The new cave, that lay at the altitude of 920 metres (3,020 ft) above sea level, was called Marble (initially, also the name Afghan was used), due to the fact it that was formed by marble limestone. Also, he still accepted our deposit from the night before. Bring lots of layers. The information below can become outdated quickly. For information about other great things to do in Patagonia, please read our Perito Moreno (Los Glaciares National Park), Hanging Glacier and Laguna Cerro Castillo guides. In that case, youll need to get yourself from Puerto Rio Tranquilo to Chile Chico. Tourists will need to travel across the Chilean border to get a decent view and tour the caverns. Roam and Thrive is a member of several affiliate programs. You can rent a car at Balmaceda airport or in Coyhaique at the start of your trip or even in Puerto Montt if youre doing the whole Austral Highway road trip. They are found along the truly outstanding stretch of road known as the Carretera Austral. Planning a trip right now? Travel down the Carretera Austral and experience not only the Marble Caves but many other beautiful destinations. Instead, this will be a completely aquatic adventure. In this guide, well detail our journey (and the common journey) for people travelling north to Puerto Rio Tranquilo from El Chalten. Now weve covered what the Marble Caves are, where they are and when to visit, lets talk about how to get there! What role does Sydney Carton play in a tale of two cities? Dont forget to look down! It took me until recently, on my third attempt, to have a successful experience at the caves! The Chilean Patagonia holds some of the most impressive and unique landscapes in the world, one of those is the Marble Cathedral. The only other piece of advice I can give is to try to enjoy the entire route. The lake's water level will be at its low throughout the spring. Furthermore, the Marble Caves are a natural geological feature, though fanciful. Admittedly, we got absolutely soaked. RELATED:Destination Slovenia: Are The Postojna Caves Worth Visiting? Essentially century-old, traditional manor houses most have now been renovated to provide exquisite, luxury accommodation. The colors of the caves vary with the seasons sometimes, the caves lighten and transform into softer colors; other . If so, youll likely be travelling to Puerto Rio Tranquilo from El Chalten. The colorful Marble Caves transport you to another level of contemplation, especially when you ponder the fact that the rocks were polished over thousands of years of geological time. Get your quote below now. All Rights Reserved. For a less windy and wild ride try to book your tour for as early as you can in the morning. This usually leaves at around 8:30am for around $15USD/person. Additionally, much of the Carretera Austral is unpaved, so youll need to be brave enough to drive on rough road conditions. 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. There is no bus at all between Los antiguos and Chile Chico anymore. Although youll likely be here for just a night or two so its no biggy! If you have an additional 30 seconds wed love to learn more about you. The bow of your boat moves straight through the mouth of the solid grotto and immediately, you notice a ceiling of bold, swirling lines so bright they must have been painted on. The climate in this part of Chile is damp and frigid. This means boats can navigate into the caves with greater ease and you wont get anywhere near as wet! The only way to see the Marble Caves is on a tour as youll have to get out onto General Carrera lake to see them properly. If travelling from overseas, youll need to fly to Santiago Airport initially and then to Blamaceda Airport. Located in Chilean Patagonia, this off-the-beaten-track destination is a firm favourite along the iconic Austral Highway road trip. The accommodation was warm and cosy with a large kitchen area. You should book this along with the overnight bus if you hadnt done so already on Busbud. You can embark on a thrilling kayaking excursion or hop aboard one of the many vessels touring the glacier. Daily buses leave Coyhaique and Cochrane and travel south and north along the Carretera Austral stopping in Puerto Rio Tranquillo. The Marble Caves are only accessible by tiny boats, observing and accessing the caves. Onyx + Rose Pure Bloom Mint Broad Spectrum CBD Oil, LARQ Insulated Self-Cleaning and Stainless Steel Water Bottle With UV Water Purifier. Let's explore Patagonia's hidden gem: the Marble Cathedral. Our host at the campground in Elqui Valley where we . To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Also keep in mind that the boarder usually only opens between 8am 8pm. In 2023, the cost is around $45,000CLP/night ($56USD). By telling you about our experience, we hope the journey to the Marble Caves in Chile is simple and straightforward for you. These stunning caves were also situated at the heart of General Carrera Lake, and they . The host is very nice. Unlike most other insurance companies, theres an option to pay on a monthly basis, similar to having a prepaid phone plan. This creates a magnificent feast of colours. Large deposits of marble have been carved by wind and waves for thousands of years, creating the caves we see today. The perfect excuse to switch seas and take a dip in the Ionian Jump right in and get inspired! We had a private guide just for the two of us. Please note that we tried to book the Los Antiguos to Chile Chico bus ticket the night of boarding the overnight bus in El Chaltn. You cant fly directly there from overseas. Also, when you visit the caves, dont just go to take photos and say you have visited on social