Patagonia’s Glaciers & Fjords – MV Skorpios III
Tour Introduction
From October to April, the MV Skorpios III departs from Puerto Natales, gateway to southern Patagonia, on an unforgettable voyage into the heart of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Following the historic Kaweskar route, the ship sails over 500 miles through a dramatic landscape of fjords and channels to reveal the greatest concentration of glaciers in the region. You will encounter mighty ice walls such as the Guillard, Amalia, El Brujo, and the spectacular glaciers of Calvo, Bernal and Herman fjords.
Each day brings new opportunities to step ashore for guided walks to glacier fronts and moraines, or to board expedition boats and weave among vividly coloured icebergs. Along the way, you’ll marvel at Patagonia’s pristine wilderness, where wildlife thrives. Expect sightings of elephant seals basking in Guardramiro fjord, seabirds wheeling overhead, and untouched forests clinging to the mountainsides. This immersive journey combines breathtaking scenery with close encounters of the region’s flora and fauna, offering a true expedition into one of the world’s last great wildernesses.
Full Itinerary
Your Patagonian journey begins with embarkation in Puerto Natales and a visit to the remarkable Cueva del Milodón and its scenic surroundings. This fascinating cave, steeped in natural history and legend, provides a captivating introduction to the region’s landscapes and wildlife stories.
After returning to the vessel, settle into your reserved cabin and enjoy the comfort of life on board. A delicious dinner is served in the evening, followed by a restful night aboard the ship.
Staying at MV Skorpios III. Includes Dinner.
After breakfast on board, the ship departs Puerto Natales and begins its voyage through the scenic Almirante Montt Gulf. A safety briefing is provided before continuing towards the Guardramiro Fjord, where you disembark by smaller boats to observe a colony of elephant seals in their natural habitat. The day concludes with a passage through the Angostura Kirke, Morla Vicuña, Unión, Collingwood and Sarmiento channels, offering spectacular Patagonian scenery along the way.
Staying at MV Skorpios III. Includes All Meals.
Sailing north through Pitt Channel, the ship enters the Guillard Fjord to reach the impressive Guillard Glacier, where you disembark to explore, conditions permitting. Later, continue south to the Amalia Glacier for boat trips around its striking bay, with the chance to go ashore and witness the ever‑changing shoreline before returning on board for dinner.
Staying at MV Skorpios III. Includes All Meals.
The morning brings arrival at El Brujo Glacier, where conditions may allow you to step ashore and admire its impressive ice face from a nearby rock. Sailing continues to the spectacular Calvo Fjord, where an excursion aboard the specially equipped Captain Constantino vessel takes you among the surrounding glaciers, including Fernando, Captain Constantino and Alipio. In the evening, the ship sets course for the Mountains Fjord.
Staying at MV Skorpios III. Includes All Meals.
The day is spent exploring the spectacular Fjord of the Mountains, where four glaciers descend from the Sarmiento Range to the sea. Excursions include visits to the Alsina Glacier by small boats and a guided walk at the Bernal Glacier, passing through native forest and glacial lagoons to reach the ice front and observe its retreat. Sailing continues past the Herman and Zamudio glaciers before crossing Angostura White. In the evening, enjoy the farewell party with the Captain’s dinner as the ship navigates through the Almirante Montt Gulf.
Staying at MV Skorpios III. Includes All Meals.
In the early hours the ship arrives back in Puerto Natales. After breakfast, passengers disembark, marking the end of the cruise.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
MV Skorpios III
Overview
The MV Skorpios III is a purpose‑built expedition vessel, launched in 1995 at the Skorpios shipyard in Chile and refurbished in 2012 to provide modern comforts alongside her robust seafaring credentials. At 70 metres in length and ice‑class certified, she is designed to navigate safely through the glacier‑lined fjords and channels of southern Patagonia, offering guests a rare opportunity to explore one of the world’s most dramatic wilderness regions in comfort and safety.
Carrying up to 92 passengers in 46 cabins across five decks, Skorpios III is small enough to reach remote corners of Patagonia yet spacious enough to provide a convivial atmosphere onboard. Facilities include two welcoming bar lounges and a panoramic dining room with sweeping views of the fjords, while daily briefings and lectures enrich the experience with insights into the region’s wildlife, geology and history. Outings by Zodiac bring guests close to towering ice walls and secluded bays, ensuring a genuine expedition feel.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Capacity
Length
Class
Cabins
46
Facilities
Panoramic dining room, two bar lounges, expedition lecture spaces, air conditioning, heating, satellite communications, navigation systems, Zodiac boats for excursions.
Local Wildlife
Terrestrial Mammals: culpeo fox, south Andean deer, guanaco, southern river otter, puma, vicuna, southern pudu.
Marine mammals: dusky dolphin, Peale's dolphin, Commerson's dolphin, Risso's dolphin, orca, humpback whale, southern right whale, southern elephant seal, South American fur seal, South American sea lion, marine otter.
Birds: Andean condor, kelp goose, imperial cormorant, lesser rhea, Magellanic cormorant, flying steamer-duck, Magellanic woodpecker, upland goose, ashy-headed goose, black-necked swan, torrent duck.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Tour Dates
Adult Price
Single Supp
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Best Visited:
October to April
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
John Melton
Area Specialist
Bring sturdy waterproof boots with good grip for the wet, rocky terrain at glacier landings, and carry a dry bag to protect cameras and binoculars during zodiac excursions near the ice.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Our first day of puma tracking was definitely the highlight. The weather was good and we saw distant pumas in the morning and a group of six around a guanaco kill in the afternoon. Spending 2.5 hours watching the interactions between the different individuals was fascinating.
