• Expedition Cruising Patagonia, MS Skorpios

Skorpios Cruising "Kaweskar Route"

5 days Expedition Cruising through the Southern Patagonian Icefield

Home / Patagonia Trips / Expedition Cruising "Skorpios"

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

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 2.400 USD

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.

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.

ITINERARY

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 & Calvo fjord

8 a.m. Arrival at Amalia Glacier. The ship approaches the glacier. Panoramic view from the ship. 9.30 a.m. Disembarkation at a nearby beach to hike through sand, vegetation, and rocks, reaching a viewpoint from where you can see this beautiful glacier. 11.30 a.m. Navigation to El Brujo (the Warlock) Glacier begins. 2.00 p.m. Arrival at El Brujo Glacier. If weather and ice conditions allow it, the passengers can go down to see this glacier from a nearby rock. 3.30 p.m. Departure to the spectacular Calvo fjord. 5.10 p.m. Landfall at Calvo fjord, where we will make an excursion in a boat called Capitán Constantino (Captain Constantine), suitable for navigating among the ice, visiting Fernando, Capitán Constantino, and Alipio glaciers, among others. 8.00 p.m. Departure to the Fjord of the Mountains. Overnight on board: selected cabin category. (B/L/D)

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

9.00 a.m. Visit to the Fjord of the Mountains, where four glaciers can be observed which descend from the Sarmiento Mountain Range to the sea, two of which are in our logbook. 9.30 a.m. Visit to the Alsina Glacier, disembarkation in our exploration boats to visit this small bay and its eye-catching glacier, appreciating all its beauty and its enormous mountains that surround it. 10.30 a.m. Return to Skorpios III, we continue sailing through the Fjord of the Mountains towards the Bernal Glacier. 11.15 a.m. Disembarkation at the Glacier. The hike begins in the middle of a small native forest and then crosses a path that across a small glacial water lagoon. We continue the hike over the frontal and lateral moraines until we reach the front of the Glacier. From here, we will have the opportunity to touch some ice and watch the receding phase of a glacier that no longer reaches the sea. 12.45 p.m. Passengers return to the ship, which is in a supplying maneuver acquiring pure, natural water from a waterfall. This is water consumed on board for all the ship's services. 2.00 p.m. The M/V Skorpios III continues sailing the Fjord of the Mountains. We will see the Herman and Zamudio glaciers from the ship. 5.45 p.m. Crossing the White narrows. 9.00 p.m. Farewell party, Captain's dinner, 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

16.10.2023 - 26.04.2024
available
available cabins on request
from 2.400 USD

SIMILAR TRIPS

SUGGESTED EXTENSIONS

Aysén & Carretera Austral
Aysén & Carretera Austral
learn more
Atacama Adventure
Atacama Adventure
learn more
Torres del Paine W-Hike
Torres del Paine W-Hike
learn more
Patagonia Best Hikes
Patagonia Best Hikes
learn more