Navimag - Patagonian Fjords & Channels

Overview

The coastline of Chilean Patagonia extends for some thousand miles along endless fjords, desolate channels and uninhabited islands that are covered by virgin temperate rainforest and overlooked by the snow-capped peaks of unnamed mountains that stand above the Northern and Southern Patagonian Ice Fields.

Sounds like the best way to explore these Patagonian Fjords is by boat - and it is!

Our recommendation is to discover the Patagonian Fjords by taking the Navimag ferry from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales (or the other way around). The Navimag, as the locals simply refer to it, is a passenger and cargo ship, carrying cars, truck loads of fresh veggies and sometimes even livestock and in that way connects the End of the World with the rest of it - or let's say, at least with the rest of Chile...

In the last few years this ferry from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales has become more and more popular amongst travelers. As a result many improvements have been made on board to meet the increasing demand and a solid base of secure operations.

Nevertheless, it remains a somewhat rustic way of traveling as it is not a luxury cruise ship, but your reward is sailing through one of the most isolated parts on the Planet. Ahoy!

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Itinerary

Southbound Route: Puerto Montt - Puerto Natales

Day 1: Puerto Montt - Reloncaví Sound - Gulf of Ancud - Gulf of Corcovado

• 2:30 p.m. Informative talk
• 3:00 p.m. Boarding
• 5:00 p.m. Departure, Captain’s welcoming talk and safety video
• 6:00 p.m. Talk: Idiomatic expressions
• 7:30 p.m. Dinner
• 9:00 p.m. Movie (dining room)
• 10:00 p.m. Live music (pub)

Day 2: Moraleda Channel - Pulluche Channel - Evening: Gulf of Penas

• 8:00 a.m. Breakfast
• 9:30 a.m. Morning briefing
• 11:00 a.m. Talk: Flora & Fauna
• 12:30 p.m. Lunch
• 4:00 p.m. Talk: Geology and Glaciology
• 6:00 p.m. Documentary film
• 7:30 p.m. Dinner
• 9:00 p.m. Movie (dining room)
• 10:00 p.m. Live music (pub)

Day 3: Messier Channel - Bajo Cotopaxi - Angostura Inglesa

• 8:00 a.m. Breakfast
• 9:30 a.m. Morning briefing
• 12:30 p.m. Lunch
• 4:00 p.m. Talk: Torres del Paine
  
• 7:30 p.m. Dinner
• 9:30 p.m. Bingo and Farewell Party (pub)
  

Day 4: White Channel - Kirke Channel - Puerto Natales

• 8:00 a.m. Breakfast
• 11:00 a.m. Disembark (depending upon wind conditions)

Northbound Route: Puerto Natales - Puerto Montt

Day 1: Puerto Natales

• 8:45 p.m. Informative talk
  
• 9:00 p.m. Boarding
• 9:30 p.m. Safety video
  
• 10:00 p.m. Movie (dining room)
• 10:00 p.m. Live music (pub)

Day 2: Puerto Natales - Kirk Channel - White Channel - Amalia Glacier

• 6:00 a.m. Departure from Puerto Natales
• 8:00 a.m. Breakfast
  
• 11:00 a.m. Talk: Geology and Glaciology
• 12:30 p.m. Lunch
• 3:00 p.m. Documentary film
• 5:00 p.m. Talk: Kawésqar people
• 7:30 p.m. Dinner
• 9:00 p.m. Movie (dining room)
• 9:00 p.m. Live music (pub)

Day 3: Messier Channel - Angostura Inglesa - Bajo Cotopaxi - Evening: Gulf of Penas

• 7:30 a.m. Breakfast
• 11:30 a.m. Morning briefing
• 12:30 p.m. Lunch
• 5:30 p.m. Documentary film
• 7:30 p.m. Dinner
• 9:00 p.m. Movie (dining room)
• 9:30 p.m. Live music (pub)

Day 4: Pulluche Channel - Moraleda Channel - Gulf of Corcovado - Gulf of Ancud

• 8:00 a.m. Breakfast
• 9:30 a.m. Morning briefing
• 11:00 a.m. Talk: Puerto Montt and the regional attractions
• 11:00 a.m. Documentary film
• 12:30 p.m. Lunch
• 4:30 p.m. Talk: Flora & Fauna
• 5:00 p.m. Documentary film
• 7:30 p.m. Dinner
• 9:30 p.m. Bingo and Farewell Party (pub)

Day 5: Puerto Montt

• 6:00 a.m. Arrive in Puerto Montt
  
• 7:30 a.m. Breakfast
• 8:00 a.m. Returning of keys
• 8:30 a.m. Disembarking

Note
Itineraries and routes are subject to change without prior notice.

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Map

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What's Included?

Your Navimag Ferry Ticket Includes

• Meals specified in the program (see itinerary)
  Not included: additional alcoholic and/ or non-alcoholic beverages
• On board activities
• Informative talks and movies

Additional Costs

• Additional alcoholic and/ or non-alcoholic beverages, which you can buy at the pub
• Anything else you may buy at the store on board
  

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Departures & Prices

The Navimag ferry leaves in a weekly rhythm, as follows:

Puerto Montt - Puerto Natales

• Departure: every Friday, 2:00 p.m.
• Check-in: Friday, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
• Boarding time: Friday, 12:00 noon
• Arrival: Monday, 11:00 a.m., depending on weather conditions
  

Puerto Natales - Puerto Montt

• Departure: every Tuesday, 6:00 a.m.
• Check-in: the Monday before, 1:00 - 9:00 p.m.
• Boarding time: Monday, 9:00 p.m.
• Arrival: Friday, 8:30 a.m., depending on the weather conditions
  

Prices

Low Season

from April through October 2012

Puerto Montt - Puerto Natales or Puerto Natales - Puerto Montt

 * only Ferry Evangelistas

These prices are per person.

