Chile · GLACIER AND FJORD TOURS
Ice reaches the water in three different places down here, and the boats that get you to it are weather-dependent and often full. These 15 compare sailing times, what the deck is like in wind, whether lunch is aboard and what each costs.
Review of Punta Arenas’ 14-hour whale, penguin, and glacier cruise, with practical advice on cost, seasickness, food, clothing, and value.
“You see amazing things in one day. The cost is really high but worth it in my opinion. With this price I would expect it to have less persons as a limit. Food is not good but average to cover your daily hunger. The stuff is nice 👌”
Review of the Grey Glacier boat tour in Torres del Paine, with honest advice on the 3-kilometer walk, views, price, weather, and comfort.
“The hike to the boat was very nice. the guides/crew were very motivated, friendly and knowledgeable. We had sufficient time on the boat and we floated at different angles so everyone could see the Glacier clearly and take pictures. the glacier is beuatifull and the view of the Torres del Paine was breathtaking. It was my wifes birthday and the crew did a happy birthday song for her, giving us our personal high point of the trip. Thank you crew.”
Review of Punta Arenas whale and glacier tour, with humpback whales, penguins, sea lions, fjords, meals, timing, price, and booking advice.
“DO NOT BOOK THIS. The tour company had absolutely horrible communication. We got into Punta Arenas the day before the tour and just happened to stop in at the meeting place for the tour. We were told it would be starting at 730am instead of 4am the next day. We received no external communication about this, only found out by talking to the representative and she mentioned it. The next day we showed up at 730am ready to go, only to find out the tour had been completely cancelled. Again, no external communication had been sent out to let people know it was cancelled, so many angry customers were there…”
Cruise Ultima Esperanza Fjord to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, hike in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, and enjoy lunch with whisky on ancient ice.
“El recorrido por el fiordo, los paisajes, la atención a bordo y, por supuesto, el almuerzo. Todo espectacular.”
Review of the Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier boat tour from Puerto Natales, with fjord wildlife, forest walks, whiskey, and Patagonian lunch.
“It was quite crowded and the seats were cramped but we still enjoyed the views and experience. Sometimes it was hard to take photos because there were so many people. We were a little bit disappointed that we did not get to have glacier ice with our whisky as advertised. The food was okay but 2.5 hours for lunch seemed like a bit of a waste of time. We met some lovely people on the way. Overall overpriced for what we got however we still had fun.”
Review of the 14-hour Perito Moreno Glacier tour from Puerto Natales, with border tips, extra costs, guide details, and advice on value.
“It's a long day, but if you don't have time to spend over in the Argentinian side of Patagonia, the glacier is beautiful and well worth a visit. I found the team at Transprint to be very helpful and communicative ahead of the event & the day went without a hitch”
Hike El Morado from Santiago with Andean views, a boxed lunch, hotel transport, and a possible glacier lookout for fit hikers.
“I did the El Morado Hike Day tour as a solo traveller and really enjoyed it. The scenery for the walk is very beautiful, and the guides are entertaining and well informed. The sandwich in the boxed lunch was very good, better than expected for something to eat out on a trail. The tour starts at an elevation of 1,850m, and then climbs 400-600m. For most people, this height should not be a problem. at the area closest to the glacier, you walk through a bit of snow, so shoes that keep your feet dry and warm are handy. One bit of advice, take gloves and a beanie. It can…”
Cruise Ultima Esperanza Fjord from Puerto Natales to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, with wildlife, a guided walk, drinks, and lunch.
“La foto que aparece del tour es la del Perito Moreno, que no esta incluido en el tour ni tampoco queda en Chile. Sin embargo el almuerzo, y el tour son muy buenos. Recomendado”
Cruise from Puerto Natales to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, hike through Patagonian forest, toast with ancient ice, and enjoy ranch lunch.
Review of Puerto Tranquilo’s 90-minute Marble Caves boat tour, with practical advice on price, weather, access, guides, and what to expect.
“really cool thing to do, worth the price and the time. We were grouped with another company as a lot of people didnt show up and went with "rioleone excursions". There was a pilot and a guide whom was speaking spanish and english. there was a lot of waves and the navigation itself was really fun; the pilot was really skilled. The guide had a lot of interesting informations about the marble formations and the lake. Side note, Dont expect the marble itself to be blue, it only has reflections of the lake color if its sunny enough - but the lake colors and the white/yellow/café of the marble and…”
Paddle Patagonia’s first fjord from calm waters to Cochamó, with expert guides, wildlife, farmhouse lunch, gear, and transport included.
“Amazing full day sea kayak with Cata. Everything was slick and very well organised - minimum fuss and just straight to it. Cata was lovely and very knowledgeable. The lunch was an amazing experience with Yolanda and delicious traditional food. 5 stars, we loved it! Highly recommend! Thank you!”
Ride Cerro Dorotea from Puerto Natales for fjord views, native forests, gaucho guidance, coffee, and a practical value check.
“muy costoso para lo que fue. Al final me cambiaron el recorrido y me dijeron que visitariamos otro fiordo (lo vi mucho mejor desde el taxi que desde la ruta a caballo). La actitud del guía deja mucho por desear (con otros turistas fue grosero, y su forma de hablar cortante, al límite de lo irrespetuoso). Adicional a eso, allá les cobraron 90.000 pesos chilenos, no entiendo por qué terminé yo pagando mucho más. El guía decidió hacer la cabalgata un poco más corta y los otros también se quejaron al respecto con él, a lo que respondió que el clima no estaba muy bueno y había 2 turistas esperando…”
Grey Glacier Navigation review: blue ice, floating icebergs, a 3 km walk, boat details, costs, access, and practical booking advice in Torres del Paine.
“Part of my trip involves a wheel chair and I had to pass on the grip. The hike to and from the boat is not conducive to a wheel chair. I did not see this mentioned anywhere in the reservation material. Our group thoroughly enjoyed the excursion.”
Cruise to Grey Glacier from Puerto Natales with transport, a beach walk, ancient ice cocktails, and sweeping Torres del Paine views.
“Everything was great, they arrived on time, the driver drove well, the tour guides were very professional, and the place was beautiful.”
Review of the 16-hour Perito Moreno Glacier day trip from Puerto Natales, covering border crossings, costs, timing, transport, and practical tips.
“Its 5 or 6 hours each way to spend about 2 hours there. The place is great so it all depends on how you tolerate 10 / 12 hours in a bus”
The desert, the vineyards, the lakes and the ice, and the best day in each.
