Recently Viewed
Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Sightseeing Cruise from Puerto Natales
4.2
37 Ratings
Puerto Natales
Embark on a thrilling full-day cruise from Puerto Natales to explore the stunning Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. Marvel at the Patagonian landscape, sip whiskey with glacier ice, and hike through Bernardo O'Higgins National Park for an up-close encounter with these majestic glaciers.
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Puerto Natales - Your experience begins meeting us at our meeting point in Puerto Natales. After, we will begin to board our navigation to meet incredible landscapes from the Patagonia, glaciers, fjords and amazing wildlife we can appreciate during our trip to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. 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.
- Parque Nacional Bernardo O’Higgins - 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.
- Puerto Natales - Finally, after get marvelled by the incredible ancient glaciers and beautiful landscapes from the Patagonia, climb aboard your boat for a speedy 90-minute return ride to Puerto Natales. Enjoy the landscapes during your return trip!
When we arrive to the port, you will take the bus or minivan which will be dropping you off directly at your Hotel in Puerto Natales.
- Serrano Glacier - Will be here for about an hour
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Lunch
- Boat tour
- Coffee/tea, juice, whiskey or pisco sour
- Bernardo O’Higgins National Park entrance fee
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick up and drop off
Additional Information
Embark on a full-day voyage exploring the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, departing from Puerto Natales. This journey through the Ultima Esperanza Fjord reveals Patagonia’s breathtaking landscapes, best viewed with a glass of whiskey chilled by glacier ice in hand. Witness the ruggedly beautiful peaks, cascading waterfalls, and the local wildlife including cormorants and sea elephants. Follow your guide on a scenic hike through Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, approaching the magnificent glaciers.
- Minimum age to drink alcohol is 18 years
- It is recommended that your wear comfortable clothes and trekking shoes and bring a jacket or windbreaker, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking and at time of travel for all participants
Location
Puerto Natales
* Meeting Point
Eberhard 560 at 07:00 or Puerto Boires at 07:30 from September to March
Eberhard 560 at 08:00 or Puerto Boires at 08:30 from April to August
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.2
(37 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Garrad_w
Mar 1, 2024
Great tour to see glaciers - Great tour seeing the amazing glaciers near to Puerto Natales. The lunch of grilled lamb was decent. The tour started around 0730 and finished about 1600 at Puerto Boires.
Review provided by Viator
William_w
Jan 31, 2024
Magnificent scenery and an experienced captain. - Magnificent scenery and a captain who got us within meters of the shore for wonderful close-ups. This is a large boat with hundreds of passengers and only a little deck area. The outbound voyage to the glaciers was into the wind, so be prepared if you want to stand outside forward, for the best views. Enjoyed a hearty lunch at the ranch on the return leg and a chance for solitary time outdoors after.
Review provided by Viator
Marius_k
Jan 1, 2024
Wonderful Day on the Water - From beginning to end, this trip was well organized. The route was scenic. Beautiful glaciers. The commentary great and the captain made sure to slow down or stop at beautiful photo options so everyone on board had ample time to look or take pictures. The lunch was great at the end of the trip. All the staff were extremely helpful and friendly. A great trip and highly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
Maria
Dec 30, 2023
Unforgettable day, fully recommended - Sailing on the catamaran was an entertaining experience, admiring the paradisiacal landscapes, on the deck especially feeling the wind (you have to wear 2 and 3 layers) or in the cabin to rest. Very attentive crew, precautions were taken to prevent accidents.
The visit to the glacier is spectacular: a 45-minute walk on a path surrounded by beautiful vegetation and sheltered from the wind.
The glacier is imposing, magnificent.
Lunch at the hacienda is good, although the vegetarian version is less lucid.
Very good place for a large group.
A very entertaining day all day long.
I fully recommend it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amelia_c
Apr 28, 2020
A must see - A great experience with Amazing views, experiencing a glimpse at what this part of the world has to offer.
Review provided by Viator
Tfredwells
Feb 11, 2020
Highlight of Punta Arenas - Well-organized trip with a literal boatload of strangers through beautiful Patagonian fjords. My daughter and I sat at a table for six with a family from Santiago and managed to have a very convivial time despite language difficulties. The two-hour boat ride to Serrano Glacier was broken up with stops by a up-close, off-shore views of a rock shelf filled with sea lions, a waterfall and Balmaceda Glacier. Passengers are then given an hour to walk to a spot from which to view Serrano Glacier (about a kilometer over mildly rugged terrain). Spectacular beauty well worth the price of admission.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Monia_r
Mar 10, 2024
ok if you have nothing else to do - well organized trip but expensive for what it is. i would prefer to be less rushed at the glacier and spend less time at the estancia instead. nice lunch tho!
Review provided by Viator
Anum_m
Mar 4, 2020
Glacier - Instead of serving whisky they should have provided more snacks as they were minimal. Trip was good. Saw glacier, birds, sea lions.
Review provided by Viator
Hachadur_h
Dec 20, 2023
Agitated - The glaciers were impressive but the tour didn’t match what was advertised at Viator web site and the tour operator’s itinerary was different. The operator was selling the same exact tour at half price. I would not recommend it unless it is corrected at Viator site.
Review provided by Viator
Marcel
Jan 14, 2020
Tour itself nice / without cattle farm / way to expensice - The tour itself to the glaciers is quite amazing (4* at least). You will have a nice view and if you are lucky you will see seelions too.
Nevertheless as the cattle farm is not included in that price(comments are not up to date anymore), the tour it self can be booked for roughly 120€ p.P directly at any travel agency in Puerto Natales.
it is also not a full day trip as you will be back at the harbor arround 2 pm
So 157 p.P which is 30€ + for an adder for a travel agency way to much!
Review provided by Viator
