Chile Tours and Travel Packages

Multiple Destinations / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises / Fiord Cruises
Biking / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Wine Tours

KAWESKAR EXPLORERS CRUISE

The Skorpios navigates 600 miles through the channels and fiords to the Pio XI glacier, which at 40 miles in length and 4 miles wide is the largest glacier in South America. Other glaciers, such as the Amalio and Calvo Inlet are also visited.

One meets no other cruise boats or people, except the inhabitants of Puerto Eden, but the voyage focuses on nature and is very comfortable. All cabins have low beds, private bathrooms, free frigo-bars, cable tv and outside windows. There is a big restaurant, 2 loungesand 2 bars. Lunches and dinners are multicourse affairs with good Chilean wine

Day 1 Saturday (for those passengers not taking the additional night)
Reception of passengers at the Punta Arenas Airport. Check-in. Transfer to the Skorpios Terminal in Puerto Natales (not included). Embarkation. Welcome drink and dinner on board. 18.00 hrs ship sets sail from Puerto Natales, navigating the Patagonian Channels, Kirke Narrowness, Channel Morla Vicuña, Seno Unión.

Day 2 Sunday
During the morning, we will continue navigating through the Sarmiento Channel, Pitt Channel and Concepción Channel. 08.00 am arrival to the Amalia Glacier, the motorvessel gets closer to the Glacier, panoramic view from the ship. 09.30 am Skorpios III starts sailing north. 19.00 hrs arrival to the Antrim Fjord, where we will supply with drinking water from a crystal clear waterfall. Dinner on board.

Day 3 Monday
08.00 am visit to Pío XI Glacier, navigating in front of the glacier, the biggest of South America, with a surface of 1263 km2, belonging to the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, the biggest national park in Chile. 12.30 pm ship weighs anchor from Seno Eyre and Grappler Channel. 16.30 hrs arrival to Puerto Edén, disembarkation in boats. Two hours excursion, visiting this village, located in Wellington Island. It's first inhabitants were the kaweskar or alacalufes aborigines. This village doesn't have any streets, only footbridges, were it is possible to take a walk around town and go up to a viewpoint. Ship sets sail at 18.30 hrs from Puerto Edén, navigating through the Paso del Indio and Paso del Abismo

Day 4 Tuesday
08.00 am arrival to the Calvo Fjord where we will be able to appreciate four glaciers, of different shapes and colors. Excursions on board "Capitan Constantino" (icebreaker motorboat). The icebreaker gets close to the Constantino Glacier, only if the weather and ice conditions allow so. We will also visit the Alipio and Fernando Glaciers. During the afternoon, navigation through the Peel Fjord, 17.30 hrs arrival to the Brujo Glacier, excursion to the glacier rocks, disembarkation to land to contemplate this enormous mass of ice.

Day 5 Wednesday
09.00 hrs visit to the Montañas Fjord were we will be able to see five little glaciers that hook of from the hills to the sea. Visit to the Bernal Glacier. 16.00 hrs ship sets sail from the Montañas Fjord, cross of the Kirke Narrowness, during the night, the ship casts anchor at Seno Ultima Esperanza. Captain's farewell dinner and dance.

Day 6 Thursday
Navigating Seno Ultima Esperanza, 07.30 am arrival at Skorpios Terminal in Puerto Natales. 09.00 hrs passengers disembark, transfer to the Punta Arenas Airport for passengers that have asked for this additional service.

NOTE: In spring and autumn, because of the light variations, there might be some excursions that will not be done, because it gets dark a little earlier.

END OF OUR SERVICES

Note : Itinerary subject to changes according to navigation and climate conditions.

Services included in the price of the cruise :

• Transfer by private bus from the airport of Punta Arenas to Skorpios terminal in Puerto Natales and return on embarkation and disembarkation days.
  
• Four meals daily on board (Breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner)
  
• Open bar (alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages)
  
• Land and boat excursions as per itinerary.

