Channel of Last Hope (Ultima Esperanza)
Channel of Last Hope (Ultima Esperanza)
Channel of Last Hope (Ultima Esperanza)
4.5
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A sail through this beautiful Sound offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, and the setting is particularly gorgeous at sunset.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
229 reviews
Excellent
149
Very good
65
Average
10
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Wardnick1
new york437 contributions
Jan 2020
You can take a ferry around this channel and stop to hike to a glacier. It is a nice walk on a narrow path. Along the way, we saw sea lions and cormorants. The ferry is pretty big and has food and drink.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PSchicke
Livermore, CA339 contributions
Feb 2014 • Family
Navigating the Patagonian fjords will undoubtedly be a memorable experience as it was for us. The boat rides offered from Puerto Natales will take you on the same path that some 460 years ago the Spaniard explorer, Juan Ladrillero, sailed in search of the occidental entrance to the Magellan Strait, the natural connection between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
These navigations were a full-day experience that depart from the docks in Puerto Natales around 7:30am and return at 5:30pm. The journey took us to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, the first of which will be seen from the boat, while the second required an easy 30 min hike to get right up to the front of the ice. During the ride we passed by many sea lions and Cormorant communities, encountered many different marine and land birds, and got to see the untouched flora of Bernando O´higgins National Park.
These navigations were a full-day experience that depart from the docks in Puerto Natales around 7:30am and return at 5:30pm. The journey took us to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, the first of which will be seen from the boat, while the second required an easy 30 min hike to get right up to the front of the ice. During the ride we passed by many sea lions and Cormorant communities, encountered many different marine and land birds, and got to see the untouched flora of Bernando O´higgins National Park.
Written May 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rodrigo A
Kamloops, Canada14 contributions
Nov 2011 • Solo
The Navigation to Bernardo O'Higgins National Park departs from Puerto Natales dock every morning. It is a beautiful journey surrounded by mountains, pristine forests and islands, hanging glaciers.. lots of wildlife and the stunning Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers.. really a beautiful trip!
Book it with Punta Alta or 21 de Mayo. The only companies doing daily navigation to there! The trip includes a visit to a traditional estancia, drinks and patagonic lamb barbeque.. this trip it is definitely a must-do
Book it with Punta Alta or 21 de Mayo. The only companies doing daily navigation to there! The trip includes a visit to a traditional estancia, drinks and patagonic lamb barbeque.. this trip it is definitely a must-do
Written November 19, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr_Klingeldraht
Magdeburg, Deutschland6 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
After having visited "Torres del Paine" it was rather mediocre. Nothing really spectacular. We did the trip to glacier Serrano, which I do not recommend either. It was also really expensive.
Written October 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Babisbiz
Athens, Greece323 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
After the glacier Grey in the park , the two glaciers Balmaceda and Serrano offered of the full day tour by boat Ultima Esperanca fjiord were poor relatives.
The BBQ excellent thgough
The BBQ excellent thgough
Written February 20, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KilburnAngie
London, UK257 contributions
Jun 2011 • Friends
We took a boat trip early one morning to the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park to see the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers. It was a lovely way to spend the day. On the way up the fjords we passed some wildlife and smaller glaciers.
Our catamaran took us to the park where we disembarked and walked up near to, the glacier with our guide passing a beautiful frozen lake on the way. We were rewarded with a pisco or whisky on the rocks when we returned to the catamaran.
After our trip to the park we were back on our catamaran and off to lunch at an estancia where we had barbecued lamb before making our way back to Puerto Natales.
The scenery was amazing, it was a great trip and good value for money. I would definitely recommend this if you have time when in Puerto Natales.
Our catamaran took us to the park where we disembarked and walked up near to, the glacier with our guide passing a beautiful frozen lake on the way. We were rewarded with a pisco or whisky on the rocks when we returned to the catamaran.
After our trip to the park we were back on our catamaran and off to lunch at an estancia where we had barbecued lamb before making our way back to Puerto Natales.
The scenery was amazing, it was a great trip and good value for money. I would definitely recommend this if you have time when in Puerto Natales.
