Chilean Fjords and Pacific Coast
The temperate rain forest on the west coast of Chile extending 800 miles from the Straits of Magellan north to the Gulf of Corcovado (just south of Puerto Montt) is accessed only by boat and therefore has retained its original fauna and flora in a unique setting of high mountains, deep fjords and intricate channels. The explorer H W Tilman summed up the attraction when he remarked that it was about the only place in the world where one can see a hummingbird on a glacier. Because of a heavy precipitation, it deters most visitors except those who persevere in seeking out truly untraveled parts of the earth.
Both Pelagic Australis (8 to 9 guests) and Pelagic (up to six guests) have no fixed itinerary along the coast of Chile but we can design a program to suit the needs of any group whether they be yachtsmen, nature lovers or mountaineers. We are especially interested in offering logistic support for climbers attempting traverses of the North and South Patagonian Icecaps.
Climate
A cool climate with summer temperatures averaging about 12 to 15 degrees C in the south and 15 to 18 C in the north, it is predominantly a wet region – in the central section around Puerto Eden average annual rainfall is six meters! As would be expected, many of the days are cloud covered, but when it does clear the temperatures can be warm and balmy. Winds are generally from the northwestern quadrant, but become highly variable inside the complex archipelago.
Available Dates
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Scheduling and travel arrangements will be discussed upon application. However likely times for cruises along this coast would be in the southern fall (March to May) northbound from either Ushuaia on the Beagle Channel, Punta Arenas on the Straits of Magellan or Puerto Natales, and ending in either Puerto Aisen or Puerto Montt. In the spring (September/October) there would then be a southbound cruise back to the Beagle Channel.North Bound: We recommend a minimum of four weeks on Pelagic Australis (five on Pelagic) if the cruise begins from the Beagle, three (or four) if from Punta Arenas and two (or three) if from Puerto Natales. South Bound: Because of the predominance of following winds the southbound passage is easier and can be done in less time (although this is not recommended). |
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Travel Arrangements Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas are serviced three times daily from Santiago on Lan Chile. For flight information in Tierra Del Fuego in particular getting to and from Puerto Williams and Punta Arenas see www.aeroviasdap.com References
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