Please note, that for the rest of the journey beyond Los Antiguos, its well-known, that booking and planning in advance is difficult. Cover starts from as little as $42 per month. 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. Published Feb 20, 2022. How to get to General Carrera Lake This makes it near impossible to plan a trip to the Marbles Caves at this time. The Carretera Austral connects them so it is a scenic, but slow drive of about 4 hours. 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. This is certainly what we experienced. This cave has crystals as big as multiple skyscrapers, as well as a beautiful jewel that seamlessly blends immediately in front of tourists' eyes. The Marble Caves are a spectacular attraction, however, they couldnt be much more secluded if they tried. If youre road tripping the Carretera Austral or the famous Ruta 7, then youll pass through Puerto Rio Tranquilo otherwise its a 5 hours drive south of Coyhaique. The bus usually departs around 9pm, arriving in Los Antiguos at about 7:308am. Tourists can access the caves from Puerto Tranquilo or Porto Sanchez on Lake General Carrera's shores. The temperature in the areas surrounding the lake, on the other hand, varies from warm to chilly. Id highly recommend them so be sure to check them out here if youre travelling in high season and prefer to book your trip in advance. But, its possible to book this bus (from Los Antiguos to Chile Chico) at the Chaltn Travel office at the El Chaltn bus station. We did a kayaking tour with Tribu Patagonia and we loved it. It's a captivating place both due to the cave formations and the color of Lake General Carrera. What kind of fish are in general Carrera Lake? You can experience the lake's network of tunnels, marble caves and other sights by kayak. We booked at the main bus station in Puerto Rio Tranquilo. The Marble Caves and Marble Cathedral are best reached via Puerto Tranquilo, Chile. Tourists touring Marble Cave should spend time looking down and enjoying the glass clear of water since it makes things easier to notice the layers of rock beneath the surface. Marble, like many of the rock formations, is somewhat soluble and quick to sculpt. Made Out Of Pure Marble, These Incredible Caves Change Color Throughout The Year. As far as were aware, there are no daytime options. FYI there are quite a few campsites in Puerto Rio Tranquilo. Youll have to call or email them directly. Keep in mind that accommodation options in Puerto Rio Tranquilo are fairly limited. November and March are also great months to visit with fewer crowds but cooler weather. 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. This insurance isnt just for digital nomads, its for everyone and anyone needing travel insurance for their trips. . Those travelling in Patagonia on a shorter itinerary will usually visit El Chalten. Instead, this will be a completely aquatic adventure. It is for that reason today, we explore the one-of-a-kind Marble Caves in Chile! 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.. The closest airport to Marble Caves in Chile is Balmaceda Airport. So when its your turn to get to the Marble Caves in Chile, make sure to contact the company to find out the latest. Many thanks in advance. When you get off the bus, therell be local people offering a group tour for around $20,000CLP/person ($24USD). Sedona . . The only way to visit the Marble Caves is by boat, kayak, or ferry. Certainly, getting to Puerto Rio Tranquilo, Chile, to see the Marble Caves isnt straightforward. Read more: Driving the Epic Carretera Austral Chile: Everything You Need to Know. We recommend booking this bus in advance. Lets look at the options below. Check our rates and book here. Youll then cross the border to Los Antiguos and then get the bus to El Chlaten. Be as specific or general as you like - or click Help Me Decide! Just below the surface are amazing rock formations that people often miss. The Marble Caves are one of the most stunning natural attractions in the world. FYI if you do end up needing to cross the border by foot, the border crossing is usually open from 8am8pm. Required fields are marked *. The Aysen Region of Northern Patagonia has a harsh, cold climate. However, the rigid walls of a marble cavern throughout Patagonia were not quickly formed into the remarkable structure that tourists witness today. Explore this 0.9-mile out-and-back trail near Lake Louise, Alberta. Its sources are natural. The Marble Caves of Lake General Carrera, Chilean Patagonia. The best option at Terra Luna Lodge by far is opting for an apartment or bungalow with lake views for unique yet comfortable accommodation with simply outstanding facilities. It was sold out. You can quite easily kayak around it, getting closer to notice the unique rock patterns. Ill be visiting Chile in mid April, 2023 and would also like to see the Marble Caves at times. Bellavista camping was great. Even during summer, the deep blue hues are still worth seeing. 