Written July 29, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelking111
Miami, FL, USA5 contributions
I took the glacier boat-trip in the first week of January 2010, which is mid-summer. The day trip begins at 0800 hrs from Puerto Natales, and we were going to experience the beauty of the landscapes of Ultima Esperanza Fjord. The boat left the port on time and we saw beautiful reflections of the city from the channel in the morning light. The temperature was rather chilly, so do bring layers of warm clothing, cap and definitely a wind-breaker jacket. We passed through Port Bories, which is an industrial cold-storage plant of historical interest. We saw lots of cormorants nesting on the cliff sides. We did not see the family of sea lions in their usual cave. It was probably due to the time of the year. I caught a beautiful rainbow on the Condores Cascade, which is supposed to bring good luck. Bridal veil waterfalls are everywhere at this time of the year. The Balmaceda glacier is receding rather rapidly, owing to climate change. The Serrano glacier meets the water of the lake (fjord) with intermittent calving, creating playful icebergs in the lake. One can take a half-hour hike to get closer to the Serrano glacier, or one can spend the extra hour taking fabulous photos. The forest is filled with all types of trees; specifically, the glacier is framed beautifully by cypress trees and other vegetation from the lookout point, just five minutes from the boat. After this, we took another two hours ride to the historical Estancia for a scrumptious meal of lamb and country vegetables. It took another forty-five minutes by boat back to Puerto Natales. It was 1800 hours, even though the scheduled arrival time was 1700 hours. The repast at the Estancia was quite the completion of a glorious day…….pisco sour, wine..
Written January 19, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lanky01
Manchester England102 contributions
We took a day trip on the 21 de Mayo cutter to sail up the Ultima Esperanza channel and view the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. En route we saw cormorant colonies, a few sealions and some condors, not to mention the stunning scenery. The Balmaceda glacier is receding quite quickly , but the serrano glacier is spectacular. At this point it is possible to disembark and take a half hour walk along the side of the lake to get closer to the glacier. After getting back on board we returned to an Estancia for a delicious barbecue lunch with wine, and then had 40 winks on the way back to Puerto Natales. An interesting and memorable day.
Written January 1, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
priceprom123
Cork, Ireland27 contributions
This was one of the best things we did during our trip to South America. It is a little pricey but well-worth it, tickets can be bought by tour operators in Puerto Natales. The National Park is one of the least visited in the world and the only way to get there is to take a boat up the Channel of Ultima Esperanza. Along the way you see the most amazing glaciers and wildlife. We stopped in an Estancia on the way back and had lunch. If the weather is too bad in the Torres and you are thinking of a good day trip. Do this!
Written August 2, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LadyFromBelgium
Belgium100 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
I would recommend this navigation, but only on a sunny or partly sunny day. The 30 minutes walk in the Bernardo O'Higgins Nat Park to Serrano Glacier was very nice but all the tourists from the boat(100 people) have to walk the same narrow path, up and down.
A little too crowded for us. You have a poor lunch at the Estancia with a least 150 people in the same room !
A little too crowded for us. You have a poor lunch at the Estancia with a least 150 people in the same room !
Written December 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it worth taking walking poles, for this trip, for the walk to the glacier, also, what is the 'current' like, is it quite still.
Written November 18, 2019
Can you share what company you did this tour with? And what was the approximate price per person? This sounds like the best tour of the glaciers, I've found yet and am very interested. Thank you
Written September 26, 2016
Sorry, we didn't go hiking on this glacier. We walked along the beach. Got to the location by renting a vehicle and driving there ourselves. Wish I could be of more help
Written September 28, 2016
Did you have tour? Who was it? Thanks :)
Written June 16, 2016
It was part of our itinerary so I do not know who the local operator was
Written June 16, 2016
Nosotros pagamos $85.000 pesos chilenos por cada pasajero en el bote "21 de Mayo". (Febrero 2017).
Written February 27, 2017
355laura
Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
Hola, alguien me pueden recomendar una agencia para hacer la excursión ultima esperanza? (También si saben de otras para hacer:torres del paine, glaciares balmaceda y serrano..)
Written December 30, 2014
355laura
Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
Hola, alguien me pueden recomendar una agencia para hacer la excursión ultima esperanza? (También si saben de otras para hacer:torres del paine, glaciares balmaceda y serrano..)
Written December 30, 2014
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