HD San Rafael National Park from the Air

Duration: 1 day

Highlights: 90 minute flight.

Explore San Rafael National Park from above.

Itinerary

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Transfer from the pier to the aerodrome of Puerto Aysén, a town of 12,000 inhabitants founded in 1914. Following take-off there will be a short flight over the town, a panoramic view of the Aysén River, and the Presidente Ibáñez Bridge, the longest hanging bridge in Chile. The flight proceeds toward Lake Riesco in the direction the beautiful Huemules Valley, where one can appreciate the devastation caused by the eruption of Hudson Volcano in 1991.

Continuing further into this area of glaciers, rivers and magnificent vegetation, one can also admire the San Francisco Channel and Exploradores River, which form the border with the San Rafael National Park. The arrival to the Elefantes Estuary signals the entrance to the magnificent San Rafael Lagoon. The Laguna San Rafael National Park is the foremost attraction in the Aysén region, drawing thousands of visitors each year to be dazzled by the tremendous vertical walls of blue ice that flow 45 kilometres (28 miles) from the Northern Ice Field and stretch 4 kilometres (2½ miles) across the Laguna San Rafael. Around these walls, thousands of aquamarine icebergs float in soupy water, forming jagged sculptures. Lucky visitors may even enjoy the spectacle of a few crashing off the iceberg with a mammoth splash. The glacier is actually receding, and quite quickly. The first explorers here in 1800 described the glacier as having filled three-quarters of the Laguna, and one can appreciate how much has disappeared. Like Torres del Paine, the 1.7 million hectare (4 million acre) lagoon is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

After some time to take pictures over the lagoon, return to Puerto Aysén and transfer to Puerto Chacabuco.
 
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Magnificent scenes unfold before you on this 90-minute scenic flight over the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Laguna San Rafael, an aquamarine world of floating icebergs and receding glaciers.
 
TIMING BREAKDOWN
00:00 - 00:15 Drive from pier to Puerto Aysén Aerodrome
00:15 - 01:45 90-minute flight over San Rafael
01:45 - 02:00 Return drive to the pier to rejoin ship

Approximate duration: 2 hours
 
OPERATIONAL NOTES
- Includes the services of an English-speaking guide
- Bottled mineral water included during transfers
- This excursion is totally dependent on climatic conditions
- Charter flights are carried out in a Cessna aircraft. For large groups, a Beechcraft may be available but is subject to confirmation
- Be sure to bring along binoculars, camera and plenty of film
- Activity level is Easy