The Glacier San Rafael is the result of more than 30 thousand years of nature’s work and together with the Laguna they probably are the best and most worldwide known destination in Aisén, not only because of their beauty but because it is the closest glacier to the Equator, at sea level. The Laguna was discovered by Europeans in 1674 and connects to the Pacific Ocean through a small 6 by 9 miles entrance.

Laguna San Rafael in winter time - photo Patricio Silva 

The Laguna and the glacier are part of the Laguna San Rafael National Park, created June 17^th, 1959, which later was named by UNESCO in 1979 as Reserve of the Biosphere. It is the largest National Park in Aisén with a total area of 6729 sq.miles including the whole area of the Northern Ice Field. Within the park is the highest summit of the Austral Andes: the San Valentin Mount with a height of 13.280 ft above sea level.

Whisky in thousand year old ice - photo Patricio Silva

The park has 19 glaciers and San Rafael is probably the most beautiful one: a frozen river that runs from the high peaks toward the west into the sea. When it reaches the sea, the flow of ice has formed a small lake known as Laguna San Rafael where hundreds of icebergs of irregular form float quietly toward the sea. These large pieces of ice have broken free, with a loud noise, from the icy blue front wall. A deep green and luxuriant forest surrounds the glacier on both sides from the very top to when it flows into the sea. This landscape has been admired by all the visitors since the first sailors that reached this coast.

Floating iceberg with glacier in the back - photo Patricio Silva

Close to the glacier there are several hiking trails guided by park rangers, there is fishing from the beach, boat rides, and walks into the forest and along interpretative paths. Trails are long and lead to the glacier crossing the evergreen forest and allowing the visitor to appreciate the different stages of vegetation growth after the receding ice. There is a dock for small motor boats and from where starts a trail leading to the glacier front wall and to several intermediate view points. The glacier can be reached by sea or by plane. By sea our company offers different alternatives of day excursion in high speed catamarans or in a motor sailor boat for 10 peoples that go to the glacier and then Isla Kent in a week. By plane it is a half day excursion for a maximum of 4 passengers in a twin engine plane, the excursion can be done only if weather allows it.

Seal on an iceberg - photo Patricio Silva

Main attractions:

• Laguna and Glacier San Rafael
• Mount San Valentín (the highest peak in the Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia)
• Laguna Leones
• Navigation on channels

To visit Laguna San Rafael and its glacier, check one of our related programs