Get a discount of up to 25% on selected trips!
San Rafael Glacier & the Chilean Fjords
Exploring Patagonia’s Northern Archipelago Aboard M/V Skorpios II
Special Deals -
Up to 25% off
5-night small cruises from Puerto Montt, Chile.
Check out for updated departure dates and rates
San Rafael glacier cruises. Get on board the comfortable M/V Skorpios II and enjoy a spectacular, scenic and comfortable cruise to the gorgeous Laguna San Rafael National Park, in the heart of the Chilean Fjords.
Departing from Puerto Montt, capital of Chile’s Lake District, we sail through Llanquihue Archipelago bound to a landing at Puerto Aguirre to later continue navigating the maze of channels and fjords to enter the glacial lake which is the gateway into Laguna San Rafael National Park, where we can contemplate the huge glacier front and witness the active calving of huge icebergs.
After this we’ll visit the natural hot springs of Quitralco Fjord, to later depart for Chiloé Island and sail upstream into the picturesque town of Dalcahue, where you’ll land and visit its most typical corners to get an impression of the culture, history, peculiar shipyard-based architecture, myths and traditions of this magical land. Back on board we’ll navigate through the channels back to Puerto Montt, where the trip ends after our arrival at the port.
Explore the remote and secluded fjords and glaciers of southern Patagonia and cruise aboard MV Skorpios III
Detailed Itinerary and Activities
San Rafael glacier cruises. M/V Skorpios II sails from the Skorpios pier in Puerto Montt, a port town 1,000 km south of Santiago, which can be reached by road or by air. This 5-day cruise sails for 800 nautical miles, departing every Saturday to return on the following Thursday between the months of September and April. The cruise is a magical encounter with the age-old ice formations of the Glaciar San Rafael, scenic sailing through awesome archipelagos, channels and sounds to tour this incredible territory that showcases the natural wonders of a lush landscape and wildlife best appreciated at locations like Fiordo Quitralco with its hot springs or on excursions to its endless maze of seaways and islands. We’ll also visit towns like Castro and the fishing village of Puerto Aguirre, which give an insight into the daily lives of the islanders, fishermen and sailors that live in these coasts.
This cruise leaves from Puerto Montt (PMC, Chile), starting on Saturday and ending on Thursday.
Check-in from 06:00 pm. onwards. This includes accommodation in the booked cabin, welcome-cocktail, dinner with wines and open bar, as well as breakfast-buffet.
Weigh anchor from Puerto Montt (12:00, noontime). Sailing through the archipelago of Llanquihue with sight on the city of Calbuco. Ancud Gulf. 04:30 pm. Arrival in Quemchi on the island of Chiloé. Disembark on small boats towards the picturesque village where you can visit a handicraft market, cafes, the museum of the Chilean author Francisco Coloane and stroll around the beautiful streets. 06:30 pm. Continuing sailing south along the archipelago of Chiloé, crossing the Gulf of Corcovado at midnight. San Rafael glacier cruises.
Navigation through the channels of Moraleda and Ferronave. Arrival at the fishing village of Puerto Aguirre at 11:00 am. Disembarking in this village enclosed by the Chonos archipelago. We will walk through the streets, passing a typical Patagonian rainforest arriving at a lookout. 01:30 pm. Navigation through the channels of Ferronave, Pilcomayo and Casma. 04:00 pm. Arrival at Islote Barrientos, where we disembark to smaller boats approaching the rock formations to visit one of the largest bird colonies in Chile, counting Kelp Gulls, Rock shags, Red-legged shags and Imperial shags. These birds are accompanied by South American fur seals. 05:00 pm. Heading south, arriving approximately at 10:00 pm. in Caleta Quesahuen or Punta Leopardos which is 20 nautical miles from the Glacier of San Rafael.
Crossing the channel of Tempanos to the entrance of the lagoon San Rafael. 09:00 am. The vessel anchors at 2 km. from the glacier. Boat excursions among the multicolored icebergs take place as weather conditions allow so. 02:30 pm. Ship approaches the glacier. 04:00 pm. Setting sails in direction of Quitralco-Fjord. San Rafael glacier cruises.
Berth at the pier of Quitralco. After breakfast passengers can enjoy inside and outside hot springs with temperatures of 32º C and 38º C. If weather there will be boat excursions to the inside of the Fjord. 05:00 pm. Sailing towards Chiloé, navigating through the channels of Moraleda and Pérez Norte.
