Skorpios II cruises the Chonos Route of Chile's Fjords; a sea peppered with islands, a land where volcanoes and glaciers sculpt the landscape and the legends of the fjords come true… this is Skorpios territory in the Northern Ice Field… we'd like to show it to you.
Motor Vessel Skorpios II sails from Puerto Montt, the capital of the Province of Llanquihue and of the Chilean Lake Region, founded opposite the Seno of Reloncaví in 1853. We will arrive in Quemchi, a small village on the island of Chiloe and Puerto Aguirre, a remote fishing village on Huichas Island in the Chonos archipelago. Its inhabitants have all the basic equipment of a city, but live in an quiet and peaceful atmosphere provided by their environment. We also anchor in Dalcahue, a small village on central Chiloe named after Dalcas, traditional boats made of three boards used by the Chonos. Our cruise will also include sightings of other coastal villages like Calbuco and Caguache.
The Motor Vessel Skorpios II Chonos Route covers a total of 800 miles while she threads her way through channels and fjords where nature is still practically free from human habitation, taking you to the San Rafael Glacier in the Northern Ice Field.This ice mass is in the midst of Chilean Patagonia, between S. latitude 46º and 47º. It has an approximate area of 4,400 km2, with a length that runs for 100 kilometres from north to south and an approximate width of 40 kilometres from east to west, with a total of 7 glaciers. This enormous ice formation contains the San Rafael Glacier, which is the nearest Sea bound glacier to the Equator; it covers 15 kilometres from Mount San Valentin to placid waters of Lake San Rafael.
We set sail on Motor Vessel Skorpios II every Saturday, returning on Thursdays from October to April, from the Skorpios terminal in the city of Puerto Montt located 1,000 km south of Santiago, which is accessible by air or land. This cruise lasts for 5 nights, covering 800 miles on the route to magical age-old ice formations of the San Rafael Glacier, sailing through spectacular archipelagos, channels, fjords and gulfs and showing you this impressive territory where we can find cities and villages such as Quemchi, Dalcahue and the fishing village of Puerto Aguirre, which gives us a full view of the splendor of nature at her most vigorous, as can best be seen in the Quitralco Fjords, with its hot springs and numerous islands, included on our cruise.
The majestic natural environment of the locations on the Chonos Route has a vigorous flora that surges spontaneously. Wild ferns and wildflowers like the chilco or Magellanic fuchsia, native forests and the compact foliage of coigües and canelos (nothofagus domebyi and drimys winteri) are the most characteristic features of the austral rainforest. This is the best possible scenario for a rich and diverse marine and land fauna visited on Islote Barrientos and Islote Conejos. Seagulls, chucao (scelorchilus rubecula), cormorants, black-necked swans, huala ducks, woodpeckers, magellanic penguins, together with seals, sea leopards and impressive blue whales of the Gulf of Corcovado, are living testimonies of the infinite biodiversity that exists in southern Chile.
Glaciers and mountains
Small remote ports
Wildlife and birdlife
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
SATURDAY: 12:00 midday. Departure from the Skorpios terminal in Puerto Montt. Navigation through the Llanquihue Archipelago. Sighting of the city of Calbuco. Crossing the Gulf of Ancud. 4:30 p.m. Landing in Quemchi, on the island of Chiloé. Disembarkation in boats in this picturesque Chilean town, where you can visit its craft center, its streets and cafes, as well as the house-museum of the Chilean writer Francisco Coloane. 6:30 p.m. We continue heading south through the Chiloé Archipelago, crossing the Gulf of Corcovado at midnight.
8:00 a.m. Navigation through Moraleda and Ferronave Channels. Arrival to the town of Puerto Aguirre at 11:00 a.m. Disembarkation in this fishing village nestled in Los Chonos archipelago. We will walk through its streets, viewpoints, and the trail of a typical regional rainforest. 1:30 p.m. Navigation through Ferronave and Pilcomayo Channels, and Casma pass. 4:00 p.m. Arrival at Barrientos Islet. Here we will disembark in boats, approaching stealthily to this group of rocky islands to visit this site. Here is the largest number of seabirds in the Aysen region; we will watch birds such as Imperial and Red-legged Cormorants, Austral and Dominican Gulls, accompanied by South American fur seals that are either on the rocks or at sea. 5:00 p.m. Departure southbound, anchoring at approximately 10:00 p.m. at Caleta Quesahuen or Punta Leopardos, 20 miles from the San Rafael Glacier.
