Serrano Glacier Extension

Introduction
Patagonia / Torres del Paine Chile

Take this superb extension across rivers and ocean to the little known Torres del Paine entry point: Rio Serrano where you will be met with beautiful glaciers and breathtaking sights!
This is an extra day of navigation through the Fjord of Last Hope which enables the observation of the magnificent Serrano and Balmaceda Glaciers. We suggest to do this extension as a pre-trip to any of our Torres del Paine packages in Patagonia.

HIGHLIGHTS
Wilderness Camping
Boat Ride on Last Hope Fjord
Bernardo O'Higgins NP
Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers
Exciting Zodiac Ride
Puerto Natales Town

Daily departures from November to March.

Accomodation

Lodging is arranged at the Weskar Lodge in Puerto Natales (or similar if not available).

Riding

Itinerary

Day 1, The Patagonic Adventure Starts…
Puerto Natales, Chile  or El Calafate, Argentina
The adventure starts in Punta Arenas, a small, traditional city located at the southernmost tip of continental Chile. After the guide meet us either at the airport or our local hotel and gives us a quick briefing on the days to come, we will be dropped off ready to take the public bus to Puerto Natales. Taking the bus through the scenic Patagonian landscape we arrive to the quaint town of Puerto Natales on the edge of Last Hope Sound where a representative will be waiting for us to help us transport to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this picturesque town, dine out on our own and finally to bed in our cozy hotel to prep for a long and exciting day tomorrow!
If we want to start our trip in Calafate (optional) a representative will meet us at our hotel to give us details about transport arrangements and he will leave us ready to take the early public bus going to Puerto Natales. We will be arriving in Natales about 2 pm and then the itinerary will continue as described above.

Day 2, Sailing Towards Torres del Paine!
Torres del Paine NP, Chile
Today we wake up very early and are transferred to Natales dock on time to board the catamaran that will sail through the oceanic waters of Ultima Esperanza Fjord. The navigation could be spiced by the famous Patagonic winds and sporadic shows of local marine fauna. We continue sailing and reach O’Higgins NP, home for diverse appealing geological formations, fauna and flora, including the beautiful Balmaceda Glacier. We do a short walk towards the glacier viewpoint and come back to start the second part of the day, the zodiac ride on Serrano River, a serene river nurtured by the waters of Torres del Paine NP. Once we are done with the sailing security instructions we start an exciting zodiac ride up Serrano River. The superb surroundings, product of glaciers forces, together with a splendid view of Torres del Paine Massif, make this sailing a memorable one. We reach Serrano waterfalls, disembark and walk gently around the falls. Then we board twin boats upstream the falls and later we reach the Park Administration. We are welcome by staff and are transferred to the Ecocamp, where we will meet our travel fellows arriving by land. They can not imagine what they have missed!

Rates and Dates for Serrano Glacier Extension

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting:
Airport: unta Arenas
Transfer: Puerto Natales

Climate:

The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, both the strong marine and the South Patagonic Icefield influence makes the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rains and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to march) you should come prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to
130 km/hr) and rainfalls. In summer the average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min).

Day backpack, waterproof parka & pants, inner isolating layer (fleece or wool), sun hat, sun screen, sunglasses.