media. But, its possible to book this bus (from Los Antiguos to Chile Chico) at the Chaltn Travel office at the El Chaltn bus station. This unique geological formation cannot be directly accessed by land. Even during summer, the deep blue hues are still worth seeing. Thats because theyre quite challenging to get to! Anyway, before we dive into the nitty-gritty details about how to get to Puerto Rio Tranquilo to see the Marbles Caves, well answer some commonly asked questions about this natural wonder in Chile. You can email them directly and ask if they are still doing tours. . They are just as magical during other parts of the year. The are two different boat tours to choose from, the simple 1.5-hour tour which takes you to the main caves or the more comprehensive 3-hour tour which also includes going across the lake to Puerto Sanchez. Indeed, we hope this guide will help you plan your adventure there! To protect your phone and camera gear you might want to bring a waterproof bag. Postcard moments from Sedona Did I mention they also have a beach club for you to spend afternoons in sipping spritzes? The Carretera Austral connects them so it is a scenic, but slow drive of about 4 hours. Drift through pristine marble pillars and flawless arches sculpted together over countless generations. The caves' water colors shift from enchantingly turquoise-blue during spring to deep blue in summer, with the walls reflecting in the water to create a captivating visual effect. If you are travelling here and to other areas of Patagonia I highly recommend getting an Entel SIM over other companies. Did I mention theres also a hot tub right on the lake too? As a result, the caverns' distinctiveness extends from their formation to their magnificent splendor today. The kayak tour with Bellavista camping was really great. But, when we visited in February 2020, there was definitely a bus departing at 11:30am with this company. Most people will use buses to get to Puerto Rio Tranquilo to see the Marble Caves. The Patagonia Caves themselves are located on the General Carrera Lake, Chiles largest lake which it shares with Argentina. Prepare to be utterly captivated by volcanoes, mountains, glaciers and lakes in Northern Patagonia, a montage of some of the most spectacular natural sites Chile has to offer. Rental is easy just make sure to book in advance as cars in this area sell out quickly. Be aware the season in Patagonia in April will be winding down and coming to a close so it might be worth checking in advance. We are matching your tour idea with the right Travel Consultant Thank you so much for your thorough comment, detailing your experience visiting the Marble Caves. How much time you plan on spending in Patagonia is entirely up to you. This process has been occurring for over six centuries! Its even possible to head straight to the port from the bus (arriving from Chile Chico or Coyhaique) to do a Marble Caves tour. The Marble Caves and Marble Cathedral are best reached via Puerto Tranquilo, Chile. Enjoy the rest of your time in Patagonia. If you are heading down the famous Carretera Austral route of Patagonia then these caves are an absolute must-visit! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Roam & Thrive is designed to help you wander slowly and consciously. Personally, we wanted to drop our bags off first. This would be in time for the buses that head to Puerto Rio Tranquilo. They dont offer breakfast but if you book a kayak tour with them and you stay with them the kayak tour only costs 35.000 CLP per person. So be careful with your belongings as they will get wet! The stunning turquoise waters of the marble caves in Chile's General Carrera Lake are a sight to behold. The marble caves are located in Chilean Patagonia. Also keep in mind that often there are winds on the lake so that the port gets closed and its not possible to see the marble caves. As far as were aware, these companies do not display any bus departure times or confirmed days of travel online. The suns reflection off the beautiful blue glacial water exacerbates the rocks blues, whites, pinks and yellows. Find out how to visit here. Its located in the Aysen region of Chile. #gallipoli #gallipolibeach #gallipolipuglia #pugliaview #vitaminsea #pugliastyle #pugliasummer #puglia #puglialove #mediterraneo #mediterraneanlife #travelmoments #momentsofmine #slowtravel #slowtravelstories #seetheworldwithme #europeansummer #howitalyfeels #whatitalyis #oh_italia #italia_in_grande, Visiting Puglia this summer and dont know where to stay? But, its a decent last-resort option. They turn the colors from warmer to midnight blue. Both names are internationally accepted, but the marble caves are on the Chilean side. There really is no easy way to travel there. The Marble Caves in Chile are located about 5 km south of the village of Puerto Rio Tranquillo along the Austral Highway in Chiles Aysen Region. Of course, please leave us a comment if there are any updates about how to get to Puerto Rio Tranquilo. Thats your best chance for the latest information about timetables, departure time and availability. The marble caves of Patagonia (Credit: Tom Garmeson) When you arrive at the caves, there's a stillness, a clearness, a synthesis of colours that you fall in love with," said visitor Hans Claussen. These beautiful caves are located in the middle of General Carrera Lake and can be only accessed by boat or kayak. Try to do your tour in the morning. Outside of this season, the gravel road that leads to Puerto Rio Tranquilo can close. It requires a short ride by speedboat or, with good weather, a . SafetyWing is a modern travel insurance company that is certainly leading