Navigating through the channel of Leucayec, crossing the Gulf of Corcovado around 05:30 am. If passengers are lucky they can observe humpbacks or blue whales in this zone. Continue sailing along the east coast of Chiloé, arriving at 11:00 am. at Islote Conejos, in the channel Queilen. Disembarking on small boats visiting the island inhabited by Magellan penguins and birds. 01:00 pm. Sailing through the islands of Lemuy and Chelín. 04:30 pm. Arriving in Dalcahue, we highly recommend visiting the handicraft market, the church and strolling along the promenade. 11:00 pm. Leaving towards Puerto Montt. Farewell party, Captain’s dinner.
Breakfast on board while docking in Puerto Montt. 09:00 am. Disembarking and transfer of passengers. End of our services.
Note: The program and timetables may vary according to climate conditions or force majeure. Likewise, disembarkation and duration will depend on the authorization of the captain, who will evaluate safety and ice conditions in each place. Schedules of the thematic talks and other onboard activities will be announced by our guides on the cruise. San Rafael glacier cruises.
Dates and Rates
5-night small cruises from Puerto Montt, Chile.
Low Season | High Season |
||
September 2024 | 15* | December 2024 | 21, 28 |
October 2024 | 5, 12, 19, 26 | January 2025 | 4, 11, 18, 25 |
November 2024 | 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | February 2025 | 1, 8, 15, 22 |
December 2024 | 7, 14 | ||
March 2025 | 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | ||
April 2025 | 5, 12, 19, 26 | ||
* Sunday, September 15th 2024 - National Holiday Departure | |||
Promotion Departures | November 23 | 25% off | |
December 14 | 15% off | ||
December 21 | 10% off | ||
January 4, 11, 18, 25 | 10% off |
Deck | Atenas | Acropolis | Parthenon | Olympo | Athos |
|||
Cabin | Single | Double Int. | Double Ext. | Double Ext. | Double Mat. | Suite Junior | Suite Master | Double Mat. |
Low Season | $3,780 | $2,520 | $2,650 | $2,790 | $2,890 | $3,090 | $3,390 | $2,890 |
High Season | $4,080 | $2,720 | $2,860 | $2,980 | $3,130 | $3,390 | $3,690 | $3,130 |
Add. pax** - Low Season | $1,520 | $1,590 | $1,680 | |||||
Add. pax**- Low Season | $1,640 | $1,720 | $1,790 | |||||
** Additional passenger fee sharing the bed |
What the trip includes/excludes
The above price is per person in USD, based on double occupancy. All payments are in US Dollars.
Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.
The trip price includes: All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary and 3-night cruise in the Patagonian fjörds.
The trip price excludes: Domestic flights, tipping for crew staff, port taxes (USD 75 per person), private transfers, travel insurance, excess baggage charges, private excursions, à la carte dishes, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.
• Additional lodging service on Day 0 (Friday night): USD 100 per person on board M/V Skorpios II.
Children’s rate:
From 1 to 5 years old: Free sharing bed.
From 6 to 11 years old: 50% discount for children sharing cabin with two adults.
From 12 years up: Normal rate
Payment/reservation: 30% cash once reservation has been confirmed; balance is due 60 days prior to departure.
Transfers: Transfers for the embarkation date (Friday and Saturday) and disembarkation date (Thursday), from El Tepual Airport in Puerto Montt and the Skorpios Terminal, cost USD 38 per passenger, round trip and USD 18 per passenger one way.
Car Parking: This service is free of charge during the sailing from Puerto Montt.
No port taxes apply during the journey. Only at embarkation (USD 75 per person).
M/V Skorpios II
San Rafael glacier tours and cruises. MV Skorpios II was built in 1988 at the Skorpios shipyard, Chile according to SOLAS and IMO rules, and ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) classification, class N° 890.56.66, A1 ice. Her cabins, toilets and dining-room were remodeled in 2012. It is 70 meters long, has a 10 meter beam and a 2.87 meter draft, displacing 1,520 tons. She has an international loadline certificate, and registration N° 2567 issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Territory of Chile.
