf. 4.30 p.m. Arrival at Caleta Juarez in Guardramiro Fjord and disembarkation on boats to see up close a colony of elephant seals. 6 p.m. Departure, Sailing through Kirke narrows, Morla Vicuna, Union, Collingwood, and Sarmiento channels.

Overnight on board: selected cabin category. (-/L/D) 

Day 2: Guillard Fjord and Glacier, Sarratea Bay

8 a.m. We continue sailing north through the Pitt Channel. On the port side, Chatham Island, to enter the Guillard Fjord at 10 a.m. Navigation within the fjord to the Guillard Glacier. 11 a.m. Disembark at the glacier and hike around the place. 1.30 p.m. Lunch. 3.30 p.m. Disembarkation on boats for a tour through the Glacier's channels. 5.00 p.m. Navigation to Sarratea Bay. 6.00 p.m. Disembarkation for a boat ride around the place. (This excursion depends on sunlight and weather conditions) 7 p.m. Return to the ship. 8.00 p.m. Dinner on board. 12.00 midnight. Departure southbound through the Pitt Channel. Overnight on board: selected cabin category. (B/L/D)

Day 3: Amalia-Glacier, El Brujo (the Warlock) Glacier and Calvo-Fjord

08.00 hrs. Arrival at Amalia Glacier. The vessel approaches the Glacier. Panoramic view from the ship. 09.30 hrs.Disembarkation on a nearby beach, soft hiking through the beach, flora and rocks, arriving to a viewpoint where we can appreciate this beatiful glacier. 11.30 hrs. Sailing for El Brujo Glacier. 14.00 hrs. Arrival at El Brujo Glacier. Weather and ice permitting, passengers can disembark and contemplate this glacier from a nearby rock. 15.30 hrs. Get sailing to amazing Calvo Fjord. 17.10 hrs. Arrival at Calvo Fjord and excursion on the “Capitán Constantino” icebreaker, appropriate to navigate between the ice. Visit to the Fernando, Capitán Constantino and Alipio glaciers, among others. 20.00 hrs. Sail towards Montañas Fjord. Overnight on board: selected cabin category.(B/L/D)

Day 4: Fjordo de las Montañas (Fjord of the Mountains)

09.00 hrs. Visit to Montañas Fjord, from where you can see four glaciers, that slide down the Sarmiento Mountains to the sea, two of them are on our route. 09.30 hrs. Visit to Alsina Glacier, excursion on our boats, to explore this small bay and its glaciar, enjoying its beauty and enormous mountains surrounding. 10.30 hrs. Return to Skorpios III. Continue sailing through Montañas Fjord toward Bernal Glacier. 11.15 hrs. Disembarkation on Bernal Glacier. Iniciate a soft walking in a small native forest, and then crossing through a stream, which crosses a glacier water lagoon. Continue soft hiking over front and side moraines. Arrival at Glacier. Here, passengers can feel and touch the ice, and appreciate the iceberg melting. 12.45 hrs. Passengers return to the ship, which is in the natural water supplying phase. This water, provided from a cascade, is used on board for all ship services. 14.00 hrs. Skorpios III continues sailing through Montañas Fjord, we will be able to see Herman and Zamudio glaciers from the ship.17.45 hrs. Arrival at White angostura. Disembarkation. Then, on the excursion boats, sailing among island and rocks, enjoying the native fauna and flora. 19.30 hrs. Returning to the ship and preparating for Captain’s dinner.21.00 hrs. Farewell Party. Captain’s Dinner and dance. Navigation through Almirante Montt gulf. Overnight on board: selected cabin category. (B/L/D)

Day 5: Arrival to Puerto Natales

Arrival in Puerto Natales between 2.00 and 7.00 a.m., depending on wind conditions, to dock at the Skorpios Terminal in Puerto Natales. 8.00 and 9.30 a.m. Disembarkation of passengers. End of our services. (B/-/-)

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Accomodation: 4 nights in double cabin with private bathroom, selected 
  • Meals: 4 x breakfast, 4 x lunch, 4 x dinner
  • Guide: local bilingual english/spanish speaking guides
  • Sea transportation
  • Shore excursions and onboard entertainment
  • Harbour dues Puerto Natales

WHAT’S EXCLUDED

  • Not appointed meals and beverages
  • Optional trips and transportation
  • Tips/gratuity
  • Local payments
  • International and domestic airfare and airport charges 
  • Travel insurance is not included in this tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy.

Departure Dates & Booking

14.10.2024 - 27.04.2025
available
available cabins on request
from 2.520 USD

CRUISE DESCRIPTION

MV Skorpios III was built in 1995 at the Skorpios shipyard, Chile, according to SOLAS and IMO rules, and ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) classification, class N° 951.93.18 A1 ice. Her cabins and hotel infrastructure were remodeled in 2012. It is 70 metres long, has a 10 metre beam and a 3.30 metre draft, displacing 1,600 tons. She has an international loadline certificate, and registration N° 2869 issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Territory of Chile. She has a capacity of up to 90 passengers berthed in 45 double cabins and distributed in 5 decks; cabins offer twin, queen or king-sized beds. All cabins have private toilet facilities, plasma TV and background music and a safety box. The ship has two comfortable bar lounges, and an ample panoramic dining room.

TRIP NOTE

The program and schedules may change depending on weather conditions or force majeure. Also disembarkations will depend on the authorization of the captain of the ship who will evaluate the safety and ice conditions of each place. Timings of lectures and activities will be informed during the sailing.

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