Skorpios Sea Cruises provide the most remarkable way to become one with nature in this stunning part of the world. There simply is no other comparable operator & Skorpios is focused solely on taking you to their world of amazing sights, sounds, lights colours, sensations & breathtaking wonders to touch your every emotion.

The highlights of cruising here are many, however a standout example has to be the up close experience of the San Rafael Glacier which is 15kms in length , at least 2 kms wide & towers upwards of 75 metres from sea level. In addition, the spectacular Quitraico - a typical fjord surrounded by majestic snowcapped peaks & dotted with small islands & dense vegetation.

There are three M/V Skorpios vessels to choose from.

M/V Skorpios I is a tourist class vessel operating the 4 & 5 day cruises from Puerto Chacabuco, Chile. It operates cruises departing April - September with departures on Mondays & Fridays. The Monday departure is a 5 day cruise, spending an additional day & overnight in Quitralco Fjord with a fishing excursion included.

The two sister vessels M/V Skorpios II & III are indeed, more luxurious & operate 7 day cruises out from & returning to Puerto Montt, Chile. Cruises depart on Saturdays from September to May.

On each of the Skorpios vessels, the cabin accommodation provides for private facilities.

SKORPIOS I
4 days / 3 nights

Day 1 Arrive Balmaceda - join the vessel
(D) You will be met on arrival at Balmaceda Airport & transferred to the M/V Skorpios 1 docked at Puerto Chacabuco. The vessel will depart at 8pm & navigates its way out & down the channels to Leopardos Point. Dinner is served aboard.

Day 2 Cruising
(B,L,D) Just prior to breakfast being served the vessel will enter San Rafael Lagoon. The San Rafael Glacier dominates the end of the lagoon, with its towering glistening blue, green terminal face ice relentlessly being pushed forward by the pressures being exerted up the 15km extent from the upper reaches. Large chunks can & do break off & the opportunity to board the brightly coloured orange Zodiac boats & slip between these iceberg formations is available, weather permitting.

The vessel will lie at anchor in proximity to the San Rafael Glacier until early afternoon when it sets sail once again headed for Quitralco Fjord.

Day 3 Cruising
( B,L,D) Skorpios 1 will slip into Quitralco Fjord early morning & there are opportunities to take an excursion in the small motor-vessels. You may choose to take a dip in one of the thermal baths or just simply relax & take in the surrounding scenery. Late afternoon Skorpios I departs the Fjord & heads out on its way back to Puerto Chacabuco.

Day 4 Disembark Puerto Chacabuco
( B) After breakfast the vessel will arrive back to Puerto Chacabuco & you disembark. A transfer is provided to deliver you to the Balmaceda airport for your onward flight.

M/V Skorpios II & M/V Skorpios III
7 days / 6 nights

Day 1 Depart Puerto Montt, Chile
(L,D) The vessel sails at 11.00am, passing through the Llanquihue Archipelago, abreast the township of Calbuco & onto the Chiloe Archipelago.

Day 2 Cruising
(B,L,D) Today is one of variety with a shore excursion included. First you will cruise down the Moraleda & Ferronave Channels & on to the small township of Puerto Aguirre where the vessel berths & you have the opportunity for a short shore excursion. Rejoining the vessel & after lunch, cruise on through the Pilcomya & Costa Channels & past Elefante Fjord.

Day 3 Cruising
(B,L,D) This day features one of the highlights as the vessel enters the San Rafael inlet, into the lagoon & anchors approximately 2000m from the terminal face of the San Rafael Glacier itself. This enormous wall of ice some 2 kms wide & 75 metres tall is the seaward end of a Glacier that extends back 15 kms into the valley. The hues of blues, green, turquoise & whites glisten & forever the pressures of the mass , push forward creaking & groaning & with pieces breaking off to become floating icebergs.

Weather permitting, motor-vessel excursions will be offered to take you in & amongst some of these giant ice-flows, then mid-afternoon, the M/V Skorpios will weight anchor & slip closer to the Glacier for an up close view.

Day 4 Cruising
(B,L,D) In the early morning the vessel will arrive at Quitralco. Breakfast is served after which you may choose to take a dip in one of the thermal outdoor pools. If that does not take your fancy, weather permitting the motor- vessels will conduct excursions on the calm clear waters of the Fjord. You may also choose to take a nature walk, stretch your legs & get some exercise in this invigorating air. M/V Skorpios gets under way again from Quitralco Fjord mid-evening.

Day 5 Cruising
( B,L,D) There is a rich if not dubious history to this part of the coast. As the vessel cruises through the Leucayec Channel you should see Melinka Island which was a former private hideout & safe haven. Further out across the Gulf of Corcovado & onto Quellon for a short shore visit. The vessel will arrive at Castro late in the afternoon or early evening.

Day 6 Cruising
(B,L,D) Castro, a small township dates back to 1567 when it was founded by the Spanish & it served as their last bastion in the Americas. Here the local crafts are renown & you will see them at the craft market in abundance. The local church too is beautiful & worth a look.

After lunch, the vessel sets off cruising along the Castro Estuary, the Calbuco Channel to Puerto Montt where a farewell dinner will be served.

Day 7 Disembark Puerto Montt
( B) The M/V Skorpios will dock at Puerto Montt at 0600am & after breakfast, you will disembark.