She has a capacity of up to 106 passengers berthed in 53 double cabins and distributed in 5 decks; cabins offer twin, double or king-sized beds. All cabins have private toilet facilities, plasma TV and background music. The ship has two comfortable lounges, and an ample dining room. San Rafael glacier tours and cruises
On board there is a satellite telephone available for calls to any place of the world according to a given rate.
Voltage on board is 220 A.C. (50 cycles).
Remember to bring appropriate clothing for excursions, trekking shoes, coat or jacket, cap, scarf, sunglasses and sun screen. Swimmimg suit only for M/V Skorpios II. Light and heavy footwear. Formal dressing for the gala dinner. The motorvessels do not have hairdresser services for the passengers.
On board there is a laundry service only for light clothes.
It is strictly forbidden to smoke inside the ship and during the excursions. It is authorized only on the decks.
Temperatures:
Southern spring and fall: 8º to 15ºC (46 to 59ºF).
Southern summer: 12º to 22ºC (53 to 71ºF).
Gross tonnage: 1210 ton.
Built: 1988, refurbishing 2010.
Power: 1,497 hp
Speed: 12 knots
Autonomy: 2000 nautical miles
Cabins: 55
Passenger capacity: 130
Crew members: 34
Lounges: 2 lounges and one dining room.
Length: 229.6 ft / 70.00 m
Draft: 9.38 ft / 2.87 m
Breadth: 32.80 ft / 10.00 m
Patagonian Fjords Expedition Cruises. With the aim of guaranteeing our passengers a fast and efficient service, we would like to draw your attention to the following norms since April 15th, 2013 (any past norm is obsolete).
• The cruise ticket contains and certifies the conditions in the agreement between the passenger and Naviera y Turismo Skorpios S.A., hereon “SKORPIOS” or “the Company” which is ruled under the dispositions of the III Book of the Commerce of the Republic of Chile.
• The published rates could be modified at the discretion of SKORPIOS, making any previous rates obsolete. If any passenger has already paid his/her cruise ticket and there is a modification in the rates before the sailing, this modification will not apply for this specific passenger, and SKORPIOS will honor the given rate.
• The passenger, who does not present him/herself on time and place specified on the ticket, based on any reason including fortuitous or major force cases or circumstances, will be under his/her responsibility and it is not allowed to complain to SKORPIOS. There will not be any indemnity or refund of the amount paid.
• SKORPIOS may delay the sailing for up to 24 hours due to bad weather or unforeseen major force circumstances. If these circumstances
maintain in time, the Company may cancel the cruise, returning the amount paid for the cruise portion only. The passenger will not have any right to other indemnities or payments of any sort.
• The passenger, cannot change his/her designated cabin number which is indicated on the passenger’s ticket, apart from exists cabins available and he/she pays inmediately the rate difference before formalize the cabin change.
• Passengers could cancel or modify their cruise with the following reimbursement plan:
120 days prior to departure, no penalty, 100% refund.
Between 120 and 60 days prior to departure, USD200 per person penalty will apply.
Between 59 and 50 days prior to departure, 20% penalty will apply.
Between 49 and 40 days prior to departure, 40% penalty will apply.
Between 39 and 30 days prior to departure, 60% penalty will apply.
Between 29 and 16 days prior to departure, 80% penalty will apply.
Between 15 and 0 days prior to departure, 100% penalty will apply.
Passenger’s cancellations must be informed by e-mail, fax or telephone and re-confirmed in written by certified air mail, in the same day of the first advice, being the letter signed by the buyer, the only valid document for the cancellation. The corresponding refund will be applied within 30 working days since the date of the cancellation advice.
• The cruise ticket may be re-issued or passed on to another person by the owner of the ticket, when prior notice is given to SKORPIOS in written and signed document, by the owner of the ticket, up to a period of five (05) working days before the sailing date. Beside the written communication, the ticket endorsement should be certified with the original passenger’s signature, showing name, identity number and the new passenger’s details. If the payment of the cruise has been done by hire payment, both original and new passengers will be responsible of the final and complete payment agreed.
• SKORPIOS offers safe-keeping on board free of charge. Not use this service release to SKORPIOS of any responsibility above all any loss.
• Each passenger is responsible of carrying all documentation needed, being this documentation as usual requested for chilean or foreign
passengers.
• SKORPIOS can prevent the embarkation of any passenger that, at the Company’s judgment, could disrupt the wellbeing of the rest of the
passengers.