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. The rule of thumb being, when in Patagonia do not delay outdoor activities if the weather is good. Because we had to unexpectedly stay the night in Chile Chico, he kindly moved our booking to the next night. If booking this way, we would recommend doing so at least a few days ahead of time, just in case. Over the span of six centuries, the force of General Carrera Lake carved away at the belly of the caves, transforming their walls into a fusion of every shade of blue. Because of the ongoing erosion, many arches that sustain the caverns potentially cave in over time. Over the years the marble on the sides of these islets has been smoothed down by the mineral-rich water exposing unique patterns of yellow, brown, grey and green striations. There are two main tour options; boat and kayak and all tours can be booked on arrival. If youre an outdoor enthusiast, you should stick around in one of the surrounding Patagonia lodges. Easy 4.6 (952) Kootenay National Park. The perfect little euro city break. Lake Buenos Aires If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Call us now: +1 (888) 900-5060. Not to mention kayaking or being on a boat for a few hours in the rain and wind might be a bit miserable. The Marble Caves of Chile are a destination I have visited many times. 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. If you are planning a trip down the scenic Carretera Austral Highway in southern Chile, the Marble Caves is a must! Press on the image below to find out more. This means boats can navigate into the caves with greater ease and you wont get anywhere near as wet! Below, well review the best accommodation options in Puerto Rio Tranquilo. SafetyWing is a modern travel insurance company that is certainly leading the way in terms of how travel insurance should work in the future. Arizona travel. They take advanced bookings with a 20% deposit made by international bank transfer. Finally, the kayaking tour ends with the Tunel de Marmol (Marble Tunnel). Some places offer wifi but not all and most guesthouses offer run-of-the-mill rooms with shared bathrooms. To book a cabin in advance, we contacted Bellavista Camping via Whatsapp (+56981528505). an hour later, you would be unable to take this bus if you wanted to leave for Puerto Rio Tranquilo the same day. If you are travelling here and to other areas of Patagonia I highly recommend getting an Entel SIM over other companies. The Chilean Patagonia holds some of the most impressive and unique landscapes in the world, one of those is the Marble Cathedral. The standard boat tour costs $10,000 CLP ($13) per person. The Marble Caves of Chile are a destination I have visited many times. The Nomad Insurance is great value for money with just a small additional cost to add a partner. Certainly make sure you have at the very least a waterproof bag cover. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. There are two smaller formations which are known as La Capilla the Chapel which rise from the lake, and La Cueva the Cave. . The colors of the caves vary with the seasons sometimes, the caves lighten and transform into softer colors; other . These naturally sculpted caves are made completely of marble and are believed to have been formed by the lake's waters. There are several operators offering boat tours of the Marble Caves for 10,000 CLP ($15 USD) per person. There is no bus at all between Los antiguos and Chile Chico anymore. The site is accessible only by boat, but the spectacle is worth your efforts. If you prefer, it is also possible to rent a kayak and paddle to the Marble Caves for about 35,000 CLP ($50 USD). Of course, you may not need to get buses or fly if you decide to hire a car. It may not be the first thing that springs to mind, but fishing at General Carrera Lake is an incredibly popular pursuit. We even got to pick the room we wanted. At times, the lake's water will radiate pink or white hues. Its a captivating place both due to the cave formations and the color of Lake General Carrera. As far as were aware, these companies do not display any bus departure times or confirmed days of travel online. All Rights Reserved. These are just some of my favourite websites I use to book everything from hotels to rental cars! Also, kayaks and small boats were only utilized