The standard boat tour costs $10,000 CLP ($13) per person. Personally, thats what Beck and I did. To protect your phone and camera gear you might want to bring a waterproof bag. Destination Slovenia: Are The Postojna Caves Worth Visiting? We had a private guide just for the two of us. If so, youll likely be travelling to Puerto Rio Tranquilo from El Chalten. The only company that has service in Puerto Rio Tranquillo is Entel. Hi, we're Dan and Beck, collectively known as the Speed Hiking Couple. Usually all Kayak tours are 45.000 CLP and boat tours between 20.000-25.000 CLP. Marble Caves in Patagonia, Chile: How to Get There & When to Visit, Choose Colombia & Panama destinations (optional), Choose Ecuador & Galapagos destinations (optional), Choose Paraguay & Uruguay destinations (optional), Choose Patagonia & Antarctica destinations (optional). Also you can contact two transport services to Puerto rio tranquilo va WhatsApp: +56 9 3881 6685 this one leaves in Chile Chico at 11 am and costs 30.000 CLP. This area is home to beautiful lakes and volcanoes, and this natural setting inspired him to get into landscape photography. Nature created these caves out of pure marble of beautiful colors, and it is a privilege to be able to see them. The iridescent Marble Caves can be found near the border of Argentina and Chile, on General Carrera Lake in Patagonia. Call us now: +1 (888) 900-5060. However, visitors should be sure to have warm clothing and rain gear, particularly during winter as it can get pretty cold with the temperature sitting at around 10 degrees Celsius inside the caves. By telling you about our experience, we hope the journey to the Marble Caves in Chile is simple and straightforward for you. Hitchhiking is also possible along the Carretera Austral in Chile, however, rides are few and far between outside of the summer months. In the lobby, youll find a warming fireplace and they also have a good onsite restaurant. To visit the caves visitors must be in Chile because that is the side the marble caves are located. The best way to get to Puerto Rio Tranquillo and the Chile Chico Marble Caves is by car. They are located 217km south of Coyhaique and the trip takes about 5 hours. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Marble is a non-foliated metamorphic rock. From Coyhaique, youll get a bus going to Cochrane, which passes through Villa Cerro Castillo and Puerto Rio Tranquilo. If you decide to hire a car, we recommend booking in advance online using RentalCars.com. Personally, we found car hire too expensive. That is what gives this place its unique charm! It isnt until your neck gently reminds you that youve been staring up for too long, that you begin to notice the natural beauty that resides beneath you. . Personally, we wanted to drop our bags off first. The lake water is higher during this time of the year which causes a deeper shade of blue to evolve. Plus, you can enjoy first-rate accommodation and scrumptious food while youre there! The cheapest way to get from Marble Caves to Torres del Paine National Park costs only $130, and the quickest way takes just 22 hours. You should book this along with the overnight bus if you hadnt done so already on Busbud. Indeed, youll need to take a boat tour to explore the marvellous Marble Caves in Chile. Travel within Chile is: Unrestricted . This 6,000-year-old formation of marble caverns is washed with turquoise blue waters. The Carretera Austral connects them so it is a scenic, but slow drive of about 4 hours. Below, well answer some of the other most frequently asked questions about the Marble Caves in Chile. The bus from Chile Chico to Puerto Rio Tranquilo will arrive in time to do an afternoon tour, at around 1:452:15pm. Like all buses in Patagonia, we felt completely safe throughout the journey. Margo was born and raised in Bellevue, Washington. We will pick you up very early at your accommodation in Coyhaique to take the route through the Southern Carretera Austral, so you can go over the 144.7 miles between Coyhaique and Puerto Tranquilo. Tourists staying here can embark on boat excursions to Cuevas de Mrmol (Marble Caves), Laguna San Rafael, and Parque Aikn del Sur (a nature reserve of 250 hectares). The lake's water level will be at its low throughout the spring. Also, he still accepted our deposit from the night before. One of the most isolated natural treasures of the world, the Marble Caves (Capillas de Mrmol) are a series of sculpted caves in the General Carrera Lake in the heart of Patagonia. Also, colors transition to vivid colors as the ice caps melt. Thats your best chance for the latest information about timetables, departure time and availability. If you are visiting the Marble Caves near Puerto Tranquilo, do not miss the chance for the day trip of a lifetime at the mighty San Rafael Glacier! For the last few years, Ive been usingSafetywing Nomad Insurancefor all my individual trips and digital nomad lifestyle. Certainly, from our mistakes, we can advise on the best way to get to the Marble Caves in Chile. Hi, It should be possible. It has been estimated that these vast sections of marble weigh 5000 million tonnes and consist of 94% calcium carbonate. On this itinerary, you'll get to experience the two most beautiful regions of Chile: the northern Atacama Desert and southern Patagonia. The Marble Caves in Puerto Rio Tranquilo, Chile, are one of the most stunning natural landscapes youll find in Patagonia and in all of South America. If you choose to stay at Hotel Loberas del Sur, make sure to indulge in their fine Patagonian cuisine. Thats because theyre quite challenging to get to! These naturally sculpted caves are made completely of marble and are believed to have been formed by the lake's waters. Youll find all the tour agencies on the main road by the lake and you can enquire directly with them about tours and costs. Expect to pay around $15,000CLP per person ($20USD). An Easter Island & Machu Picchu Itinerary to See South Americas Mysterious Places, Take an internal flight to Balmaceda (870 miles south), Embark on a 4-hour drive down the Carretera Austral road to Puerto Tranquilo, Board a motorboat or better yet hop into a kayak and make your way to the beautiful Marble Caves, You can also add the Marble Caves to one of our. We're all about slow and mindful travel, conscious luxury, nature and holistic wellness. We booked at the main bus station in Puerto Rio Tranquilo. They both charge $15,000CLP per person ($18USD) for the bus from Chile Chico to Puerto Rio Tranquilo. These are just some of my favourite websites I use to book everything from hotels to rental cars! The kayak tour costs $40,000 ($52) per person but its completely worth the extra spend. The earliest bus from Coyhaique should also arrive in time for the afternoon tour. Not many places on earth quite live up to the marvel that is the Marble Caves in Patagonia, Chile. This may compromise your chances of being allowed to get closer to and inside the caves. Located right next to the Marble Cathedral, in the Marble Caves in Patagonia this location, as the name may suggest has a small tunnel which you can paddle through and really get close to the marble. The other reason we chose the caves in the afternoon was that heavy rain was forecast for the next few days. All Rights Reserved. Then it's off to the north and the otherworldly desert landscapes of Atacama. Book your stay here. Adult: CLP$ 72.000 per person. The majority of the cave is submerged and can't be seen. We'll spice it with hidden gems & personal tips to create your perfect trip. Copyright 2023, Roam & Thrive Site Powered by Pix & Hue. SafetyWing is a modern travel insurance company that is certainly leading the way in terms of how travel insurance should work in the future. The marble caves at General Carrera Lake are split up into three features: Theres also the tunnel which you can kayak through if you decide to do the kayaking tour. We are hiking enthusiasts, so you'll find plenty of awesome hiking content. Dont forget to look down! The kayak tour starts with a transfer (included) 5km south to Bahia Mansa. UPDATE: Please read through the comments at the end for the latest details on the border crossing, current transport options and costs. In a place called Puerto Tranquilo there are many boats that offer excursions to the Marble Caves and we booked the most convenient one. Your email address will not be published. Highly recommended - Phone: We to talk! Child (age 3 to 10): CLP$ 59.000 per person. Hernan Lara is an amateur photographer born in a region of Chile called Araucania. Also, when you visit the caves, dont just go to take photos and say you have visited on social media. Hiking . The lake spans both Chile and Argentina, and General Carrera Lake is its Chilean name. Instead, an expert local guide will direct you there avoiding any possibility of getting lost! We even got to pick the room we wanted. Otherwise, booking upon arrival at a local car hire agency may be riskier in terms of availability and reliability. The only other piece of advice I can give is to try to enjoy the entire route. It requires a short ride by speedboat or, with good weather, a . It's simple to imagine the structure as a fortress for aquatic creatures. Its a bit of a paddle but totally worth it as you can get much closer to the caves than the boat does. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Roam & Thrive is designed to help you wander slowly and consciously. If you are travelling here and to other areas of Patagonia I highly recommend getting an Entel SIM over other companies. Boat trips to the caves seem to run in two blocks with departures from 8:30am throughout the morning and then more sessions from 2:30pm onwards throughout mid afternoon. When you get off the bus, therell be local people offering a group tour for around $20,000CLP/person ($24USD). Keep in mind that youll need to buy the bus ticket to Cochrane; but, youll get off at Puerto Rio Tranquilo. The largest is El Catedral the Cathedral. Beck and I love travelling to lesser-known destinations. #sedonaarizona #sedonahiking #sedonavortex #sedonaaz #sedonaescape #visitaz #visitarizona #arizonahiking #arizonaexplored #arizona_landscapes #arizonacollective #arizona #getoutside #wellnesstravel #slowtravelling #cathedralrock, Sweet little moments from Gallipoli Print/PDF map. Algae or other marine life are also present. Because of the ongoing erosion, many arches that sustain the caverns potentially cave in over time. The perfect little euro city break. This small income allows me to continue providing you with quality, insightful and most importantly, free content. Made Out Of Pure Marble, These Incredible Caves Change Color Throughout The Year. We paid $49USD/person for a one-way ticket with Chaltn Travel in advance using Busbud. who will be in touch shortly. Onyx + Rose Pure Bloom Mint Broad Spectrum CBD Oil, LARQ Insulated Self-Cleaning and Stainless Steel Water Bottle With UV Water Purifier. This is certainly what we experienced. With a desire to travel, she decided to leave Seattle and she studied abroad in Paris, France, Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina. RELATED:These Malaysian Caves Hold Hindu Temples Deep Within. These stunning caves were also situated at the heart of General Carrera Lake, and they can only be reached by kayak or boat. Id highly recommend them so be sure to check them out here if youre travelling in high season and prefer to book your trip in advance. Youll require time, patience and some know-how. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your email address will not be published. Perhaps, booking ahead for Bellavista Camping isnt essential. Bellavista camping was great. The afternoon tours start running at around 2:30pm.