• The general medical service on board is free of charge, as well as the basic infirmary supplies. Specific medications are of exclusive responsibility of each passenger. At the same time, is his/her exclusive responsibility taking care his/her meal and/or drink restrictions based on his/her medical restrictions. SKORPIOS only can makes basic adjustment meals informed by the passengers without major change or alterations of the regular cruise meal menus.
• It is absolutely forbidden for any passenger to carry any time of weapon or hazardous objects, passengers could be disembarked by the
Captain without any right to complain.
• It is absolutely forbidden the use and consumption of any type of drug and/or similar. If suggested by the Captain, the passenger could be disembarked to guarantee the tranquility and safety of the rest of the passengers, without responsibility for SKORPIOS or any type of refund.
• Pets and animals are not allowed on board any SKORPIOS boat.
• Every passenger is obliged to follow every rule and norm passed by SKORPIOS, related to the transportation of passengers and their goods, as well as observing the Captain’s orders during the navigation and excursions.
• Every passenger must read and follow the instructions and rules of safety issued on board and in every cabin, understanding that every safety measure starts by taking care of oneself; not putting oneself in danger, mental or physical; during the navigation and/or excursions of board.
• Tips are not included in the ticket fare. Those passengers who wish to express their gratitude in this way should give the tip to the Captain in a sealed envelope. The Captain will, according to the SKORPIOS tradition, share it amongst the members of the crew. We suggest USD 50 per passenger.
• SKORPIOS reserves the right to cancel a cruise if not fulfills the minimum of required passengers to make the trip, with up to 30 days before the departure date. In this event, the Company shall first relocation to another Skorpios cruise, covering the costs of re-issue of air tickets or accommodation on another airline, budget and approval by Skorpios Cruises will be mandatory. If the passenger is not satisfied with all these solutions that SKORPIOS offers, SKORPIOS will proceed with a reimburse of the rate already prepaid by the passenger to SKORPIOS based on the cruise rate only, is not entitled to other compensation, or claim payment to the passenger.
• Children’s safety on board is of exclusive responsibility of their parents, who should bear for their control and care in every moment.
• SKORPIOS Cruises reserves the right to include photographic and other visual portrayals of passengers in SKORPIOS Cruises advertising and promotional materials.
• The excessive consumption of food and beverages, food allergies or medical indications are of exclusive responsibility of each passenger.
• In case of death of the passenger before board the ship, the cruise ticket could be endorsement to any other passengers, or ask for refund, based on the table previously informed.
• The rate of the transfers, from/to Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales airports will be rendered based on formal requests of every passenger and per current tariff, having in mind many of them would be on group with SKORPIOS’ passengers only. If any passenger demands a private and/or exclusive transfer, reservation in advance is an obligation. The request must be asked to SKORPIOS and/or your travel agent, based on current tariff as well.
• SKORPIOS Cruises is not responsible of any delays in case of general strike, delays/cancellations airlines flights, earthquakes, tsunami or any other reason without exception, not attributable to SKORPIOS, because all passengers are responsable of their presentation in the pier for their boarding, as per information mentioned in their cruise tickets where indicates dates and time as well.
• SKORPIOS has Accident Insurance for all its passengers. The cover amounts are:
Accident Insurance, medical, pharmacy and hospital assistance until USD 10,000.-
Emergency Transfer insurance until USD 8,000.-
Chance Death insurance of USD 38,000.-
Permanent Disqualification by Legal Desclaimer with an upper limit of USD 30,000.-
Those items are included without extra costs inside the rate of your cruise ticket. (Our insurance applies after your individual or health insurance, and they have limits in their coverage for special situations that they include 8 or more people).
• SKORPIOS may change the itinerary and navigation track due to weather conditions or unforeseen major force circumstances, this will be determined exclusively by the Captain of the ship and the passenger will not have any right to other indemnities or payments of any sort. Patagonian Fjords Expedition Cruises.
Tour Registration
To book this tour, please complete our online registration form. We will process your booking form and will send you (within 24 hours) a note with space confirmation and a deposit invoice with payment instructions. The deposit amount is US$ 500 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
Note: Inquires received on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays will be replied during the following working day.
Cancellation Policy
Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.
Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
• If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 200 is refundable.
• If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.
• If cancellation is made fewer than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.
This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.