because passages are tight and tiny. It had admittedly fairly average Wifi. SouthAmerica.travel 19992023. Never stop believing! If you choose to stay at Hotel Loberas del Sur, make sure to indulge in their fine Patagonian cuisine. Which is the best place to hike in Lago General Carrera? Youll notice several caverns and caves here, the entrances to which are perfectly smooth with linear markings throughout. For shorter trips, its also possible to use Nomad Insurance for trips lasting days or weeks. They are located 217km south of Coyhaique and the trip takes about 5 hours. Also, when you visit the caves, dont just go to take photos and say you have visited on social media. We paid $49USD/person for a one-way ticket with Chaltn Travel in advance using Busbud. The marble caves are located in Chilean Patagonia. Perito Moreno (Los Glaciares National Park), How to Visit the Marble Caves in Chile, Patagonia, What to Expect With Getting to the Marbles Caves in Chile, Getting to Puerto Rio Tranquilo From El Chalten, Bus From Coyhaique to Puerto Rio Tranquilo, Accommodation: Where to Stay in Puerto Rio Tranquilo, Travel Essentials For Visiting the Marble Caves in Chile, travelling north to Puerto Rio Tranquilo from El Chalten, bus from Chile Chico to Puerto Rio Tranquilo, The Pink Caves Close Due to Deaths: Heres What Happened, The Complete Guide to Hikes Along the NC500. Turismo Tramal: unfortunately, according to Turismo Tramal, their current departure time is 9am. Specifically, they are on General Carrera Lake, just outside the Chilean town of Puerto Rio Tranquilo. But, it meant arriving in Chile Chico at around 11:45am. Thats because theyre quite challenging to get to! Did you known these waterfalls are tucked deep in the Mexican jungle near the city of San Luis de Potosi? Drift through pristine marble pillars and flawless arches sculpted together over countless generations. Each room oozes that ski-chalet cosiness where you can relax with a steaming mug of hot chocolate looking at the turquoise lake beyond. Actually, we booked the bus the day before for $10,000CLP/person ($12USD) after doing our afternoon Marble Caves boat tour. Try to time your visit for when the weather is good. 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. If youre interested in camping, there are a number of campsites in Puerto Rio Tranquillo, the best being Camping Rio Chirifo. FYI the Marbles Caves are also known as the Marble Caves of Patagonia, Chile Chico Marble Caves, Marble Caves of Chile Chico and the Marble Caverns of Carrera Lake. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. To do this, take Route 40 to the town of Perito Moreno (not the glacier). Well also cover information about buses travelling southwards to Peurto Rio Tranquilo, usually from Coyhaique or Villa Cerro Castillo. #huastecapotosina #huastecasecreta #huastecapotosina #lahuasteca #mexicoselecto, The Best Time to Visit the Marble Caves Chile, What To Expect During the Marble Caves Tour, Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro: A Curated Guide, A Quick Guide to Aachen Christmas Market: All You Need to Know, 1 Day in Venice: The Perfect Short Itinerary Guide, The Ultimate Slow Travel Guide to Valldemossa, Mallorca, The Complete Travel Guide to Deia Mallorca, Where to Stay in Mallorca, Spain: Top Areas & Hotels, 15 Most Picturesque Beaches in Mallorca Spain, What to Do in Mallorca, Spain: The Insiders Guide, La Capilla de Marmol ( The Marble Chapel), La Catedral de Marmol ( The Marble Cathedral). RELATED:Explore The Underwater World Of Jamaica's Green Grotto Caves. As the bus from Los Antiguos doesnt arrive until approx. It requires a short ride by speedboat or, with good weather, a . Located in Chilean Patagonia, this off-the-beaten-track destination is a firm favourite along the iconic Austral Highway road trip. So accommodation was plentiful. So, if you do go in the afternoon, wrap up in warm and waterproof clothes. Most people will use buses to get to Puerto Rio Tranquilo to see the Marble Caves. Specifically, the bus from Los Antiguos should arrive in Chile Chico around 9:3010am. General Carrera Lake is one of the most picturesque bodies of water in Patagonia. Some of the most famous landforms at the Marble Caves in Chile are known as the Chapel and the Marble Cathedral. 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. That means the situation regarding the best way to get there is always changing. The good news is, Transportes Costa Carrera actually works with Chaltn Travel and waits until the Los Antiguos bus arrives before departing to Puerto Rio Tranquilo. This was even during peak season. Kayaking tour: there are also options to rent a kayak to explore with a guide for anywhere between $35,000$45,000CLP per person ($4356USD). From Santiago de Chile, I would recommend to fly to Balmaceda (nearest airport to Coyhaique) and continue from there by car. Where is the General Carrera Lake in Chile? 