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The Laguna San Rafael National Park, with more than 4,300 acres, was declared World Reserve of Biosphere in 1979. The park consists of all the North ice Fields (1,087 acres) where several snowdrifts are born, among them San Quintin, San Valentin, Leones and San Rafael. San Rafael snowdrift, 30 miles long and a moving forward front of about 2 miles wide and 1,640 to 2,300 feet high, flows into the pool of the same name. The smelting of San Rafael glacier base causes the detachment of big ice blocks, which float on Laguna San Rafael waters, which has 106 square miles. |
| Laguna San Rafael and San Rafael snowdrift location |
Laguna San Rafael is located 120 nautical miles southwest of Puerto Chacabuco, 47 degrees south and 73 degrees 30 minutes longitude west, goes down a river from North Ice Field to the sea. This is San Rafael snowdrift, which is center and soul of a landscape named Laguna San Rafael, one of the most beautiful sceneries of Chilean Patagonia. |
| How to arrive to Laguna San Rafael? |
By Sea: sailing from Puerto Chacabuco to the south, entering Aisen Fiord, continuing by Costa Channel, entering Elefantes estuary, then sailing through Rio Tempanos and arrive, after a beautiful travel, to Laguna San Rafael. Airway: taking off from Puerto Aysen airdrome or from Coyhaique airport to land on San Rafael National Park landstrip. |
| How to arrive to Puerto Chacabuco? |
Airway (3 hours): Santiago – Puerto Montt; from Balmaceda to Puerto Chacabuco (2 hours) public or private overland. Puerto Chacabuco is 9 miles from Puerto Aysen, 53 miles from Coyhaique and 79 miles from Balmaceda. |
| Where to lodge when visiting Laguna San Rafael? |
It is recommended to lodge in Puerto Aysen or Puerto Chacabuco because of its vicinity of the boarding place and setting sail to Laguna San Rafael. There are several lodging options: hotels, cabins and inns. More information on lodging fares in infogreen@patagoniachile.cl |
| What clothes to wear? |
| It is recommended to wear cold, rain and wind resistant clothes. It may also happen the day may be very sunny, so it’s recommended to take along sun glasses and a good barrier cream. |
| What else to visit? |
Aiken Park: Natural private park of 618 acres, located 6 miles from Puerto Chacabuco. It has three natural paths, a steak restaurant, a visitor’s center, arboretum or botanical park and a wonderful waterfall named Barba del Viejo (old man’s beard). Ask for more information in infogreen@patagoniachile.cl Queulat Snowdrift: Located in Seno Ventisquero in a peaceful inlet and few minutes away from the picturesque village of Puyuhuapi. The thermals are emerging springs by the beach that delivers their waters to two polls and one spa with almost 122ºF. The place has tourist equipment. Ask more information in infogreen@patagoniachile.cl |
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Español |
Patagonia Green Hotel, Cabins and Tourism Trips to Laguna San Rafael and Glacier www.patagoniagreen.cl infogreen@patagoniachile.cl Puerto Aysén Patagonia Chile Phone: (56) (67) 336796 Fax: (56) (67) 336794 |
Ultima actualización: 25-01-2007
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"Guide to chilean Patagonia"© 1996