Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers Boat Tour: Is It Worth It? A 2024 Review

Looking at Patagonia, like your starting to plan a trip there? The Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers boat tour is often on that list of possibilities. It’s a very way to get up close and feel small close to these giants of ice without, you know, actually having to hike for days to do that. So, too it’s a very well liked excursion out of Puerto Natales, Chile, promising sights, some information about them, and yep, even lunch.

Booking and What to Expect: Some Important Things

Figuring this excursion out? First thing’s first: book in advance, like, really way in advance, specially if you’re heading down during their summer (November to March). It’s really peak season, and spots just fill up, that. So, too it’s actually useful comparing tours since several agencies offer it. See, too it’s usually around $120-$200 USD, price includes the boat trip, park entry fees (a big plus), and lunch. Transfers from your Puerto Natales lodging might be extra. Is that really worth seeing if your on a tight budget?

The boat itself is usually really big, some levels for viewing, plus, often, an indoors place with seats to stay away from the elements. Bring layers of cloths! The Patagonian breeze will feel colder, and, believe me, the closer you get to ice that giant, the colder the breeze gets!

The Voyage: Sights, Sounds, and Stunning Ice – Just Beautiful

Once you leave Puerto Natales, the adventure really starts. The boat works its way across the Última Esperanza Sound (translation is Last Hope Sound!), providing awesome views all around, as a matter of fact. The landscapes morph slowly to rocky cliffs and little forests, and basically every single place is photogenic. Keep an eye open for wildlife, too it’s, you know. So, too it’s possibly viewing sea lions basking on rocks or some interesting birds that you’ve never seen before if your like your the average tourist.

The trip has a high light when the Balmaceda Glacier suddenly pops up on the view. So, too it’s pretty with its blue ice seeming to flow down the mountain sides. You’re normally allowed, at this part, to head outside and load a few pictures, a lot of people take a ton pictures! The boat kinda just stays there so people can view for a few before doing some stuff to go visit Serrano.

After visiting the first glacier you will visit a place near the Serrano Glacier where they are doing stuff. Then there you can walk, like your going on a easy 20-minute walk that heads across to the Serrano Glacier viewing spot. Here you can, actually, feel very small when viewing the massive ice wall. Some information is given about the region’s geology and history that can interest many of us!

Lunch with a View – A Special Experience

Oh, yeah lunch!. Nearly always is had at a estancia (it’s, you know, ranch) named Perales. This area provides beautiful looks on a lake or sounds around it, which sets you up for your meal. The lunch usually consists of, you know, roasted lamb which Patagonian has a long tradition of serving (cordero al palo) served along with, so, some veggies, or sides. So, too it’s quite the tasty meal, a thing which just fits after you just stand on deck getting breezes and also just some views on the walking area. There will be vegetarian options at most meals too.

Making the Most of Your Tour – Great Tips

Want to go, then there is always stuff that is smart to keep stored in memory if going on some tour there. Layer up your cloths because the climate on that side gets strange sometimes in just a small amount of time, be aware.

Clothes for anything!. This usually means wearing cloths in layers with you removing layers as you go. This will usually assist you if you ever get kinda cold or hot when viewing sites on these areas!
Sun protection. Although the areas cold most of the time the reflections caused in glaciers and also large amounts of waters mean getting lots of sunshine hitting you!. You still must to add things like glasses or some lotions!
Photo stuffs and also binoculars. Its awesome to bring some items to help view stuff thats afar. Make some shots in beautiful settings.
Small Money. It really always a pretty smart thing to get cash for a meal and tip the people working on some place there.

Photo Opportunities: Ready, Set, Click!

Photography nuts should ready their equipment!. The boat will basically be turning a certain way for all to witness and gain that photos they needed. This tour, naturally provides like, some beautiful images to obtain!

Balmaceda Glacier. Capture shots when arriving close. Also go for views, especially showing that natural contrast, such as blue skies or just maybe grey dark clouds!.
Serrano Glacier. Catch the panoramic sights from those assigned locations near those footpaths.
Wildlife. It’s something to also photograph when able! Sealife, birdlife, you almost are certainly getting that.
Icebergs. Check near water too!. Since ice tends to come apart sometimes it might cause interesting things that makes an wonderful view!.

Remember!. Some of the photographs will be a awesome opportunity to try filters out!

Was it worth going – final thoughts

So you should always travel so that the journey can sometimes be better than a final goal. Sometimes going into places make one understand and like traveling that general place and location over time. Overall there is so much places around these locations to keep one photographing places! If thinking when should I view it. The Summer between Nov and Mar may tend to make for longer days and better conditions, despite lots of tourists viewing places around that timeframe!. Yet those visiting in less tourist locations are also known to go between late-September to November, yet this provides cooler breezes and fewer of people running around tourist locations!.