Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Aisén

Sports & the Outdoors

The principal reason for coming here for many travelers will be to board a boat bound for the spectacular glaciers and ice at Laguna San Rafael Park. To do so, you must arrange with one of four tour operators, or organize your own private boat. But given that it's a 10-hour round-trip deal, organizing your own transportation can be quite expensive. That said, the area around Puerto Aisén is nature-rich and worth checking out too if you have the time. Nearby, for example, is Parque Aiken del Sur, a small private park situated on the banks of Riesco Lake with excellent walks through native flora and strong fly-fishing possibilities. For fishermen, the area is bountiful in prime fishing spots at the numerous rivers and lakes.

Catamaranes del Sur (Carrera 50, Puerto Chacabuco. 67/351-112; 2/333-7127 in Santiago. www.catamaranesdelsur.cl) arranges boat trips to Laguna San Rafael. Patagonia Connection (Puerto Puyuhuapi. 2/225-6489. www.patagonia-connection.com) arranges boat trips to Laguna San Rafael and Puyuhuapi. Patagonia Green (67/336-796. www.patagoniagreen.cl) can arrange all kinds of excursions to nature attractions around Puerto Aisén, including an overflight of glaciers at nearby Laguna San Rafael Park.