7:30 a.m. The ship nears the San Rafael roadstead and the Témpanos Channel. 09:00 a.m. The ship enters the Lagoon and anchors 2 km (1.24 mi) from the Glacier. Excursion in motorboats among multicolored icebergs if the weather allows it. 2:30 p.m. The ship approaches the San Rafael Glacier. 4:00 p.m. Departure toward Quitralco Fjord.
The San Rafael Glacier is absolutely magical, with its different sized and shaped ice floes; it is also one of the most active glaciers in Patagonia in terms of icefall and colouring. In the Laguna San Rafael National Park, Nature remains impervious to Motor Vessel Skorpios II as she sails silently on, and offers a spectacular landscape for all to see while they sail towards the Glacier itself on Hercules icebreakers. The glacier is 2,000 metres wide and its towers rise to a height of 70 metres, offering an unsurpassed spectacle while we toast each other with a glass of first class 12-year old whisky filled with chips of this incredible 30,000 year old ice formation.
8:00 a.m. Docking at Quitralco dock. After breakfast passengers can take thermal baths at 32°C and 38°C (89°F - 100°F) in indoor or outdoor pools and hikes along the local trails. If the weather allows it, excursions in motorboats can be made in the interior of the fjord. 5:00 p.m. Departure for Chiloé sailing through Moraleda and Perez Norte Channels.
Quitralco means "fire waters" in Mapuche, and is a fjord that lies on an ancient glacier bed, with high snow-capped mountains and an impenetrable and unique forest that grows next to a calm and transparent sea, in the middle of a temperate microclimate. Skorpios offers its passengers a paradisiacal and exclusive resting place, with covered and open air swimming pools fed by hot spring waters that reach temperatures of between 32º and 38º C, a typical barbecue and vast grounds with different nature watching circuits. We also offer excursions to observe the rich marine fauna of the area from motorboats that sail the peaceful waters of the fjord. Quitralco is paradise as we have all imagined it.
0:15 a.m. Sailing through Leucayec Channel. Crossing the Gulf of Corcovado at approximately 5:30 a.m. In this area, if conditions allow it, we will have the possibility to see blue whales, also called Alfaguaras. We continue sailing and following the eastern coast of Chiloé. 11:00 a.m. Arrival at Conejos Islet, located in Queilen Channel. Disembarkation for a ride in motorboats, surrounding this small island where Magellanic penguins and numerous local birds live. 1:00 p.m. We set sail, navigating between Lemuy and Chelín islands. 4:30 p.m. Arrival at Dalcahue, disembarkation and site visit. We recommend its craft fair, the church, and its waterfront promenade. 11:00 p.m. Departure toward Puerto Montt. Farewell party, Captain's dinner.
08:00 a.m. Breakfast docked at Skorpios Terminal pier. 09:00 a.m. Disembarkation and transfer of passengers. End of Cruise.
NOTE: All schedules, activities, excursions and routes are subject to change due to weather and/or vessel safety conditions, as deemed by the Captain.
Skorpios II
Skorpios II has 53 comfortable cabins, all with private bathrooms, Smart TV, background music, a main dining room, the Quitralco Lounge and the San Rafael Bar.
Motor Vessel Skorpios II has a maximum capacity of 106 passengers in double cabins. Cabins have queen size beds or double beds, distributed in 53 decks. All the cabins have private bathrooms, Smart TV and music. The ship also has two comfortable Bar Lounges and a large dining hall.
On board Skorpios II, in addition to receiving personalized attention from the crew, you will enjoy a refined cuisine that melds traditional international cooking with the best traditions of the south of Chile; our most attractive staples are king crab, giant mussels (Mitilus), cholga mussels, mussels, oysters, sea urchins and picorocos (Austromegabalanus psittacus), salmon, sea bass, conger eels, lobsters of the island of Juan Fernández, red meats, white meats, all of which are always served with the best Chilean wines and the exclusive drinks and soft drinks offered by our traditional open bar.
Skorpios II was built in 1988 and refurbished in 2010 at Skorpios Shipyards, Chile, according to SOLAS and IMO specification and with American Bureau of Shipping classification Nº 890.56.66 A1 Ice Vessel. She has a length of 70 metres, a width of 10 metres and a draft of 2.87 metres. She also has an International low-freeboard certificate and a registration Certificate Nº 2567 issued by the Chilean Directorate General of Maritime Territory.