ADDITIONAL NIGHT

Day Friday (additional night)
Reception at the airport, transfer to Skorpios offices. Check-in.
17.00 hrs Transfer by private bus from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales.
20.00 hrs Arrival in Puerto Natales.
20.15 hrs Embarkation. Welcome cocktail and dinner on board.

Day Saturday (for those passengers taking the additional night)
For those passengers taking the additional night before setting sailing, Skorpios has organized a guided excursion to Torres del Paine National Park including a visit to the natural monument of "Cave of Milodon".
09.00hrs Departure by buses from Skorpios terminal in Puerto Natales.
09.30 hrs Arrival to Milodon Cave, visit for approximately 1 hour. (Scientific interest was generated in this cave due to the discovery, in 1896, of skin, bones and other remains of a now extinct animal, The MILODON (Darwinian Mylodon), a herbivorous of tremendous dimensions that probably became extinct at the end of the Pleistocene era)
10.30 hrs Tour continues to Torres del Paine National Park, declared by Unesco in 1978 as World Biosphere Reserve and internationally renowned as one of the most beautiful, unspoiled and remote places of the planet. Highlighted are the Towers and Horns of Paine, with its imposing geological structure of rock and granite; its multicolored colored lakes such as Nordenskjold, Pehoé, Toro, Saramiento and Grey; mammals such as the Puma, the Guanaco, and the Guemul as well as it wide variety of birds such as the Ostrich, the Black Necked Swan, the Short Necked Swan, and Eagles, amongst others, as well as a vast variety of trees, shrubs and wild flowers.
12.00 hrs Arrival to Rio Paine waterfall, view of the Torres del Paine.
13.00 hrs Picnic lunch at Laguna Amarga area.
14.30 hrs Arrival to Nordenskjold viewpoint, time to take pictures of the 3050 meters high Horns of Paine.
15.00 hrs Arrival to Lake Pehoe viewpoint.
15.30 hrs Starts trip back to Puerto Natales, visiting the Sarmiento Lake.
17.30 hrs Arrival to Skorpios terminal in Puerto Natales.
20.00 hrs Dinner on board.
22.00 hrs Optional transfer to the Casino in Puerto Natales
Check-in.

The price for the additional night: Season 2009-2010 = US$ 210

Above-mentioned prices includes:

• Transfers from the airport in Punta Arenas to Skorpios terminal in Puerto Natales on Friday.
  
• Dinner and overnight on board MV Skorpios III the night before the departure of the cruise.
  
• Full day tour to National Park Torres del Paine, including picnic lunch.

For passengers taking the additional night and arriving to Punta Arenas on the morning flight on Friday, we offer as well the following option :

Typical Patagonian Barbecue at Fitz Roy farm , including a visit to it's museum and sheap shearing show for (2004-2005 season) US$ 80 per person.

All of the Skorpios services are based on cordial, friendly personal attention. This characteristic of the people of southern Chile has become the trademark of our family service, providing a quality service that meets international standards. Even the smallest service details are given priority and importance, aboard the Skorpios. The satisfaction of our passengers needs is our daily goal.

Amongst the services of the Skorpios that are highlighted are:

Flora and Fauna

The nature of this area is manifested through an immense variety of flora and fauna. The Lilly Ducks, Chilean Ducks, tuna, comates, cypresses, lengas, native wood forests, ferns etc. astound those who view the world from an ecological point of view. During the crossing of the cruise vessel one can view many different species of birds, on the cliffs of the island and in the forests. Likewise tuna and dolphins can be viewed swimming alongside the ship. All of the fauna at these latitudes are in their natural wild state, for which reason we solicit that all of our passengers exercise extra care and in no way upset this magnificent scenery.

Sailing Dates for 2009-2010 season:
Low Season: Sept. 12, 19, 26, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1,8
Shoulder Season: Oct. 3,10,17,24,31, Nov. 7,14,21,28, Dec. 5,12, Feb. 27, March 6,13,20,27
High Season: Dec. 20,27, Jan. 2,9,16,23,30, Feb. 6,13,20