Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers Cruise from Puerto Natales

Two glaciers, a forest walk, and lunch at a working estancia

This full-day cruise from Puerto Natales sails the Última Esperanza Fjord to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, with a 40-minute walk through southern beech forest to the glacier viewpoint, a traditional Patagonian lunch at an estancia, and a glass of whiskey cooled by millenary glacier ice on the return voyage. The tour includes shuttle transfer to Puerto Bories, a live guide in English or Spanish, and runs 10 to 11 hours from the city center.

Step-by-step itinerary

Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Cruise

• Meet at Puerto Natales center
• Shuttle to Puerto Bories
• Board the ship
• Sail through Ultima Esperanza Fjord
• View cormorant colonies and sea lions
• Arrive at Puerto Toro
• Walk 40 minutes through forest
• See Serrano Glacier viewpoint
• Free time to explore trails
• Return to ship for drinks
• Continue to Patagonian estancia
• Enjoy traditional lunch with wine
• Return voyage to Puerto Natales
• Shuttle to city center

The experience

The boat leaves Puerto Natales for the Última Esperanza Fjord, where the captain steers close to cormorant colonies, sea lion ravines, a condor cliff, and waterfalls that drop straight into the water. The route follows the fjord into Bernardo O'Higgins National Park and stops at Puerto Toro, where you disembark and walk 40 minutes through a lush forest of coihues and southern beeches to reach the main viewpoint facing Serrano Glacier. The walk is the only way to reach the glacier on foot. The forest itself is the approach.

After time to explore the glacier views and nearby trails, you return to the boat, where the crew greets you with a glass of whiskey made with ancient glacier ice, coffee, or hot tea. The ship then sails to a traditional Patagonian estancia (ranch) for lunch: salad, soup, grilled lamb with potatoes, dessert, and Chilean wine or a drink of your choice. Vegetarian alternatives are available. The return voyage brings you back to Puerto Bories by shuttle, arriving in the city center between 4 and 5 p.m., depending on the season.

What’s included

• Traditional Patagonian lunch with salad, soup, grilled lamb, potatoes, and dessert with Chilean wine or a drink of your choice (vegetarian option available).
• shuttle transfer to Puerto Bories.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• a glass of whiskey chilled with ancient glacier ice, coffee, or tea on the return voyage.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to16h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 150 · max 4 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Howlanders

Is this one for you?Book this shared group tour if you want both glaciers and a forest walk in one day on a fixed schedule, or choose a private option if your group prefers to move at your own pace.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers like when you reach them?

Serrano Glacier is the main viewpoint on this tour, reached after the 40-minute forest walk through Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. Balmaceda Glacier is visible from the boat during the fjord crossing. Both are among the most impressive glaciers in Chile and sit at the head of the Última Esperanza Fjord.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The walk to Serrano Glacier takes 40 minutes one way through forest, and you have free time to stroll nearby trails on the return before boarding. The rest of the day is spent on the boat or at the estancia.

What's included in the traditional lunch?

Lunch at the estancia includes salad, soup, grilled lamb with potatoes, and dessert, paired with Chilean wine or a drink of your choice. Vegetarian alternatives are available.

Does the tour include transportation from my hotel?

The tour includes a shuttle transfer to Puerto Bories, about 3 miles from the city center, where you board the ship. You can meet the group at the city center for the briefing or go directly to Puerto Bories if that suits you better. Hotel pickup is not included.

Is there anything to do while waiting for the boat to return from Serrano Glacier?

You have free time to enjoy the glacier views and walk some of the trails in the surrounding areas while making your way back to the boat.