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Navigate the Serrano River by zodiac, hike through native forest and stand at the lagoon beneath Balmaceda Glacier. This half-day tour combines close-up glacier views with a short, accessible hike in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park.
Navigate the Serrano River by zodiac, hike through native forest and stand at the lagoon beneath Balmaceda Glacier. This half-day tour combines close-up glacier views with a short, accessible hike in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park.
A low winter sun paints the river silver as a zodiac cuts through glassy water, the motor’s rhythm matching the slow, distant creak of ice. You leave the hotel dock at Villa Serrano and drop into a corridor of lenga and coihue; the Serrano River, fed by the Southern Ice Field, pushes you toward a waterfall where the zodiac gives way to a short forest walk.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Solo Expediciones · Puerto Natales, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena
A low winter sun paints the river silver as a zodiac cuts through glassy water, the motor’s rhythm matching the slow, distant creak of ice. You leave the hotel dock at Villa Serrano and drop into a corridor of lenga and coihue; the Serrano River, fed by the Southern Ice Field, pushes you toward a waterfall where the zodiac gives way to a short forest walk.
This route threads together recent glacial history and raw Patagonian geology: moraines and glacially scoured valleys carved by Grey, Tyndall, Geike and Balmaceda glaciers. The landscape bears the human imprint too — sheep-ranching estancias and the naming of Bernardo O’Higgins National Park after Chile’s independence leader — but here ice and river still set the pace.
Expect about 40 minutes of river navigation before a 15-minute walk through native forest to a second boat, then a viewpoint of Tyndall Glacier and a 30-minute flat stroll to the Serrano Glacier lagoon at Balmaceda’s base. Terrain is packed soil, roots and some slick rock; elevation gain is modest but footing can be uneven. Wildlife is shy: keep an eye for guanacos on distant slopes and condors circling overhead.
Practical guide: wear waterproof layers and sturdy boots, carry a warm mid-layer, waterproof daypack, and at least 2 liters of water. Be prepared for fast-changing weather and respectful of fragile glacial edges — stay with the guide, watch for falling ice and keep cameras ready for sudden calving. Total trip time is roughly six hours with lunch included back at the hotel.
moderate.
6 hours.
Moderate fitness—able to walk 30–45 minutes on uneven terrain and manage short boat transfers.
After the waterfall transfer you should expect about a 30-minute walk over mostly flat but uneven terrain to reach the glacier lagoon.
Yes — entrance to Bernardo O'Higgins National Park is included in the tour price.
Children can participate but infants must sit on an adult’s lap during boat transfers; the operator recommends moderate fitness for all participants.
Primary risks are rapid weather changes, slick terrain, and potential ice calving — stay with the guide, keep distance from the lagoon edge, and follow all safety briefings.
The area sits at the edge of Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, named for Chile’s independence hero; the park preserves fjords and glaciers shaped by the Southern Ice Field.
Glacial environments are sensitive—stick to trails, pack out waste, and avoid using single-use plastics to reduce impact on fragile waterways.
Solo Expediciones operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A low winter sun paints the river silver as a zodiac cuts through glassy water, the motor’s rhythm matching the slow, distant creak of ice. You leave the hotel dock at Villa Serrano and drop into a corridor of lenga and coihue; the Serrano River, fed by the Southern Ice Field, pushes you toward a waterfall where the zodiac gives way to a short forest walk.
A low winter sun paints the river silver as a zodiac cuts through glassy water, the motor’s rhythm matching the slow, distant creak of ice. You leave the hotel dock at Villa Serrano and drop into a corridor of lenga and coihue; the Serrano River, fed by the Southern Ice Field, pushes you toward a waterfall where the zodiac gives way to a short forest walk.
This route threads together recent glacial history and raw Patagonian geology: moraines and glacially scoured valleys carved by Grey, Tyndall, Geike and Balmaceda glaciers. The landscape bears the human imprint too — sheep-ranching estancias and the naming of Bernardo O’Higgins National Park after Chile’s independence leader — but here ice and river still set the pace.
Expect about 40 minutes of river navigation before a 15-minute walk through native forest to a second boat, then a viewpoint of Tyndall Glacier and a 30-minute flat stroll to the Serrano Glacier lagoon at Balmaceda’s base. Terrain is packed soil, roots and some slick rock; elevation gain is modest but footing can be uneven. Wildlife is shy: keep an eye for guanacos on distant slopes and condors circling overhead.
Practical guide: wear waterproof layers and sturdy boots, carry a warm mid-layer, waterproof daypack, and at least 2 liters of water. Be prepared for fast-changing weather and respectful of fragile glacial edges — stay with the guide, watch for falling ice and keep cameras ready for sudden calving. Total trip time is roughly six hours with lunch included back at the hotel.