Note
Prices are subject to change without prior notice.

High Season

from November 2012 through March 2013

Puerto Montt - Puerto Natales

 * only Ferry Evangelistas

Puerto Natales - Puerto Montt

 * only Ferry Evangelistas

These prices are per person.

Note
Prices are subject to change without prior notice.

About the Cabins

Cabin	Beds per Cabin	Window	Private Bath Inside the Cabin	Private Bath Outside the Cabin	Shared Bath
Cabin AAA	2
Cabin AA	4
Cabin A	4
Cabin BBB	2
Cabin BB	4
Cabin CC	4
Berth C	22

 * only Ferry Evangelistas

Discounts

• Students: 15% in Berth C, if you have with an International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
• Senior Travelers: 15%, if you are over 60 years old
• Infants: 80%, under 2 years
  
• Children: 20%, under 12 years
  

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Ship

Navimag uses ferry ships which are freight ships adapted for the transport of passengers and vehicles, including heavy machinery, trucks with general freight, cattle, cars, camping trailers, motorcycles and bicycles.

Check-in

Passengers should check in at least 4 hours before the scheduled departure time. Those passengers that are also traveling with vehicles should be present an hour before the rest of the passengers.

Luggage

Each passenger can carry up to 2 suitcases. We suggest bringing only essential items as the space inside the cabins is very compact. Each bed comes equipped with a locker and key with the following dimensions: 71cm (21") deep, 41cm (12.5") wide and 73cm (22") high (only ferry Evangelistas). The space of the locker is sufficient to hold a backpack of approximately 60 liters.

Shared cabins

Navimag's pricing structure allows for the sale of cabins or individual beds. If you buy a bed you will share the room with other passengers, otherwise you must pay the rate that includes the remainder of the beds (single) until completing the cabin. Navimag reserves the right to accommodate passengers in the way that is most convenient to Navimag.

Do the cabins and berths include sheets and blankets?

All the accommodations include sheets and blankets. A towel is provided to the passengers in cabins only.

Are guides available on board?

There is a bilingual guide on the Patagonian Fjords route from September through April; the rest of the year there is no guide.

Security

For Navimag, your security is the first priority. Therefore, Navimag and its ships are certified under the standards of the International Safety Management (ISM) related to the preventions of SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) for the protection of human life at sea, and by the procedures of the ISO 9001.2000 certificate. This certificate permits Navimag to guarantee the highest standards of quality and security in all operations. Navimag's ferries are equipped with rafts and life vests for 730 persons (double its maximum capacity) and 3 rescue rowboats.

Are meals included?

On your trip there is a self-service dining room with a pre-established menu, which includes juice and does not include mineral water. There is only table service for passengers in Cabins AAA and only on the Patagonia Fjords route.

Vegetarian options

There are also vegetarian options. Please advise at check-in.

Alcohol

You will be able to acquire alcoholic beverages and the best Chilean wines in the pub, as the ferry has all the licenses for the sale of alcohol.

Are passengers allowed to take alcoholic beverages on board?
Passengers are not allowed to take alcoholic beverages on the ferries. At the Pub bar, passengers will find a wide range of liquors, wines and beverages at market price, which can be bought and drunk only at places provided for such purpose, i.e., the dining room and the pub.

What can I buy in the cafeteria?

Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee, pizzas, crackers, cookies, and chocolates are part of what you can buy at the cafeteria.

Store on board

Navimag logo clothes, books about Patagonia, souvenirs, post cards, film, maps, video tapes and personal articles are part of what you can buy at the on board store.

How can I pay on board?

Purchases aboard and payment of excursions can be paid in cash in Chilean Pesos or U.S. dollars, or with checks from Chilean banks.

Infirmary

The ship offers basic infirmary services with professional staff. Additionally, part of our crew has training in first aid.

Clothing

For Patagonia you need "outdoor” clothing:

• Warm clothes
• Rain and wind proof jacket
• Hat
• Gloves
• Sun glasses
• Sunscreen
• Lip Protector
• Hiking Shoes or Boots for excursions
• Photo camera
  

Pets

Pets of any kind are not permitted on board.

Electricity (voltage) on board

220 V, 60 Hz

Internet

There is no internet connection on board.

Satellite Telephone

There is a satellite telephone on board. Prepaid cards for the phone can be bought on board.

Is there a safe for valuable items?

On the ships there is a safe available for passenger use managed by the ship's captain.

Smoking

Smoking is only allowed on the ship's outer decks.

Cancellation Policy

The following are Navimag's cancellation policies, which are applied to those passengers that for some reason cannot participate in the journey with Navimag:

Navimag will reimburse:

• Up to 15 days prior to departure 90% of the cost
• Between 14 and 5 days before the departure 70% of the cost
• Between 4 days and 48 hours before the departure 30% of the cost
• Between 48 hours and departure date 10% of the cost
• Navimag will not reimburse cancellations made after the departure date.

It is necessary to re-confirm the departures before sailing?

Yes. It is very important to re-confirm your departure. There is always the possibility of delay or suspension of the trip, because of unforeseen circumstances, such as weather conditions.

All departures are subject to change without prior notice.

Book your Navimag Ticket with us!

No service charge, no booking fee, no commissions added!