Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Sightseeing Cruise from Puerto Natales

Puerto Natales, Chile

Cruise through Ultima Esperanza Fjord and explore Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers on this full-day tour from Puerto Natales. Admire the Patagonian landscape while you’re on board sipping a glass of whiskey rattling with glacier ice, and pass by craggy peaks, waterfalls, cormorants and sea elephants. Hike with your guide through Bernardo O'Higgins National Park for close-up views of both glaciers, and then dig into a hearty Magellanic lunch at a ranch. Upgrade and add round-trip transport from your Puerto Natales hotel.

Arrive in the morning at a centrally located meeting point in Puerto Natales, where your guide takes you to the wharf. You also have the option to upgrade your tour to enjoy private pickup from your hotel.

Climb aboard the boat and begin your cruise northwest through Ultima Esperanza Fjord, or ‘Final Hope Fjord,' an inlet bridging Eberhard Fjord and Balmaceda Mountain. The fjord was named by Spanish explorer Juan Ladrillero, who hoped that crossing the sound would take him to the Strait of Magellan. Instead he arrived to find sheer walls of ice blocking his path.

Today, your captain is at the helm for three hours to reach the same glaciers that thwarted Ladrillero. Enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or juice on deck. For something with an extra kick, sip a glass of whiskey or pisco sour mixed with ice broken off from Serrano glacier.

Pass by forests and waterfalls trickling down green hills, and scan the sky for condors. As the boat hugs the coastline, spot dozens of cormorants on rocky outcrops that might be spreading their wings or stretching their slim graceful necks to a soundtrack of ducks and geese squawking nearby. Sea elephants may even lumber out of caves to lounge under the sun.

When you reach the eastern face of Balmaceda Mountain, 6,676 feet (2,035 meters) high, see mists swirling around the ice-capped summit. Disembark for an easy hour-long hike through the forests of Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. Follow your guide to an overlook mere steps away from Serrano glacier — a wide frozen river of ice cascading down a crevice between hills. Then trek to the western side of Balmaceda Mountain and capture views of the massive hanging glacier. Here, sapphire- and turquoise-tinted floes deluge the rocky terrain and end at a lake.

Head to local lodging at a traditional cattle ranch, where you’ll tuck into a Magellanic lunch of generous portions, typically featuring a rich savory stew and roasted lamb. (Vegetarian meal available upon request.)

Your appetite for delightful sights and food satiated, climb aboard your boat for a speedy 90-minute return ride to Puerto Natales. Arrive at the wharf in the early evening. If you’ve opted for the upgrade, relax as you’re taken back to your hotel.

Sample Lunch Menu (subject to change):

• Carbonada (traditional hearty soup with meat and vegetables)
• Roast lamb with potatoes
• Salad
• Dessert
• Wine, soft drinks, water

USD $219.00

Traveler Reviews

Review by:   Nicole R,    April 2018
We had an incredible day with the turismo21demayo crew on the catamaran! Unbelievably beautiful sites all day including the glaciers and waterfalls. Lunch on the ranch was fabulous! Far exceeded our expectations! The crew on the boat went out of their way to help us when we realized that we were going to arrive back too late to miss our bus back to Punta Arenas that evening. They arranged for the owner of the company to come and meet us at the peer in his vehicle and race us to the bus station. So kind and over the top generous! We would highly recommend this tour to anyone! Well worth the money!

Review by:   Maxie B,    March 2018
Well run, good lunch

Review by:   Denise F,    March 2018
Well organised tour. The glacier was amazing. The lunch at the cattle ranch on way back was fabulous. Highly recommend this tour. Suitable for children as well. Dont miss it!!

Review by:   Theodore H,    February 2018
This was a less crazy adventure for me as most of the day is on the boat. Saw lots of wildlife and the glaciers were amazing.

Review by:   Boryana,    February 2018
I booked the English tour with my friend from Zurich. The driver who picked us up from the hotel was extremely unwelcoming, not even saying hi to us and he barely spoke any english. Upon arrival at the pier none of the people in the group were briefed what will follow up next. The bus door got opened and we had to figure out which boat is ours. However, on a positive note the boat crew was very friendly and spoke good english. After we finished exploring the glacier we were taken to another village where we had a nice lunch in a local restaurant. When we finally arrived back to Puerto Natales the same bus driver kept chatting with the rest of the local people at the pier and we stood in the bus for 30 minutes, without any explanation. No need to mention that me and my friend got dropped at the hotel last. We did book other cheaper trips to Torres Del Paine, which were a lot more entertaining so i wouldn't say that this one is a good value for money.

Review by:   Marcella S,    December 2017
Fun ride up the Fjord to see the Balmaceda Glacier and the then really enjoyed the short 20 minutes each way up to the Serrano Glacier. The weather was predicable... a few windy gusts and a few sprinkles but very enjoyable ride. Lunch was very tasty. Lots -- say that again LOTS of meat and salads. Thoroughly enjoyed myself, along with the other 100 people on the boat.

Review by:   BIJAY S,    December 2016
Very professional. Pickup at right time from hotel. Excellent English speaking guides. Coffee, biscuits on the boat added to the charm!

Review by:   gladys a,    June 2016
This tour was amazing!

All Traveler Reviews...