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. Exploring Chile's Marble Caves does require any special equipment. The San Rafael Glacier receives far fewer visitors leaving you plenty of room to explore its icy terrain. Prior booking for camping is usually unnecessary even in peak season. The perfect excuse to switch seas and take a dip in the Ionian Show more, Unlike other cave networks worldwide, Chile's Marble Caves are unique due to their stunning, current-carved marble formations. You cant fly directly there from overseas. From here you can explore the town and visit other cool places in the area such as Exploradores Glacier and Nutria Waterfall. In 2023, the cost is around $45,000CLP/night ($56USD). After quite a bit of a paddle, the first sight you come across is the Capilla del Marmol,(Marble Chapel) a free-standing rock islet on Lake Carrera Chile. The best way to get to Puerto Rio Tranquillo and the Chile Chico Marble Caves is by car. If you stay present, and think about this fact, it leaves you speechless. In the lobby, youll find a warming fireplace and they also have a good onsite restaurant. The Marble Caves in Patagonia or Capillas de Marmol have been formed over more than 6000 years and are the result of erosion from waves generated by strong winds on General Carrera Lake. and the rest of our team are ready to help you start planning your South America Holiday. The structure of the cracks gave rise to a phenomenon of this unique geological feature. The glacier water in General Carrera lake always stays super cold throughout the year so you wont need to wear a bathing suit on the Marble Cave tour as swimming or falling into the water can be pretty dangerous. To help get your bearings, feel free to check out this Marble Caves Chile map. All Rights Reserved. The caverns are situated in crystal-clear, blue water. Although never ideal, the overnight bus is a time-efficient way to cover the distance. Theres really is no better company for all my insurance needs. 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. Weve heard they charge around $35,000 per person ($43USD) for a kayaking tour. The area is particularly beautiful in early spring during the ice melt, when water colour is enchantingly turquoise, and also in summer which boasts amazing deep blue hues. Try to really connect with this place and contemplate its unique natural formations. The easiest way to explore the Marble Caves of Chile is by boat from Puerto Rio Tranquilo. As the bright early hours of the morning and nighttime light are reflected off onto the lake's crystalline pure water, the uncovered seams of the marble wall are a beautiful blend of yellow, turquoise, blue turquoise, and white. Nature created these caves out of pure marble of beautiful colors, and it is a privilege to be able to see them. Required fields are marked *. A masseria is a traditional form of accommodation you wont find anywhere else but Puglia and southern Italy. Its a bit of a paddle out to get to the marble caves but nothing any fit and healthy individual cant handle. Dubbed as the most beautiful cave network in the world, Cuevas de Marmol (Marble Caves) is a 6,000-year-old sculpture hewn by the crashing waves of Lake General Carrera of Patagonia in Southern Chile. Now you know how to get there, lets talk about the extraordinary boat tour. Thats your best chance for the latest information about timetables, departure time and availability. This is because private transportation companies continue to offer different services. Jos Miguel Carrera Verdugo (American Spanish: [xose miel karea]; October 15, 1785 September 4, 1821) was a Chilean general, formerly Spanish military, member of the prominent Carrera family, and considered one of the founders of independent Chile. The above information is critical in order to plan your route to the Marble Caves in Chile. . It also has wifi in the communal mess-tent. Thank you so much for your thorough comment, detailing your experience visiting the Marble Caves. We are matching your tour idea with the right Travel Consultant A brief chat with your personal Travel Consultant helps us create your perfect trip! Plus, you can enjoy first-rate accommodation and scrumptious food while youre there! To witness the enchanting turquoise-blue water, the best time to visit Chile's Marble Caves is between September and February when the ice has melted.