| Puerto Natales - Puerto Montt |
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When the voyage seems to have ended and the continental beauty of southern Chile and Argentina leaves the sensation that one has seen it all, boarding the ferry "Evangelistas" at Puerto Natales, bound for Puerto Montt through the Patagonian channels, is the beginning of a second adventure.
Navimag passengers will be spectators of a wild landscape where the silence and the immensity of evergreen forests, glaciers and mountains with eternal snows combine with the exotic marine fauna, telling of the divinity of nature.
A voyage accompanied by seals and dolphins is added to the grandiose experience of passing close to national parks with untouched mountain masses and of visiting places such as Puerto Edén, where the heritage of the aboriginal forefathers can still be recognised.
To travel from Puerto Chacabuco to the northern zone of Patagonia, to be captivated by the beauty of the Los Lagos Region, Bariloche or the island of Chiloé, by the friendliness of its people and the force of their customs, appears to be the ideal adventure for those who know that travelling with Navimag is an unforgettable journey through diversity.
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Embarking at Puerto Natales
We finally head for the spectacular places we will see. |
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Seno Última Esperanza (Last Hope inlet), White Channel, Sarmiento Channel and Amalia Glacier
We will see some spectacular places like Seno Última Esperanza, White Channel and Sarmiento Channel.
Seno Última Esperanza, with its beautiful slopes and geography, is situated in the XII region in Puerto Natales and connects this place with Serrano and Balmaceda Glaciers. We will also see Sarmiento Channel, a main and longitudinal channel in the Chilean Patagonia, southward continuation of Angostura Guía (Guía Narrow). Sarmiento Channel is situated in the XII Region of Magellan and Chilean Antarctica and was sailed by the Kaweskar people.
We will be able to see the glaciers that hang from the hills, and also the great Amalia Glacier.
Amalia Glacier is situated in the central part of the Southern Ice Field. Its white silhouette seems to hang from steep mountains to place its ice blocks on the Peel Marsh waters.
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Puerto Edén, Messier Channel, Angostura Inglesa (English Narrow), Bajo Cortopaxi (Lower Cortopaxi) and San Pedro Lighthouse
We will arrive at Puerto Edén and then Messier Channel. Messier Channel is one of the main and long Patagonian channels in the magnificent Chilean Patagonia. It is situated in the XI Region of Aysén in General Carlos Ibañez del Campo. It was named for the French astronomer Charles Messier.
The Kaweskar people sailed Messier Channel from almost 6,000 years ago up to the end of the 20th century, as they lived by its shores. Then we will pass by Angostura Inglesa and Bajo Cortopaxi, where we will enjoy a spectacular natural view. Besides we will visit San Pedro Lighthouse and then arrive at the oceanic area.
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Ana Pink Bay, Pelluche Channel, North and South Pérez Channels, Brieva Strait, White Rock, Melinka, gulf of Corcovado and Gulf of Ancud
We will enter the channel area from Ana Pink Bay. We will also go along Pelluche Channel. This channel is in the Region of Aysén, Aysén Province. It has varied vegetation. Ending this wonderful journey we will head for the oceanic zone, in the afternoon.
We will also sail the beautiful and magnificent North and South Pérez Channels. We will be able to visit seal colonies and cormorants, beautiful fauna typical of this place. We will also go along Brieva Strait and White Rock and have the opportunity to sail the charming Melinka.
We will end our journey sailing Corcovado and Ancud Gulfs. The Gulf of Corcovado is situated on the border of Los Lagos (the Lakes) and Aysén regions, southward Chile. Its name is due to the constant swell in the place, as the maritime traffic in the southern channels in Chile is generally calm. This is due to islands forming these channels.
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Arriving at Puerto Montt
After this wonderful adventure, we will end our journey arriving at our destination and disembarking.
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| Attractions and activities |
The great attractions of Navimag's northbound route are Chile's national parks and national reserves. Worthy of special mention for the natural beauty of their flora, such as araucaria and alerce trees and areas of endemic species such as the Valdivian forest, are the Conguillío, Villarrica, Puyehue, Alerce Andino, Chiloé and Vicente Pérez Rosales parks.
A land of myths and legends, the Chiloé archipelago is considered to be one of Chile's most fascinating regions. These islands can be reached and their cities visited by crossing the Chacao channel aboard Navimag. Aside from its unique architecture, represented especially by its churches and by its waterside houses known as palafittes, Chiloé offers visitors its special gastronomy and its handicraft based on wood and wool, as well as the wealth of its typical customs.
The existence of volcanic activity in the Andes cordillera accounts for the presence of a large number of thermal springs in the region. The thermal baths at Puyehue, Coñaripe, Palguín and Huife, among others, offer their visitors complete facilities for enjoying the waters with temperatures bordering on 50°C.
With its height of 2,840 metres and still in activity, the Villarrica volcano offers mountain lovers ascent routes with different degrees of difficulty. The view from the summit makes the effort worthwhile. From there one can see the volcano's crater as well as the lakes that surround the Villarrica. Another alternative for those who engage in this sport is the Osorno volcano, situated on the shores of the Llanquihue lake. With its height of 2,652 metres, it offers its visitors activities all year round. In the summer season guided ascents are offered, enabling hikers to enjoy the natural beauty of its alerce forests as well as that of the variety of bird species that inhabit the area.
The geographical characteristics of the Los Lagos Region make it a paradise for lovers of rafting, as the proximity of the Andes cordillera to the sea generates excellent rivers for the practice of this sport. In the Pucón area, the Trancura river stands out for the clarity of its waters. The Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, for its part, offers the possibility of enjoying the beauty of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes while living the adventure of going through the rapids of the Petrohué river.
Situated in the cordilleran zone of Chile's Region IX, the Villarrica ski centre offers tourists the unforgettable experience of skiing on an active volcano, on slopes characterised by their different degrees of difficulty. Only 98 kilometres from the city of Osorno is the Antillanca ski centre, which offers an incomparable scenic beauty for those who want to ski on any of its 14 slopes as well as a variety of recreational activities, both for those who enjoy the snow and for those who only enjoy going for a stroll.
It is distinguished as offering the best conditions for cross-country winter sports and is outstanding for its slopes and cornices.
Considered to be the largest in Patagonia, the Catedral ski centre is another alternative. Situated only 19 kilometres from the city of Bariloche in Argentine territory, it has 53 slopes and an excellent infrastructure.
Cross-country skiing and snowboarding are also among the different types of winter sports that can be practised on the snows of Patagonia.
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Departures and Rates
Patagonian Channels - Northern Route - 5 Days |
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INCLUDES - Low season: April to October 2008 |
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Lodging according to category. |
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Meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner). |
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Movies & hall games. |
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Landfall in Puerto Edén (Optional tour). |
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Include glacier sighting.
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INCLUDES - High season: November 2008 to March 2009 |
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Lodging according to category. |
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Meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner). |
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Movies & hall games. |
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Amalia Glacier sightseeing. |
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Landfall in Puerto Edén (Optional tour). |
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Spanish & English Guide.
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. To obtain a discount, identity and the corresponding documents must be presented. . Senior citizen and student discounts valid only for departures between April 1st and October 31th (low season). . All fares subject to change without previous notice. . Please check our Ticket Conditions. |
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