Cruise Overview
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 metres long, has a 10 metre beam and a 2.87 metre draft, displacing 1,520 tons. She has an international loadline certifícate, 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.
MV Skorpios III was built in 1995 at the Skorpios shipyard, Chile, according to SOLAS and IMO rules, and ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) classification, class N° 951.93.18 A1 ice. Her cabins and hotel infrastructure were remodeled in 2012. It is 70 metres long, has a 10 metre beam and a 3.30 metre draft, displacing 1,600 tons. She has an international loadline certificate, and registration N° 2869 issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Territory of Chile.
She has a capacity of up to 90 passengers berthed in 45 double cabins and distributed in 5 decks; cabins offer twin, queen or king-sized beds. All cabins have private toilet facilities, plasma TV and background music and a safety box. The ship has two comfortable bar lounges, and an ample panoramic dining room.
Highlights
Skorpios III – Southern Ice Fields – Kaweskar Route
M/V Skorpios III sails from the Skorpios Terminal in Puerto Natales, a town located 2,500 km south of Santiago, which can be reached by air from Punta Arenas or by land from Argentina. This 3-night cruise sails for the Southern Ice Fields twice a week (see sailing Schedule) covering 380 miles, which cover most of the glaciers in the area, namely Amalia, El Brujo, Bernal and Herman, and those located in the area of Fiordo Calvo. The cruise includes around 15 glaciers, some of which we will contemplate and admire directly, walking up to their front and moraines, and sailing through multi-coloured ice-floes on smaller expedition vessels like the Capitán Konstantino; from where we will have the chance to observe de varied Patagonian flora and fauna in all its natural glory.
10.30 a.m. Start of embarkment.
1 p.m. Departure from Skorpios terminal. Ship safety talk, on a location to be indicated.
2 p.m. Lunch. Navigation in the Almirante Montt Gulf.
4.30 p.m. Arrival at Caleta Juarez in Guardramiro Fjord and disembarkation on boats to see up close a colony of elephant seals.
6 p.m. Departure, crossing Kirke narrows, Morla Vicuna, Union, Collingwood, and Sarmiento channels.
8 a.m. We continue sailing north through the Pitt Channel. On the port side, Chatham Island, to enter the Guillard Fjord at 10 a.m. Navigation within the fjord to the Guillard Glacier.
11 a.m. Disembark at the glacier and hike around the place.
3.30 p.m. Disembarkation on boats for a tour through the Glacier’s channels.
5.00 p.m. Navigation to Sarratea Bay.
6.00 p.m. Disembarkation for a boat ride around the place. (This excursion depends on sunlight and weather conditions)
7 p.m. Return to the ship.
8.00 p.m. Dinner on board.
12.00 midnight. Departure southbound through the Pitt Channel.
8 a.m. Arrival at Amalia Glacier. The ship approaches the glacier. Panoramic view from the ship.
9.30 a.m. Disembarkation at a nearby beach to hike through sand, vegetation, and rocks, reaching a viewpoint from where you can see this beautiful glacier.
11.30 a.m. Navigation to El Brujo (the Warlock) Glacier begins.
2.00 p.m. Arrival at El Brujo Glacier. If weather and ice conditions allow it, the passengers can go down to see this glacier from a nearby rock.
3.30 p.m. Departure to the spectacular Calvo fjord.
5.10 p.m. Landfall at Calvo fjord, where we will make an excursion in a boat called Capitán Constantino (Captain Constantine), suitable for navigating among the ice, visiting Fernando, Capitán Constantino, and Alipio glaciers, among others.
8.00 p.m. Departure to the Fjord of the Mountains.
9.00 a.m. Visit to the Fjord of the Mountains, where four glaciers can be observed which descend from the Sarmiento Mountain Range to the sea, two of which are in our logbook. 9.30 a.m. Visit to the Alsina Glacier, disembarkation in our exploration boats to visit this small bay and its eye-catching glacier, appreciating all its beauty and its enormous mountains that surround it.
10.30 a.m. Return to Skorpios III, we continue sailing through the Fjord of the Mountains towards the Bernal Glacier.
11.15 a.m. Disembarkation at the Glacier. The hike begins in the middle of a small native forest and then crosses a path that across a small glacial water lagoon. We continue the hike over the frontal and lateral moraines until we reach the front of the Glacier. From here, we will have the opportunity to touch some ice and watch the receding phase of a glacier that no longer reaches the sea.
12.45 p.m. Passengers return to the ship, which is in a supplying maneuver acquiring pure, natural water from a waterfall. This is water consumed on board for all the ship’s services.
2.00 p.m. The M/V Skorpios III continues sailing the Fjord of the Mountains. We will see the Herman and Zamudio glaciers from the ship.
5.45 p.m. Crossing the White narrows.
9.00 p.m. Farewell party, Captain’s dinner, dance. Navigation through Almirante Montt Gulf.
Arrival in Puerto Natales between 2.00 and 7.00 a.m., depending on wind conditions, to dock at the Skorpios Terminal in Puerto Natales. 8.00 and 9.30 a.m. Disembarkation of passengers.
End of our services.
Note: Schedule and times may vary depending on weather conditions or force majeure. Likewise, disembarkation and duration will depend on the ship’s captain authorization, who will evaluate the safety and ice conditions of each location. The schedules of guides’ talks and activities will be indicated during navigation.
Skorpios II - Northern Icefields & San Rafael Glacier Cruise - Chonos Route
M/V Skorpios II sails from the Skorpios Terminal in Puerto Montt, a town located 1,000 km south of Santiago, which can be reached by road or air. This 5 day cruise that covers 800 miles, sails every Saturday to return on Thursday between the months of September and April. The cruise covers 800 miles for a magical encounter with the age-old ice formations of the Glaciar San Rafael, sailing through awesome archipelagos, channels and gulfs to tour this incredible territory that includes towns like Castro and the fishing village of Puerto Aguirre, which display the natural wonders of a vigorous landscape and wildlife which is best appreciated at Fiordo Quitralco with its hot springs and excursions to its vast island-peppered sea.
12:00 pm. Weigh anchor from Puerto Montt. 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.
08:00 am. Navegation 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.
07:30 am. 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.
08:00 am. 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.
12:15 am. 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, Captains dinner.
08:00 hrs. Breakfast on board while docking in Puerto Montt. 09:00 am. Disembarking and transfer of passengers.
End of our services.
Please Note: The program and timetables may vary according to climate conditions or force majeure. Likewise, debarkation 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.
Tour Inclusions
- Accommodation (cabin with private facilities)
- All meals including beverages
- Excursions with bilingual guides
- Rates are based standard room in Atenas deck cabin. Other room and cabin categories are available
Tour Exclusions
- Port taxes
- Any items not listed in the inclusions or mentioned in the itinerary
Tour Pricing
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