the way in terms of how travel insurance should work in the future. Liked learning about all the best places South America has to offer? Private companies are constantly changing transportation options to and from Puerto Rio Tranquilo. We booked at the main bus station in Puerto Rio Tranquilo. Tickets can also be purchased from Chaltn Travel at the main bus terminal. The marble effect is the result of 6,000 years of wave action, while the blue tones are simply a reflection of the lake's waters, so the rocks change in intensity and colour throughout the year.. Its natural beauty has made it one of South America's most sought-after tourist destinations. Here are a few samples of our tours that include visiting the Marble Caves: The Marble Caves can be seen at any time of the year. Copyright 2023, Roam & Thrive Site Powered by Pix & Hue. Personally, thats what Beck and I did. Highly recommended - Phone: We to talk! Plus, you can enjoy first-rate accommodation and scrumptious food while youre there! The weather in Patagonia is everchanging so its best to bring many layers for the trip as it does get cold. The bus Ride takes usually more than 4 hours. The hills and mountains surrounding the lake provide many wonderful vantage points of the lake itself but be prepared for some rough terrain. However, heres a brief overview of what youll most likely be looking at in terms of your journey there: Seamlessly combine a trip to the Marble Caves on one of our completely customizable Chile Tours. Just one last tip: bring the right clothing and equipment, especially warm clothes regardless of the season because the weather in Patagonia changes without warning. Hiking . Usually all Kayak tours are 45.000 CLP and boat tours between 20.000-25.000 CLP. In the lobby, youll find a warming fireplace and they also have a good onsite restaurant. Real marble as far as the eye can see? This 6,000-year-old formation of marble caverns is washed with turquoise blue waters. When you get off the bus, therell be local people offering a group tour for around $20,000CLP/person ($24USD). Show more, Patagonia boasts a plethora of attractions aside from the Marble Caves well worth exploring, such as Chelenko Glacier, Patagonia National Park, and Exploradores Valley. However, visitors should be sure to have warm clothing and rain gear, particularly during winter as it can get pretty cold with the temperature sitting at around 10 degrees Celsius inside the caves. The Marble Caves of Chile are a destination I have visited many times. The Marble Caves in Chile feature- caverns, pillars and tunnels. In the post is the link to the tour company we used. Travel within Chile is: Unrestricted . These amazing natural wonders, are a unique geological formation, featuring a number of caverns, tunnels and pillars, in monoliths of marble. Read more: Driving the Epic Carretera Austral Chile: Everything You Need to Know. Although, as mentioned before, let us know if transport options to the Marble Caves in Chile have changed and well update this guide! And all transportation and accomodation costs doubled more or less. Did you known these waterfalls are tucked deep in the Mexican jungle near the city of San Luis de Potosi? Infant (age 0 to 2, with child chair): CLP$ 23.000 per person. Your adventure begins in the capital city of Santiago, where you'll glean insight into the culture on a city tour. The Marble Caves of Lake General Carrera, Chilean Patagonia. Ill be visiting Chile in mid April, 2023 and would also like to see the Marble Caves at times. Shutterstock. From here you can explore the town and visit other cool places in the area such as, Cool Countryside and Windmill Driving Tours from Amsterdam, How to See the Northern Lights in the Lofoten Islands, Chiricahua National Monument: The Land of Standing-Up Rocks, The Columbia River Gorge: A Natural Wonder in Washington & Oregon, Insights into Hiking the Birthing Cave of Sedona, Arizona. The best place to stay when visiting the Marble Caves Patagonia Chile is in or around Puerto Rio Tranquillo, however, this is a small fishing village and your options are pretty limited. Each room oozes that ski-chalet cosiness where you can relax with a steaming mug of hot chocolate looking at the turquoise lake beyond. Below, well review the best accommodation options in Puerto Rio Tranquilo. If you are planning a trip down the scenic Carretera Austral Highway in southern Chile, the Marble Caves is a must! That's because they're quite challenging to get to! It rained so heavily on the way to Puerto Tranquilo that the rivers began to overflow and we couldnt advance any further to arrive at the Marble Caves. Although an afternoon tour of the Marble Caves in Chile is possible on the day of arrival, the waters are notoriously rougher and choppier later in the day. It was sold out. The majority of the cave is submerged and can't be seen. If youve opted for the longer boat tour there are a few other sights to see on the other side of the lake near Puerto Sanchez. If you prefer, it is also possible to rent a kayak and paddle to the Marble Caves for about 35,000 CLP ($50 USD). We cant remember where we stayed, but we had the whole hotel to ourselves! . Aggressive waves have washed up against the marble (calcium carbonate) for years, and slowly shaped the curved walls. During this time the water levels are at its lowest and the light at sunrise is at its bounciest. With good weather, the Marble Caves are an unmissable feature of this part of the Carretera Austral. Press on the image below to find out more. It also has wifi in the communal mess-tent. This insurance isnt just for digital nomads, its for everyone and anyone needing travel insurance for their trips. Specifically, the bus from Los Antiguos should arrive in Chile Chico around 9:3010am. The easiest way to explore the Marble Caves of Chile is by boat from Puerto Rio Tranquilo. She graduated from Seattle University, with a Bachelor's degree in International Business. #salzburg #salzburgo #salzburg #austriavacations #austriagram #visitaustria, Fairytale places to exist and dreams do some true The bus from Chile Chico to Puerto Rio Tranquilo will arrive in time to do an afternoon tour, at around 1:452:15pm. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Indeed, youll need to take a boat tour to explore the marvellous Marble Caves in Chile. Youll then cross the border to Los Antiguos and then get the bus to El Chlaten. Thanks for your support. Furthermore, boat cruises are only available during the daytime. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. This may compromise your chances of being allowed to get closer to and inside the caves. Despite the beauty of these caves, theyre not seen by a huge number of tourists. If you have less time you can always take a day trip from the city of Coyhaique. They are located 217km south of Coyhaique and the trip takes about 5 hours. The 6,000-year-old stunning cave network known as the Marble Caves or Cuevas de Mrmol is located on the peninsula consisting entirely of marble and washed with the deep blue waters of the glacial Lake General Carrera on the border between Chile and Argentina. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, we want to comment because we just went to the marble caves and we loved your tips on how to get there, but now (January 2023) a lot changed. After you land at Balmaceda Airport (BBA), you'll have to continue on to Puerto Rio . It's a captivating place both due to the cave formations and the color of Lake General Carrera. In addition, the little information available online about getting there is usually outdated. This helps towards the costs of running our website. We were told that its better to do a tour in the morning as mornings tend to be calmer with less wind which can make conditions choppier and colder on the water. Please leave us a comment to help us and your fellow travellers keep up to date with the latest information about visiting the Marble Caves. Its a bit of a paddle but totally worth it as you can get much closer to the caves than the boat does. From Santiago de Chile, I would recommend to fly to Balmaceda (nearest airport to Coyhaique) and continue from there by car. 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. As mentioned, there can be very rough conditions in the afternoon. Algae or other marine life are also present. 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. With a desire to travel, she decided to leave Seattle and she studied abroad in Paris, France, Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Please do let me know if this would be possible considering weather and other conditions. Meltwater from nearby glaciers fills up the lake and over time this water carved out caves, caverns and tunnel systems in the rock on the lake. For those able to travel in Patagonia for longer, El Chalten is a great launch pad for the long journey north to Puerto Rio Tranquilo to visit the Marble Caves. It is for that reason today, we explore the one-of-a-kind Marble Caves in Chile! The kayaking tour is also twice as long as the boat tour. Its a bit of a paddle out to get to the marble caves but nothing any fit and healthy individual cant handle. However, the rigid walls of a marble cavern throughout Patagonia were not quickly formed into the remarkable structure that tourists witness today. Perhaps, booking ahead for Bellavista Camping isnt essential. Once you're there, you'll have to travel another several hours: the caves are a twisty, hilly, 120-mile (193-kilometer) drive away. Here are my favourite options in the area: Terra Luna Lodge This unique cabin/lodge located right on General Carrera lake offers a number of different and incredible accommodation options, Patagonia cabin-style. Easy 4.6 (952) Kootenay National Park. Its absolutely worth the time and effort in getting to Puerto Rio Tranquilo in Chile to explore the Marble Caves. . Services are limited so try to buy your ticket at least the day before, especially when travelling during the high season. Furthermore, the marble cathedral was formed through countless generations of weathering. If youre feeling up for a bit of adventure all while seeing the Marble Caves, Chile Id highly recommend going for the kayak option. If youre travelling through Patagonia from top to bottom, then you may be needing to get to Puerto Rio Tranquilo from Coyhaique. While the water in the [] On this itinerary, you'll get to experience the two most beautiful regions of Chile: the northern Atacama Desert and southern Patagonia. It may not be the first thing that springs to mind, but fishing at General Carrera Lake is an incredibly popular pursuit. *This chile marbles caves post contains affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. Personally, we found car hire too expensive. The above information is critical in order to plan your route to the Marble Caves in Chile. Last updated on March 16th, 2021 at 06:02 pm, How to Get There, What to Expect & When to Visit. They only run in the early and mid-morning. In the native tongue, the caves are known as "Cuevas de Mrmol.". For the last few years, Ive been usingSafetywing Nomad Insurancefor all my individual trips and digital nomad lifestyle. On my most recent trip to the caves, I stayed there for one day.

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