Puerto Natales Travel Guide

 vtveen Says:  We were not aware of it, but when we left Puerto Natales on the ‘Alberto de Agostini’ we already could see this glacier. Due to the clear air it seemed if the glacier and the surrounding mountains were rather close, but it took about 3 hours sailing before we reached the bay... 

 vtveen Says:  This glacier is also tumbling down the Balmaceda Mountain, but on the north slope. It ends in a glacier lake and ice breaking off the main ice wall causes several icebergs floating in the lake. Depending on the wind this icebergs do reach a shore and we could get very close... 

 vtveen Says:  Perhaps the most impressive and at least most amazing and remarkable part of our trip to the glaciers in Parque Nacional Bernardo O’Higgins was our walk from the pier at Puerto Toro (after 3 ½ hours sailing) to the viewing point for the Serrano Glacier trough a fantastic... 

 perfectly_zen Says:  The "w" trek is considered a nice option for those who haven´t got much time available and want to see the most important parts of the park. I´m not a trekking expert =P and I could not complete the whole trek because of the weather, but I will write down the data I´ve... 

 milliturtle Says:  This is sort of a long tip since we did 3 things in 1 day. There are 2 main tour operators that offer this full day option - Turismo 21 de Mayo and Punta Alta. I think both companies pretty much cover the same route: a 3 hour catamaran ride on the Seno Ultima Esperanza... 

 vtveen Says:  From Lago Pehoe we continued our trip to the Visitor Centre of the park with some interesting exhibits, some useful maps and other information. After crossing the River Grey the gravel road became VERY bad and our speed was often not more than 20 km !! But we reached, really... 

 vtveen Says:  ..... Full day Fiordo Ultima Esparanza .....That is the announcement on the website of ‘Turismo 21 de Mayo’, the company which operates this boat trip during summer. And it is the truth, because we (and you) had to sail for 7 long hours on a rather small boat, leaving from... 

 blueskyjohn Says:  This is a very small restaurant, maybe 5 or 6 tables. But the food is great and it feels like eating in someone's house with great home cooked meals. I eat here three times. Wish I was back! The hamburger is hand made with spices and veggies mixed in. It was incredible! 

 milliturtle Says:  This restaurant actually serves African and Patagonian fusion cuisine, hence Afrigonia. The decor was simple, with some African influence such as the wooden giraffe napkin holder.We tried the salmon cerviche, king crab (austral king) appetizer, the lamb, and shrimp and... 

 milliturtle Says:  There are at least 3 bus companies (Fernandez, Pacheco, Sur) that make a stop at the airport on the way to Puerto Natales, so if you are arriving by plane, you can arrange to get on the bus there instead of the bus station in downtown Punta Areans. However, you cannot... 

 vtveen Says:  When on holiday we love our freedom and if possible we try to travel by (rental) car. We feel it is much more convenient and flexible. We drive and stop when and how long we want and not when a tour guide does. And self driving allows to take minor roads and to visit ‘off... 

 vtveen Says:  A lot of travellers will visit both El Calafate and Torres del Paine (Puerto Natales) during their vacation. The best way to travel to/from Chile between El Calafate and Puerto Natales is by bus. There are a couple of companies running services between these cities. We took... 

 vtveen Says:  Most probably only during summerSince the beginning of the year 2009 it is possible to fly to/from Puerto Natales. The 'second' Chilean airline 'Sky Airline' is flying from a couple of cities - among them Santiago - to Puerto Natales. Didn't use it myself, but heard about... 

 vtveen Says:  Pisco is the national drink of Chile (and Peru) and is a rather strong drink (35% alc.) distilled of muscat grapes, with a high sugar content. These grapes are growing in the north of Chile. It is possible to drink it pure or as a so called ‘pisco sour’, when the drink is... 

 vtveen Says:   We visited Puerto Natales during late spring (early December) and still it can be ‘winter’. Specially when visiting Torres del Paine or making a boat trip on Seno Ultima Esperanza it can be (very) cold. Besides the weather can change very quickly; during our visit we had...